The Harrachov ski resort is located in the Czech Republic, in the northern part of the Mumlava River, very close to the Polish border. This small town is located at an altitude of 700 meters above sea level in the west of the Krkonše mountain range. The resort is located in the Liberec region of the Semil district. The population is 1700 people. The town, located 130 km from Prague, is very popular among the residents of the capital. The distance from another famous resort of Liberec is 38 km, and from Yablunets-Nysou – less than 11 km.
History of the resort
Already in the 17th century, the resort of Harrahov was mentioned in writing. German settlers in those distant times built the village of Derfel here. Later, it was renamed to Harrachsdorf, and then the name was simplified to Harrachov. At the end of the 19th century, the city became famous thanks to the production of:
- glass products
- development of the mining business
- textile industry.
Nowadays, Harrachov is a famous and important ski resort in the Czech Republic . Various events and sports competitions were constantly held here. In addition, it is one of the important centers of mountaineering in all of Central Europe.
The climate of Harrahov
Harrachov has a moderate climate. The mountains prevent the penetration of cold winds to the resort. Therefore, even in January, the temperature here does not drop below -4 degrees.
At the height of the heat, in July, the average temperature is about +18 degrees. There is a lot of precipitation in this area – more than 850 mm per year. From the middle of December to the very middle of March, the snow cover is reliably maintained. Thanks to this, skiing and mountain tourism brought special popularity to the city. The local government supports the development of this tourist industry in every possible way.
How to get there
The ski center is located 112 km from the capital of the Czech Republic. You can get here in 2 hours by car, driving along the E65 highway. You can get there from Prague by bus from the Black Bridge station in just over 2 hours. Another option is to go to Harrahov by train. The journey from Prague Main Railway Station will take 3.5 hours.
Tracks and slopes of Harrachov
The resort is suitable for both professionals and beginners, thanks to the variety of trails of different difficulty (blue, red and black). There are a total of 10 tracks, the total length of which reaches 9 km. The altitude at which the skiing area is located is 650-1020 m. Additionally, 65 km of cross-country tracks are equipped. Snow cannons are used to maintain the snow cover, and some tracks are equipped with night lighting. There is a special ski simulator and ski schools for beginners. The cost of a ski pass in the height of the season is 650 CZK for an adult and 430 CZK for a child.
For beginners who are just trying to start skiing, there are 6 not very steep and well-maintained blue tracks.
Three red tracks, with practically no gentle sections and with great steepness, are waiting for athletes of an average level.
A black track is equipped for experts. It has everything: narrow places, hard hills, height differences and sharp turns.
With the help of snow cannons, the snow cover on the tracks is ensured all year round.
The length of tracks with an artificial surface is 3.5 km, and for fans of cross-country skiing – about 65 km. The height difference is 370 meters.
There are five springboards on Chertova Gora. All objects are constantly cleaned and are in excellent shape. Rental points for sports equipment are located everywhere, professional instructors will provide various services.
On the slopes of Harrachov there are several playgrounds equipped for activities with children. Children aged 3 and over are put on skis and taught using a special game technique. Children work in age groups, using special game equipment and exciting aids in lessons. In addition, there is a separate children’s lift on the educational slope. You can sign up for children’s lessons at one of the ski schools operating at the resort: ClassicSkiSchool, Ploc and JPK. The child can be left under the supervision of instructors for a period of 1 to 6 hours per day.
Ski pass services and lifts
The resort has 15 lifts of two types – ski lifts and chairlifts.
The height difference is 370 m. The length of the ski lifts ranges from 440 m to 1,300 m with a capacity of 6,500 people per day.
A ski pass in the winter season costs about 600 kroner for adults and 500 kroner for children.
You can buy a Ski pass for 6 days at once, it will cost approximately 2,900 kroner per adult and 2,300 kroner per child.
Infrastructure
At your service:
- indoor pool
- fitness center
- sauna.
In summer, you can do:
- mountaineering
- paragliding
- hiking tourism.
In the city, it is possible to ride horses, take a trip by cable car along Harrachov, and book excursions to waterfalls.
Where to stay
Harrachov , like any other Czech resort, offers a wide selection of hotels, boarding houses and hostels for comfortable and reasonably priced accommodation. Hotel Fit Fun is located 50 meters from the Chortova Hora lift and 700 meters from the bus station. The hotel offers accommodation in single, double or family rooms. The cost of one night per person is about 50 euros. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool with a view of the Krkonoše Mountains, as well as a winter garden and a bar where you can play darts, bowling or billiards.
Hotel Golden can be called a more budget-friendly hotel . The average price of a room is 25 euros per person, and the hotel itself is located just a five-minute walk from the slope. Hotel Golden has a restaurant, a well-kept garden, as well as a sauna and a massage room. Please note that the indicated price does not include food, but breakfast and dinner can be served in the restaurant for an additional fee.
Pension Marketa , which offers rooms for two to six people, is considered one of the most economical options for accommodation in Harrahov . The boarding house is located 300 meters from the city center and offers a ski equipment rental service. In addition, next to this hotel there is a free skibus stop that runs between hotels and takes tourists to the lifts.
Pytloun Wellness Hotel Harrachov 4-star hotel
Hotel Pytloun Wellness Harrachov is located a 15-minute walk from the center of Harrachov and 300 meters from the night skiing resort of the same name. The restaurant with a summer terrace serves breakfast and Czech cuisine. Guests are provided with a free Harrachov card, which holders receive various benefits and discounts when visiting local attractions.
Each room has an LCD TV with satellite channels, free tea/coffee making facilities and a private bathroom with a bath, hairdryer and free toiletries. All rooms have views of the slopes or the surrounding countryside.
Guests can play billiards, table tennis and darts. In addition, guests have access to a bar. A children’s corner with toys is provided for young guests.
Wellness hotel Harrachovka 3-star hotel
Wellness Hotel Harrachovka is a new 3-star spa complex located in a quiet location on the edge of the forest, just a 2-minute walk from the center of Harrachov.
The modern and cozy atmosphere of the spa complex is ideal for those guests who need rest and peace. The swimming pool and fitness center can be visited for free.
The Harrachovka Wellness Hotel offers special wellness and cosmetic programs using the most modern treatment methods. Professional staff can develop individual treatment programs.
There is a conference hall for 60 people, as well as a lounge for informal communication for 15-20 people.
Chalet Hřebenka
Chalet Hřebenka is located in the popular ski resort Harrachov, only 400 m from the ski resort Chortova Hora. An indoor swimming pool, a large garden, a children’s playground and barbecue facilities are available.
The rooms in the Hřebenka chalet are equipped with a balcony and a bathroom. Guests can use a shared kitchen, dining room and lounge with a fireplace. Apartments have their own kitchen or kitchenette. Some rooms have a flat-screen TV. Wi-Fi is provided free of charge.
A swimming pool, a tennis court, a golf course, a climbing wall and a toboggan run are all within a 10-minute walk from the chalet, while Harrachov Train Station is 4 km away.
Free private parking is available on the territory.
For the soul/memorial of the resort
Sometimes after an active vacation, you want to rest your soul, enjoying the beautiful view. An excellent place for this is the route towards the Mumlava waterfall. You can go there both on foot and on skis. It is better to start the 4-kilometer walk from the city bus station in the direction of the waterfalls. Lovers of long walks will appreciate the 22-kilometer hike to the headwaters of the beautiful Labe River, better known as the Elbe.
As for the city’s attractions, the crystal factory and the Glass Museum located inside it are definitely the main ones. The exposition, which includes more than 5,000 exhibits, tells the history of glass production from the middle of the 17th century to the present day. The museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Harrachov glass factory is the second oldest glass factory in the Czech Republic.
The factory was built before 1712. Here, the traditional method of processing and a unique historical granulating workshop, which is already 100 years old, have been preserved. Everything is in practically original historical condition and everything works. In the peculiarly built-up area of the premises of the enterprise there is an exhibition of traditional glass production.
Reviews of the glass factory
The glass factory offers the possibility of excursions, during which you can see with your own eyes the creation of masterpieces made by glass masters. During the inspection, you can get acquainted with the full cycle of glass production and a unique, 100-year-old historical cutting workshop. Everything is in practically original historical condition and everything works.
Shop
There is also a shop on the territory of the glass factory, which offers a wide range of glass products from many glass factories in the Czech Republic. There is also an engraving workshop here, where you can order the application of any motif as desired on the glass product.
The Ski Museum is also located in the same building. The exhibition tells about the development of this sport in Harrachov . The exhibition presents skis that are more than a hundred years old. The real pride of the collection is a huge cup made by local glassblowers as an award for the winner of the 1983 Ski Jumping World Cup. The creations of local glassblowers can also be seen in the St. Wenceslas Church, for example, a baroque chandelier or a glazed altar.
Also attract attention:
- Mountain Museum.
- Local Harrahovskaya brewer.
- The chapel of St. Elizabeth, built in 1915, has a glass bell.
- The Church of St. Wenceslas, built on the basis of the old chapel from 1822 to 1828, is decorated with glass products from a local factory.
- The oldest architectural monument of Luchny Buda from 1625.
There is also a snow fortress on the territory of the resort, where vacationers are shown performances based on local legends and tales, performances by swordsmen, and fireworks are set off in the evenings.
Vacationers have:
An exciting ride on a 19th-century styled train along the Toothed Road from Thanwald to Korzhenov.
Bars, restaurants where you can try local and national dishes.
Fitness centers, bowling, tennis courts, skydiving, dog sledding.
Kitchen
After visiting cultural sights, you cannot deny yourself the pleasure of visiting the famous restaurant at the “Novosad” brewery. According to the owners, when preparing local beer, only natural ingredients are used: clean water from their own wells, malt and hops. Right on the territory of the restaurant there are huge vats in which unpasteurized and unfiltered beer is brewed, filling the establishment with its unique aroma. In addition to foamy drinks, the restaurant offers traditional Czech dishes and snacks. Homemade cheese, smoked sausages and other beer “snacks” are especially popular among tourists. The prices at “Novosad” are very reasonable – the average bill per person is about 250 kroner, and a hearty lunch or dinner for two people will cost no more than 700-800 kroner. Beer is also very inexpensive – a mug of aromatic unfiltered beer costs about 45 kroner here. By the way, in stores, beer is twice as cheap, and in terms of quality, it is practically not inferior to restaurant beer. Let’s add that every Saturday there is live music in the restaurant, and closer to the evening the tables move more compactly, freeing up space for dancing.
For the body
After a hearty lunch with a glass or two of fresh beer, it will be especially pleasant to continue relaxing in a beer bath. This original SPA procedure is a special feature of this resort. The cost of a bath is from 700 kroner per person. The procedure includes a half-hour bath, half an hour of relaxation and two small glasses of beer. The main ingredients of such a bath are five liters of dark and five liters of light unfiltered beer, crushed hops and brewer’s yeast. It is believed that such a procedure actively saturates the skin with vitamin B. The pleasant temperature of the bath softens the skin, opens the pores and provides useful substances access to its deeper layers. After a relaxing bath, half an hour of rest is provided in a darkened room with salt lamps that emit useful substances that have a beneficial effect on the state of the nervous system and respiratory organs.
