The ski resort of Klínovec (Ski areál Klínovec ) is located very close to the Czech-German border, so that “you can get there with a snowball”, as the Czechs themselves say . It is deservedly considered the largest ski center in the Krushny (Ore) Mountains and has long attracted tourists from other countries with the opportunity to spend an excellent vacation in the middle of beautiful nature.
Klinovets has a long history, but its most active development began after 1968, when a double lift was built. A few years later, active deforestation began, resulting in two new tracks. By 1980, two more lifts and a ski slope were built, which is now closed. Significant changes took place here after the resort was acquired by a private company in 1991. Since then, the resort has not stopped the process of constantly improving the quality of services and expanding the list of offered opportunities for recreation. One of the main achievements was the construction of a system of artificial snow on the tracks, which made it possible to ski in any weather conditions. Ten years ago, separate tracks for snowboarders were built at the resort, where world-class competitions were even held.
Track
Mount Klinovets is famous for its steepest descent, the height of which is 1,244 meters above sea level. Such a descent will be difficult for a beginner to overcome, it is designed for confident skiers and professionals of this sport. However, for those who come not to conquer mountain peaks and set records, but simply to enjoy an active vacation, there are quite safe descents.
The total length of the tracks is 70 kilometers. In Klinivka there are tracks for amateurs and professionals, traditionally separated by colors. The “black” track is designed for real masters of skiing, who are ready for extreme differences in altitude and steep turns on the slope. It is not easy to get on such a track – the staff carefully checks the qualifications of each skier to avoid injuries and other troubles. Less extreme are the three “blue” tracks, which are also quite gentle and steep, but ordinary skiers who have experience and feel confident on the snow can ride them with confidence. For beginners who are taking their first steps on the slopes, there are two “red” tracks. There are no sharp differences in height and there are flat areas where you can stop to rest.
A tip for a skier
Ski tracks are classified by standard colors.
The “black” track is the most difficult, tricky and dangerous for beginners. It is calculated exclusively for masters and professional athletes.
Fans of extreme, sharp altitude differences and steep bends – Welcome!
It is not easy to get to the “black” slope, since the pass is issued when the personnel checks the qualifications. The black track is called “U vytogo”, its length is 700 m.
The “blue” tracks – 5 of them – are more gentle than the “black” ones. But still difficult and cool. Skiers come here, confident that they will ski for more than one season.
The “blue” tracks are the “Ladies” (1500 m), “Chetvirka” (400 m), “Under the Castle” (500 m), “Ski School Training Field” (330 m) and “Tourist” (1100 m).
3 “Red” routes are intended for inventory development. They are light, without sharp ledges and drops, so they quickly learn skiing skills and maneuvers here. These include “Parzhezovka”, 800 m long, “Perekryta” – 1350 m, “Slalomak” – 600 m.
In addition to the named tracks, the resort has a separate 5-kilometer cross-country ski slope, the perfect smoothness of which is provided by “snow cannons”. Tourists can climb the slopes by using one of ten (seven rope and three chair) lifts. By the way, the children’s lift works here absolutely free of charge.
As additional entertainment, a hotel park for snowboarders and a snow tunnel have been built on the slopes.
Those who don’t yet know how to ski or don’t feel confident skiing can apply to a ski school. Experienced instructors speak several languages, and promise to put anyone on skis in a couple of lessons.
Cost
In Klinovka , as well as in other resorts, in order to use the services of the lift, you need to purchase a special pass – a ski pass. It can be bought for one day or for several at once, which will be cheaper. In the high season, the cost of a one-day ski pass for children is 440 kroner, for students and pensioners 515 kroner, and for adults 550 kroner. The price of a six-day pass for children is 2,000 kroner and 2,350 and 2,630 kroner for students and adults, respectively.
Among other things, you can rent the necessary ski equipment in Klinovka. The cost of renting an adult set is 300 kroner, and a children’s set is 200 kroner.
Where to stay
Guests of the resort can choose to stay in inexpensive boarding houses and hostels, cozy mini-hotels or luxurious wellness hotels that offer many additional services.
One of the most popular hotels in the resort is the Sporthotel Rudolf , which is located just 300 meters from the ski slopes. The cost of accommodation in it ranges from 500 to 900 kroner per night, depending on the season, the type of room and the availability or lack of half-board (breakfast-dinner) meals. All rooms have a TV, a mini-bar and a bathtub. Wireless internet is available on the territory of the hotel, guests are offered a ski equipment rental service and a room for storing skis brought with them.
Another cozy hotel worth mentioning is Hotel Zelen ý D ů m . It is equidistant from the Klinovets resort and the neighboring Bozhi Dar. The hotel is located in a historic building built in the middle of the 16th century. However, the age of the building does not affect the quality of the services provided. The spacious rooms have been recently renovated and furnished with new furniture. Free parking for guests is available on the hotel premises. A pleasant feature of the hotel is a 10 percent discount on the purchase of ski passes when booking a room for three days or more. The average cost of staying at Hotel Zelený Dům is 650 kroner.
Hotel Panorama is located on the edge of the forest. The windows offer a view of the Yakhimov Valley. Free Wi-Fi is available. You can play skittles for an additional fee.
In this unique hotel, all rooms are individually furnished. Guests have access to a modern bathroom, living area and satellite TV. Guests can have breakfast in the dining room or order breakfast in the room.
Czech and international cuisine is served in the hotel’s bar and restaurant. In good weather, the tables are set on the terrace. There is a children’s playground in the garden.
Upon request, massage procedures are organized for guests. You can also play tennis on the court, which is 100 meters from the hotel. The distance to the water park, health center and gym is 500 meters.
A transfer from/to the airport can be arranged for guests. Hotel Panorama is located 2 km from the ski resort in the direction of the city of Jachymov and 2.5 km from the lower stop of the chair lift, which leads to the Klinovets ski resort . The chair lift connecting Jakhimov and Klinovets is located 2 km from the hotel. For an additional fee, you can use the ski bus. Free private parking is available on site.
Apartments Ski Klinovec are located in the village of Lucno pod Klinovec, a 5-minute walk from the Klinovec ski resort. It offers its own kitchen, garage parking, ski storage and free Wi-Fi.
Ski Klinovec apartments include a fully equipped kitchen, a flat-screen TV, a DVD player, a living room with a sofa bed, and a bedroom with a TV, a double bed and a folding chair. The bathroom has a shower. Guests are offered towels and bed linen.
The distance from the apartments to the city of Karlovy Vary is 21 km.
Restaurants
In Klinovka and its surroundings, there are a large number of different cafes, restaurants, pubs, and there are even a couple of pastry shops with fresh strudels and homemade pies. Many restaurants are located on the first floors of hotels. So, for example, the restaurant of the already mentioned Zelen ý D ů m. The large menu includes dishes of Czech cuisine – potato, garlic, meat and other soups, famous goulash, favorite Czech dumplings, fried cheese, smoked sausages, fried duck with potato dumplings and much more. Of drinks, of course, preference is given to beer. The menu offers a wide selection of brands and varieties of this national Czech drink. It is worth noting that all dishes become even tastier when it turns out that they are quite inexpensive. The average bill for one guest in a restaurant is 250 kroner, and a hearty dinner for two will cost 600-800 kroner.
The restaurant at the Nastup hotel complex is also an unusual place . The main idea of this establishment is the traditional way of preparing food from the freshest and highest quality ingredients. The restaurant offers a wonderful view of the mountains, and the menu offers dishes of international and local cuisine. The specialty of the restaurant is the availability of a special dietary and gluten-free menu for those who carefully monitor their health.
For the body
After a whole day spent on the ski slope and a hearty lunch, it will be especially pleasant to relax at one of the spa resorts. The Nastup hotel offers many procedures for beauty and health . For starters, you can swim in the indoor pool, which is open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. There is a small waterfall, a massage wall and a special island with hot tubs.
After the pool, you can go for a massage. At Nastup, specialists offer therapeutic, classic massage, as well as relaxing massage with hot stones, which helps to gently get rid of muscle tension, and lymphatic massage, which is essentially manual lymphatic drainage.
Paraffin complexes, which instantly give the skin softness and tenderness, and also contribute to the reduction of muscle and joint pain, are also included in the number of wellness procedures. The proposed light therapy sessions affect the physical, mental and emotional state depending on the light used. For example, exposure to green light lowers blood pressure, strengthens vision, improves mood and promotes relaxation. Red light, on the contrary, stimulates blood circulation and accelerates metabolism, which helps with asthma and rheumatic problems.
Completing the cycle of relaxing activities will be particularly pleasant in the sauna. Here you can visit not only a traditional Finnish sauna, but also an aroma sauna with essential oils and a low-temperature sauna, which is ideal for those who, due to circumstances, cannot visit traditional steam rooms.
For the soul
3 kilometers from the Klinovets resort is the town of Oberwiesenthal, which houses an unusual ski museum. Tourists are also offered a ride on a carriage pulled by three horses and various sports entertainment. The exposition of the museum in Kovarzhsk, 10 kilometers from the resort, is dedicated to the memory of pilots of various nationalities who died in the skies over the Czech Republic and Germany during one of the heaviest air battles of the Second World War. 25 kilometers from Klinovets is Klašterets na Ogrže with a castle in the pseudo-Gothic style on the bank of the river. It houses the Museum of Czech Porcelain.
How to get there
The most convenient way to get to Klinovets is from Prague, which is located 110 kilometers from the resort. It will be most convenient to take a taxi or order a transfer at the hotel. However, the most budget option will be a trip by bus. To get to Klinovets, you can take the same bus that goes to nearby Boži Dar, from where the local bus departs. It will deliver to the destination in 10 minutes.