Very close to the Czech-German border, so close that “you can get hit by a snowball”, as the Czechs themselves say, is the Klínovec ski resort (Ski areál Klínovec). It is deservedly considered the largest ski center in the Ore Mountains and has long attracted tourists from other countries with the opportunity to spend a great vacation in the midst of beautiful nature.

Klínovec has a long history, but its most active development began after 1968, when a double chairlift was built. A few years later, active deforestation began, resulting in two new slopes. By 1980, two more lifts and a ski slope, which is now closed, were built. Significant changes took place here after the resort was purchased by a private company in 1991. Since then, the resort has been continuously improving the quality of services and expanding the range of recreational opportunities. One of the main achievements was the construction of a system of artificial snowmaking for the slopes, which made skiing possible in all weather conditions. Ten years ago, separate slopes 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 skiers and professionals in this sport who are confident in their skills. However, for those who come not to conquer mountain peaks and set records, but simply to enjoy active recreation, there are quite safe descents here.

The total length of the trails is 70 kilometers. Klinovets has trails for amateurs and professionals, traditionally divided by color. The “black” track is designed for true ski masters who are ready for extreme altitude drops and steep turns on the slope. Getting onto such a track is not easy – 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 in the snow can also ski on them. For beginners who are taking their first steps on the slopes, there are two “red” tracks. They do not have sharp altitude drops and there are gentle areas where you can stop to rest.

Skier Tip

Ski trails are classified by color as standard.

The “black” trail is the most difficult, tricky and dangerous for beginners. It is designed exclusively for masters and professional athletes.

Fans of extreme sports, sharp altitude drops and steep turns – Welcome!

Getting to the “black” slope is not easy, as the pass is issued upon verification by qualified personnel. The black track is called “At the Murdered One”, its length is 700 m.

The “blue” tracks – 5 of them – are more gentle than the “black”. But they are still difficult and steep. Skiers who are sure that they have been skiing for more than one season come here.

The “blue” tracks are “Ladies'” (1500 m), “Chetvirka” (400 m), “Under the Castle” (500 m), “Ski School Training Field” (330 m) and “Tourist” (1100 m).

The 3 “red” tracks are designed for mastering the equipment. They are easy, without sharp ledges and drops, so skiing skills and maneuvers are quickly learned here. These include “Parzhezovka”, 800 m long, “Perekryta” – 1350 m, “Slalomak” – 600 m.

In addition to the above-mentioned trails, the resort has a separate cross-country ski run 5 kilometers long, the perfect smoothness of which is ensured by “snow cannons”. Tourists can climb the slopes using one of ten (seven tow and three chair) lifts. By the way, the children’s lift works here absolutely free of charge.

As additional entertainment on the slopes, a hotel park for snowboarders and a snow tunnel have been built.

Those who do not yet know how to ski or do not feel very confident on skis can contact the ski school. Experienced instructors speak several languages, and promise to put anyone on skis in a couple of lessons.

Cost

In Klinovka, as in other resorts, in order to use the lift services, you must purchase a special pass – a ski pass. You can buy it for one day or for several at once, which will be cheaper. In high season, a one-day ski pass for children costs 440 CZK, for students and pensioners 515 CZK, and for adults 550 CZK. The price of a six-day ski pass for children is 2,000 CZK and 2,350 and 2,630 CZK for students and adults, respectively.

In addition, you can rent the necessary ski equipment in Klinovka. The cost of renting an adult set is 300 CZK, and a child set is 200 CZK.

Where to stay

Guests of the resort can choose to stay in inexpensive guesthouses and hostels, cozy mini-hotels or luxurious wellness hotels that offer a variety of 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 CZK per night, depending on the season, room type and the availability or absence of half-board (breakfast-dinner). All rooms have a TV, minibar and bathroom. 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.

It is worth noting another cozy hotel Hotel ZelenýDům. It is located at an equal distance from the resort of Klinovec and the neighboring Boží Dar. The hotel is located in a historic building built in the mid-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. There is free parking for guests on the hotel’s territory. A pleasant feature of the hotel is the 10-percent discount on ski passes when booking a room for three days or more. The average cost of accommodation at Hotel Zelený Dům is 650 CZK.

Hotel Panorama is located on the edge of a forest. It offers views of the Jáchymov Valley. Free Wi-Fi is available. For an additional fee, guests can play bowling.

All rooms at this unique hotel are individually furnished. They feature a modern bathroom, a living area and satellite TV. Guests can enjoy breakfast in the dining room or order breakfast in their room.

The on-site bar and restaurant serve Czech and international cuisine. In fine weather, tables are set out on the terrace. The garden features a children’s playground.

Massage treatments are available upon request. Tennis can be played on the court 100 metres away. An aqua park, a wellness centre and a gym are 500 metres away.

An airport shuttle can be arranged for guests. Panorama Hotel is 2 km from the Jáchymov ski resort and 2.5 km from the lower stop of the chairlift to the Klínovec ski resort. The chairlift connecting Jáchymov and Klínovec is 2 km away. A ski bus is available for a surcharge. Free private parking is available on site.

Ski Klinovec Apartments is located in the village of Lučno pod Klinovcem, a 5-minute walk from Ski Resort Klinovec. It offers a private kitchen, garage parking, ski storage and free WiFi.

Ski Klinovec Apartments features 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 is fitted with a shower. Towels and bed linen are provided.

Karlovy Vary is 21 km from the apartment.

Restaurants

In Klinovka and its surroundings there are a large number of different cafes, restaurants, pubs and even a couple of pastry shops with fresh strudels and homemade pies. Many restaurants are located on the first floors of hotels. For example, the restaurant of the already mentioned Zelený Dům. The extensive menu includes Czech cuisine – potato, garlic, meat and other soups, the famous goulash, favorite Czech dumplings, fried cheese, smoked sausages, fried duck with potato dumplings and much more. Of the drinks, of course, beer is preferred. 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 completely inexpensive. The average bill per guest in a restaurant is 250 CZK, and a hearty lunch for two will cost 600-800 CZK.

The restaurant at the hotel complex Nastup is also an unusual place. The main idea of this establishment is the traditional way of cooking food from the freshest and highest quality ingredients. The restaurant offers a magnificent view of the mountains, and the menu offers dishes of international and local cuisine. The restaurant has a special diet and gluten-free menu for those who carefully monitor their health.

For the body

After a day on the ski slopes and a hearty lunch, it will be especially nice to relax at one of the spa resorts. The Nastup hotel offers a variety of beauty and health treatments. To start, you can swim in the indoor pool, which is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. 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 hot stone massage, which helps to gently relieve muscle tension, and lymphatic massage, which is essentially manual lymphatic drainage.

The number of wellness treatments also includes paraffin complexes, which instantly give the skin softness and tenderness, and also help reduce muscle and joint pain. The offered light therapy sessions affect the physical, mental and emotional state depending on the light used. For example, the effect of green light reduces blood pressure, strengthens vision, improves mood and promotes relaxation. Red light, on the contrary, stimulates blood circulation and speeds up metabolism, which helps with asthma and rheumatic problems.

It will be especially pleasant to complete the cycle of relaxing activities in the sauna. Here you can visit not only the 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 has an unusual ski museum. Tourists are also offered a trip in a carriage drawn by three horses and various sports entertainment. The museum exposition 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 most difficult air battles of World War II. 25 kilometers from Klinovec is Klášterec na Ohře with a castle in the pseudo-Gothic style on the river bank. It houses the Museum of Czech Porcelain.

How to get there

The most convenient way to get to Klinovec is from Prague, which is located 110 kilometers from the resort. The most convenient way is to take a taxi or book a transfer at the hotel. However, the most budget option is to take a bus. To get to Klinovec, you can take the same bus that goes to neighboring Boží Dar, from where a local bus leaves. It will take you to your destination in 10 minutes.