Podbanske– Slovak ski resort, located on the steep Kryvan mountain, which is rightfully considered the gateway to the High Tatras. The beauty of the surrounding nature will not leave you indifferent.

Podbanské is a not very large ski resort and is located in the west of the High Tatras, 32 km from Starý Smokovec and 13 km from Štřebske Pleso.

Climate

The typical alpine climate in the vicinity of Podbanske has its own specifics; compared to similar high-altitude areas, upward heat flows are more actively maintained here, which determine the warmth uncharacteristic for the mountains. This explains the presence of only two seasons in Podbanske – summer and winter. The other two times – two weeks saturated with rain. Thus, acceptable snow cover lasts in December – March.

Historical background

The history of the village indirectly echoes the 15th-16th centuries, when Hungary at that time was gripped by a gold rush. But the first foundation of the village in the form of the House of the Forester Harman with a room for tourists appeared only in 1871. Soon a water sawmill or a mill for grinding spruce bark appeared, which was used by Liptov tanners during leather processing. Other objects began to appear in 1923, when the forest road from Štrbské Pleso through Trí Studnička was also expanded. A feature of the 1930s is the intention to build a road through the Tycha and Tomanovská valleys to Poland, where Podbanské was to become an important transport hub, but this project did not materialize. Later, wooden houses were built, and during the preparation for the legendary World Ski Championships in 1970, a road to Liptovský Hradek was built here, and at the same time a local slope was prepared, on which a ski lift appeared. Soon after, the Kryvan hotel was built here, and in 1981 the construction of the Permon holiday home was completed.

Accommodation options

Holidaymakers will not have to worry about where to stay. The most famous hotels in these places are Krivan and Permon. Krivan is located 200m from the ski lifts. The hotel also offers a visit to the Permons Paradise recreation center, swimming pools. It is located 8 km from Štrbské Pleso and 200 m from its own ski lifts.

Penzion Nebeski 3 stars

Guesthouse Nebeski is located in the spa village of Podbanske in the High Tatras. It offers apartments with a balcony and satellite TV.

All apartments are individually decorated and named after the seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas.

A sauna and a hot tub are available for a surcharge. The fresh mountain air is conducive to long walks.

Breakfast is served at the Nebeski upon request 24 hours in advance. In the evening, you can enjoy a drink in a homely atmosphere.

Penzion Sileo 3 stars

Siléo Guesthouse is located next to a forest and a river, surrounded by the High Tatras, 1 km from the village of Příbylina. It offers a wooden house with a large garden and a restaurant.

The double rooms with a bathroom and satellite TV are individually decorated in a style inspired by the colors of mountain herbs and flowers. The windows overlook the forest. Free WiFi is available in the guesthouse.

The guesthouse offers a restaurant with a bar, where guests can relax by the fireplace and taste Slovak cuisine.

Guests can enjoy a discount at the PERMON Spa, located 8 km from the guesthouse. Rafting on the Běla River, geocaching, quad biking or other seasonal activities can be organised for guests.

The Příbylina Open-Air Museum is 1 km from the Sileo Guesthouse, while the Liptovský Jan mineral springs and thermal pool, as well as the Jaworovica Ski Resort, are 12 km away.

A bus stop is 2 km away and a shuttle service can be arranged for guests. Liptovský Hradek Train Station is 8 km away. Free parking is available on site.

Hotel Kriváň 2-star hotel

Hotel Kriváň is housed in a historic building from the 17th century in the very centre of Kisucské Nové Město. It offers a restaurant and free Wi-Fi.

Each room at Hotel Kriváň features a seating area, a TV and a bathroom with a hairdryer and free toiletries. You can enjoy city views from the rooms.

At Hotel Kriváň you will find a terrace. Other facilities offered at the property include a shared lounge and a children’s playground. Activities in the surrounding area include hiking.

The city of Žilina is 10 km away. The Oscadnica Ski Resort can be reached in a 20-minute drive, and free parking is available on site.

Grand Hotel Permon 4 *

Hotel Permon is one of the largest hotels in Slovakia, located in the western part of the High Tatras in the town of Podbanske (940 meters above sea level), 8 km. from the resort of Štrbské Pleso. Number of rooms: 262 rooms. Room description: – TV – telephone – radio – mini-bar – safe – all rooms with a bathroom, some (apartments) with a bath and shower, in the superior apartments a bath with hydromassage – hairdryer – TV. Hotel infrastructure: – conference rooms – large hall (500 seats) – conference hall (200 seats) – blue salon (120 seats) – private salon (40 seats) – meeting room (55 seats) – meeting room (22 seats) – banquet hall (20 seats).

Trails

The variety of ski slopes in Podbanske will satisfy the expectations of both highly qualified slalom skiers and beginners. In addition, the resort takes into account the preferences of snowboarders and cross-country skiers. And for those who just want to fool around and have fun, there are wonderful sledding slopes.

Two toboggan lifts lead to the starting areas, located at an altitude of 950 – 1100 meters.

Podbanskoe has all the conditions for beginner skiers and families with children. There are ski schools and experienced instructors who will help you master the technique of skiing in the shortest possible time.

The quality and diversity of the ski slopes in Podbanskoe is clearly affected by proximity to Austria. Competition laws force Slovak resorts to borrow all the best from their neighbors. And the many years of experience and traditions of Austrian ski resorts have a benchmark reputation in the world of alpine tourism.

Cuisine

Pecene udene bravcove koleno – this is where you should start your acquaintance with the meat dishes of the Tatras. This is a pork knuckle, which is first boiled before baking, and then sprinkled with garlic and marinated in mustard, honey and lemon juice. A delicious potato pancake with chicken and mushroom filling janosikova kapsa and a local version of schnitzel rezeň, which can be stuffed with cheese, mushrooms or eggs, or not. You can order bryndzové halušky – hot boiled small pieces of potato dough, which are mixed with cheese, or dumplings. Opekane zemiaky – ordinary baked potatoes, lokše – thin potato cakes, langoše – garlic fritters, used as an alternative to bread.

Sights and outdoor activities

The most famous modern attractions of Podbanske are certainly the ski complex, which offers three lifts and slopes for beginners and families with children. Weather permitting, skiing is available from late December to March on natural snow, and there is also a ski school or ski rental.

Equally attractive is the memorial site near the main parking lot, which symbolically depicts the battles and partisan actions of the High Tatras detachment during the Slovak National Uprising.

Another destination for tourists and travelers is the already mentioned hotels “Kryvan” (currently “Pieris”) with beautiful architecture, a sunny terrace and first-class gastronomy or the hotel “Permon” with the largest hotel wellness complex in Slovakia.

The village of Podbanske also offers many interesting cycling routes or hiking trails, among which hikes to the Tycha and Kopro valleys, to Kryvan or along part of the Tatra Highway should be mentioned. For more distant goals, you can visit the Liptov Village Museum, one of the many Liptov caves or follow in the footsteps of medieval fortresses.

The Podbanske district extends to the Liptov region in the south. From here you can climb Mount Kryvan or get acquainted with the nature of the Western Tatras, looking into the Bystra Gorge. There are four mountain lakes in the upper section. The largest of them is Lake Vyšného Świdko Pleso, which is also the deepest in the Western Tatras region. You can add to your impressions by walking up Mount Bystra (2248m), moving to the Most Magnificent Saddle region (1791m) and returning through the Stone Valley.