Smokovec is the oldest ski resort in Slovakia . It is located in the area of the High Tatras, at the foot of the Slavkovsky Peak. Every year, this popular tourist center enjoys increased attention from fans of winter sports who come here to ski and enjoy the wonderful mountain landscapes.
The resort is equipped with rental points for ski equipment and equipment, and when purchasing a ski pass, guests are given various discounts. Those wishing to learn the basics of skiing can use the services of an experienced instructor. The maximum height difference on the slopes of Smokovets is about 700 meters, while the total length of the tracks, including sections for cross-country skiing, is about 30 km.
Smokovec, Slovakia
A short excursion into history
Old Smokovets
Under the southern slope of the massive Slavkov Shield is the architecturally unique Old Smokovec, the oldest settlement in the Tatras. It was founded in 1793 near a mineral spring, which still releases its wealth called “water” from the depths of the earth and refreshes tourists and guests of the mountains passing by. Over time, the settlement was rebuilt into an important tourist and medical center, and now it is also the administrative center of the High Tatras. The municipality and the council of the municipality are located here, as well as the Tatra Mountain Rescue Service. But let’s get back to what makes this settlement special. This is architecture! The dominant feature is the “Grand Hotel” of the beginning of the 20th century, built in the Art Nouveau style, or the wooden chapel of the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, designed by the famous Tatra architect Gideon Mayunke. In addition to these pearls, there are many, fortunately, in most cases renovated villas with beautiful ornaments or wood carvings. It is also home to the Swiss House or the beautiful Villa Flora, where city exhibitions and other public events are held.
Stary Smokovets is the gateway to the Tatras, as well as the starting point for short and full-day excursions. For less experienced tourists, we recommend a trip to Hrebienok, either on foot or by funicular. From there, it is not far to the waterfalls of the stream studio (Studenovodsky waterfalls) and to Rainer, Zamkivskyi or Bilikov campsites. For experienced tourists, the following valleys are accessible: Mala Studena dolina with the Teri camp and Velka Studena dolina with the Zboynitska camp. If you want to see a panoramic view of the entire Tatra area, you need to climb the former highest peak of the Tatras – Slavkovskiy shield (2452 m). There are many restaurants, pensions, cafes and sports shops in Stary Smokovets. Bicycles and scooters can be rented here in summer, and equipment for skiers and sleds can be rented in winter.
Novy Smokovets
It is known from archaeological excavations that approximately two kilometers to the southeast along the left bank of the Slavkovsky stream, the remains of ore smelters of the Late Latin period (450/400 years BC) were discovered, from which it follows that this territory was inhabited long before the emergence of today’s inhabited point It owes its existence primarily to the clean alpine environment. And it is thanks to him that the settlement is called medical. The most famous climate resort in Slovakia is located here, which was based on the sanatoriums of Dr. Mikulas Sontag for the treatment of tuberculosis. Later, medical institutions were added, as well as the modern “Palace” medical institution. In Novy Smokovets, there is also a ski base with less difficult terrain, which is primarily aimed at beginners or families with children. And there are many places to stay and eat here. There is even a gas station for drivers in Novy Smokovets.
Gorni Semakivtsi (Upper Smokovets)
The relatively young village began to develop in the 1930s. It arose from a group of small hostels, pensions, holiday homes and shops. Gorny Semakivtsi soon became a popular starting point for tourism, and it has remained so to this day. It is interesting that local residents still call this place, or rather its western part, by its previous name “Piekna glydka” (Beautiful view).
Dolni Semakivtsi (Nizhny Smokovets)
A treatment village specializing in children’s tuberculosis and diseases of the upper respiratory tract, the history of which dates back to 1881, when the Kejmar teacher Josef Bogus tried to build an inexpensive hostel for tourists near Stary Smokovec. Due to a lack of finances, the fate of this hostel changed. The construction passed into the hands of the Kejmars Banking Company, which created a resort building for the Hungarian aristocracy from the building under construction. Later, she participated in the development of this settlement. She built a hotel and a wooden chapel, the designer of which was none other than Gideon Mayunke. During the First World War, a military medical institution grew here, which after the war was transformed into a hospital for tuberculosis children. Today it is called “Shrobar Institute” – after the famous Slovak doctor,
Now this ski center is known not only in Slovakia, but also in Europe, annually gathering thousands of ski lovers from different countries.
Climate
The weather conditions at the Smokovets resort are quite attractive for skiing. From November to February, the average air temperature here is about +1 degrees, and it is very pleasant to ride, especially on clear, sunny days. In the spring, the thermometer gradually rises and by April the temperature can reach +10. Natural snow lasts throughout the season, which starts in December and ends in April. In periods of its shortage, snow cannons come into play, which maintain the required thickness of the snow cover.
How to get there
The international airport near the city of Poprad is located only 12 km from the resort, and you can get from it to the ski center in just 5-10 minutes by bus or taxi. Transport runs in this direction regularly, so there are no problems with the transfer for tourists.
Ski tracks
The ski complex is formed from several villages located at different altitudes from 850 to 1.5 thousand meters above sea level, including New, Old, Mountain and Valley Smokovtsi. All of them have ski areas of varying degrees of difficulty, connected by a cable car and combined into a single resort.
Stary Smokovets is recommended for family vacations, with mostly easy trails at its disposal. At the same time, experts in alpine skiing may like the Horna Luka slalom track and the steep slopes of the Grebienko peak. The Stary Smokovets sled track – Hrebienok Mountain – for those who are not quite confident in mountain skiing. Both children and adults get pleasure, everyone screams at the steep bends equally. Adults remember the years of childhood and deftly steer with their heels on steep turns. The impression is unforgettable. This toboggan run is almost 2 kilometers long. Rental of sleds (wooden, light, durable and comfortable) nearby (a passport is required as a deposit). A funicular goes to the top of the mountain. You can, of course, reach it on foot (about 45 minutes).
Novy Smokovets also has a whole list of easy descents, concentrated on Yakubova Luka, with a height of more than 1100 meters.
Mountain Smokovets boasts a track above the Bellevue Hotel, recommended for experienced skiers.
There are also areas for snowboarding, cross-country skiing and other winter sports on the territory of the complex.
Where to stay
Cozy, comfortable hotels and cottages are available for guests of the Smokovets tourist center , offering fairly affordable prices for accommodation.
Penzión Sibír 3 stars
The Sibir family guest house is located just 200 meters from the Jakubkova Luka ski resort in the village of Vysoki Tatra, in the Vysoki Tatra National Park. It offers breakfast and free Wi-Fi. The village of Stary Smokovets is a 1-minute drive away.
The rooms are decorated in a country style, equipped with a TV and have a bathroom. Most of them have a balcony.
Guests who have booked a room for 3 nights or more are provided with a Tatra card. It gives the right to a free transfer to the nearby ski resorts. Guests also receive a 10% discount at a nearby restaurant.
The Hrebienok cable car, Tatran railway station and a grocery store are 1 km from the guest house. The Tatranska Lomnica ski resort is located 10 minutes away by car. Free parking is available on the territory of the guest house.
Hotel Avalanche 3-star hotel
The Avalanche Hotel is located in the picturesque town of Stolen, right at the foot of the highest point of the Tatras – Mount Herlachovsky Shtyt. Guests can visit the hotel’s own wellness center or go skiing at Luchivna Resort, 4 km away, and other nearby ski resorts. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.
All modern and comfortable hotel rooms are equipped with LCD TV, safe and radio. Most rooms have a south-facing balcony with a panoramic view of the Low Tatras or the High Tatras.
The hotel’s modern restaurant serves Slovak cuisine, and the bar offers a wide selection of Slovak and imported wines.
The wellness center of the Avalanche Hotel offers various types of saunas, a hot tub and a hydromassage cabin. In addition, massage procedures are performed here to order. From the beginning of May to the end of September, guests can swim in the heated outdoor pool. Among other things, the hotel has a children’s corner and an outdoor playground.
Hotel Apartmanový Dom TatraTravel Smokovec
The comfortable Apartmanový Dom TatraTravel Smokovec hotel is located on the territory of a unique nature reserve, it is ideal for lovers of nature and outdoor activities. At the disposal of customers, the hotel provides fully equipped apartments with beautiful natural wood decoration, as well as a large surrounding area. In the warm season, outdoor playgrounds are available for the hotel’s younger guests, and there is also a fully equipped barbecue area.
Hotel Grandhotel Starý Smokovec
Many hotels of the resort have been welcoming guests for more than a dozen years, the popular Grandhotel Starý Smokovec is located in a beautiful old building. It is one of the most prestigious establishments in the resort and transports guests to an atmosphere of sophisticated luxury, the hotel welcomed its first guests more than a hundred years ago. In addition to rooms decorated in the style of past centuries, guests have access to a large-scale spa salon, which has a beautiful pool and hydromassage baths, as well as several types of saunas. The hotel has one of the resort’s most popular restaurants, where you can try game and specialty fish dishes prepared according to ancient recipes, as well as excellent pastries.
Hotel Grand Hotel Bellevue
For travelers who prefer modern hotels, Grand Hotel Bellevue can be recommended. It occupies a large-scale modern building and is distinguished by a developed infrastructure, hotel guests are provided with two restaurants and a stylish night club. Fans of sports entertainment will be able to organize interesting leisure activities not only outside the hotel, but also within its walls. The Grand Hotel Bellevue has an excellent gym, a small bowling center and billiards room, as well as squash and table tennis facilities. For small guests, the hotel has a game room, so the whole family can comfortably relax here.
The nearest bus stop is 40 meters away. Ski resort Strbske Pleso is 12 km away. Guests can leave their cars for free in the parking lot with video surveillance on the hotel premises.
Sights and entertainment
In the immediate vicinity of Smokovec there are majestic waterfalls, mountain lakes, picturesque valleys and mysterious gorges, which represent the nature of Slovakia. An excursion to these places allows you to get a complete picture of the natural wealth of the region.
Old wooden buildings of the 19th century attract attention in Stary Smokovets, and Girsky Smokovets boasts a beautiful Tatra Gallery. 20 km from the resort is the pretty town of Vrbov, with its thermal pools. Also, it is worth visiting the Belyan Cave and Spish Castle of the 13th century. In terms of entertainment, guests of the ski center have the opportunity to visit the swimming pool, go to the sauna, go ice skating or snowmobiling, taste national dishes in local restaurants or go to the Albaz disco with a laser show, at the same time go to the cinema or play a bowling alley. Thrill-seekers can try paragliding.
Kitchen
The restaurants, cafes and snack bars of Smokovets offer visitors a wide variety of dishes for every taste. Meat, vegetables, fish, drinks and sweets are an integral part of any menu.
You should definitely try Slovak-made drinks.
Shopping
Guests are invited to purchase various goods and souvenirs in the resort’s shops and stalls.
Despite its popularity, Smokovets cannot be classified as one of the leading, promoted European ski centers, which largely determines its individuality. Excellent conditions for sports are created here, and a mild climate and very beautiful natural landscapes, combined with a hospitable and secluded atmosphere, only contribute to a pleasant time spent on the slopes of the High Tatras and receiving positive emotions from skiing.