armia and Mazury in winter? Why not! They are a Wonder of Nature after all! Gorgeous landscapes, varied relief and Introduction Wproper climate with long-lasting snow Warmia and Mazury cover encourage leisure activities in the open air. There are plenty of attractions in winter to choose from! You can feel as if you were in the mountains and try your hand at one of the ski slopes, e.g. in Gołdap or Mrągowo. Cross-country skiers won’t be bored either as Warmian and Masurian forests attract with thousand of picturesque paths. The enthusiasts of practising water sports in winter scenery of the Thou- sand Lakes’ Land will feel like a wonderland. You can try ice yachting or diving in the frozen water reservoirs. Angling fans may venture catching a huuuge fish! Frost sateless adventurers and extreme sports lovers may try a canoe trip on the Krutynia, Łyna or Wel rivers. Rivers look utterly different in winter from what they are in the summer – hoar-frost paints nature as if it was the most talented artist. Sleigh ride is an inseparable element of the Warmia and Mazury forests’ winter scenery and torches add up additional charm to sleigh rides after dark. After such an amount of fun, it is best to relax by a bonfire. Whoever wants to feel like in the far North, they may take part in a Running Wolf’s dog sled ride to the snow-sprinkled forest. Wild Mazury seen from the sledges take the breath away. In Borecka Forest, lynx traces can be observed on the snow, you can hear wolves’ howling and deer’s roar or even trace bison! Klewińskie Mountains constitute a perfect observation point. Some of the vantage points allow observing an area of up to 50-kilometres! After extreme expeditions and winter fun it is worth relaxing in one of the spas, the abundance of which can be found in Mazury. Splendidly situated, surrounded by forests and devoid of the modern world buzz, they are ideal places to rest. Welcome to Warmia and Mazury in winter! Mazury in winter’s embrace, photo J. Wojda / Folwark Łękuk 1 Ski lifts Góra Chrobrego [Chrobry’s Mountain] in Elbląg Winter attractions Piękna Góra [Beautiful Chrobry’s Mountain is one of the elevations of the Elbląg Mountain] in Gołdap Upland, within the area of the Bażantarnia [Pheasant of the region The Beautiful Mountain (proper name Farm] Landscape Park. Since 2010, a modernised ski lift 36 Góra Gołdapska – Gołdap Mountain; has been operating here. The ski slope length meas- height: 271.8 m above sea level) is one ured in a straight line equals 400 m. Hilly terrain makes of the highest natural elevations of the it an ideal place for skiers and snowboarders. Tobog- Szeskie Hills. A great tourist base with ganing fans feel like in a fairy tale here – an illuminated professionally maintained ski slope and run has been prepared for the enthusiasts of this winter long-lasting snow cover make it an ideal sports discipline (next to the ski lifts). Chrobry’s Moun- place for skiers and snowboarders. Over tain is very family-friendly! Those who’d like to improve 2,000 m of well-preserved ski routes of their skiing skills are invited to a licensed MorSKI skiing various difficulty levels are available. Be- school. There are plenty of events organised on the ginners may safely practise in an allocat- slope (among others: the Chrobry Mountain Cup, the ed site and children have their separate Family Cup or the Downhill Ride on Whatever You Like). skiing route. When the weather allows, Przedsiębiorstwo Turystyczne Góra Chrobrego [The Chrobry Mountain Tourist Enter- a 1,200 – metre-long toboggan run is prise] sp. z o.o., ul. 12 Lutego 25, 82-300 Elbląg, phone: +48 501517738, [email protected], open for tourists. Piękna Góra Rudzie- www.gora-chrobrego.pl i wicz Inn offers sledging trips and bon- fires. An interesting, annual event held at bar, catering the foot of the Beautiful Mountain is the none available directly next to the slope; the closest available accommodation is Elko – slightly above 1.5 km off the slope, ‘Downhill Ride on Whatever You Like’. 50 beds (ul. Łęczycka 29, 82-300 Elbląg, phone: +48 55 2354178, +48 603227948, [email protected], www.bartle. i Piękna Góra Rudziewicz Centrum Sportowo-Rekreacyjne [Piękna Góra Rudziewicz neostrada.pl/Elko/index.htm) and Młyn Hotel – less than 2 km from the slope, 28 rooms (ul. Kościuszki 132, 82-300 Elbląg, Sports and Recreation Centre], Konikowo 11, 19-500 Gołdap, phone/fax: +48 87 6154943, phone: +48 55 2350470, fax: +48 55 2350471, [email protected], www.hotelmlyn.com.pl) [email protected], [email protected], www.zajazd-rudziewicz.pl 3 car parks, 150 spaces in total, unguarded, free of charge 4 routes: blue (450 m), red (400 m), blue (130 m), blue route for learners (100 m) 3: restaurant at the foot of the mountain next to the longest ski run 58 m (delicacies: cepelinai, pork shank, potato pancakes); heated tent at 2 T-bar lifts (130 and 400 m) the top of the mountain; huntman’s restaurant next to the inn Zajazd pod Piękną Górą [At the foot of the Beautiful Mountain Inn] (64 beds, single and double rooms, rollaway beds; studio for 7 persons; 2 apartments; some rooms with a view over the lake or the Beautiful Mountain; tourist- Skiing, standard rooms available with showers in halls, bunk beds and divan beds) photo A. Podchorecki / gora-chrobrego.pl 200 spaces, free of charge 5 ski routes: red (350 m, T-bar lift); blue (750 m, double chairlift; if conditions allow – ski run of 1,150 m available as well); blue (650 m, T-bar lift); two blue routes for kids (each 200 m long, ski lift with a low cable line (ducting) type – the so called ‘rope tow’); weather permitting, a 1,200 m toboggan-run is available) 50 m; average slope angle: 45º near Beautiful Mountain (length: 4 km, some fragments very difficult); annual Jatvingian Race T-bar, chair Piękna Góra Sports Centre in Gołdap, photo fotowojcik.pl 2 3 Ski lift Kartasiówka in Ruś Morenowa Ski Station – Okrągłe near Orzysz Ruś is a small village located 7 km from Olsztyn. It is lying next to the Łyna Local microclimate of the place makes the snow cover remain on the slopes for River, at the border of the Las Warmiński (Warmiński Forest) reserve. Charming a long time, thus creating great skiing and snowboarding conditions. The routes landscaped and hilly terrain provide excellent skiing conditions. In 2007 a ski are fenced with nets which prevent skiers and snowboarders from riding off lift was open here and the the track. The route capacity ski runs were accredited by is ca 2,000 persons per hour. TOPR [Tatra Voluntary Rescue Ski school is available next to Team]. On site, you may get the slope. You can also rent professional advice from the trikke skki – a simply operat- Ski school instructors. You can ed snow-riding device. Slope get to Ruś by MPK [Municipal owners organise various Transport Company] buses. events on site (among oth- Next to the slope, there is ers: Orzysz Mayor’s Cup and a special bus stop for skiers. Family Cup). After winter fun Kids’ contests (Kartasiówka it is pleasant to get warm in Kids’ Cup) as well as other the sauna. A fireplace room is events (e.g. the Commune available at the guest house Head’s Cup) are organised on next to the slope. the slope. Morenowa SKi Station, Okrągłe 10, i Ski lift Kartasiówka, 10-687 Ruś, +48 603597048, [email protected], www.kartasiowka.pl 11-510 Wydminy, phone/fax: +48 87 4210615, phone: +48 790030962, [email protected], www.skimazury.pl i bar restaurant (60 seats inside, 100 seats outside), full boarding based on ecologically grown none available next to the slope; the closest located in Bartąg – Sak (11-033 Bartąg 109, phone: +48 89 5414545); food; the place specializes in regional dishes 27 beds Sielanka guest house (30 beds: 7 double rooms, 4 four-bedded rooms; some rooms with free of charge, 150 spaces a view over the lake) 3 routes, each ca 280 m long: 1 x intermediate level (T-bar lift; 220 m), 2 x intermediate level (T-bar lift; 260 m), free of charge 1 x beginners (T-bar lift; 220 m) 4 routes: red (difficult) – 400 m; blue (easy) – 700 m; blue (easy) – 300 m; 38 m route for beginners (very easy) – 100 m 3 T-bar lifts (220 m, 220 m and 260 m) up to 55 m three snow cannons T-bar, 2 rope-tows 4 snow cannons Okrągłe near Orzysz, photo A. Świątkowski / skimazury.pl Ski lift Kartasiówka in Ruś, photo G. Wadowski 4 5 Góra Czterech Wiatrów [The Four Winds’ Mountain] (G4W) – Mrągowo Cross-country skiing The Four Winds’ Mountain (182.5 m above sea level) is located on the peninsula of the The varied terrain, frosty climate and long- same name. Nearby, the beautiful Czos Lake spreads. In 2004 a top-quality ski lift (man- lasting snow cover of Warmia and Mazury aged by Mrągowo commune) was opened on the mountain slope. Over 1,500 m of ski make up wonderful conditions for cross- routes (various difficulty levels) country skiing. The beginners can practise will satisfy each skier. Beginners on the routes leading among the lowland can learn in a separate area. Addi- forests, and the advanced skiers will defi- tionally, the weather permitting, nitely enjoy the hilly areas of Mazury Gar- an ice skating rink is available.