Winter ski season “opens” in Zakopane

Ski slopes in the Kasprowy Hala Gąsienicowa bowl began operating on Sunday, according to the report issued to the press by the Tatra National Park authorities, Tatra Voluntary Rescue Services and Polish Cableways. At lower elevations, however, runs will not be open this week, due to the low snow cover. The run that is open starts at the top of Kasprowy Wierch, at an altitude of approximately 1,987 meters, and covers the Gąsienicowa bowl. It has a length of 1,400 meters and a 400-meter altitude difference. There is adequately thick snow cover protecting unique vegetation and allowing for safe skiing, the authorities said in the report. “The slopes of Kasprowy located in the Tatra National Park [are opening]. Our priority is always to protect nature, because all the preparatory work for the season must be completed in agreement with the authorities of the park,” said Marian Szewczyk, director of the center PKL Kasprowy. Because of the nature protection, runs with artificial snow in the National Park are prohibited. However, the Park’s management is currently finalizing an environmental report, which is evaluating whether or not artificial snow slopes on Kasprowy will have a negative impact on nature. “Research that we conducted to date has shown that from an ecological point of view it would not be a problem with artificial snow slopes. The water is crystal clear and would have no negative impact on the environment. [Additional snow] would allow the opening of routes Kasprowy Wiechu in November,” said Patrick Białokozowicz, board member of PKL.