Snowlandia in Zakopane

Every winter a snow maze is built from scratch at the foot of the Wielka Krokiew ski jump in Zakopane – the organisers stress that it is the only structure of its kind in Poland and call it the largest snow maze in the world. Producing the artificial snow and raising the walls takes about two months and is only possible in sub-zero temperatures. Snowlandia is a seasonal winter attraction park at ul. Piłsudskiego 38, right on the edge of Tatra National Park.

History: a snow project since the 2015/2016 season

The maze was first built in winter 2015/2016. Since then it has been rebuilt every season, with its layout and decorations changing year by year. The attraction is run by a Zakopane company, Park Odskocznia. Everything depends on frost, so the opening date varies – the 2025/2026 season ended on 15 March 2026, and Snowlandia has been closed since the following day until next winter.

What to see

• The Snow Maze – corridors between walls of snow where it's easy to lose your bearings; fun for children and adults alike.
• The Snow Queen's Palace (igloo with sculptures) – 10 chambers linked by corridors, hollowed out of a huge mound of snow, with snow sculptures by artists from Podhale. The theme changes every year, and the organisers describe the whole thing as one of the largest snow structures in Europe.
• The sledging hill – sledges, sliders and tubes are included in the ticket. Children under 16 must wear a helmet, which can be hired on site.
• Tatra Educational Park – a forest enclosure with Podhale animals and birds of prey, including red deer, fallow deer, Carpathian goats, Polish mountain sheep, arctic foxes, marmots, an eagle owl, a barn owl and a steppe eagle.

Beneath Wielka Krokiew

Snowlandia lies next to the Stanisław Marusarz Wielka Krokiew – Poland's largest ski jump (construction point K125, hill size HS140). Designed by Karol Stryjeński, it opened on 22 March 1925 and has borne Marusarz's name since 1989. A visit to the maze combines easily with a walk to the foot of the landing slope.

Tripto tips

Snowlandia only operates in winter and its opening dates depend on the weather – check the organiser's announcement before you go. City bus 15 takes you there (stops Piłsudskiego TOPR or B. Czecha Skocznia). The sledging hill is limited to 200 people, everyone entering needs a ticket, even if they don't sledge, and tickets are non-transferable. Organised groups enter by reservation before opening, at 9:00. Allow 1.5–2 hours for the maze, the igloo and a few runs, and dress warmly – you'll spend almost the whole time on snow.