SkiResort Černá hora – Pec is the true record-holder, even though many people automatically mention the popular Špindl when talking about the largest ski resort in Czechia. But if you look at the pure numbers and kilometres of ski slopes on one ski pass, the tables speak absolutely clearly in favour of the resorts under Sněžka and on Černá hora. Here you’ll find an impressive fifty kilometres of slopes scattered across the beautiful Giant Mountains landscape.
Pec pod Sněžkou and the surrounding resorts form a unique complex of six ski areas that aren’t directly connected on skis, but are perfectly linked by a ski bus network. It’s a place where lovers of long sporty descents, families with small children, and those who prefer cross-country skis or hiking boots will all feel at home. The facilities here are top-notch and constantly being modernized, from heated chairlift seats to modern snowmaking systems.
Below I break down how the entire SkiResort works, where to stay strategically, and how to avoid buying a ski pass at full price at the ticket office. I’ll advise you on how to avoid the biggest crowds, what you absolutely shouldn’t miss on the slopes, and show you that beneath Czechia’s highest mountain there’s plenty of fun not only in the middle of freezing winter, but also during sunny summer months.
TL;DR
- Largest on one ski pass: SkiResort Černá hora – Pec offers a total of 50 km of ski slopes across six resorts, all accessible with a single pass.
- Transfer logistics: The resorts aren’t connected by ski slopes (unlike Špindlerův Mlýn); you travel between them on regular ski buses.
- Pec pod Sněžkou itself: Offers 14 km of ski slopes and a great attraction in the form of the Funline trail with terrain waves and a tunnel.
- Janské Lázně – Černá hora: You’ll find slopes up to three kilometres long and Czechia’s only eight-seat gondola lift.
- Buying ski passes: Definitely buy online, where prices start from €36, while at the ticket office you’ll pay up to €61.
- Year-round destination: Pec lies directly beneath Sněžka, which you can reach by cable car or on foot, and offers perfect facilities for summer holidays too.
The full destination guide: Czechia — guide and what to see
When to Visit Pec pod Sněžkou
The main winter season in the Giant Mountains gets into full swing during the Christmas holidays and lasts until March, with each month offering a slightly different experience. If you want to enjoy the best snow conditions and perfectly groomed slopes without endless queues, January is ideal. During this period, temperatures may be quite low, but online ski pass prices drop noticeably, and empty slopes are priceless. February, on the other hand, is traditionally the busiest month of the entire winter because school holidays alternate across Czechia and neighbouring Poland, so you simply have to expect larger numbers of skiers and fuller restaurants.
March brings beautiful sunny spring skiing, when the frosts aren’t so biting anymore, but the snow on the slopes stays in great condition thanks to modern snowmaking. It’s probably the most pleasant time if you like sitting on a mountain hut terrace with hot chocolate and aren’t in any rush. Autumn months, on the other hand, tend to be significantly quieter in the Giant Mountains and sometimes even rainy, although when autumn inversions work out, nature can conjure up incredible views above the clouds.
Pec pod Sněžkou definitely doesn’t live off the winter season alone, because summer months attract perhaps even more tourists for mountain hikes. From June to September there’s very lively activity here, all the ridge hiking trails open up, and the cable cars operate continuously for hikers and cyclists. A summer holiday in Pec is an absolutely ideal choice for escaping scorching concrete cities, because the mountain air stays beautifully fresh even during the hottest July heat waves. However, weather up there can change lightning-fast, so definitely pack a windbreaker even in sweltering summer.
Where to Stay in Pec and the Surrounding Area
💡 Accommodation and activities tip: We compare accommodation options here to see what’s available and at what price. We prefer to look for it on Booking.com, where they usually have the best cancellation policies. Tickets, tours and activities are worth comparing and buying through GetYourGuide.
Choosing accommodation depends mainly on which of the six resorts you plan to spend most of your time in and how much you want to move around. If you want to be right in the centre of the action with excellent access to top restaurants and lively après-ski bars, look for accommodation directly in Pec pod Sněžkou. The local hotels and modern apartments are logically more expensive, but you’ll save a lot of valuable time during morning transfers to the cable cars, because you can usually walk to them. Pec is also the best starting point for summer trips to Sněžka.
For lovers of long sporty descents, Janské Lázně near Černá hora is more strategic, from where you can get directly to the longest slopes in the republic. The spa town also has a life beyond skiing. Cafés, an aquacentre with thermal water, and a promenade where you can pleasantly unwind after a full day of skiing all play their part. If you’re travelling with small children and looking for a quieter environment without large crowds of speeding skiers, I recommend looking around Velká Úpa or Černý Důl, where the atmosphere is noticeably more relaxed, accommodation prices friendlier, and parking considerably easier.
💡 Tip: It pays to check whether the accommodation has its own parking and how far away the ski bus stop is—the bus runs between all six resorts and is included in the ski pass price. Browse the selection via Stay22, which compares multiple booking portals at once.
Tips for specific popular hotels:
- Grand Hotel Hradec: Grand Hotel Hradec stands right in the centre of Pec, has its own ski bus to the cable cars and a wellness centre that looks like something from a fashion magazine, but you’ll logically pay more for that location.
- Hotel PECR: An excellent choice for those who prefer spacious apartments with their own kitchenette, but also want to enjoy an extensive rooftop wellness area with hot tubs and panoramic saunas after a full day of skiing.
- Omnia Hotel: Omnia Hotel stands a short walk from the gondola to Černá hora. Skiing in the morning, straight back to the hotel in the evening—ideal for those who don’t want to waste time on transfers and complicated commuting.
14 Tips: What to See and Do at the SkiResort
Let’s take a detailed look at everything this huge mountain complex has to offer. I’ll advise you on how to navigate the individual resorts, where to find the best slopes, and what activities you can enjoy when you don’t feel like skiing.
1. Czechia’s Largest Resort by Ski Pass
SkiResort Černá hora – Pec officially boasts the title of Czechia’s largest ski resort, because with a single ski pass you can carve through an impressive 50 kilometres of ski slopes. But it’s extremely important to understand how this system works in practice, so you don’t expect one giant interconnected complex like in the Alps. These fifty kilometres don’t all lie on one single mountain.
The entire resort consists of six separate ski areas that aren’t interconnected on skis as we know it from neighbouring Špindlerův Mlýn. Špindl offers 27 kilometres of slopes that are fully connected by lifts, while SkiResort dominates in total kilometres. In Pec and the surrounding area you’ll encounter the same model as in the famous Austrian Ski amadé, which we also write about on our blog. You have a huge portion of kilometres available, but you simply have to transfer between individual valleys.
However, this concept has a huge advantage. Every day you can ski on a different mountain, try different slope profiles, and soak up the atmosphere of various Giant Mountains towns.
💡 Tip: Plan your holiday strategically. Dedicate one day to steep slopes in Janské Lázně, the next day enjoy family-friendly fun in Černý Důl, and finish the weekend on the wide Javor in Pec.
2. Ski Slopes in Pec pod Sněžkou Itself
If you decide to spend a day directly in Pec pod Sněžkou, 14 kilometres of excellent ski slopes of absolutely all conceivable difficulties await you. This resort is incredibly popular among skiers because it offers the best possible mix of wide gentle slopes for beginners and sharper sporty runs for experienced riders.
The heart of the entire Pec resort is the legendary Javor slope, which is beautifully wide and long enough for proper morning carving while the snow is still hard. If you prefer more varied and quieter slopes hidden in the forest, definitely head to Hnědý vrch or Zahrádky, from where beautiful views of the valley also open up. At Zahrádky, feel free to take a lunch break—blueberry dumplings on a terrace with a view are simply the right choice.
An absolute hit for young and old skiers is the special Funline trail, which elevates regular skiing to a fun mountain rollercoaster. You’ll find very safe banked turns, playful terrain waves, and even an eight-metre drive-through tunnel made of snow that reliably entertains absolutely everyone. The tunnel is wide enough that you don’t have to worry about unnecessary collisions.
3. Janské Lázně – Černá hora for More Demanding Skiers
Very often people confuse this Giant Mountains resort with the country of the same name in the Balkans during quick internet searches. That’s why it’s good to always remember the exact name Janské Lázně – Černá hora, which will reliably guide your navigation to the right mountains. This particular resort is the absolute pride of the entire SkiResort.
The local slopes are among the very best in the country, mainly thanks to their extraordinary length. Here you can thoroughly enjoy ski runs up to three kilometres long that take you from the windy summit of Černá hora all the way down to the spa promenades in the valley. The slopes here are beautifully wide, have a distinctly sporty character, and are ideal for lovers of fast riding.
Truly top-class technology takes care of your maximum comfort here. To the summit you’ll be taken by Czechia’s only eight-seat gondola, from which you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the entire surroundings. In addition, there’s the super-modern heated Hofmanky Express six-seat chairlift, thanks to which you’ll stay pleasantly warm even on the frostiest days.
4. Smaller Resorts for Families with Children
While Pec and Černá hora logically attract crowds of sporty skiers, the resorts in Černý Důl, Svoboda nad Úpou, and Velká Úpa function as perfect oases of calm. If you’re heading to the mountains with small children who are just learning to make their first wobbly turns, or you simply just hate crowded slopes from the bottom of your heart, this will be your new favourite refuge.
In particular, Černý Důl is widely renowned for its family-friendly environment. The slopes here are incredibly wide, very gentle, and perfectly clear, so you definitely don’t have to worry about your children getting lost from sight. You’ll also find fantastically equipped children’s parks with modern moving carpets and plenty of educational elements for the youngest athletes.
In Velká Úpa you can enjoy relaxed skiing on Portášky, where you’ll be reliably taken by a comfortable chairlift. The slopes here tend to be significantly less crowded even on busy weekends, and you can calmly work on your technique without having to constantly watch your surroundings and dodge crowds of speeding skiers.
5. Malá Úpa in the Far East
The last and somewhat hidden of the six resorts is Malá Úpa, located in the easternmost part of the entire SkiResort. Malá Úpa is the least explored of the six resorts, and perhaps that’s exactly what makes it the most beautiful. Wooden log cabins, peace and quiet, and views all the way to Poland create an unforgettable atmosphere you won’t easily find elsewhere in the Giant Mountains.
Thanks to its location high on the ridge, Malá Úpa has reliable snow conditions. Snow here very often lasts in perfect quality even at times when lower-lying resorts down in the valley are already slowly struggling with spring thaw. Skiing here is cleverly divided into two smaller connected locations, Pomezky and U Kostela.
This resort is made for everyone seeking romance and absolute tranquillity in the mountains. The slopes here are noticeably shorter, but beautifully profiled, and from the peaks you can see all the way to our Polish neighbours. It’s an ideal place for a relaxed family afternoon on the snow followed by a stop for proper garlic soup. Parking up at Pomezky tends to be more expensive, but you’ll save yourself the climb up the serpentines if there isn’t ice on the road.
6. How to Save on Ski Passes and Avoid Queues
Buying ski passes at Czech mountain resorts has radically changed in recent years, and standing in queues at classic ticket windows is no longer the best option. Throughout the SkiResort, dynamic ski pass pricing applies, which in practice means one absolutely fundamental rule for your wallet: the earlier you buy your passes, the cheaper you’ll ski.
The price differences are truly significant and worth monitoring. While a one-day adult ski pass will cost you a fixed €61 at the ticket office, when buying online with sufficient advance notice you can get the same pass for as little as €36. During popular January dates, the average online price hovers around a nice €45, which for a family of four means savings in the thousands of crowns. For more details, definitely check out our detailed article on comparing ski pass prices in Czechia.
To make the pickup process as smooth as possible, the operator has placed nine smart kiosks called sKiosk throughout the resort. If you buy your ski pass online on your phone on the way to the cable car, you just need to scan the received QR code at this machine and the plastic card will drop out in a few seconds without any waiting.
7. Ski Buses as the Resort’s Main Artery
Because those tempting 50 kilometres of ski slopes don’t form one connected slope, ski buses become the main transport artery here. This free bus network is absolutely key to fully utilizing the potential of your comprehensive ski pass and visiting neighbouring valleys during your holiday without having to start your own car.
Ski buses run between all six resorts along main routes, and at very frequent and regular intervals. The busiest line naturally shuttles between the two giants, Pec pod Sněžkou and Janské Lázně. The journey itself takes about twenty to thirty minutes, during which you can comfortably rest and plan your descent route. It pays to arrive at the stop a few minutes early, because on weekends the buses fill up unexpectedly quickly.
💡 Tip: I definitely recommend downloading current timetables to your phone, which you can find on the official SkiResort website. Ski bus drivers are usually very accommodating and the buses are adapted for safe transport of skis and snowboards, so you don’t have to worry about complicated equipment handling.
8. Trip to Czechia’s Highest Mountain
Being in Pec and not climbing Sněžka? Seriously? Czechia’s highest mountain is within reach from here and not taking advantage of it would be a shame. Sněžka towers absolutely majestically directly above the town and forms the unmistakable photogenic backdrop of the entire valley. Whether you head here in freezing winter or during sunny summer, it’s an experience that simply belongs to a visit to the Giant Mountains.
Directly from Pec, a popular modern gondola leads to the summit, overcoming enormous elevation and offering passengers breathtaking views of the deep Obří důl. In summer months you can choose from several hiking trails of varying difficulty and climb the mountain on foot, which is physically demanding but all the more beautiful and satisfying.
If you’re interested in specific hiking trails, practical tips on where to go on foot, and of course current cable car prices, we’ve covered everything in detail in our separate guide Sněžka: ascent, cable car and prices, where you’ll find all the necessary information nicely gathered in one place.
9. Obří Důl and Summer Hiking
Although Pec pod Sněžkou is perceived primarily as a top winter resort, summer holidays here have incredible and very contagious charm. The entire valley turns beautifully green, hundreds of kilometres of marked trails open up, and mountain huts beckon you to stop. Raspberry lemonade at a mountain hut in summer tastes completely different than any other time—that’s simply a fact.
One of the most beautiful places in the entire Giant Mountains is undoubtedly the magnificent Obří důl. This deep glacial valley offers dramatic scenery, wild nature, and views that will absolutely enchant you. A walk through Obří důl towards Slezská bouda is one of the most iconic trips you can take in summer.
In the warm months, many other family attractions also open up in Pec. You can try the local bobsled track, navigate a rope centre, or rent modern electric mountain bikes, thanks to which you’ll conquer even the steepest Giant Mountains climbs with a smile on your face and without getting out of breath.
10. Paradise for Cross-Country Skiers on the Krkonoše Trail
If downhill skiing and queues at turnstiles bore you, or you simply prefer covering kilometres under your own power in the silence of the forest, the Giant Mountains are interwoven with an absolutely phenomenal network of cross-country trails. The entire SkiResort lies in close proximity to the famous Krkonoše Main Trail, which offers cross-country skiers dozens of kilometres of perfectly groomed tracks.
Directly from Pec or from Janské Lázně, after a short climb you can connect to ridge trails, where suddenly you have no cable cars around you, no queues, just snow, trees, and the Giant Mountains in a better mood. Along the way you’ll reliably encounter plenty of traditional mountain huts, where you can warm up in peace with hot tea or hearty vegetable soup.
In particular, trails around Černá hora and Světlá hora are among the most popular. They’re regularly and carefully groomed both for classic style with grooved tracks and for faster skating. Moreover, thanks to the high altitude, quality snow stays on them very long into spring.
11. Night Skiing Under the Stars
Are you one of those tireless athletes who find the afternoon shutdown of cable cars simply too early? Then you’ll definitely be excited by the possibility of night skiing on brilliantly lit slopes. It’s a completely different and somewhat magical experience, when you enjoy freshly groomed snow, frosty evening air, and a great atmosphere under artificial lighting.
In Pec pod Sněžkou, night skiing regularly takes place on the renowned Javor slope, which is absolutely perfectly illuminated for this purpose. Because they groom again before evening operations, the snow is often in much better condition after sunset than in the afternoon. You thus get a brilliantly generous width for safe night turns.
Another great option is the Protěž night slope in Janské Lázně, which at 1.6 kilometres proudly ranks among the longest lit slopes in the entire republic. After night skiing, many satisfied skiers head straight to local après-ski bars for a well-deserved hot mulled wine.
12. What to Do When You’re Not Skiing
A mountain holiday obviously doesn’t have to mean just daily physical exertion on the slopes. Pec pod Sněžkou and Janské Lázně offer plenty of alternative entertainment for days when you want to rest, or when outdoor weather doesn’t exactly favour activities on snow and you declare a so-called rest day.
Right in Pec I definitely recommend visiting the popular Relaxpark with its popular bobsled track, which operates year-round and you’ll enjoy plenty of safe speed with a great view into the valley. If you need to relax tired muscles after skiing, head to one of the hotel wellness centres, which very often and gladly open their doors to non-staying guests as well.
For a bit more thermal relaxation, you can head to nearby Janské Lázně. The local aquacentre offers pleasantly heated pools fed by healing thermal springs, outdoor hot tubs, and an extensive sauna world. More great tips for hot springs can be found in our comprehensive overview of the best thermal spas in Czechia.
13. Facilities for Children and Ski Schools
SkiResort puts enormous emphasis on ensuring families with small children have maximum possible comfort here. If your little ones are standing on skis for the very first time, you’re definitely in the right place. In each of the six resorts you’ll find highly professional ski schools with certified instructors who have enormous patience with teaching little ones.
Part of these centres are also safe children’s LIVE parks equipped with comfortable magic carpets. And hand on heart, that’s a huge relief, because dragging small children on classic T-bars is often a real ordeal. They ride nicely on the ground, ski down a slalom course full of little animals, and the whole lesson suddenly turns into more of a huge snow playground.
💡 Tip: If you plan to use ski school services during the busy spring break period, book lessons well in advance online. Instructor capacity in February tends to be absolutely exhausted and you might not find a single available slot on-site.
14. Parking and Arrival Logistics
Arriving in Pec pod Sněžkou itself during the main winter season can sometimes seriously test the nerves of many drivers. The Giant Mountains valley is relatively narrow and parking capacity in the town centre is logically limited, so it’s absolutely crucial to know how to handle the entire logistics as well as possible and above all without unnecessary stress.
The Zelený potok (P4) car park is closest to the slopes in Pec, but it fills up first; in Janské Lázně the central P1 car park serves, from where a ski bus runs to the Protěž slope. The car parks in Velká Úpa are a lifesaver. A free ski bus takes skiers directly to the cable cars and you’ll pay a few euros per day for parking.
💡 Tip: If you’re just going to Pec for a quick weekend skiing trip, leave home really early in the morning. On weekends and during holidays, queues form on the access roads and the car parks closest to the cable cars tend to be hopelessly full by that time.
Where to Eat in Pec and the Surrounding Area
Feeling hungry? I don’t blame you. When you spend all day on the slopes or summer hiking, proper food is simply a necessity. Throughout the resort you’ll encounter a huge number of classic mountain huts, restaurants, and more modern bistros that won’t let you go hungry and will provide the necessary energy for more kilometres.
If you don’t want to waste time skiing down to town, you’ll find plenty of options right up on the mountains. The selection is really wide, from classic Czech dishes that will reliably warm you up, to lighter lunches for quick refreshment between descents.
Stops Right on the Slope and Trails
A great choice is to take a break at the already-mentioned Zahrádky. On the terrace with a view, dumplings and fried cheese taste completely different, especially when the sun is shining nicely. For those heading on a hiking trip through Obří důl, it logically pays to plan your route past the renowned Slezská bouda.
In Malá Úpa, hot garlic soup in one of the traditional log cabins comes in wonderfully handy after freezing skiing. The menu here is usually very hearty and mountain restaurants rely primarily on local Giant Mountains recipes.
Where to Go Next from Pec pod Sněžkou
The Giant Mountains are huge and offer plenty of other places to explore. If you’re considering where to head next, definitely get inspired by our other tips:
- Interested in comparing with another Giant Mountains giant? Read our tips for Špindlerův Mlýn.
- Looking for inspiration for more winter trips around the republic? Our comprehensive guide on where to ski in Czechia will definitely help with your choice.
- Want to plan a summer ascent of our highest peak in detail? Check out the article Sněžka: ascent, cable car and prices.
- The glassmaking town of Harrachov with its mammoth ski jump is described in the article Harrachov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a trip to the mountains sometimes brings a pile of uncertainties, especially when you’re going to such a huge resort for the very first time. Going through all the official websites and tediously searching for details takes a lot of time you’d rather spend on something far more fun and useful.
That’s why I’ve written the most important and most frequently asked questions clearly in one single place. Whether you’re dealing with buying ski passes, parking prices, or transfer logistics between slopes, you’ll definitely find quick answers here.
How many kilometers of ski runs does Pec pod Sněžkou have?
The resort in Pec pod Sněžkou itself offers around 14 kilometers of ski runs. However, within the entire SkiResort Černá hora – Pec, you can use a single ski pass to access a total of 50 kilometers of runs across six different resorts, making it the largest ski area in the Czech Republic.
Is the entire SkiResort ski-linked?
No, the resorts are not ski-linked. You need to travel between the six resorts (Pec, Černá hora, Černý Důl, Svoboda, Velká Úpa, and Malá Úpa), which is served by a fairly dense and completely free network of regular ski buses.
How much does a ski pass to Pec pod Sněžkou cost?
Prices are dynamic. At the ticket office on-site, you’ll pay €60 (1,490 Kč) for a one-day adult ski pass. However, if you buy your pass online well in advance, prices start from €35 (880 Kč). The average online price in January is around €45 (1,110 Kč).
What’s the difference between Pec and Špindlerův Mlýn?
While the SkiResort around Pec offers 50 km of ski runs spread across six unconnected areas, Špindlerův Mlýn has 27 kilometers of runs that are fully ski-linked within the valley. Špindl is also often perceived as a somewhat livelier resort.
Where can I park in Pec pod Sněžkou?
In Pec pod Sněžkou, the parking lot closest to the slopes is Zelený potok (P4). In Janské Lázně, the central parking lot P1 serves as the main option, from where a ski bus runs to the Protěž slope. However, capacities fill up fairly quickly, so I recommend arriving early in the morning or cleverly using the overflow parking lots in Velká Úpa and taking the ski bus to the center.
What to do in Pec pod Sněžkou in summer?
Pec is a fantastic summer destination full of activities. You can take the cable car or hike to Sněžka, walk through the beautiful glacial Obří důl, ride the bobsled track at the popular Relaxpark, or try out the extensive network of trails for electric mountain bikes.
Where can I find the longest ski runs in the area?
If you’re looking for really long sports runs in the mountains, head from Pec by ski bus to the neighboring resort Janské Lázně – Černá hora. You’ll find top-quality ski runs that reach up to three kilometers in length and definitely rank among the best in the entire Czech Republic.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
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