Jeseníky in Winter 2026: 14 Tips on What to See – Praděd, Kouty and Červenohorské Sedlo

The Moravian mountains have an utterly unmistakable charm in winter, and the Jeseníky in winter are among the best winter experiences you can have in Central Europe. They offer rugged and untamed nature, stunning views across the surrounding landscape, and surprisingly top-class ski conditions that rival Alpine resorts. If you’re wondering where to head for snow this year, this region definitely won’t disappoint you.

Three resorts compete for the title of largest, Praděd has the longest-lasting snow in the Czech Republic, and you can soak in thermal pools in Velké Losiny even after dark — you’ll find all of this in the article, including tips for non-skiers and family trips. You’ll also discover where to stay, how the combined ski passes work, and why it’s worth traveling here even for a long weekend. The Jeseníky aren’t just about ski slopes; they’re also about great food and relaxation in thermal spas.

Pack warm clothing, because the weather on the ridges can be seriously freezing. Your reward is slopes where you’ll feel like you’re in the Alps — except the lift pass price will pleasantly surprise you. And that’s exactly why people keep coming back here every winter.

TL;DR

If you don’t feel like reading through the entire long text, we’ve prepared a quick overview of the essentials. Here’s the main information you need to know for your winter holiday:

• Three resorts compete for the title of largest: Ski Arena Karlov (by length of interconnected slopes), Kouty nad Desnou (by total area), and Ramzová (as a comprehensive recreational center).
• Snow guarantee: Skiareál Praděd-Ovčárna is the highest-elevation ski area in the Czech Republic and holds snow longer than any other resort in the country.
• Most modern technology: In Kouty nad Desnou, you’ll ride the very first six-seater chairlift in the country.
• Combined ski pass: The YES SKI system connects the popular Červenohorské Sedlo with the high-altitude Praděd.
• For non-skiers: The Jesenická magistrála cross-country trail, spa town Karlova Studánka, or winter hike to the transmitter on Praděd.
• For families: Karlov pod Pradědem offers excellent facilities for children and gentler slopes.

🧭 The full destination guide: Czechia — guide and what to see

When to Visit the Jeseníky for Snow

The ski season in the Jeseníky typically starts in mid-December and lasts until the end of March, with the best conditions for skiing and winter hiking usually occurring in the middle of winter. If you want to enjoy perfectly groomed slopes and avoid the biggest crowds at the lifts, January is ideal for a visit, when temperatures are consistently below freezing and nature is beautifully blanketed in fresh powder. February is traditionally the month of school holidays, so you automatically need to expect far more skiers and fuller hotels that need to be booked well in advance.

Absolutely unique is the area around Praděd and Ovčárna, where natural snow lasts by far the longest in the entire Czech Republic thanks to the extreme altitude. You can often ski here into April, when trees are already blooming in the lowlands and spring is in full swing, making it a perfect choice for spring skiing in a T-shirt with sunshine on your back. In winter, temperature inversions often form in the Jeseníky, where valleys are submerged in grey fog while the sun shines on the ridges and it’s surprisingly warm. However, it always pays to check Holidayinfo.cz, where you’ll find current snow reports and live webcams.

For winter hiking and walks without skis, conditions are excellent all winter long, but always carefully monitor the weather forecast and mountain rescue warnings. The ridges of the Jeseníky can unexpectedly surprise you with strong icy winds and dense fog, so good functional gear, a charged phone, and sensible route planning are absolute necessities even on shorter trips.

Where to Stay in the Jeseníky

💡 Accommodation and experiences tip: We compare local accommodation 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 terms. Tickets, tours, and activities are worth comparing and buying through GetYourGuide.

The Jeseníky don’t have one central hub, so choosing your base determines which resort you’ll spend most of your time skiing in. Malá Morávka and Karlov pod Pradědem are the best choices when you’re heading to Ski Arena Karlov, because accommodation here is usually right by the slopes. Loučná nad Desnou and the Kouty nad Desnou area will get you to the six-seater chairlift. Karlova Studánka is unique because it combines a spa environment with easy access to Ovčárna, and Červenohorské Sedlo has the advantage that you stay right on the pass and don’t need to travel anywhere.

Those who want the most reliable snow look for accommodation as high as possible. Ovčárna below Praděd is the highest place in the Czech Republic where you can sleep next to a ski slope, but don’t expect hotel luxury there. It works opposite to everywhere else: the higher you go, the more spartan the facilities and the better the conditions on the slope in the morning.

Specific hotel and guesthouse tips:

• Kopřivná pod Pradědem: The best-rated larger hotel in Malá Morávka, rating 4.5 from 866 reviews. Wellness and proximity to the slopes, so you don’t need to go anywhere in the morning.
• Wellness hotel Peras: Wellness hotel with restaurant in Ludvíkov near Karlova Studánka. Rating 4.6 from over 500 reviews. It’s a few minutes’ drive to the resorts.
• Hotel Červenohorské Sedlo: Hotel right on Červenohorské Sedlo. When you don’t want to drive up a snowy serpentine road every morning, this is the solution. Rating 4.2 from over 1,500 reviews.
• Hotel Kamzík: Established hotel in Karlov pod Pradědem at Ski Arena Karlov with a rating of 4.2 and 1,641 reviews.
• Hotel Pod Kapličkou: Smaller hotel in Malá Morávka with a rating of 4.5 from 931 reviews. Good choice when you’re looking for more of a family atmosphere than a large resort.
• Horský hotel Figura: Accommodation at Ovčárna below Praděd. The 3.6 rating suggests people come here for the location, not the rooms. But you’ll be first on the slopes in the morning, even before the buses with day visitors arrive.

14 Tips on What to See and Do: The Jeseníky in Winter at Their Best

Let’s take a detailed look at the best this mountain region offers during the winter months. You’ll find excellent skiing, stunning views, and tips for activities without skis so you can enjoy your holiday to the fullest.

1. Praděd and Its Iconic Transmitter

At 1,491 meters above sea level, Praděd is the highest mountain in all of Moravia and an absolutely unmissable landmark of the surrounding area. What makes it truly iconic, though, is the 146.5-meter-tall television transmitter that stands on its summit and from a distance resembles a launching space rocket. In winter, when the entire structure is coated in a thick layer of rime ice and snow, this place feels incredibly magical and photogenic.

The tower doesn’t just serve television signals; inside you’ll also find a glass observation platform at 73 meters and a cozy restaurant. When you’re lucky and get clear weather, you’ll see not only the entire Jeseníky range from here but also the Krkonoše mountains, Beskydy mountains, or even the Slovak High Tatras. The viewing platform ticket costs around €6 and the elevator ride to the top is genuinely worth it even in bitter cold.

You can get to the top on foot from nearby Ovčárna along a beautifully trodden path about three kilometers long; you’ll manage it in an hour, even with a sled. Just dress warmly, because at the top by the transmitter an icy wind blows that pulls the perceived temperature deep below freezing.

2. Ski Resort Praděd-Ovčárna for Guaranteed Snow

If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy fantastic skiing even when snowdrops are already blooming down in the valleys, head to Ovčárna. This is the highest-altitude ski resort in Czechia, with lift stations located at an impressive elevation of 1,235 to 1,445 metres above sea level. Thanks to this extreme position, natural snow lasts far longer here, often until late spring, making it an absolute legend among passionate skiers.

The resort isn’t among the largest, offering a total of 4.5 kilometres of slopes, but it more than compensates with a fantastic high-mountain atmosphere and stunning views. Skier transport is handled by 6 traditional drag lifts with a combined capacity of 1,000 people per hour – you won’t find a modern chairlift here due to strict nature protection regulations. The slopes are beautifully wide and clear, so no unpleasant narrow gullies where you’re afraid to turn.

💡 Tip: Direct car access to the resort is strictly regulated and you go up by shuttle bus from the Hvězda car park near Karlova Studánka. The bus runs up on the hour and down on the half-hour – save that to your phone so you don’t have to freeze unnecessarily at the stop. A return ticket costs around €5.

3. Ski Arena Karlov and 12 Kilometres of Slopes

The Jeseníky region has one interesting feature: no fewer than three resorts here proudly claim to be the largest in Moravia, with each using a slightly different metric. Ski Arena Karlov in Malá Morávka stakes its claim to this prestigious title by offering over 12 kilometres of interconnected slopes. You can spend the whole day moving from hill to hill without taking your skis off, which is tremendous luxury by Czech standards.

Thanks to its gentler profile, Karlov is absolutely ideal for families with children and intermediate skiers. The slopes here are predominantly blue and red, beautifully wide, clear and truly safe. You’ll find modern chairlifts that whisk you to the top in no time, and in high season you’ll typically pay around €35-40 for a full-day ski pass.

If you want to really make the most of your skiing, try the renowned evening skiing, which is among the very best around. The runs are perfectly lit, the lifts generally operate from 6 pm to 9 pm, and the evening atmosphere on crisp snow just has something special about it. All the necessary information, trail maps and current prices can be found on the official Ski Arena Karlov website.

4. Kouty nad Desnou with the First Six-Seater

The second contender for the title of largest Moravian resort is modern Kouty nad Desnou, which bases this bold claim on its total slope area and enormous transport capacity. This resort boasts a total slope area of an impressive 25 hectares and offers 4 main runs, two of which are longer than two kilometres and wider than 50 metres, guaranteeing plenty of space for great carving turns.

The resort’s biggest draw, however, is undoubtedly the first six-seat chairlift in Czechia, which has made Kouty an absolute technological leader. The lift has an incredible capacity of 3,200 people per hour, so unpleasant queues only form very rarely. The ride up takes exactly 6 minutes and 48 seconds, which is absolutely ideal for stretching and resting tired legs.

Kouty nad Desnou is an Alpine-style resort that reliably satisfies even very demanding and sporty skiers. The long and varied runs will keep you entertained all day, and the facilities at the base are excellent too, with free parking, a large equipment rental shop and a restaurant where you can warm up after a full day’s skiing with soup or a proper meal. More information about the resort can be found at ski-mu.cz.

5. Červenohorské Sedlo for Tradition

Červenohorské sedlo ranks among the best-known and most traditional ski centres in northern Moravia and has a huge history. The slopes lie at an altitude of 862 to 1,164 metres and thanks to the favourable orientation of the slopes, quality snow is available for a very long time. The ski season here typically runs from mid-December through to the end of March, and the resort is renowned for its excellent snow conditions.

The resort offers a very diverse mix of runs, from gentle sunny practice slopes on the south side to a steep black slalom run on the north side that will test even the best downhillers. It’s a place where the whole family can really ski, and thanks to the modern four-seat chairlift, skier transport is very fast and smooth without unnecessary waiting.

A major advantage of the resort is its perfect accessibility, as it sits right on main road 44 connecting the Šumperk and Jeseník districts. The car park is huge, completely free and located right by the slopes, so you avoid any lengthy lugging of heavy equipment. The local snack bar also makes absolutely legendary fried cheese with a proper portion of chips, which hits the spot better than anything after a full day’s skiing. 😅

6. Joint YES SKI Pass

A major innovation for all visitors to the Jeseníky is the joint ski pass called YES SKI, which significantly simplifies winter holiday planning. This system cleverly connects two very popular resorts, traditional Červenohorské sedlo and high-altitude Praděd, so you can ski both mountains without restriction with a single pass in your pocket.

This concept makes huge sense especially during multi-day stays, when mountain conditions change rapidly. You can choose your resort based on current weather. When Praděd has unpleasant fog or strong winds, simply switch to the more sheltered Sedlo, and conversely in spring months you can take advantage of absolutely guaranteed snow at the highest altitudes. In the morning you just check the webcams and instantly know where to head.

If you’re interested in how Jeseníky resorts compare price-wise with the rest of the country and what skiing will cost you, definitely check out our detailed article on ski pass prices: comparison of 18 resorts. You’ll find plenty of useful tips on how to save elegantly on passes and why it almost always pays to buy them online in advance.

7. Ramzová and the Greatest Vertical Drop

The third resort joining the party claiming to be the largest in Moravia is Ski Resort Ramzová. It uses this title in the context of being the largest summer and winter recreation centre. It lies on the northwestern edge of the Hrubý Jeseník range and its greatest pride is the enormous elevation range, which starts at 765 metres and ends at 1,325 metres above sea level.

This impressive vertical drop is the largest in the entire region and guarantees incredibly long and varied descents. A system of chairlifts takes you to the summit of Mount Šerák and the subsequent descent into the valley is a real experience for every lover of long runs that will reliably burn your thighs.

An interesting fact is that the resort boasts the highest-altitude express train station in Czechia, so you can step off a direct train from Brno or Olomouc just a few dozen metres from the bottom station of the cable car. Similar disputes about who is actually the largest, incidentally, aren’t limited to Moravia. A very similar situation exists in the Ore Mountains, and if you’re interested in skiing there too, read our guide to Klínovec and Boží Dar.

8. Enchanting Karlova Studánka

When you need a break from the slopes, there’s no better place in the Jeseníky than Karlova Studánka. This picturesque spa town lies close to Praděd and will charm you with its beautifully preserved wooden 19th-century architecture. The wooden pavilions buried under a thick layer of snow look as if they’ve stepped out of a romantic winter fairy tale.

Karlova Studánka boasts having the cleanest air in Central Europe, and simply strolling among the spa buildings is wonderfully therapeutic and refreshing. You can taste the local mineral springs here, visit the salt cave, or treat yourself to relaxation in a thermal water pool in the historic Summer Spa building, where you can go for a swim.

💡 Tip: Parking right in the narrow centre is quite a challenge, so I recommend leaving your car at the large overflow car park on the edge of the village and walking the short distance. An evening stroll through the illuminated town has an incredible atmosphere, so stop at a café for hot chocolate and soak up the divine peace.

9. Cross-Country Skiing and the Jeseníky Trail

The Jeseníky are not just a paradise for downhill skiers, but also an absolute mecca for cross-country skiing enthusiasts. The entire region is crossed by the so-called Jeseníky Trail, which offers hundreds of kilometres of precisely groomed tracks for both classic and skating techniques. Cross-country skiing along the mountain ridges with fantastic views into the valleys is one of the most beautiful winter experiences you can treat yourself to.

The most popular and probably the most beautiful routes lead from Červenohorské Sedlo towards Praděd and further on to the popular Skřítek. This ridge section is quite demanding on your physical fitness, but it rewards you with absolutely breathtaking scenery of snow-covered plateaus and deep spruce forests bending under the weight of snow. Always check the current trail maintenance status on the official tourism portal.

For less experienced cross-country skiers or families with children, I recommend routes at lower elevations, for example in the enchanting surroundings of Rejvíz. If you’d like to explore other nearby mountain ranges on cross-country skis, check out our article about the Dolní Morava resort, which borders the Jeseníky closely and offers more great sports opportunities.

10. Skiing with Children in Karlov

Heading to the mountains with small children can sometimes be quite stressful, but fortunately the Jeseníky are very well prepared for families. The best place for first skiing steps is undoubtedly the aforementioned Ski Arena Karlov, which specialises directly in family skiing. You’ll find safe, gentle slopes here and plenty of children’s attractions.

The local ski schools have modern children’s parks with magic carpets, fairy-tale figures and lots of fun elements that are guaranteed to motivate children to learn. According to reviews, the instructors have excellent patience and lessons take a playful form, so even the youngest ones will quickly fall in love with the snow. An hour of group lessons will cost you around €25 to €35 depending on the season.

A great advantage of Karlov is also the perfect facilities of restaurants right at the bottom stations of the lifts. When the little skiers run out of energy after an hour, you can quickly move to a heated restaurant, have hot chocolate or fruit tea, and comfortably rest before the next demanding training session on the slope.

11. Winter Hiking Trip to Švýcárna

If you don’t fancy downhill slopes or cross-country trails, don’t despair at all – the Jeseníky offer beautiful options for easy winter hiking too. An absolute classic is the trip from Ovčárna to the Švýcárna mountain chalet. This route is about four kilometres one way and is incredibly popular thanks to its very gentle profile with no major elevation gain.

The path leads along the slopes of Praděd, is usually very well trampled in winter and can be easily managed by families with smaller children on sledges. Along the way you’ll have beautiful views opening up into the deep Desná valley and to the surrounding snow-covered peaks, so definitely keep your camera at hand.

The Švýcárna chalet itself is one of the very oldest tourist chalets in the Jeseníky and offers a wonderfully cosy and authentic old-world atmosphere. Inside you’ll warm up beautifully by the crackling tiled stoves and recharge your batteries for the return journey. Definitely try the famous yeast dumplings with blueberries or proper garlic soup here (for vegetarians, of course, ask for the version without ham). ☺️

12. Velké Losiny Thermal Baths for Warming Up

What could be better after a whole day spent in freezing weather on the hill than immersing yourself up to your neck in hot water? At the foot of the Jeseníky you’ll find the unique thermal park in Velké Losiny, which is made for just such relaxation. It’s the only thermal park of its kind in the Czech Republic that fills its pools with natural thermal water. Nine thermal pools await you here with water temperatures up to 36°C. The sulphurous water from Velké Losiny has healing effects on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. The local spa is the oldest in Moravia and the thermal park itself has been operating since 2015.

The park offers a total of nine indoor and outdoor pools, with the outdoor ones being particularly magical in winter. Sitting in hot healing water while metres of snow lie around you and thick steam rises from the pool is simply an experience you mustn’t miss after skiing. A three-hour entry ticket in the winter season will cost you around €25 to €30.

The modern complex also includes an extensive sauna world where you can regenerate tired muscles and properly warm up before continuing your journey. Velké Losiny is also a beautiful little town with a rich history, so an evening in the sauna after a full day of skiing is simply the best investment of a winter weekend, and I’m not exaggerating.

13. Photogenic Stop at Dlouhé Stráně

The Dlouhé Stráně pumped-storage hydroelectric power station is a fascinating technical marvel of the Czech Republic and one of the biggest draws of the entire region. Although the main visitor season is rather in summer, even in the middle of winter this monumental work has enormous charm. Its upper reservoir, nicknamed “the cut-off eye”, lies on a mountain peak and is frozen and covered with snow in the winter months.

The road directly to the upper reservoir is usually closed to regular tourists in winter months due to snow and strong ice, and you can usually only get there on ski touring or cross-country skis, so always carefully follow current information on the websites. But even the view of this massive structure from the opposite slopes in Kouty nad Desnou is absolutely stunning in clear weather.

If you’re more interested in the technical facilities, you can book a tour of the underground power station, which is open year-round. You’ll see huge turbines there and learn how the whole system works. Tickets cost around €10, but booking a place online in advance is a necessity – it’s a very popular attraction.

14. Where to Eat in the Jeseníky

Jeseníky gastronomy is built on mountain classics that fill you up after a whole day in the cold. Vegetarians have no problem here, because fried cheese, potato pancakes, mushroom sauces and blueberry dumplings have been part of the local cuisine forever.

• Švýcárna Tourist Chalet with a 4.3 rating and more than 3,000 reviews is the most visited mountain chalet in the Jeseníky. It stands on the ridge between Červenohorské Sedlo and Praděd, so you get here on foot or on cross-country skis.
• Na Hvězdě Restaurant in Malá Morávka has 4.3 from nearly 1,350 reviews and is one of the most established businesses in the village.
• Chata Kazmarka in Karlov pod Pradědem with a 4.4 rating is a practical stop during skiing in Ski Arena Karlov.
• Park Penzion in Malá Morávka holds 4.6 and also functions as a café, which you’ll appreciate when you don’t want a full lunch.

💡 Tip: Bryndza dumplings can be ordered without bacon almost everywhere, just let the staff know. In high season it’s worth making reservations at larger chalets, especially for weekend lunch.

Where Next from the Jeseníky and Useful Tips

The Jeseníky are a great starting point for exploring northern Moravia, but if skiing has caught your fancy and you’re planning more winter trips, we have loads of inspiration for you. You can also explore other Czech mountains – check out our big overview of where to ski in the Czech Republic, where you’ll find tips from across the entire country.

Winter car travel has its clear specifics and mountain roads in the Jeseníky can be very treacherous. You’ll often encounter sections where snow chains are mandatory. To avoid unpleasant surprises on the road, definitely read our detailed guide on what your car needs for the mountains in winter. You’ll find everything from proper tyres to tips on how to deal with frozen windows.

If you’d like to compare services and slopes with other modern resorts, the nearby Kralický Sněžník massif is definitely worth considering. The local resort has grown incredibly in recent years and offers excellent conditions, which we write about in the article about the Dolní Morava resort. Wherever you head, above all enjoy the snow and mountain air!

Frequently Asked Questions

Before you head off on your winter holiday in the Jeseníky, you might still have a few practical questions running through your mind. Here you’ll find answers to the most common ones, which will help you with final planning.

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