Palenica ski area (PKL), Szczawnica

Palenica (722 m) is a hill in the Small Pieniny right above the spa town of Szczawnica, a few kilometres from the Slovak border. The ski area here is run by Polish Cableways (PKL): a four-seat chairlift starts in the centre of Szczawnica and reaches the summit in under five minutes, with views of the Beskids, Gorce, Pieniny and, in clear weather, the Tatras. In winter two runs descend from Palenica to the bottom station, and on the neighbouring slope of Szafranówka there are T-bars for families and beginners. It is a small but convenient resort: the centre of Szczawnica is about a ten-minute walk from the lift.

Slopes and lifts

According to PKL's tables the area has five runs, about 3.7 km in total:

• Palenica I – 1000 m along the chairlift; PKL marks it black (difficult), with snowmaking.
• Palenica II, the "family" run – 1800 m, a gentle ski road down to the bottom station, floodlit and snow-made.
• Szafranówka I – 400 m, floodlit and snow-made; Szafranówka II – 500 m, snow-made.
• Learning glade – 40 m by the conveyor belt.

Lifts: the four-seat "Palenica" chairlift (783 m, about 4 minutes up), four single T-bars "Szafranówka" I–IV (310, 333, 258 and 100 m) and a 40 m children's conveyor belt. The runs are groomed regularly, and the floodlit slopes allow evening skiing. For cross-country skiing, the blue hiking trail along the ridge of the Small Pieniny is a good choice.

Season and ski passes

The season depends on snow and snowmaking – usually December to March. The chairlift is currently on its technical break from 19 October to 6 November 2026 and reopens on 7 November; PKL will announce the 2026/27 ski season separately. The lift usually runs from about 9:00 and closes between 15:30 and 19:30 depending on the time of year. Under the 2025/26 price list an adult day pass cost 149 PLN online and 159 PLN at the ticket office; 4 hours cost 125 and 139 PLN, an evening ticket 85 and 99 PLN. There are multi-day, family (2+1) and reduced tickets for children aged 5–15 and people over 65. Palenica is also part of the PKL 2026/27 season pass (2099–2799 PLN), together with Kasprowy Wierch and Gubałówka. There is a year-round car park by the bottom station. Prices as of October 2026 – check the official website.

Who it suits

Palenica suits families and beginners best: the gentle Szafranówka slopes, the children's belt and the long "family" ski road make for relaxed learning, while experienced skiers will find a challenge on the black Palenica I run. The Palenica ski and snowboard school offers private and group lessons for children and adults, gate training and a ski kindergarten; a lesson lasts 50 minutes. Ski rental and servicing are available at the bottom station.

Getting there from Ukraine

From the Krakovets–Korczowa or Shehyni–Medyka border crossings take the A4 motorway west to Tarnów, then road no. 75 via Nowy Sącz to Krościenko nad Dunajcem and road no. 969 to Szczawnica – about 330 km in all. The PKL bottom station is at Główna 7 in the centre of Szczawnica, next to the car park. An alternative is to drive through Slovakia along the Poprad valley, but from the Ukrainian border the Polish route is simpler.

Nearby: trails and peaks

The peaks have their own pages – Palenica and neighbouring Szafranówka – as does the town itself: Szczawnica. The trails Modyń – Szafranówka and Przehyba – Szczawnica Zdrój pass the bottom station.

Official website: pkl.pl

Photos: Happa111, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons; Andrzej Otrębski, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Zalasem1, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Robsuper, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.