Skrzyczne – COS ski area in Szczyrk

Skrzyczne (1,257 m) is the highest peak of the Silesian Beskids, and the ski area on its slopes is one of the largest and oldest in Poland. It is run by the state Central Sports Centre – Olympic Preparation Centre in Szczyrk (Centralny Ośrodek Sportu, COS OPO). The bottom station is right in Szczyrk, on Myśliwska Street, and chairlifts in two sections climb via the Jaworzyna glade all the way to the summit. The history is long: the cableway to Skrzyczne was built in 1954–1960, the first section opened on 26 January 1958, and it was the first sports and leisure facility in Szczyrk. T-bar lifts appeared on Doliny in the 1960s, in 1973 the centre took over the FIS run, and in the 21st century the old lift was replaced by modern chairlifts.

Runs and lifts

According to COS, the slopes of Skrzyczne have over 10 km of runs of varying difficulty, including a FIS-homologated run; the black and red runs have snowmaking. The runs as described by the area:

• Ondraszek (Skrzyczne – Jaworzyna, 2,460 m) – the easiest descent from the summit;
• Widokowa (Jaworzyna – Doliny – bottom station, 2,320 m) – easy;
• Kaskada (Skrzyczne – Jaworzyna – bottom station, 3,200 m) – difficult, very difficult in places;
• FIS (Skrzyczne – Doliny – Szczyrk, 2,801 m) – difficult, licensed by the International Ski Federation for alpine races;
• Jaworzyna (440 m) – easy.

Lifts: a 4-seat chairlift from the bottom station to Jaworzyna (1,592 m long, 406 m vertical, 2,400 people per hour), a 4-seat chairlift Jaworzyna – Skrzyczne (1,170 m, 295 m vertical, 2,400 per hour) and a 6-seat chairlift Doliny – Skrzyczne (almost 1,200 m, about 360 m vertical). They are complemented by the Doliny II platter lift (540 m), the Jaworzyna platter (440 m) and a children’s conveyor on Hala Jaworzyna.

Season and ski passes

The area has not yet published its 2026/27 winter price list or timetable: in November the lift stops for the compulsory technical inspection and winter preparations. In autumn it ran from 9:00 to 16:20. The easiest option is the joint pass of Szczyrk’s three areas – SMR, COS and Beskid Sport Arena (almost 40 km of runs together): according to the price list of neighbouring Szczyrk Mountain Resort, an adult day pass for 2026/27 costs 175–229 PLN at the ticket office depending on the date. Separate 4-hour passes are valid only on Skrzyczne and at Beskid Sport Arena. Payment on Jaworzyna and Skrzyczne is cashless only. Prices as of October 2026 – check the official website.

Who it suits

Skrzyczne is the choice for confident skiers: the long red and black Kaskada and FIS descents with over 700 m of vertical from the summit to town. Less experienced skiers can use Ondraszek from the summit to Jaworzyna or the easy run by the middle station. On Jaworzyna, at 945 m, there is a place to eat, and families will find a playground shaped like a snow groomer.

Getting there from Ukraine

The route is the same as to Szczyrk Mountain Resort: through the Krakovets – Korczowa crossing and along the A4 motorway to Kraków, then towards Bielsko-Biała (S52) and by regional road to Szczyrk. The bottom station is in the town centre on Myśliwska Street. Without a car, take a train to Bielsko-Biała, from where buses run daily to Szczyrk.

Nearby: trails and peaks

From the town centre the hiking trail Szczyrk Centrum – Jaworzyna leads to the middle station, and the Beskid trail passes the bottom station. The summit of Skrzyczne has its own page, and on neighbouring Małe Skrzyczne lies Szczyrk Mountain Resort: ski resort in Szczyrk.

Official website: skrzyczne.cos.pl

Photos: kkic, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons; Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Marcin Stanikowski, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons; ZIGI2014, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.