Please, look at:
* Approach to the Samotnia Refuge from Karpacz- Bialy Jar
* Approach to the Samotnia Refuge from Karpacz- Bialy Jar and Mt. Kopa chair lift upper station.
* Approach to the Samotnia Refuge from Karpacz Gorny
Our refuge is placed within the boundaries of the Karkonosze National Park which is not accessible for private cars. You may leave your car in Karpacz Gorny, in the guarded car park, for example, near the Sadyba Hotel (Karkonoska Street 18) or U Ceprow Guest House (Karkonoska Street 26).
Yes, our guides speak German and English. All are fully qualified mountain guides.
We offer rooms with 1 to 9 beds. Each room has a washbasin and a wardrobe. Shared-showers are available on the first floor. We accommodate our courses' participants in pairs or small groups. Our refuge is cosy and clean.
Lodging and dining (breakfast and late dinner), instruction, insurance (accident insurance - 4000 euros; third-party insurance - 40000 euros; medical insurance - 40000 euros; baggage insurance - 400 euros), souvenir T-shirt.
You should apply for the course and pay advance money (30% of the price) into our bank account to book the place. The number of the bank account is given on the application form. The remining 70% you can pay after your arrival in our office
If you come to Samotnia to ski, you have to buy a ski-pass (prices - click here http://www.kopa.com.pl/), you have to buy entry ticket to the Karkonosze National Park (ticket for one day: for adults - 4zł, children - 2zł; for three days: for adults - 8zł, children - 4zł; the party of 10 adult people - 28zł; the party of 10 children - 14zł), tickets to the Kopa Chair Lift from 11 to 23zł, Alpine coaster from 5 to 35zł. Admission to local tourist attracions is not expensive and vary from 1zł to 8zł. Samotnia Refuge houses the bar with wide variety of teas, caf(s, sweets, bottled to tap beer, juices and sodas.
Please read the information given in the discription of the particular event
You don't need to be very fit. Ig you go to Nepal you have to be quite fit, very healthy, and be prepared. We recommend some short trekkings to the lower mountains, walkings about one month before departure to the Himalayas. Before Higher Level Training Courses you need to work out.
Adventure cou4rses are orgamised for young people aged 11-18. Climbing courses are for people older than 12. Other sports events are prepared for people aged 16 and older. Teenagers, that is, people younger than 18 years old should have a written permission from their parents or a custodian. Some of our clients are aged 16-25, more or less the same grups are 25-50 years old. More than 20% are more than 50 years old and even older
One instructor teaches groups of 6-15 on Adventure Camps, Ski-touring, Ski Camp, Photography Course and Tai-Chi Course. The groups of 3-4 only have one instructor during Climbing Course. During Higher Level Trining Course, participants are grouped in teams of four people. Lectures on theory are given for the group of 10-20 participants.
Of course, you can stay together. Hovever it is possible if only we have vacancies in our refuge. For detailed price list, please look at: Prices
No, you don't need to take neither a sleeping bag nor any electrical appiliances. Bedding is available in our refuge. The Samotnia Refuge is a monumental wooden building and because of fire precautions electrical appiliances are not allowed in our refuge. Boling water, teas, coffees, hot meals are available in our bar and restaurant
During the climbing course participants are tested. If you pass, you will get the Certificate of the Polish Alpine Association. Participants of the Higher Level Training courses get the Certificate of the Polish Country Lovers' Society (PTTK) - Western Sudety Mts.Department.
At about midday.
Beginners start on the nursery slope of the Zlotowka Mountain Meadow (In Polish - Hala Zlotowka). Intermediate and advanced skiers on the pistes of the Ski Arena Kopa (http://www.kopa.com.pl)
Skills of all participants are tested by our instructors on the first day. participants are divided into groups. Our courses are prepared for beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers. You may also improve your skills.
Skis - lighter and shorter than regular downhill skis, usually with a small hole drilled in the ski tip for rescue purposes. Also carving skis are applied. To allow going up and prevent the skier fom slipping backwards on steepy slopes, special skins are attached the bottom of the skis
Bindings - special touring binding makes four heel free to allow climbing and walking up. While going down the bindning can be blocked to make your heel locked down. In this way you feel like a downhill skier.
Boots - for beginners regular light, soft and comfortable ski boots could be used, but typical ski-touring boots are highy recommended. They are light, double, warm and have the Vibram sole.
Additional gear - adjustable poles, backpack (40-50l). googles, sunglasses, thermos flask, first aid kit. All thise things you should take with you to the mountians in winter..
On ski-touring skis you can go everywhere you want, you can see more and better. You safe yor time, because you move faster. They make you free and independed from ski lifts. Some people tried ski-touring, and finally gave up ski lift aided skiing.
Yes, please let us know few days earlier. You can hire an instructor and climbing gear. It costs 200zł per one day for the group of four (insurance included).