Crossing the Tatras on skis - Raid in Poland and Slovakia

Access

Krakow airport (KRK)

Flights to buy: return to Krakow, Poland.

Due to price variations, this ski touring trip in the Tatras is sold without flights. It will be more advantageous and simpler for you to book your flights from the airport and on the dates of your choice via airline websites or booking platforms such as MisterFly, Opodo, Kayak, etc.

Please note: don't buy flights for this trip until we've confirmed that departure is guaranteed.

Meeting point

The 1st day will be devoted to transferring you from Krakow airport to Zakopane on your arrival in the morning.

Group

3 to 6 people

Guiding

English speaking guide UIAGM mountain guide.

We work with a great team of guides. We choose them mainly for their friendliness, their teaching skills and their organisational skills. We listen carefully to our guides, work with them and make sure that their working conditions and pay are the best they can be.

Getting around

Private minibus, sledges.

Carrying

Your belongings for the entire trip, including picnics, a few snacks and individual and collective safety equipment for several days. An airbag is strongly recommended.

Ski lifts

None in sights!

The slopes may have some short steep passages. You should be at ease with ski touring techniques and skiing on all types of snow. We may also ski on glacier terrain. You should master uphill kick turns without hesitation. 

• Stamina level

Good physical condition is required, some uphill sections may have to be done on foot. Ascents and descents vary between 800 & 1200 metres per day. Depending on the chosen itinerary, there may be two outings per day. This allows those who want to pursue to do so and those who are tired to rest and relax.

Beware, you're not playing in the skatepark in your neighbourhood: even though you're extremely keen, are craving to make first tracks in the powder snow, don't forget that this trip is far away overseas, in remote areas and rescue services may be slow and often less well organised than in your home country. So keep cool and take it easy to fully enjoy...and please avoid a back flip without knowing what's behind.

check the LEVEL table HERE

Good to know: If you don't have the required level, the guide might ask you to leave the group for your own safety, that of the group or the well-being of the group as a whole. Don't hesitate to ask us if you have any doubts!

The price includes

• Organisation
• Supervision by an English-speaking UIAGM mountain guide and all expenses
• Entrance fees to the Tatras National Park
• Half-board accommodation in refuges/hotels for 7 nights with breakfast
• All picnic lunches on the days of the raid
• Transport provided in the programme day by day

The price does not include

• Lunch and dinner on day 8
• Return (air) transport from your place of residence to the meeting point
• Personal expenses
• Snacks, drinks and extras
• Ski and equipment hire
• Anything else not included in the ‘price includes' section

A 30% deposit, as well as the insurance cost if you choose to subscribe the latter, is required to secure your booking. You will receive a reminder email 35 days prior to departure for the outstanding balance that is due latest 30 days prior to departure. 

We strongly recommend you to be properly insured for the chosen activity. You should be covered for medical expenses, personal accident & liabilité, third party risks and rescue (helicopter), as well as trip cancellation or curtailment.

Repatriation and research insurance are mandatory when booking a trip with Azimut. We have a full range of iinsurances on offer to suit the trip you select and the risks that it may incur. 

Tipping is no obligation. However usually participants hand round an envelope for those who wish to tip the guide.

During the trip

Half-board in comfortable refuges during the crossing, then in hotels in the valley.

- Evening meals and breakfast in refuges, picnics taken in refuges.

- Hot showers available in the refuges

- Sheets and slippers required for some refuges.

Poland's local currency is the Polish Zloty (PLN).

The exchange rate is PLN 4.2 for €1 (10/07/2025).

Withdrawals and exchanges are possible in Zakopane.

In case of emergency or delay, you can either contact your guide (a phone number will be provided before departure) or contact Azimut on: (+ 33) 04 92 23 07 24.

Telephone: The telephone network is unreliable in the Tatra mountains.

Wifi: Wifi is available in some of the refuges we visit.

Electricity: 220V, same plugs as in France.

Make sure to wear bright colours, it's good for the soul and gives photos a funky edge !

Skiing material (all in excellent condition)

• Ski touring skis with appropriate bindings, ski skins, ski crampons, ski poles and alpine crampons. We recommend you to have freeride type skis (wider at waist) so you can fully enjoy powdery descents as well as descents in any kind of snow.
• Ski touring boots
• A 35-40 litre backpack. Security advice: avalanche airbag backpacks are highly recommended. They help to stay on the surface in case of avalanche and minimize the risk of burial. Azimut guides use them. These bags contain cartridges with compressed air - please contact the airline to check on air transport regulations as they may be classed as hazardous goods.
• Avalanche kit: transceiver, shovel and probe (please let us know if you have your own, if not we lend them for free)
• Padded ski bag for airline transportation
• Ski helmet highly recommended

If you don't have the adequate equipment for the trip, don't worry and travel light: our local contact on site are good friends with the famous Polish ski brand: MAJESTY ! They can certainly help you out to get the right skis and gear for this tour taking place in their backyard! For more information about booking equipment and prices, ask us!

Clothes

This list of clothes is designed to give you an idea of clothes that it may be a good to have with you. No need to have the latest brands nor the latest gear, but if you need to refresh of refill your wardrobe, this guide would be a good start.

Headwear

• Warm hat or buff/scarf
• 2 pairs of ski goggles and sunglasses with UV factory 4 protective lenses. Photochromic glasses adapt to light intensity, and have filter index up to category 4, they are very useful
• Ski helmet (highly recommended) 

Bodywear 

• Under layer: breathable long sleeved tops to maintain heat. A tip: merino wool is breathable and has anti-bacterial properties and is therefore less likely to smell as opposed to synthetic fabrics. Take this into consideration if you need to update your wardrobe.
• Middle layer: a light polar or synthetic jacket for an extra layer of heat during breaks
• Outer layer: a Gore-tex or similar type of jacket with a breathable waterproof membrane. Make sure it's lightweight and compact so it doesn't take up too much space in your backpack
• Bottom layer: trousers with a breathable waterproof membrane (Gore Tex or similar) with long side zips allowing air to flow, recommended on climbs
• Hands: light fleece or soft shell gloves, a pair of silk glove liners to go underneath, warm gloves with a breathable and waterproof membrane. Mittens are always a good idea for really cold days of for those of you who feel the cold !
• Swimming gear: it takes up such little space, it would be a shame not to bring it just in case. Avoid swimming shorts or bermudas, they are not usually allowed.

Footwear

• Ski socks: merino wool socks are breathable and have anti-bacterial properties and are less likely to smell as opposed to those made of synthetic fabrics. Think about them if you need to stock up.
• Slippers / Crocs recommended for evening wear. 

Odds and ends

• 1 litre flask (Thermos or Camelback)
• Pocket knife
• Duck tape
• Suncream, UV factor 50 
• Duffle type bag holding up to 110 litres to leave at the hotel or in the vehicle. No suitcases.

Toiletries and first aid kit

• Personal toilet bag
• To make up your first aid kit, please find all information on the Ifremmont website. 

Our guides use the following brands for their gear and you'll have the opportunity to test them during the trip:

• SCOTT
• ARVA
• FRITSCHI SWISS BINDINGS

Don't forget to

• Leave contact details with your friends and family
• Bring your papers and I.D. (passport and visa if necessary)
• Bring your contract number and documents related to your insurance (if you've chosen not to have insure coverage with us)
• Bring your “carte vitale” and your European health card (EU member states) - if you don't have one you can order one for free online  www.ameli.fr
• Check that you have the right equipment
• Take spare batteries and a charger for your electronic devices (camera, video recorder, tracking devices etc)
• Bring some cash and your credit card
• Leave in a good frame of mind: we're going to have a great time even if we may not happen to not make it to the summit !
• Before leaving: water the plants, empty the rubbish bin, turn off the water and gas, and tell your partner that you're going to have a good time (not by text message), that you well deserved... If you don't follow the latter recommendation, you'll most probably kick yourself when you get back !

See you on the slopes ! Have great runs with AZIMUT !