7 skiing day trips from Prague: hitting the Bohemian slopes

Winter weather is back, with more snow across the Czech Republic. While the mountains in the Czech border areas get the most attention from skiers, there are some slopes closer to Prague for those who want to make a day trip of it.

Most of the ski resorts mentioned here offer ski rentals and lessons, refreshments, and some type of children’s area and are accessible via bus transport. If you plan to travel via regional buses check the Ropid website, as some routes are currently being canceled or restricted due to Covid.

Under the current pandemic conditions, adults must be two weeks after completing Covid vaccination or have undergone laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 no more than 180 days ago to use ski slopes. For children under the age of 18, a PCR test up to 72 hours old can also be used, in addition to vaccination or recovery.

Children under the age of 12 have an exception to proving freedom from infection. People 15 and over in enclosed cable cars must keep their noses and mouths covered with respirators. Children under 15 can use a surgical mask. Details of rules for winter sports can be found on the Health Ministry website.

Some of the ski areas mentioned here generate artificial snow; check webcams or socials for each individual resort before setting out.

The ski area at the village of Chotouň is about 25 kilometers south of Prague, next to Jílové u Prahy. It can be reached using regional public transit from Prague, and also has free parking near the slopes. This ski resort is popular with families, as it has a training slope for children, and offers lessons for young ones. The resort has four ski lifts, including ones adapted especially for children.

The operator reports that all of the resort is currently in operation with “lots of snow, excellent conditions and skiing on weekdays without queues.”

More information can be found on the resort’s website and Facebook page.

Located some 30 kilometers southeast of Prague on the D1 highway, ski areál Mnichovice – Šibeniční vrch offers four slopes with three lifts and a fun park. One slope is currently closed until it has enough natural snow. The resort also has what they claim is the largest log cabin in Europe, serving as a hotel with bowling, tennis, and squash. Night skiing is available. A children’s playground has a cable car, and there is a goat farm on the premises.

Author and Illustrator Josef Lada was born nearby, and the ski lifts are named after characters from his children’s books. More information can be found on the resort’s website and Facebook page.

A little further afoot Areál Monínec can be found about 60 kilometers south of Prague in Sedlec-Prčice, a small village in the Příbram District. It is the largest ski area in Central Bohemia. In addition to day and night downhill skiing on three slopes, this resort offers tobogganing and bobsledding. Ski lessons are available for children.

There are also regularly maintained and well-marked cross-country trails in the area. The hotel has a wellness center, and there are other accommodations catering to people on a budget or looking for luxury. More information can be found on the resort’s website and Facebook page.

Boasting ski opportunities in a 1,000-year-old village, Ski areál Kvasejovice, also in the Sedlec-Prčice area, is the second-largest ski area in Central Bohemia. They claim to be able so to satisfy children, recreational skiers, snowboarders, and connoisseurs, and offer one easy-to-understand ticket to keep the pricing simple. One slope of the three slopes is illuminated at night.

The complex is near a manor house called panství Vítka z Prčice, once used by the Lords of the Rose, the noble Vítek family. The manor has a restaurant, brewery, and museum. More information can be found on the resort’s website and Facebook page.

Ještěd ski resort with its iconic TV tower is roughly 111 kilometers away from Prague, reachable in about an hour on public transport. There are nearly 10 slopes for all levels and a ski school with an extended children's training area.

The more demanding northern slopes include the famous Slalomák in Liberec, and the sun-drenched lighter southern one, which is represented by the slopes Pláních. There is also the possibility of night skiing in the area.

More information can be found on the resort’s website and Facebook page.

The 100-kilometer route to the Telnice Ski Area in the Ústí nad Labem Region, 15 km from Ústí nad Labem, takes about an hour and seven minutes from Prague.

It offers skiers several slopes of all difficulties, including a children's hill. In addition to the anchor lifts, there is an 800-meter cable car and a children's park with a tow rope. 

More information can be found on the resort's website and Facebook page.

Ski resort on Bouřňák in Teplice, about 109 kilometers and one hour and 17 minutes from Prague, has six slopes on 869-m Mount Bouřňák for both beginners and advanced skiers.

Experienced skiers will appreciate the slalom slope, which is one of the steepest in the Czech Republic, while beginners can enjoy the Hrobská ski slope with scenic views of the Central Bohemian Mountains. 

For fans of snowboarding, several technical elements have been built in Bouřňák in the upper part of the Hrobská ski slope.

More information can be found on the resort's website.