Górka Szczęśliwicka: History and development of a unique place in Warsaw
Górka Szczęśliwicka is a place with a remarkable history and exceptional importance for Warsaw residents. It is the highest hill in the capital, which serves as a year-round winter sports center and recreational space. Its path from a garbage dump to a modern sports facility is a symbol of the success of the adaptation and modernization of urban spaces.
History of Górka Szczęśliwicka: from a landfill to a ski slope
The origins of Górka Szczęśliwicka date back to the 1950s, when the site of today's Szczęśliwicki Park was a municipal landfill. Warsaw, rebuilding after World War II, needed places to store debris and waste, and the area around Szczęśliwice was then the outskirts of the city.
In the 1970s, the Warsaw authorities decided to turn the area into a recreational space. A layer of earth was applied to the landfill, vegetation was planted and a hill was formed. This is how Górka Szczęśliwicka was created, 152 meters above sea level, which quickly began to attract Warsaw residents as a place for strolling and viewing.
The rise of the ski slope: from snow to plastic
In the early days of the ski slope on Górka Szczęśliwicka, skiing took place only in winter, with natural snow. In the 1980s, attempts were made to organize amateur ski competitions here and to encourage Varsovians to use the hill in the winter months. However, the lack of professional infrastructure and climatic restrictions meant that the slope operated only seasonally.
Przełom nastąpił w 1997 roku, gdy stok został pokryty nawierzchnią z igielitu. Było to pionierskie rozwiązanie w Polsce, umożliwiające jazdę na nartach i snowboardzie przez cały rok. Dzięki tej inwestycji, zarządzanej wówczas przez prywatnego inwestora, Górka Szczęśliwicka zaczęła przyciągać miłośników sportów zimowych nawet poza sezonem.
Takeover by the city and renovation
In response to the growing needs of users and numerous comments on the state of the infrastructure, Szczesliwice Hill was taken over by the city. This made it possible to carry out a comprehensive modernization of the facility, which was completed several years ago.
The renovation included a number of major improvements:
- Modernization of the ski slope: A modern chairlift has been installed and the snowmaking system has been upgraded, improving user comfort and increasing the attractiveness of the facility.
- Remont budynku ośrodka: Przeprowadzono rozbudowę i odnowienie głównego budynku, dostosowując go do nowych funkcji, takich jak symulatory narciarskie, ścianka wspinaczkowa i pomieszczenia do rehabilitacji.
- Land development: The slope and its surroundings have been adapted to the needs of people with disabilities, and all infrastructure has been cleaned up to increase accessibility.
- Expansion of attractions: Training rooms, children's rooms and relaxation areas have been added, expanding the center's recreational offerings.
The cost of the renovation was about 12 million zlotys, creating a modern and multifunctional sports and recreational facility.
Górka Szczęśliwicka today
Today, Górka Szczęśliwicka is the only place in Warsaw where you can ski and snowboard all year round. The modernized ski slope attracts both amateurs and professionals. It is also a popular place for beginners - especially children, who can learn in safe and controlled conditions.
In addition to winter activities, Górka Szczęśliwicka offers a wide range of recreational opportunities. In summer, it becomes a favorite place for walks, cross-country training and cycling. Its location surrounded by the greenery of the Szczęśliwicki Park makes it a perfect place for relaxation and physical activity.
Górka Szczęśliwicka: an example of successful transformation
The history of the Szczęśliwicka Górka shows how successfully an unusable area can be transformed into a vibrant place. Thanks to the city's commitment, the use of innovative solutions such as needlework, and the modernization carried out, Górka has become one of the most important recreational spots in Warsaw. It is a space that combines sports, leisure and education, offering the capital's residents a substitute for the mountain climate in the heart of the urban jungle.
Want to enroll yourself or your child with an instructor?
Contact us at phone number:
+48 666 832 222
or write an e-mail to::
kontakt@zone4.pl
We invite both children and adults, beginners and advanced to ski and snowboard!