Winter tours
Huts accessible during the seasonal closure (Nov 1 – May 31)
According to the official TANAP visitor regulations (source: tatry.sk), during the winter seasonal closure (Nov 1 – May 31) mainly the higher-lying trails, saddles, and peaks are closed — exactly the ones you'll find in the Saddles section. Trails leading to mountain huts, on the other hand, are open year-round, with a single exception — the trail to Chata pod Rysmi is also closed in winter.
Always check the current status at tatry.sk or on the Mountain Rescue Service website (hzs.sk) — the situation can change depending on weather and avalanche risk.
⚠ Avalanche risk
Routes marked 🎿 Ski touring lead through avalanche terrain. Always check the current danger level before setting out.
Avalanche forecast — High Tatras →Avalanche forecast — Western Tatras →
🌙 Short winter days
In December and January it starts getting dark as early as 16:00. Set out as early as possible in the morning and plan to be back at the car before dark — ideally with at least an hour to spare.
What to bring extra in winter
🥾 To the hut (on foot)
🎒 Crampons (at least light ones)
🎒 Trekking poles with snow baskets
🎒 Headlamp (spare battery for early dusk)
🎒 Warm gloves and hat
🎒 Thermos with a hot drink
🎿 Ski touring
🎒 Avalanche transceiver (beacon)
🎒 Probe
🎒 Shovel
🎒 Ski touring skis / skins
🎒 Ice axe and crampons (on steeper sections)
🎒 Knowledge of moving in avalanche terrain
Baranec
🎿 Ski touring⚠ summer times — expect significantly longer times in winter snow conditions
Unlike the High Tatras, there is no blanket winter closure here — a popular destination for ski tourers, but watch out for avalanche risk
🚨 HZS emergency number: 18 300 (or 112)
⚠ Avalanche forecast (HZS)Bilíkova Hut
🥾 On foot⚠ summer times — expect significantly longer times in winter snow conditions
Open year-round
Adding my own photo soon
🚨 HZS emergency number: 18 300 (or 112)
⚠ Avalanche forecast (HZS)
Mountain Hotel Popradské Pleso / Majláthova Hut
🥾 On foot⚠ summer times — expect significantly longer times in winter snow conditions
Open year-round
🚨 HZS emergency number: 18 300 (or 112)
⚠ Avalanche forecast (HZS)
Chata Plesnivec Hut
🥾 On foot⚠ summer times — expect significantly longer times in winter snow conditions
Open year-round
🚨 HZS emergency number: 18 300 (or 112)
⚠ Avalanche forecast (HZS)
Chata pod Soliskom Hut
🥾 On foot⚠ summer times — expect significantly longer times in winter snow conditions
The final section coming from Štrbské Pleso is closed in winter — you need to take a detour along the edge of the ski slope
🚨 HZS emergency number: 18 300 (or 112)
⚠ Avalanche forecast (HZS)
Hut by Popradské Tarn
🥾 On foot⚠ summer times — expect significantly longer times in winter snow conditions
Open year-round (Mengusovská Valley)
🚨 HZS emergency number: 18 300 (or 112)
⚠ Avalanche forecast (HZS)
Chata pri Zelenom Plese Hut
🥾 On foot⚠ summer times — expect significantly longer times in winter snow conditions
Open year-round
🚨 HZS emergency number: 18 300 (or 112)
⚠ Avalanche forecast (HZS)
Plačlivé
🥾 On foot⚠ summer times — expect significantly longer times in winter snow conditions
The peak is accessible from Žiarska Valley via the marked trail year-round, even outside the summer season — exempt from the general winter closure. Nevertheless, check the avalanche risk at hzs.sk
🚨 HZS emergency number: 18 300 (or 112)
⚠ Avalanche forecast (HZS)Predné Solisko
🥾 On foot⚠ summer times — expect significantly longer times in winter snow conditions
Accessible almost year-round, even outside the main season (via the red trail from Chata pod Soliskom hut, which in winter is reachable only via the detour route — see above) — one of the few peaks in the High Tatras without a full winter closure
Adding my own photo soon
🚨 HZS emergency number: 18 300 (or 112)
⚠ Avalanche forecast (HZS)Rainerova Hut
🥾 On foot⚠ summer times — expect significantly longer times in winter snow conditions
Open year-round
Adding my own photo soon
🚨 HZS emergency number: 18 300 (or 112)
⚠ Avalanche forecast (HZS)Skalnatá Hut
🥾 On foot⚠ summer times — expect significantly longer times in winter snow conditions
Open year-round (Skalnatá Valley)
Adding my own photo soon
🚨 HZS emergency number: 18 300 (or 112)
⚠ Avalanche forecast (HZS)
Slavkovská Viewpoint (Maximiliánka)
🥾 On foot⚠ summer times — expect significantly longer times in winter snow conditions
A popular viewpoint looking into the Veľká Studená Valley on the route to Slavkovský Peak — the summit itself is closed in winter, but the section up to the viewpoint is accessible year-round
🚨 HZS emergency number: 18 300 (or 112)
⚠ Avalanche forecast (HZS)
Sliezsky Dom
🥾 On foot⚠ summer times — expect significantly longer times in winter snow conditions
Open year-round (Velická Valley)
🚨 HZS emergency number: 18 300 (or 112)
⚠ Avalanche forecast (HZS)
Téryho Hut
🥾 On foot⚠ summer times — expect significantly longer times in winter snow conditions
Open year-round (Malá Studená Valley)
🚨 HZS emergency number: 18 300 (or 112)
⚠ Avalanche forecast (HZS)
Skok Waterfall
🥾 On foot⚠ summer times — expect significantly longer times in winter snow conditions
A frozen 25 m high waterfall in the Mlynická Valley — an easy walk through the forest from Štrbské Pleso, a popular family winter destination
🚨 HZS emergency number: 18 300 (or 112)
⚠ Avalanche forecast (HZS)
Zamkovského Hut
🥾 On foot⚠ summer times — expect significantly longer times in winter snow conditions
Open year-round
🚨 HZS emergency number: 18 300 (or 112)
⚠ Avalanche forecast (HZS)
Zbojnícka Hut
🥾 On foot⚠ summer times — expect significantly longer times in winter snow conditions
Open year-round (Veľká Studená Valley)
🚨 HZS emergency number: 18 300 (or 112)
⚠ Avalanche forecast (HZS)