Sport Dolina

Skiing in August, in Poland, and in the middle of the Upper Silesian conurbation? Yes, it is possible. The Dolomity Sportowa Dolina centre in Bytom-Sucha Góra has a year-round ski slope. The resort sits among the rocks of a former open-cast dolomite quarry. The nearby "Segiet" nature reserve guarantees peace, beautiful views and fresh air. The centre has 3 floodlit pistes served by two button lifts: A year-round slope 300 metres long with a vertical drop of 30 metres. The piste is covered with safe plastic matting (igelit) and also has a sprinkler system that makes it slippery. It skis like lightly frozen snow. A 300-metre slope with snowmaking and a vertical drop of 30 metres. A 150-metre children's slope with snowmaking. In addition, the youngest have a "champions' park" with a real ski carousel and animal figures that act as slalom gates. The pistes are wide and safe. The most modern ski pass sales system in the country means that in Bytom you never wait more than 10 minutes in the lift queue. The centre has electronic run timing. Every Thursday and Friday giant slalom gates are set for fans of fast skiing, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays the organisers build kickers and set up rails for snowboarders, and Mondays are for novices. All the pistes are on the north side of the slope, in the shade of the surrounding hills. So despite the relatively low altitude, the snow in Sportowa Dolina lasts until April, and in February it often lies 2 metres deep. Skiers have a rental shop, a shop, a restaurant and a ski bar. There are 6 kilometres of cycle paths around the centre, excellent for cross-country skiing in winter. In the 2004/2005 season a snow park for snowboarders with a halfpipe, jumps (straight, corner,...) and rails will open in the "Silesian Dolomites". Preparatory work is also under way on a year-round tennis centre and an outdoor pool complex (some with hot water). Admittedly, skiing on the Bytom slope is not the same as skiing down the Alps. But a great atmosphere, professional service and modern technical solutions make skiing in Sportowa Dolina pleasant, enjoyable and... possible all year round.