Portál Pražana
Cross-country skiing is back in Prague - Vypich
Skipark Prague in Vypich, a popular cross-country skiing system with artificial snow, is open to the public from the 25th of January 2019. It is available for free for all cross-country enthusiasts from 8am to 9pm daily, as long as favourable climatic conditions last.
Cross-country skiing in Skipark is one of many activities organised by the city as part of the project, “Sporting Prague”. This programme, which includes ice-skating in Letná, gives adults and children the opportunity to practice sports for free in Prague. The trails in Vypich are located in the area near the entrance to the game park Hvězda. There are two snow cannons that create artificial snow, and a snowplough for the track’s maintenance. There are two trails for classic skiing and one for freestyle techniques. Cross-country skis, boots and poles can be rented on site.
“I am glad that the weather is finally favourable and so that the residents of Prague will get the chance for the whole family to practice sports together. It is also thanks to the ski rental that enthusiasts of all levels and ages can try cross-country skiing. All you have to do is to take the metro (to Petřiny station) or the tram and simply come,” said City Councillor Vít Šimral, who officially opened Skipark today. "We want to give children a chance to practice cross-country skiing, because many of them will try it here for the first time in their lives," adds Libor Bezděk, director of the Prague Children's and Youth Centre, who is in charge of Skipark.
From Monday, the 28th of January, free cross-country skiing courses will be available for school children. Schools have to register for them in advance; as once again, a great interest is expected - last year, more than 50 school classes from Prague and surrounding areas availed of these lessons. Furthermore, Kateřina Neumannová, Olympic medallist and cross-country skiing World Champion, (who was here been part of project since its foundation), will be giving lessons. As was the case last year, the Prague Cross-country Skiing Cup will take place in Skipark, on the 6th of February 2019. Up to date information, including webcams, is available at: https://prahasportovni.eu/skipark-praha/.
Skipark Prague in numbers:
Length of trail: currently 250 m, extension up to 350 m.
Width of the trail: 4 - 5 m.
Ski equipment rental for 2 hours: standard rate CZK 200, children up to 12 years CZK 100.
In 2018, from the 10th of February to Easter, there were more than 30 thousand skiers;
The project is funded by the Prague City Hall (CZK 1,263,000) with land and contributions towards the running of Skipark from Prague 6.