Contemporary development directions of ski resorts in Poland in the context of the idea of sustainable development

Abstract

The consequences of climate change, the demographic processes and the competition between tourist destinations are a serious threat to the profitability of ski resorts and the sustainable development of many towns and regions. The aim of the article is to examine the state of infrastructure development for downhill skiing in Poland, and to determine contemporary directions for the development of ski resorts from the point of view of ensuring the achievement of sustainable development goals. Methods used in the research process were: inventory of ski infrastructure, field observation as well as analysis of the websites of ski resorts and their profiles posted on social media. In the 2019/2020 winter season, there were 769 ski lifts, including 119 aerial lifts, with a total length of 302.9 km and a transport capacity of 625,500 people per hour, as well as 826 ski runs with a total length of 445.7 km. Among the 171 localities equipped with ski infrastructure the best developed were: Białka Tatrzańska, Bukowina Tatrzańska, Krynica Zdrój, Szczyrk, Wisła and Zakopane in the Carpathians, and Duszniki Zdrój, Karpacz and Szklarska Poręba in the Sudetes. Actions taken by ski resorts in Poland in the context of sustainable development related to eliminating the negative effect on the environment of ski infrastructure, among others by improving the quality and technology of ski lift equipment and snowmaking systems, to maintaining the profitability of ski resorts while preserving an appropriate thickness of snow cover, and increasing their financial effectiveness by creating new products and tourist attractions in the summer season, as well as to meeting the expectations of tourists so as to ensure their satisfaction with their stay.