Skiing in Starý Smokovec: the calm you won't find in big resorts
Skiing in Starý Smokovec feels completely different from the big resorts. While elsewhere you weave through crowds, at Jakubkova lúka children and beginners learn their first turns in peace – on a gentle, safe slope right in the heart of the High Tatras. This is where, next to Hotel Atrium, you will find the second location of Premiere Ski School & Rent. In this article you will learn why Starý Smokovec is the perfect spot for families with kids, how much private lessons cost, how the Hotel Atrium discount works and the easiest way to get to Jakubkova lúka.
Starý Smokovec is one of the oldest settlements in the Tatras. It sits on the Road of Freedom (Cesta Slobody) between Tatranská Lomnica and Štrbské Pleso, right below the ridges of the High Tatras, and it has kept the intimate atmosphere of a small mountain town. There are no endless lift queues or crowded pistes here – and that is exactly what makes it a great place to learn.
For families with children and complete beginners, a quieter setting is a huge advantage. Fewer people on the slope means more space to practise, less stress and faster progress. A child who doesn't have to watch out for fast skiers can focus on technique and enjoy skiing from the very first moment. That is exactly why we chose Starý Smokovec for our second location – you can compare both bases on our locations page.
Jakubkova lúka: a slope made for kids and beginners
Jakubkova lúka is located next to Hotel Atrium in Starý Smokovec. It is a gentle, wide and open slope where the instructor always has the student in sight and beginners never have to worry about steep or confusing terrain. These are exactly the conditions we recommend to anyone standing on skis or a snowboard for the very first time.
What makes Jakubkova lúka special?
- A gentle, safe gradient – perfect for practising your first turns, braking and stopping without fear of falling.
- A calm environment – no crowds, no speeding skiers, just space for focused learning.
- Right next to Hotel Atrium – the hotel facilities are within easy reach, which parents of small children especially appreciate.
- Children from 3 years – our instructors have plenty of experience with the youngest skiers, and kids get a helmet free of charge.
A typical first lesson at Jakubkova lúka looks like this: the instructor helps with the equipment, explains the basic stance and, through simple playful exercises, guides the student to their first independent turns. Children learn through play, while adults appreciate a patient, systematic approach without unnecessary pressure.
Private ski and snowboard lessons in Starý Smokovec
At Premiere you won't find group courses with ten children per instructor. We offer private lessons only – the instructor focuses solely on you or your family and adapts the pace and content of the lesson exactly to your level. We teach both skiing and snowboarding, children from 3 years old, teenagers and adults.
Our instructors are certified under the internationally recognised APUL system and speak Slovak, Czech, Polish and English. The team counts more than 30 instructors with over 20 years of experience, and the quality of our teaching is confirmed by a 4.8★ Google rating from 216 reviews.
Prices of private lessons at Jakubkova lúka in Starý Smokovec:
- 60 minutes – €44
- 120 minutes – €77
- each additional person +€10 for a 60-minute and +€15 for a 120-minute lesson
You will find the full price overview, including lessons in Tatranská Lomnica and multi-day discounts, in our price list.
Hotel Atrium guests ski for less
Jakubkova lúka lies right next to Hotel Atrium, so we have prepared special rates for its guests: 60 minutes for €37 instead of €44 and 120 minutes for €66 instead of €77. If you are planning a winter holiday in Starý Smokovec, combining slope-side accommodation with discounted lessons is the most convenient way to teach your kids to ski – you step out of the hotel in the morning and the instructor is waiting just a few steps away.
Starý Smokovec vs. Tatranská Lomnica: which one to choose?
The two locations complement each other perfectly. Tatranská Lomnica offers more pistes, longer runs and a livelier atmosphere – a great choice for more advanced skiers who can already ski with confidence. You can read more in our article about skiing in Tatranská Lomnica.
Starý Smokovec, on the other hand, is quieter and more intimate – ideal for your first days on skis. Many families follow a proven plan: they start at Jakubkova lúka, where the kids master the basics in peace, and once they feel confident they move on to the bigger slopes in Lomnica. In Tatranská Lomnica we also run a ski and snowboard rental that is an official Rossignol Test Centre – you can rent a complete set from €24 per day.
How to get to Starý Smokovec and Jakubkova lúka
By car, you reach Starý Smokovec via the Road of Freedom (Cesta Slobody), which connects the Tatra villages; from Poprad the main road leads straight to the centre. If you travel without a car, the Tatra Electric Railway is a great option – the red trains connect Poprad with Starý Smokovec, Tatranská Lomnica and Štrbské Pleso.
You will find Jakubkova lúka next to Hotel Atrium, address: Starý Smokovec – Jakubkova lúka, 062 01 Starý Smokovec. If you are not sure exactly where to find us, call +421 911 561 561 and we will gladly guide you.
Ski passes, equipment and practical tips
We do not sell ski passes at our school – for up-to-date information about tickets and resort operations, check gopass.travel or the resort website vt.sk. With everything else, we are happy to help:
- Free helmet – with every lesson we lend a helmet to both children and adults at no charge.
- No need to buy equipment – skis, boots, poles and snowboards are available in our rental shop in Tatranská Lomnica.
- First time on skis? Read our guide on how to learn to ski.
- Skiing with kids? You will find practical advice in our article about ski lessons for children.
- Book in advance – during the Christmas holidays and school half-term weeks, time slots fill up quickly.
Book your lesson at Jakubkova lúka
The winter season in the High Tatras usually lasts from December until March or April, depending on snow conditions. We are available daily from 8:00 to 21:00 on +421 911 561 561, or you can write to us via our contact page.
A quiet slope, a certified instructor just for you and a discount for Hotel Atrium guests – skiing in Starý Smokovec at Jakubkova lúka is the most pleasant way for you or your children to learn to ski. We look forward to seeing you on the snow!
