Chochołowski Standard: Grześ and Rakoń

We start the classic way, from Polana Chochołowska. If you're not spending the night at the mountain shelter, you're in for a boring slog up the valley, but let's assume you're starting from near the mountain shelter. The first stage is the ascent along the yellow trail to Grześ (1,653 m a.s.l.). It's an absolute classic: first through the forest, then in wide switchbacks through the dwarf pine. The ascent is gentle, ideal as a warm-up, with no technical tricks. From Grześ we continue along the ridge toward Rakoń (1,879 m a.s.l.). This is where the real feast for the eyes begins, but be ready to get blasted by the wind, as this section is famous for its gusts. The terrain is typical Western Tatras: rounded summits and big, open spaces. The descent? From Rakoń we head toward Wołowiec, following the line of the green trail. Dropping straight down into Dolina Wyżnia Chochołowska is a proper adventure. The wide, open slope gives you room to show off, but it takes some solid skiing. If conditions on the summit itself look too demanding, you can bear off more gently from the saddle before Rakoń toward Grześ and look for a line down there. The whole thing finishes with a long run out along the valley floor all the way to the mountain shelter. The route is long and the views are awesome, but it can take a toll on your legs, especially if you count the return down the valley to the parking lot.