9 minute read
Kopřivná: Relaxation and sports in nature
Beautiful countryside, a picturesque village in the foothills, an abundance of snow in winter and trails for mountain biking in summer. A luxurious, established, modern mountain resort in North Moravia, with a complete range of facilities. It is still growing and will soon reach an annual turnover of 100 million Czech crowns. It is also one of the investments of MTX Group. Ski Areál Kopřivná is the group’s non-industrial venture. It is a place for social and sports activities as well as a perfect place for business meetings and relaxation.
We are located in a harmonious environment, and I am very glad we can further develop it with the financial strength and synergy of MTX Group,” says the co-owner of the resort, Karel Ležatka. It is located in the northern part of the town of Malá Morávka, just a few kilometers from the peak of Praděd. Karel has been working on this resort since 2004. “At that time, apart from the beautiful countryside, there was nothing here, only a nonfunctioning recreational facility of a bankrupt construction company. Today, there is a modern resort with a popular hotel and a restaurant with a panoramic view, a unique wellness center, ski slopes of varying degrees of difficulty, an extensive bike park, more accommodation facilities, bars, and lots of attractions for children and adults alike. We have a loyal clientele. People come back each year, even from surprisingly distant places,” Ležatka says. He adds the resort is ideal for families with children, sports enthusiasts, and those who just want to relax in a peaceful environment surrounded by beautiful countryside. “You will not find such a large and self-contained complex anywhere else in the Moravian-Silesian Region. We certainly do not have any direct competitors in the area,” Ležatka says. This is because the resort caters to everyone and offers a quality level uncommon in the Czech Republic. “We have a great team here, with their own visions of development, who promote using the latest technology. This is where we found common ground with MTX Group management. We are all patriots and believe in the potential of Czech mountains, so we have invested hundreds of millions of Czech crowns in technology and equipment that put Alpine resorts to shame. And we are proud of our cutting-edge six-seat detachable cable car. It was the most modern and the safest cable car in the world four years ago,” Ležatka says.
It’s a real technical marvel, and stepping into it is not only extremely comfortable but also a really great experience. “The seat almost stops and measures the passengers, and the adjustable landing lifts even the smallest passengers onto the comfortable heated chairs with thick padding,” Ležatka says. In addition, the seats are protected by an automated “bubble” from rain and wind, so you always sit on a warm and dry seat. It really is incredibly comfortable. The cable car alone cost well over one hundred million Czech crowns, but without similarly expensive and cutting-edge artificial snowmaking and slope treatment, the investment wouldn’t make sense. Excellent snow conditions and perfect customer service from a small team of mountain professionals devoted to the maintenance of machines and slopes is the recipe for success. We have two slopes. A blue one around 1,300 meters long and a red one around 900 meters long. Both are illuminated and maintained twice a day with powerful snow cats, so they are also great for nighttime skiing. Another reason to visit the resort is a renowned skiing school with three dozen instructors, a mini snow park, a tubing track, a ski park for children, and several other free attractions for small children. Although winter is typically the main season for the area, Ležatka emphasizes that the summer season is becoming more and more important. “In the summer, we have an enormous range of activities available. With the consent of the national forest management authority, we have built an extensive bike park, which has several tracks of different degrees of difficulty and is more than twelve kilometers long,” Ležatka says. He says the bike park can be enjoyed by beginners and seasoned bikers alike. “We also have paths children can enjoy, whether on a bike or on a scooter. When our team of bikers opens the tracks for the season, they are so well maintained you could even ride down some parts on roller skates,” Ležatka says, laughing. And even the most hardcore adrenaline enthusiasts can enjoy our more advanced paths, with banked turns, dramatic jumps and difficult technical passages that will satisfy even a very experienced biker. “Personally, I am not a big cycling fan, but that is exactly why I have to thank our team for making our bike park one of the best in the country after ten years of laborious work. Professional bikers really enjoy the paths, and even a national championship is held here,” he says, praising his team. Besides, the Kopřivná resort ensures athletes of all skill levels can safely enjoy the activities. Visitors can hire special downhill bikes or learn something with professional instructors, who include legends Kamil Tatarkovič and Jana Horáková. The team regularly organizes threeday cycling camps for children. The friendly and always helpful staff at the hotel reception will help you pick suitable accommodation. Besides the hotel, with high-level services, there is also the pension Maja or the even more affordable pension Pod Kopřivnou. These facilities are suitable for groups, too. “What’s more, you can also organize a sporting workshop with us,” Ležatka adds. Another popular attraction is a stylish historical wooden cottage by the creek near the bottom cable car station, an additional accommodation option. You can comfortably accommodate up to 12 people in a beautiful vintage interior. Companies have two congress rooms at their disposal in the resort. “For example, the boards of directors of some of the most important Czech firms come to use our congress facilities,” Ležatka says, and he does not mean just MTX Group. However, the number of activities available in the resort does not end there. Fancy a real paintball battle? No problem. Near the hotel and ski slopes, there are attractions for children such as a trampoline, a small climbing wall, and a bouncy castle. You can also play beach volleyball or try riding mountain buggies (tricycles).
Beautiful at any time of the year
“Of course, the summer and winter seasons are the most important financially, but I prefer the resort in spring and autumn. The landscape either wakes up and turns a vibrant green, or it slowly turns yellow and orange. Both are a wonderful opportunity to just walk in the countryside,” Ležatka points out, reminding us that tourists should not visit the resort only during the high seasons. “You will enjoy the peace and quiet here. And if it gets gloomy in autumn, you can warm up in our perfect wellness center,” says Ležatka. It has a soothing view of the surrounding countryside. Among other things, visitors can enjoy a sauna, a massage, the heated relaxation zone, outdoor spa, and much more. “To enjoy our resort all year long, you don’t necessarily have to be an elite athlete,” Ležatka says with a smile. Thanks to the beautiful countryside and the number of available activities, it is no wonder that Kopřivná is a very popular place among visitors. “We have some dates booked many years in advance. I even recall some bookings for 2024,” Ležatka says, additionally mentioning an interesting fact about the complex: “We had to ask the accommodation software supplier to add new features so that we could even accept these reservations for several years in advance.” He adds that he certainly does not want to increase prices unreasonably to regulate the number of visitors. “I want people to enjoy the resort and to happily come back. The prices and services need to be proportional to that. If we increased prices significantly, people would still come and pay, but they would be angry, and we would lose the connection we have been building with them over the years,” reflects the co-owner of the complex. Of course, he plans further development in the area in the months and years to come. “We are planning another ski slope, another cable car, and connecting our resort with other resorts in the area,” the co-owner says, outlining future plans.
Professionals in the right place
A team of professionals takes care of the development of Kopřivná and its customers. “In the winter season, we have up to 150 employees here and are proud to be a sought-after employer. We can rely on our people even in the most critical situations. I must especially mention the cable car operators. The whole outdoors team is really great, and they are extremely resilient people,” Ležatka says. Kopřivná employs some of the best instructors. “Our ski instructors go to New Zealand in the summer to teach skiing, so they basically train all year long,” he explains enthusiastically. The children’s bike instructors include former Olympic athletes. The visitors can satisfy their hunger at the hotel restaurant or other facilities, such as the cable car bistro. “Our kitchen team has been hit hard by the pandemic, but they are experts, so our food is renowned. It’s incredibly hard work at a fast pace. I really admire our kitchen team,” the co-owner adds. He also points out that despite the difficult past months, the Kopřivná resort is a stable company that can cope with the situation. MTX Group gives it the necessary support. “Come visit us. And take the children with you. We organize a lot of events for them; we love children,” Ležatka emphasizes, inviting those who have not been to the Kopřivná resort yet.
