Winter Escape (Kulig Experience)

Winter Escape was a full-day cultural journey for international students who travelled with ESN UŚ Katowice to the mountain town of Wisła. The highlight of the trip was a traditional horse-drawn sleigh ride through snowy forests along the Biała Wisełka river, at the very source of Poland’s longest river - Wisła. During the kulig, participants experienced this unique Polish winter tradition firsthand, while surrounded by the natural beauty of the Beskid mountains. The adventure continued in a wooden highlander Kolyba, with a bonfire burning in the centre, where we all tasted regional specialties such as oscypek cheese, traditional sausages, and bread with lard and pickles. The setting of Kolyba created the perfect space to discover local folklore, music, traditional outfits and highlander symbols. In the evening, the group explored the town of Wisła and learned about its strong connection to winter sports, especially ski jumping. During the trip, participants also joined the atmosphere of local WOŚP Grand Finale events, gaining insight into one of Poland’s most important social initiatives. For many of them, it was not just a trip to the mountains, but their real encounter with living Polish tradition, experienced through movement, taste, sound and shared stories.