Śnieżka is built of granite, and its peak consists of hard rocks called hornfels. The slopes of the mountain are covered with rock debris, sometimes mistakenly called stone runs. For most of the year, very harsh weather conditions prevail here, similar to those beyond the polar circle: low temperatures, gusty winds, and heavy rainfall and snowfall. A characteristic feature is also the fog, which occurs here for over 300 days a year.
During good weather, the peak of Śnieżka is an excellent viewpoint from which you can admire vast panoramas. Under favorable conditions, visibility can reach up to 200 km.
Śnieżka, towering over the Karkonosze Mountains, has long intrigued people and attracted curious travelers. The first ascent to the summit was probably made in the mid-15th century. In the following centuries, Śnieżka gained increasing popularity. In the 18th century, its summit became one of the most visited in Europe. In August 1800, among others, the future President of the United States – John Quincy Adams – reached this peak. The construction of St. Lawrence's Chapel, founded by Count Krzysztof Leopold Schaffgotsch to emphasize his rights to these lands, contributed to the intensification of traffic. The chapel was consecrated on August 10, 1681. Today, this day is recognized as the holiday of guides and mountain people. Every year a mass is held at the summit, attracting crowds.
The symbol of Śnieżka is the UFO-like building called the Meteorological Observatory. It is one of two High Mountain Meteorological Observatories in Poland (the other being on Kasprowy Wierch). Systematic observations on Śnieżka have been conducted continuously since 1880.
Currently, it is not possible to visit the Observatory. The restaurant is also closed. The nearest mountain huts where you can eat and stay overnight are: Dom Śląski, Strzecha Akademicka, and Samotnia, and on the Czech side, Jelenka and Luční Bouda.
*source https://www.karpacz.pl/sniezka/at
