Khibiny Educational and Scientific Station

The station is located in the in Tatra National Park (Tatra Mountains), in the Hala Gsienicowa area (49°15’ N, 20°00’ E). The station is located 1520 m a.s.l. at the upper timberline and the lower limit of the periglacial zone. The highest summit in the area reaches 2301 m a.s.l.

Research started in December 1913, when the first meteorological measurements were made. The more complex environmental research was initiated by the Association of Polish Geographers in 1948. In the beginning, the station mainly carried out basic climatic and nival measurements. In 1953, the station became part of the Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Polish Academy of Sciences. Since then, the focus of research has also been on geomorphology, climatology, and biogeography. The station is a wooden house. The building has central heating, running water, electric power, and internet. The station has three rooms, i.e. a kitchen, a pantry, a bathroom, and different storage rooms.

The station is situated in a high-mountain environment with an alpine landscape. The mean annual temperature is 2.4 °C, and the mean annual precipitation is 1666 mm (varying from 1043 mm to 2626 mm). The vegetation varies from coniferous forest in the forest zone, trough Pinus mugo shrubs in the sub-alpine zone, alpine meadows in the alpine zone, and bare rocks in sub-nival zone.

The station is open to national and international scientist. It can accommodate 4-6 scientists at a time. The nearest inhabited place, i.e. the mountain resort Zakopane, is within 2-3 hours walking distance from the station. The nearest town, Zakopane, has a population of c. 30000 inhabitants.

The station is situated c. 100 km away from the Kraków-Balice Airport and c. 5 km away from the railway and bus stations in Zakopane. Access to the station is by foot. However, transport of heavy equipment is possible by car. Travel time from the Kraków–Balice airport is around half day.