It was built in 1925, according to the project of Karol Stryjeński. The first record of the Wielka Krowkiew was set during the inaugural competition in March 1925 by Stanisław Gąsienica-Sieczka, jumping over a distance of 36m. The current record is 141.5 meters and was established by Kamil Stoch during the Polish Championships on 24 March 2015 (two days after the 90th birthday of the Wielka Krokiew).
In 1989, Wielka Krokwia was named after Stanisław Marusarz, an outstanding sportsman who died in 1993. He repeatedly represented Poland at the Olympic Games and World Championships in ski jumping and Norwegian combination (jumps plus cross-country skiing).
A great attraction, especially for children, is a trip by a chairlift to the top of Wielka Krokiew. A glance from the in-run will allow us to imagine how the competitors sitting on the starting bar feel before jumping (e.g., during World Cup competitions). At the upper station of the lift, there is a lovely cafe, offering hot and cold drinks and homemade cake, straight out of the roasting pan.
The chairlift is open daily from 9.00 to 17.00 / 18.00 / 20.00 (the longest in the summer months).
Prices (2015): visiting the Wielka Krokiew – PLN 5; visiting the Wielka Krokiew and a return trip by chairlift: 12 PLN.
Useful information: elderly people or parents taking the lift chair with small children can ask the staff for help getting in and out of the chair and to slow down the lift if necessary.