Hrebienok (1285 m) is a very important tourist and ski center above Starý Smokovec, at the southeastern foot of Slavkovský štít. It is the starting point for ski mountaineering tours in the area of the Great and Small Cold Valleys and easy winter hikes to the Studenovodské waterfalls or to Zamkovského chata.
The establishment of Hrebienok as a tourist centre is related to the development of tourism in the High Tatras in the second half of the 19th century. Starý Smokovec, which was granted the status of a spa town at that time, attracted tourists who liked this place.
The beginnings of construction in Hrebienok are related to the construction of Bilík’s cottage, which stood on its northeastern slope. The funicular from Starý Smokovec built in 1908 stimulated the construction of the Hrebienok Hotel in 1928. The construction of training meadows and slopes at the hotel began in 1930. In 1956, a 750 m long ski lift was built on the slalom meadow to the Slavkovský lookout and in 1968 a referee tower. The toboggan run was electrically illuminated in 1959.
At present, Hrebienok serves as an important ski and tourist resort. It is the starting point for the Malá Studená Valley and the Great Cold Valley, as well as for Slavkovský štít. There is a slalom ski slope in the locality, which continues as a classic slope to Starý Smokovec. On both sides of it there are two symmetrical ski lifts. South of the hotel there are four smaller ski lifts. Accommodation is provided by the Hrebienok Hotel and the nearby Bilík’s cottage.
