Today, the name Wielka Krokiew is associated by almost everyone with Zakopane’s famous ski jump. Originally, however, it was—and still is—the name of a forested peak in the Tatra foothills, located between the Bystra and Biały Valleys, on whose slopes the ski jump was built.

The ski jump was designed by Karol Stryjeński, director of the School of Wood Industry and the initiator of Zakopane’s sports park project. The technical plans were prepared by Swedish engineer Selström, specially invited to Zakopane for this purpose. Construction was completed in 1925, and the first ski jumping competition took place in March of the same year.
The first hill record was set by Zakopane native Stanisław Gąsienica-Sieczka, who jumped 6.5 meters. Wielka Krokiew has hosted the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships three times: in 1929, 1939, and 1962.
In 1929, Polish Radio broadcast its first-ever live transmission from a ski jumping competition held in Zakopane. During the 1962 World Championship event, more than 100,000 spectators gathered beneath Wielka Krokiew.
Over the years, the ski jump has undergone several modernizations, including the construction of new grandstands, the installation of artificial landing surface matting, and, more recently, modern lighting, a funicular railway, and a new service pavilion.
The current hill record belongs to Japanese ski jumper Yukiya Satō, who achieved a distance of 147 meters.
Originally named after its designer Karol Stryjeński, the ski jump has carried the name of Stanisław Marusarz since 1989, honoring one of Poland’s greatest ski jumpers before the era of Adam Małysz and Kamil Stoch.
One of the most memorable events in the history of Zakopane took place on June 6, 1997, when Pope John Paul II celebrated a Mass at the stadium beneath Wielka Krokiew. An estimated 300,000 people attended, making it the largest gathering in the town’s history. During the ceremony, the Pope beatified Bernardyna Jabłońska and Maria Karłowska. The Highlanders paid tribute to the Pope, and an 80-member Highland folk orchestra performed during the Mass.