Ukrainian ski resorts

By Natalia Rudnichenko @Panorama

Winter! Snow! Skies! These are a breathtaking combination for all who love winter holidays. And this is never more true than in the Carpathians. In Ukraine these mountains cover the Transcarpathian, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi regions and occupy an area of more than 24 square kilometres. Each year this magnificent land attracts more and more skiers. We certainly hope that this winter you will be able to join them!

Today Ukraine is a popular ski destination, more and more skiers are choosing the Ukrainian Carpathians. Along with the incomparable natural beauty they are attracted by flexible prices, wonderful modern infrastructure and a European level of resort service. So the formula is simple: the overall range of modern services mixed with the unique ethnic colour of Western Ukraine (especially during the Christmas holidays!), multiplied by real mountain extremes add up to unforgettable fireworks of fun!

The Glorious Slavske

They say that the majestic Carpathians are woven with legends and haunted by the ghosts of forgotten ancestors. So when passing the steep slopes you might catch a glimpse of Kyiv’s Prince Volodymyr the Great! But this is not absolutely necessary. What you must do is visit Slavske - the Lviv region’s famous ski resort which earned a reputation as the centre for winter tourism during the Soviet era.

Slavske is located in a picturesque valley 600 metres above sea level where two rivers converge - the Opir and the Slavka. The resort is surrounded by mountains which protect it from the alpine winds. Throughout the season Slavske receives from 10 to 15 thousand skiers and snowboarders. The local hotel infrastructure includes the whole range from private village kolyba cottages to VIP hotels offering many entertainment options.
Two kilometres away from the centre of the village is the favorite mountain for skiers - Trostyan (1232 metres). From the peak of the mountain 1500-2000 metre long trails of varying levels of complexity stretch in eastern, northern and western directions. In all there are six trails certified by the International Skiing Federation, including giant and super-slalom.

Slavske has an advantageous geographical location. From the main Kyiv-Uzhhorod motorway, two kilometres from the town of Skole, is the road to Slavske which takes 20-30 minutes. From Slavske to Lviv it is 120 kilometres, and from the town of Stryi in the Lviv region it is 60 kilometres. All trains running from the east to the west of the country stop in Slavske. There is also a wide connecting network of local trains from Lviv.

The Ukrainian Courchevel

The Bukovel tourist complex is the newest and most modern ski resort in Ukraine. Located at an elevation of 920 metres in the village of Polianytsia in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, it is 30 kilometres from the Yaremcha tourist centre and 110 kilometres from the city of Ivano-Frankivsk. The mountains surrounding Bukovel protect the resort from cold winds. The complex has 14 modern lifts and trails more than 50 kilometres long, on a grass base equipped with security systems. There are illuminated slopes for night skiing and Bukovel’s snowboarding instructors are the best.

The slopes of Bukovel can receive more than 30,000 tourists at one time with accommodation available in the 25 cosy four-room cottages with deluxe suites, private boarding houses and hotels in the surrounding area. 59 additional four-room cottages and 19 chalets will open next season. To entice tourists to Bukovel, the resort has lowered accommodation costs, lift prices and ski equipment rentals. There are regular buses to the resort from the railway station and the Ivano-Frankivsk airport and now the comfortable Lviv-Vorokhta modern train also stops at Bukovel.

The Highest Ski-Slope

Drahobrat is Ukraine’s highest elevation ski resort. It is 1360 metres above sea level in the mountain valley of Drahobrat near the town of Rakhiv in the Transcarpathian region. Its slopes meet Olympic requirements and it is the only resort open from the middle of October to the middle of May.

Skiers and snowboarders come to Drahobrat because there is always snow in winter. The main skiing takes place on Stig Mountain (1700 meters) or Blyzniuky (Twins) Rock. The ski trails, which stretch for 10,000 kilometres, can receive up to 1000 skiers. You can reach the base of Stig Mountain through the village of Yasinia, 18 kilometres from Drahobrat. But not every car can make the drive, so it is best to be in a four-wheel drive. But not to fear, the Uzhgorod-Rakhiv-Ivano Frankivsk-Lviv and Lviv-Ivano Frankivsk-Rakhiv rail-lines also run through Yasinia.

A vacation in Drohobych is more than skiing but also nature’s grandeur. The windows of the Drahobrat Hotel (run by the Drahobrat ski resort) and several modern cottages on the hillside command a wonderful view of the peaks of Hoverla, Petras and Blyzniuky. If you prefer indoor sports, the local discotheque is one of the best in Ukraine!

To be Continued…
Each season new ski trails, lifts and hotels open in Ukraine. In addition to Slavske, Bukovel and Drahobrat more than 15 ski resorts operate in the various regions of Ukraine. There is Tysovets, located at the headwaters of the Tysovets River at an elevation of 1020 metres (120 kilometres from Lviv), the village of Vorokhta (near Yaremcha), the town of Kosiv (Ivano-Frankivsk region) and others. For more details please contact these travel companies and specialised web-sites.
See you in the Carpathians!

Getting There

UIA offers direct flights from Kyiv to Lviv (except Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays), from Frankfurt to Lviv and from Madrid to Lviv.

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