Carpathians calling: Ukraine’s best ski resorts

The early snowfalls this year have set many minds to thinking already of the festive season, and options for the upcoming winter holidays.

The ski resorts in Ukraine’s Carpathian mountains will be on top of the list for many. Over the past two decades, Ukraine’s ski resorts have been developing, and although not yet up to the quality of many other European resorts, they are relatively close to the Ukrainian capital and (mostly) cheaper.

The Kyiv Post has tracked down the best Ukrainian resorts offering not just skiing, but also good accommodation and services, healthy food, and diverse entertainment.

Bukovel

Vacations during winter holidays cost a pretty penny here, as Bukovel is one of the most prestigious and most expensive of Ukraine’s ski resorts. One night in a room for one person at the five-star Radisson Blue hotel close to the slopes costs between Hr 8,416 and Hr 55,000, depending on the room class. That’s comparable to the cost of accommodation at one of Europe’s best resorts – Kitsbuhel in Austria.

The prices in other hotels on the territory vary between Hr 2,068 –14,628 per one person per night
Despite the high prices, Bukovel is usually packed for the whole winter with local and foreign tourists, and its various ski runs of different levels of ability attract both novices and professionals. The luxurious ski resort also boasts illuminated slopes and lots of snow – if snowfall it light there are plenty of snow machines to keep the runs open.

On top of that, Bukovel has good infrastructure with restaurants, pizzerias and restaurants for any taste. Après-ski options include saunas or spa-centers.

For more information visit www.bukovel.com

How to get there: From Kyiv take train No. 143 to Ivano-Frankivsk for Hr 451 to Hr 931. From Ivano-Frankivsk, take a taxi to Bukovel for Hr 600 to Hr 650. If traveling by car from Kyiv, take the E40/M06 highway to Yaseniv, then from Yaseniv take the H02 to Univ. From Univ, take the H09 to Bukovel.

Dragobrat

Dragobrat is the highest ski resort in Ukraine, located at the altitude of 1,400 meters above sea level near the Blyznytsya range of peaks in the heart of the Carpathians. Because of its location and climate, the snow lies here the longest in Ukraine – usually from November until May – while the area’s natural beauty is breathtaking all year round.

In recent years Dragobrat has become extremely popular with Ukrainian skiers, which is why there are often long queues for the resort’s ski lifts in high season and during weekends. Overall, the resort offers 20 alpine skiing runs of various levels of difficulty for skiing and snowboarding.

For more information visit www.dragobrat.ws

How to get there: From Kyiv take train No. 357 Kyiv-Rakhiv for Hr 153 or Hr 607 to the village of Yasinya. From Yasinya take local vehicles to Dragobrat for Hr 120 or more per person. If travelling by car, take the E40/M06 highway to Yaseniv, and from Yaseniv take the T1413 road to Zolochiv. From Zolochiv take the H02 to Ivano-Frankivsk. From Ivano-Frankivsk take the H09 to Yasinya.

Pylypets

This ski resort is named after the picturesque village of Pylypets, and is located at the foot of the Hymba and Zhyd-Magura mountains, whose slopes are well suited for skiing. Hymba’s difficult ski runs are more suitable for experienced skiers, while Zhyd-Magura’s more gentle slopes are good for beginners.

This relatively new ski resort is already attracting skiers and snowboarders from all over Ukraine. It is also known as the unofficial center for Ukraine’s freeride and jibbing snowboarding competitions. The slopes are relatively uncrowded, as the total length of Pylypets’ skiing runs is more than 20,000 meters.

The resort is surrounded by natural treasures – such as the Shypit waterfall and Synevyr Lake – which are incredibly beautiful in winter.

For more information visit www.pylypets.com.ua

How to get there: From Kyiv take train Nos. 207, 099K or 0130 to Volovets for Hr 131 to Hr 600. From Volovets, take a bus to Pylypets for Hr 14 to Hr 31. If travelling by car from Kyiv, take the E40 highway to Lviv, the E471 road to Nyzhni Vorota, and from Nyzhni Vorota take the T0718 road to Pylypets.

Slavske

Slavske is a picturesque town and very popular ski resort nestled between the Trostyan, Pohar, Menchul and Politechnik mountains. Slavske might be the best choice for beginners, as its Politechnik Mountain on the edge of the village of Slavske has very gentle slopes that let anybody learn to ski without any fear of mishaps.

Besides, Slavske is famous for the variety and quantity of its ski runs, which stretch across more than 9 kilometers. However, the ski resort lacks snow machines, and the majority of its ski lifts are button tows, which can be tricky for beginners and children.

On the positive side, Slavske has good infrastructure and a nice choice of hotels for every purse. The ski season starts there in late November and lasts until early May.

For more information visit www.karpaty-slav.com

How to get there: From Kyiv to Slavske take train Nos. 99 or 81K for Hr 183 to Hr 635. If travelling by car from Kyiv, take the E40 highway to Lviv, and from Lviv take the E471 road to Slavske.

Krasiya

Named after the nearby mountain, the Krasiya resort is an ideal place for those seeking a break from big city life and getting closer to nature. The absence of crowds and lines is probably Krasiya’s main advantage.

The resort has the longest single ski run in Ukraine, at over 3.5 kilometers. The resort attracts those who know how to ski and appreciate wide runs and good snow. Krasiya’s ski runs also have quite gentle slopes.

For more information visit www.krasiya.info

How to get there: From Kyiv take train Nos. 99 or 81K to Uzhhorod for Hr 141 to Hr 744. From Uzhhorod take the bus to the village of Vyshka for Hr 47. If traveling by car from Kyiv, take the E40 highway to Lviv. From Lviv take the H13 road to the village of Vyshka.