If we have to choose one place that offers excellent service, great slopes and plenty of snow, Bukovel would be it.  Easily accessible by regular bus shuttles from Ivano-Frankivsk, this famous ski resort is up and coming place for ski lovers. Keep in mind that Bukovel is the most expensive of all Ukrainian ski resorts, and has been built on bare land: it’s in a way its own compound, with skiing, entertainment and accommodation located in one place. While it might be convenient for many, it is rather commercialized vacation spot and does not have the feeling of authenticity, that many smaller places have.

BUKOVEL SKI RESORT: FACTS SNAPSHOT

• Slopes: averaging 900 m to 1370 m height
• Number of lifts: 16, almost all are chair lifts
• Total length: 63 km
• Service quality: high
• Accessibility: easy
• Snow: available November to April, slopes are usually groomed and there are snow-making machines

All categories of difficulty are available for great skiing and snowboarding. Beginners can try themselves out on a gradual slope, and kids will love short tows.  For more experienced skiers there are several black diamonds. Night skiing is available from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m on two upper intermediate slopes.

Getting there: take a train to Ivano-Frankivsk. Outside of the train station, there will be buses running in the direction of Bukovel. Expect two hours by bus (95 km).

Staying there: there are plenty of hotels and B&B available around the resort. Make sure you book well in advance, as Ukrainians tend to flock there during high holiday season (December 29th – January 12th).  Most of the hotels in Bukovel do not offer one day package, and you have to buy a few days accommodation.

So, in summary: 

+ Plus: you can buy only one ski pass for all lifts, long-lasting presence of snow, a wide choice of slopes for skiing, good service and comfortable lifts, affordable for beginners
–  Minus: expensive, queues to the lifts in high season, no really challenging/black tracks.

Location on the map , check the presence of snow online here

Active Ukraine recommends: Top 5 places to try authentic Ukrainian food in and around Bucovel

See our tour offers for Bukovel, starting from 89 EURO below

Dragobrat – Ukraine’s highest ski resort

This ski resort is the highest in Ukraine (up to 1800 m). It also has doubtlessly the most beautiful views. There are not enough snow-making machines, but nature fills up the need: snow appears usually around November, and remainstill May. Sometimes the snow cover is up to 5 m high! This place is not meant for beginners. The slopes are rather tough, but there is enough entertainment available down the slopes.  The ski resort is not easily accessible, as there is not yet a proper road up to it.  If you decide to try out Dragobrat, be ready for a fun ride in a local pick-up truck along the bumpy mountainous road! Great experience for those, looking for something off-the-beaten track.

DRAGOBRAT SKI RESORT FACTS SNAPSHOT

• Slopes: averaging 1400 m to 1800 m height
• Total length: 10 km
• Number of lifts: 10
• Service quality: medium
• Accessibility: poor
• Snow: available November to May, there are not enough snow-making machines, so check the weather forecast in advance

Getting there:  super slow train #606K Lviv – Rakhiv departs from Lviv at 15:20 and arrives to Yasinya at 22:46. If you are not afraid to try out the very local experience, you can do the train. However, if you tend to more comfort (buy an Active Ukraine tour), take a train from Lviv to Ivano-Frankivsk. Then get a bus to Yasinya. From the village of Yasinya, one will have to take local public transportation (the famous pick-up trucks) in order to get up to Dragobrat. If you are driving your own car, keep in mind that the road from Yasinya to Dragobrat is a total off-road, so don’t even attempt to drive it, unless you have a jeep. It’s safer to park your car in Yasinya and use the pick-up trucks (One ride will cost you around 2 euros).

Accommodation: very reasonable prices (starting from 8-10 euros per night), mainly locally owned guesthouses, as well as good hotels with a complete service package

So, in summary: 

+ Plus: unforgettable landscape, extreme descents, freeride opportunity.
– Minus:  hard to get there, you need to purchase a separate ticket for each lift, lack of entertainment infrastructure, modest level of service.

Location on the map,  check the presence of snow online here (includes a webcam along with the first snow)

Active Ukraine recommends: 7 reasons why to choose Dragobrat over Bucovel

See our tour offers for Dragobrat, starting from 137 EURO below

Slavske ski resort

This resort is most popular with students, youth and anyone who lives in or around Lviv. It’s located merely 135 km from Lviv, and is easily accessible by public transportation.  Four mountains – Trostian, Pohar and Polytechnic – give plenty of options for skiers.  Pohar and Polytechnic are the favorites of beginners. Mountain Zvorets hosts ‘Zahar Berkut’ ski resort and is great for more advanced skiers. Trostian is the highest among them and has good snow most of the time.

SLAVSKE SKI RESORT: FACTS SNAPSHOT

• Slopes: averaging 600 m to 1232 m height
• Number of lifts: 20, only two are chair lifts
• Total length: 12 km
• Service quality: medium
• Accessibility: high
• Snow: available December to March, there are not enough snow-making machines, so check the weather forecast in advance

Getting there: train #807 Lviv – Mukachevo departs from Lviv at 07:42 and arrives to Slavske at 09:55.

Staying there: look out for small B&B and rural guesthouses. Some will offer to pick up truck transportation all the way to the slopes. Book way in advance, if you want to get the best price and service. Slavske is known for its good food! Lots of options, reasonable prices and fast service. If you don’t want to wait 40 min to get your cup of tea, Slavske is your place!

Do you doubt whether it is worth staying by the locals?

So, in summary: 

+ Plus: availability of a railway station and direct connection with such cities as Lviv, Kyiv, Uzhgorod, Odessa.
– Minus: certain complexity of some tracks, so that beginners hurt themselves.

Location on the map,  check the presence of snow online here

Active Ukraine recommends: why you should stay in a rural guesthouse

See our Carpathian Freeride tour offer for the most adventurous travelers

Pylypets and Podobovets in Transcarpathia

These places are not yet ski resorts in its full sense, however, they are developing rapidly and surprise skiers with good prices.  Three mountains (Podobovets, Pylypets, and Mahura) are the base, with most services provided by the private sector (locals). There’s a good selection of ski slopes, however, the place does not have all the necessary machinery to maintain it yet. Check the weather forecast to make sure there is enough snow. Most of the slopes are not suitable for beginners. Some have a 45 degrees angle!

Also, entertainment infrastructure (loud bars and discos) is not developed at all. So, if you are into the local authentic culture, these two villages should be your first choice! Local villagers still keep old traditions of rural Ukraine and are always eager to prepare home-made borshch, teach you how to weave carpets and show you the famous village hospitality.

PYLYPETS AND PODOBOVETS FACTS SNAPSHOT

• Slopes: averaging 700 m to 1500 m height
• Number of lifts: 10
• Total length: 25 km
• Service quality: medium
• Accessibility: medium
• Snow: available December to March, there are not enough snow-making machines, so check the weather forecast in advance

Getting there: train # 807 Lviv-Mukachevo departs Lviv at 07:42 and arrives to the village of Volovets at 10:50. From there you can take local buses or a taxi to Podobovets/Pylypets (12 km).

Accommodation: very reasonable prices (starting from 6-8 euros per night), mainly locally owned guesthouses.

Active Ukraine recommends: if you are interested in short tours around the area, you will love a trip to Ukraine’s highest mountain lake – Synevyr, or visit the beautiful Shypit waterfall.

+ Plus: an incredible number of slopes, is considered one of the best places for beginners free-riders, the longest tracks all over Ukraine.
– Minus: a possibility of avalanches (when riding off the tracks), there is no artificial snow.

Location on the map, check the presence of snow online here  (includes a webcam along with the info on availability of snow)

Join the tour for the two incredible days among the peaks of Carpathian Mountains, starting from 207 EURO

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