Skiing in the Ukraine

Ukraine does not belong to the list of world’s most popular and fashionable ski resorts. But this doesn’t mean that this ex-Soviet country has nothing to offer. In fact, there are a lot of excellent places for skiing there. Quality of service and skiing possibilities are not yet as good as on other famous European ski resorts, but prices for using lifts and renting ski gear are low by European standards and ski and après-ski infrastructures keep developing and improving rapidly. During the past decade some decent ski resorts were built.

Most Ukrainian winter sports resorts are located in the Carpathian Mountains. They are the best equipped and most foreigners friendly in the country in respect of more or less decent skiing and après-skiing infrastructure. There are plenty of hotels, cottages, ski rentals, bars, cafes, and discos. The most popular ski resorts in the Carpathians are Drahobrat (Dragobrat), Bukovel, Slawsko, Skole and Worotka. The main ski season in the region lasts from January to early March. In early December and April only Drahobrat, Bukovel, and Mt. Trostyan at Slavske are the skiable resorts. Almost all of Carpathian ski areas except Drahobrat are located near towns or villages, so they are quite easily accessible.

Crimea is a well-known beach holiday destination very popular among people of ex-Soviet states, and only few know that it is also a good place to ski. Ay-Petri mountain situated some 30 km from Yalta has rather exciting bare bone ski areas. But infrastructure there is almost nonexistent, so the place is visited mostly by locals. Another popular ski destinations on the peninsula are Angarsky Pass (Chatyr-Dag) and Chatyr-Dag plateau. Ski season in Crimea lasts usually only two month – January and February.

In the near future Ukraine has a chance to become a very popular ski country due to its excellent natures resources. So if you have a grudge against rather high prices of German and Austrian Alps ski resorts, but are eager to get fascinating ski experience, you are welcome to visit this marvelous Slavic country.