Bukovel ski resort

Bukovel ski resort is a new large ski resort in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast 30 km to the west of Yaremcha. It is Ukraine's first European-class resort, with a couple high-speed chair lifts, meticulously groomed slopes and snow-making machines, turnstyles for letting skiers through lines, and ubiquitous security personnel. It's unusual to see this degree of organization in Ukraine. Bukovel resort has been carefully planned to make skiing enjoyable and convenient and to avoid lift lines and congestion. Lift lines longer than five minutes are rare.

Bukovel has major plans for expansion; supposedly by the 2008-2009 season it plans to have 278 km of runs and 35 (!) lifts, which would make it one of the 20 largest ski resorts in the world.

Bukovel's ski slopes

Bukovel's base elevation is nearly 900 m above sea level, and the highest ski lift rises to 1370 m , making Bukovel the second highest ski resort in Ukraine after Drahobrat. All categories of difficulty are available. There is a very long gradual slope that is perfect for beginners, a couple short tows for children and "super-beginners," all levels of intermediate runs, and several black diamonds. Night skiing is available from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., but currently only on one slope that is upper intermediate. Bukovel is growing rapidly, and new equipment and runs are being added each year.

Bukovel lift passes

With all this new infrastructure, prices at Bukovel are understandably higher than elsewhere. One lift ride costs 10 UAH Mon-Thu and 12 UAH Fri-Sun. Passes can be bought for half a day, evening skiing, a whole day, several days, or the entire season. For example, a day pass (good for all lifts) costs 100 UAH during the week and 110 UAH on weekends. If you ski down the mountain 25 times like me, that comes out to a reasonable 4 UAH per lift ride. About half of the lifts are chair lifts, and half are tows.

Lift passes can be bought in several places around the bases of the mountains and can be used by anyone, so you could theoretically give your pass to someone else in your group while you take a break during the day.

Ski rental

There are two central locations where skis can be rented (see picture below). All skis are 2-3 years old or less and are in excellent condition. The cheapest (and most popular) set costs 55 UAH on weekdays and 65 UAH on weekends (Fri-Sun), or $11 and $13 USD, respectively. Each person who rents skis must leave a passport or driver's license — or leave a deposit of $500 USD.

In addition, there are snowmobiles available for rent, as well as paintball.

At the base of the mountain there are storage lockers for boots and other belongings, nice bathrooms, and a ski school with group and individual instruction several times a day.

Food at Bukovel

Bukovel has several restaurants next to different mountains — including a pizzeria and an outdoor cafe partway up the central mountain. Prices are quite high by Ukrainian standards, but the service and dining are excellent.

www.skiukraine.info