Björn from Netherlands writes:
Have been going to Bukovel (and Slavske) a couple of times and I do not fully agree with another review.
*First off all, I have a positive attitude. I like travelling and like to experience new things, meet new people, see the culture. etc. I understand the some things are different in other parts of Europe.
* The Skiing is good. The lifts are all fast 4 seats 'Doppelmayer'. Last week there wasn't much snow between Catholic Xmas and New Year but thanks to the good snow making machines all the lifts were working, and the snow on the slopes was good. I am a good and fast skier and there is enough to keep me interested for a couple of days. The colours of the slopes are same as in Austria, although some reds are little easier. There are two very easy runs for beginners (7&14) and a couple of blues, red, and a few pretty steep black. Although the runs are not as long as in the Alps. The slopes are groomed very well. I didn't have to wait more than 2 minutes for the lifts, only lift 7 was busy sometimes, but maybe in Ukrainian holidays this could be different. Check the Ukrainian Bukovel website for new ski map! (on the official English and Russian site is an old map! ) There are no T-bars at all anymore.
* There is a difference between the resort itself (around Lift 2) and all the houses, chalets, B&B, local restaurants etc just outside of the resort. These are located from lift 1R down the road. I stayed at the local places and the people there are very friendly and the food/drinks is great and cheap. (for 100 UAH each you have a good few courses meal with a couple of beers). My Chalet was 10 min walk to lift R1 which is fine for me. You can rent your gear next to the slopes and leave it there after a day of skiing.
*Some staff could be rude but really, most are ok! Especially just outside the resort.
*Some visitors are the 'nouveau riche' which aren't always the most friendly people. But there are many families etc as well. I don't care actually.
*Transport: It's far! From Kyiv it's pretty comfortable. Take a night train, sleep good, and arrive early morning in Ivano Frankivsk. If you have the money: take a full coupé (4 beds). The beds are ± 150 UAH (14 Euro) each. Then you have to take a bus for 1,5h to Bukovel which isn't that comfortable, but you can be on the slopes around 10 AM. The last day you can ski all day and then take the bus + night train back to Kyiv and be there the next morning. Comfortable in my opinion.
The bus from Lviv takes 4-5h!
There is a train track almost to Bukovel... but no train seems to run there..... I can't see why.
With a couple of friends we rented our own van with driver from Lviv Airport last year.
Bukovel is the only serious ski resort in Ukraine and together with Jasna in Slowakia the only serious ones in Eastern Europe.
Apres-ski is nothing like Austria. Even not like France. It's more a diner with some drinks. There is one club near lift 7.
Conclusion: if you wanna ski, Ukraine is something new. It's visa free for EU nationalities. The Carpats are nice mountains. And compare to the Alps it's very cheap! 0,5L pint of lager for around 1 Euro (12 UAH), a room for 300-500 UAH (25-50 euro) and a ski pass for 20 Euro a day. Ski rent was 80 UAH/day for good, although not the latest, material. All good value for money in my opinion.
Maybe I will go there next year again...
2012-01-05 |
