When you think of Ukraine, ski resorts rarely come to mind. Obviously, the first thing that pops into the brain is the war. The second might be the Ukrainian delicacy, liquors, museums, and architecture. Ski resorts are usually down the list. At least for Americans.
After visiting Ukraine, it showed how little I knew about the country. And things make sense why it should be a top winter destination. Ukraine has gorgeous mountains and the winter weather makes for ideal trips through the powder. Ukraine offers skiers and snowboarders 57 ski resorts throughout the country.
While in Ukraine, I visited 3 ski resorts; Bukovel, Emily’s Resort and Medical Spa, and Playa Karpaty. Each one offers visitors exceptional powder, beautiful places to unwind, and great prices. All three are located in Western Ukraine and far from where fighting is taking place.
Bukovel is the type of place that most Americans picture when envisioning a ski resort. The Carpathian Mountains offer Bukovel with stunning views and fantastic powder. Being the largest ski resort in Eastern Europe, there’s something for every winter sports lover. With 37 miles of trails and pistes and 17 ski lifts, one can get spend an entire week on the mountain. Often, people must stop snowboarding and skiing when the sun goes down. Not at Bukovel. Riders can enjoy the Carpathian Mountains till 7:30 pm.
Because of its ideal location in the Carpathian Mountains, Bukovel’s ski season runs from December into April.
Our first stop in Bukovel was at the Dzvin Ski Shop, where we picked up our rentals. I’ve raved about Ukrainian service in all of my stories and the Dzvin Ski rental was another great example of exceptional service. The employees at the shop were attentive, kind, accommodating, and helpful. Joshua (the photographer on the trip) and I grabbed our snowboards. Sasha, from the Rebuild Ukraine Foundation, opted for skis.
After picking up our lift passes, we coasted up the mountain on a lift. Lost in the beauty of nature, it wasn’t long before I slid off the lift and down the mountain. As we boarded down the mountain, I passed ski schools and beginners. There were all levels of skiers and snowboarders on the mountain. I later found out Bukovel offers a great ski school for all ages. That’s something I always pay attention to, because I enjoy dropping my kids off at ski school whenever I go boarding. That way, I can board for a few hours alone before I pick them up.
The powder was great even though it was warmer than usual for a January day. We made a lot of trips up and down the mountain, occasionally stopping to appreciate the beautiful views. As the evening grew closer, Joshua and I thought we were heading down to where we began the day, but we got a little mixed up and found ourselves on the other side of the resort. We had to take a taxi to the ski shop, which turned into a lovely encounter with a thankful taxi driver. To read that story, click here.
After our day of boarding was over, we checked into Stara Pravda. Each room at Stara Pravda is unique and tells the history of Ukraine. It didn’t matter where you looked, whether inside or outside, a magnificent view was always there.
After checking in, we headed across from the hotel for dinner at Art Drovitnya. While dining there, I had one of the best meals of my life. I often said throughout my time in Ukraine, “I’ve traveled all over the world, but have experienced nothing like this.” I said those words a lot while dining at Art Drovitnya and during my stay at Stara Pravda.
While at Play Karpaty, we enjoyed riding snowmobiles on the mountain before a relaxing time at the resort. Visitors to Play Karpaty will find a different resort than what you’d find at Bukovel. The slopes are mainly for the guest at the resort, which means the trails are less crowded. I’m all for less crowded trails since I’m not that great of a snowboarder. Guest can also unwind in a relaxing spa, or participate in one of the many activities Play Karpaty offers guests. We also enjoyed a delicious traditional Ukrainian meal while at Play Karpaty.
One should not visit Play Karpaty without a stop at Eco Farm Play. Owned by the same owners of the resort, the farm provides organic milk and cheese and honestly, it’s the best I’ve ever tasted. It’s easy to fall in love with the cows and sheep wandering inside the barns.
One of my first stops in Ukraine was at Emily’s Resort and Medical Spa. I wrote about that stay here. Emily’s has something for everyone, whether you are a snowboard/skier enthusiast or not. The prices for rental and lift tickets can’t be beat for a 5-Star resort. Lift tickets are $35 US dollars a day and rentals are only $12 US dollars!
Emily’s uses new technology to ensure everyone has a great time on the slopes. Under the powder at Emily’s are mat-like structures that help with the ski experience. Because of the mats, one can ski 365 days a year. Yes, because of the mats, visitors can ski without snow. And like Play Karpaty, the runs are not as crowded because most of the visitors are staying at the resort. It’s a great place to take kids, because parents can enjoy the mountain while the kids are in ski school, and then meet back up in the afternoon. Emily’s also has a lovely skating rink and an exciting and fun village.
Not convinced? Here are 10 reasons to go skiing/snowboarding in Western Ukraine.
- Budged Friendly for American Tourists: As of this writing, the Hrvnya (Ukranian money) equals 0.026 American Dollar. An American can stay at a 5-star luxury resort for a great price. One can enjoy the thrill of the slopes without breaking the bank. Ukraine’s snowboarding scene is exhilarating and affordable. Lift tickets are cheaper than you’ll find anywhere else, along with equipment rentals and accommodations.
- Ukraine’s Carpathian Mountains offer an expansive wintery playground. All are welcomed on the Carpathian Mountain slopes, making sure everyone can find a slope matching their skill level.
- Visiting a traditional Hutsul restaurant will provide you with a rare experience not found anywhere else. Within the Carpathian Mountains, visitors can learn about the Hutsul culture and immerse yourself in a unique Hutsul experience. Hutsuls were shepherds, farmers, and craftsman in the Carpathians that continue to hold on to their culture to this day. The food and warm hospitality were amazing everywhere we went.
- Escape the crowds and explore lesser-known slopes. Yes, one can enjoy large places like Bukovel, but smaller areas are equally fun. Play Karpaty proved that sometimes less is more. I love the solitary that snowboarding brings and going off the beaten path can provide that.
- Driving around the Carpathians makes you want to stop at every village and town. Each place we visited welcomed us with open arms and great hospitality, offering enchanting stories about Ukrainian history. I fell in love with each cobblestoned street and desired to wander around and lose myself in culture and new friends.
Photo by Joshua Brandenburg - Ukraine’s snowboarding and skiing experiences extend beyond the mountains. Tourists in Western Ukraine can explore backcountry trails, horseback riding, snowshoeing excursions, and much more.
- Ukraine’s ski resorts combine modern amenities with a touch of authenticity. Enjoy well-designed and well-kept facilities, cozy lodges, and vibrant après-ski scenes, providing the perfect balance between comfort and adventure.
- Ukrainians love a good celebration and are always looking for a reason to spread joy. Visitors should come into Ukraine and embrace the festive spirit with winter events and celebrations that complement your winter sports escapades. Experience traditional Ukrainian winter festivals, adding a lively and joyous atmosphere to your trip.
- Ukraine is a photographer’s dream. Capture the breathtaking beauty of Ukraine’s winter landscapes. From panoramic mountain views to snow-laden forests, the country offers a plethora of stunning backdrops. One doesn’t need to be an expert photographer to memorialize a gorgeous view.
- Ukrainian hospitality is second to none. Experience the warmth of Ukrainian hospitality as you connect with passionate locals who share your love for snowboarding and skiing.
Ukraine awaits with its diverse slopes, cultural richness, and an unbeatable combination of affordability and excitement. Shred, explore, and create lasting memories in this hidden gem of a snowboarding and skiing destination.
@onegooddad Snowboarding at Bukovel Resort in Ukraine. #Bukovel #snowboard #snowboarding #ukraine #ukraine #travel #travelukraine #travelblogger #travelwriter #fy #fyp #foryou #snow #winter #resorts #ski #skiing #traveltiktok
♬ Fun guitar songs for Youtube, commercials, etc.(899019) – Lyrebirds music
Our Ukrainian host with the Lviv governmentorganized our trip to show that Ukraine is open for tourism. We felt completely safe throughout our time in the Lviv Oblast region. We had many sumptuous meals and were entertained throughout our time. (Follow Lviv’s tourism Instagram and Facebook accounts for more information)
Our American/Ukrainian contact, Sasha Vosk, was born in Ukraine and looks to help build Ukraine through tourism. He founded the organization, Rebuild Ukraine Foundation, to help build up the Ukrainian economy and help inform the world of all that Ukraine offers. One doesn’t need to wait till the end of the war to visit the country. It’s ready for tourists now.
I also visited Ukraine with Joshua Brandenburg, a photographer from New York City. You can visit his website here and follow him on Instagram here.
Hear are more stories abour our time in Ukraine:
Where is God During War: A conversation with a Ukrainian Priest
15 Reasons to Visit Western Ukraine Now
Defeating Darkness with Art: Touring Park 3020
Getting Naked in Ukraine
Rebuilding Ukraine by Rebuilding Children’s Lives: My interview with the staff of SOS
Emily Resort and Spa in Lviv, Ukraine is a Luxury Paradise with Family-Friendly Activities
Visiting Ukraine During the War
Representing America in the Back of a Taxi in Ukraine
Promoting Tourism in Ukraine During the War
Visiting Ukraine During the War
Snowboarding in Ukraine
Tips for Americans Visiting Ukraine
Visiting Truskavets’ Healing Springs and Spas
Horseback Riding in the Carpathian Mountains
Visiting Kamianets-Podilkskyi: Remembering the Past and Building to a Better Future
The Show Must Go On: The Lviv Opera House is Open Despite the War
Traditional Ukrainian Drink Uzvar Recipe
Kyiv Mule Cocktail Recipe
Very enjoyable oppositeview of Ukraine.
Hi! We lived in Kyiv for many years and are now back in the US. Missing Ukraine very much. My teenage son is a very avid snowboarder and he’d love to take a trip to the Karpaty/Bukovel to hit the snow (terrain) parks. How would you rate them?
Hello and thank you for your question. Bukovel is a great place to snowboard. The powder was fantastic and the village is a lot of fun. I’m used to trails in Canada, which are wider than the ones in Ukraine. That’s probably the biggest difference. The mountain was great and I would definitely go back. I wish I had more than a day there. Next time, I’m going to spend a few days. The mountain is big with a lot of trails.