Skiing and Lviv region

Hello, I recently read something about Bukovel, so I might want to visit it for a few days.
Anybody has some experience with the resort? Is there also some nice nightlife/after ski?

And the second question, what is a nice city to visit, not that far from either Lviv or Kviv? I want to visit also some other cities, besides the one the plane takes me to.

Bukovel Ukraine's most modern ski resort http://www.bukovel.com/
However it is not exactly close to Lviv and it's difficult to get to if you have no car, also it's very expensive, appartments and hotels are more expensive then in Austria for example and not a very big skiing region. Also it's not very challenging for advanced skiers, perfect for beginners and intermediate though.
I would recommend Slavske which can easily be reached by train from Lviv has a bigger ski region and during weekdays cheap accomodations, weekends are more expensive and probably all booked up for the rest of the season.
PS also in Kiev there are a few skiing slopes uite nice but small.

Bukovell is the swis resort with snow machines, swish hotels, modern lifts and western prices.

I have skied in Slavsko every year since 2003. Facilities are basic but adequate, nice atmosphere and not expensive. 3 hours by bus or train from Lviv, also train services to Chop and onwards to Budapest. Here's some pics of my family and me in Slavske last year
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smithfamily1/3329231606/in/set-72157614733092119/

Thanks for your advice both!

So lift queues are not as large as they write downhere in Slavsko?

http://www.skiukraine.info/resorts/slavsko.shtml

During weekends depending on the lift the queues can be quite large in Slavsko

Slavske contains several slopes, not connected to each other.
The easiest and most popular slope is called Politex. Its just outside the village, past the Perlyna Karpat hotel. Two drag lifts. There can be long queues at the lifts – 20 minute wait at weekend afternoons is common, partly because groups let their friends in front of them at the queue, so even if the lift is moving the back of the line is stationary. Last year they charged UAH 4 for the small lift and UAH 6 for the larger, per ride. The lifts also frequently break down, stop and re-start a few minutes later. There’s also an army of jeeps at the bottom of the slope who will drive you up for UAH 10. About 6 people fit in one jeep.
Nearer the middle of town is Pohan, this has few queues but is also rather boring, just a single sope down.
Varshava is out past Politex, no lifts, you have to get a jeep.
Trostyan is the highest mountain, usually the best snow. Accessible from the centre by jeep or flat bed truck that takes you to the bottom of a long chair lift. There’s a choice of several slopes, all with drag lifts. Same system of paying per ride as at Politex and same sort of prices. Trostyan is where the UA national team used to train, not sure if they still do. Some of the slopes are very challenging and its not for beginners.
Zahar Berkut is a newer resort about 5km from Slavske on the road to Volosyanka. Its an integrated development, unlike other slopes where a different family operates each lift, and there’s a system of day passes. Costs UAH 100 workdays, UAH 150 at weekends. Queues can be bad later in the afternoon (there’s a bottleneck at a koliba half way up where several slopes converge with only one way out).
Any more questions, feel free to post. I’ve been visiting Slavske for several years now so I got to know it well. Most of the other foreigners I meet are people who saw my posts on TT!

I've been to Slavsko few times.
Ski is nice there. This year with 8 friends to Bukovel. Booked a chalet there. Within a month I can tell you more about it,
Here are some of my ski pictures from the two mail mountains in Slavsko including some maps.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bjornros/3378617789/in/set-72157615719054571/

Edited by: Nijntje

Hi Alexander!

It’s difficult to say what city is better Kiev or Lviv, as it’s two absolutely different but equally beautiful cities. Personally I recommend to visit both cities, but if you should choase one of two, in your case will be more comfortable to visit Lviv, as it is situated closer to Slavsko village!

Best wishes from Ukraine))

My two cents is that Bukovel can be reached by public buses that run regularly from outside the train station in Ivano Frankivsk. Slavske is good also.

Thanks for all of your advice!

Not quite the ski season now, but I promised to reply about the Bukovel and Slavsko ski.

Bukovel:
Visited for the first time February this year. the skiing is great. The ski area is very good! All new fast 4-6 pers chair lifts. It's also challenging for experienced skiers! (the black slopes are really black) And there are some very Easy blue slopes as well to learn it.
You can stay in the resort itself, but few min walk and you'll find lot's of chalet's, B&B / inn's etc
Bukovel is 4,5 h drive from Lviv.
You can still eat & drink pretty cheap by all western standards. In a local place, 10 min walk from the slopes we ate with 10 of us a full meal including many dishes Vodka, beer etc for 10 Euro each. And even in the restort the prices are much lower than the Alps.

Slavsko: (3rd visit)

Goog: real mountain village atmosphere & food.
Zahar Berkut.
Perfect for learning!
Lifts are really slow here.
One long chairlift, 35 min, down in 15 down. (great ride).
Trostian
Slopes not prepared, very icy.
Trostian is only for experienced! The T-bar lifts there are very steep. If you are a good skier and there is fresh snow it can be great fun.
advise:Rent you equipment in the village!
With a mixed group of different level of skiers I would advise you to go to Bukovel.

But so far this was my last visit to Slavsko.

Here are some pictures from Bukovel & Slavsko from February 2010
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bjornros/4378178503/in/set-72157623361014263/

Nijntje,I've been doubting about Bukovel for some time as I don't think there are enough slopes for the advanced skiers. Do you think an advanced skier would be bored after a while?
How is the road from Lviv to Bukovel? Did you rent a car?

#13, from Nijntje's phots, it looks like they got a bus from Bukovel to Strii and then train to Slavske. I'm sure he'll correct me if I'm wrong.

We rented with 12 of us our own bus which picked us up from the airport. But there are public buses from Lviv and Ivano Frankivsk as well to Bukovel.

I think Bukovel can keep you entertained as an advanced skier as well (I am myself).
maybe the runs are not so long, but the lifts are fast, which is important for me. the runs are really good!