Ukraine - Mountains and Skiing

There are two areas of mountains in Ukraine. The main ski area being the Carpathians, but there's also a smaller range in Crimea.

The Carpathian Mountains

This mountain range which sweeps up from Romania into Ukraine, is a popular place to be all year round. With vast expanses of completely unspoilt forests and a network of crystal clear lakes, it's the perfect place to place to go and relax.

Apart from being home to the infamous Count Dracula, it is also home to a very wide range of flora and fauna. This mountain range supports a wide range of species not found anywhere else in Europe.

Skiing

Ukraine is probably not the first place that would spring to mind when thinking of booking that skiing holiday. However, think again since there are a number of hidden gems throughout the Ukrainian Carpathians, as detailed below.

Geography

The Carpathian mountain range is known s the back bone of Eastern Europe with its crescent shape covering no less than 7 countries. Starting in Austria, they stretch round to the Ukraine. They were formed in a similar way to the Alps and are therefore a great place to ski in winter.

The highest point in the Ukrainian Carpathians is Mount Hoverla which reaches up to 2061m and is a popular place for walking etc.

Climate

If you visit the Carpathians, you won't find yourself in an extreme blizzards or dying from severe hypothermia. The Carpathians benefit from having a relatively mild temperature in winter time. Lowest winter temperatures are around -10 C to -15 C (5 F to 14 F). In summer time the weather is agreeably warm. Throughout the year, the Carpathians do get quite a bit of rainfall 800- 1500 mm (hence it's rich and verdant plant life). However, this is spread out evenly through the year.

Carpathian Ski Resorts

The 4 Major Resorts...

Slavske

Currently the most popular of all the Carpathian ski resorts, it offers a number of good facilities to tourists. Located around Mount Trostyan (900m to 1230m in elevation), it benefits from having ski lifts. This resort is starting to boom.

Bukovel

This very recently built resort has been based on top quality Austrian resorts. A lot of money has been poured into this particular resort and it is well worth a visit.

Tysovets

Known as the 'Undiscovered Gem' of the Carpathians, Tysovets resort has so far been untouched by building booms and mass tourism. A visit to the Carpathians is not complete until you have visited this incredibly picturesque resort.

Dragobrat

Welcome to the highest, snowiest and one of the most remote resort in Ukraine. No keen skier can miss out on a visit to this amazing resort. Even if you're not into the 'white sport' there is still something for everyone.

Other Smaller Carpathian Ski Resorts...

Not all of the places listed below are actual ski resorts, like the ones above, but what they do offer are facilities like ski runs, some lifts, restaurants, equipment for rent, some hotels etc. In the very near future, it is almost certain that these places will be turned into proper fully fledged resorts, so if you're thinking of purchasing a great value holiday home with plenty of potential, one of these places should be a consideration.

Krasiya

Krasiya resort is small but neat resort which is about to be redeveloped. Investors have already seen the potential on offer here.

Dolyna

Dolyna is a little known area, popular with cross country skiers, looking to 'get away from it all', recharge the batteries and have an enjoyable low cost holiday at the same time.

Pylypets/Podobovets

Podobovets is a resort with great potential and is now starting to grow quite quickly. It benefits from having 2 very large mountains which provide long ski runs of excellent quality.

Beskid

Along with Dragobrat, this ski area offers peaceful seclusion and a very healthy atmosphere. It opens up onto some of the best and most stunning Carpathian mountain countryside.

Sinyak

Sinyak is a budding resort which has some good sized hotels in it and good quality ski runs. All in all, this resort has great potential.

Polyana

Polyana is a breathtaking mix of thick forested mountains flanked by impressively imposing white peaks. Not well known by anyone outside the area.

Synevir

Synevir is currently more well known for its beautiful 'Blue Eyed' Lake than for its skiing facilities.

Yaremche

Yaremche is a particularly picturesque town/resort located at the foot of a mountain. Surrounding the town is open countryside which is popular with cross country skiers.

Vorokhta

Situated in a particularly high part of the Carpathians, the Vorokhta resort presents particularly good skiing conditions to any visitor.

Verkhovnya

Verkhovnya village is a postcard perfect traditional style village which has hot summers and long snowy winters with some ski slopes. Verkhovnya is a well kept secret of the Carpathians.

Kosiv

Kosiv is a good sized place which is on the up. Skiing facilities here are being improved now and tourism to the area has seen in a rise recently.

Yavoriv

The scenic town of Yavoriv is beautifully set in a region of mountain lakes and ski slopes. It combines traditional architecture with a forward moving and modern outlook. The town is now improving.

Other Ski resorts and Areas worth mentioning

The following are not as large as the above listed ones, but they do offer great potential. Most have some good ski slopes and accommodation is available, although this is mainly in the form of private rooms to rent, hostels or small family hotels. However, it is likely in future these places will grow into much larger holiday destinations, since Ukraine is an up and coming place. Some of the above resorts are seeing investment, so these are sure to follow.

• Lumshory
• Zhdenievo
• Solochyn
• Mizhhirya
• Huta
• Yablunytsya
• Yasinya
• Rakhiv
• Oryavchik

Map of Carpathian Ski Resorts

The map below shows most of the above ski resorts.

Crimean Mountain Ranges

The Crimean Mountain range is simply breath taking. Starting off right up in the clouds, they descend almost to the turquoise waters of the Black Sea. There are very few places in Europe that are as diverse as the Crimea. With mountains for skiing in winter and the fantastic beaches that can be found all around the peninsula, the all year round appeal is undeniable.

The Crimean even has micro-climates and you may travel from a densely lush area, to almost desert like regions. The contrasts are very striking and there is one common factor; the weather, even into early winter, is excellent. In fact, sunburn in November is not uncommon.