Bukovel. How to extend the Christmas holidays
The pre-holiday turmoil this year was especially pleasant and long-awaited, I wanted to plunge into the New Year's atmosphere as soon as possible and believe in a miracle again. St. Nicholas Day, New Year, Christmas, Generous Evening with Malanka and the Old New Year... They saw everyone, congratulated everyone, gave gifts to everyone and exchanged the kindest and brightest wishes, visited the main Christmas trees. So the plan of New Year and Christmas events can be considered fulfilled. But it wasn’t there, I still want a holiday, but it’s time to go to work... Apparently, this desire was so loud that our good friend heard or felt it, and without hesitation, he practically gathered us in an armful and, through simple manipulations, set off with us to extend this very holiday in Bukovel.
A three-day tour was chosen for the pen test, which turned out to be very convenient, even taking into account 2 night trips from and to Kyiv (Vlado-Tour company). At eight in the evening we left Kyiv, and at 9 in the morning we were already riding a hill! Our favorite type of travel (by car) would take more time and effort (since we need to rest after the road), we don’t like trains, and anyway we need to take a bus after the train to Ivano-Frankivsk for about 2 hours, so in this In this case, the bus trip was completely justified. The cost of the package tour included travel, accommodation in the village of Yasinya, insurance, two meals a day and a daily transfer to the hills. We were lucky enough to stay in a private garden with a pleasant hostess, Maria, who tried to be as helpful as possible, but at the same time completely unobtrusive. Breakfasts and dinners were delicious, homemade, and most importantly on time). Maria's contacts remained, if anyone is interested, I can advise. The distance from Yasin to Bukovel is 15 km, along the mountain road it is 30 minutes - just the time to finally wake up, or rest after skiing on the way home.
So, the resort itself. For the first time I had a chance to visit it in 2006, and after - a couple more times. Frankly, I'm not a skier at all, but a very mediocre one. Blue runs have always been my destiny (the easiest), but I rode with pleasure and without tension. Over the past 3 years, Bukovel has rather prettier and improved the quality of service, respectively, raising prices, but in my opinion, it is quite justified. The lifts are in excellent condition, their system is very convenient and allows you to get to absolutely all the slopes. The tracks are always covered, no hump, no stones, no earth (it is clear that by the evening they are not so perfect, but this is a natural process). A sufficient number of huts where you can warm yourself with hot tea or mulled wine. The staff is polite and helpful, with rudeness never had a chance to encounter. A large selection of ski passes (subscriptions for skiing) - from one-time to weekly, regular and VIP, giving the opportunity to go to the ski lifts without a queue through a separate corridor. Actually, we took such ski passes, and never regretted it because of the overpayment (especially on Saturday, when the number of tourists was quite large, which caused queues near the most popular ski lifts).
I want to add that in addition to the pleasure of skiing, we received a charge of vivacity and positive from contemplating the beauty of the Carpathian mountains. Arriving on the mountain quite early (usually at 8.30), climbing the lift even before the music in the complex is turned on, we admired the sunrise! So gentle, so warm, first illuminating the tops of centuries-old twilight, then peeking out from behind the turn of the track, playing in the whiteness of the morning snow! Peace and perfection of nature in its original form. Clean air and fluffy crisp snow. If you climb to the top of Mount Bukovel in sunny weather, you can see the most beautiful landscape, the highlight of which is the main peak of Ukraine - Hoverla. Well, at the highest point of the resort (mountain Dovga (1372 m)) a magnificent panorama opens up, which is pleasant to enjoy on the terrace of the Panorama restaurant of the same name with a cup of hot tea.
In addition to aesthetic pleasure, there is another significant plus from the early start of skiing. It is almost empty on the used hills, there are no snow mounds after the riders yet, you can ride plenty, especially on difficult ones (red and, for those who can, black, tracks). So thanks to these factors, on the third day, I conquered some red runs, which I was very happy about. A new achievement is always nice!
Bukovel is interesting not only for skiers and bordists, but also for "non-skating" tourists. Here you can go skating, quad bikes on special winter caterpillars and horses, even without equipment climb the tops of some (! ) Mountains and enjoy forest walks and endless horizons. On the territory of the complex there is a souvenir market, a karting center and other entertainment (the resort's website talks about this in some detail). Many residential complexes have good spa programs, and the sauna is a must-have for every self-respecting hotel. In addition, let's not forget about environmentally friendly products and folk cuisine. All these are the advantages of winter holidays. But the resort also operates in the summer season, the famous Artek has been moved there, and the variety of entertainment is quite large. But first of all, it is, of course, eco-tourism.
A three-day trip is good because even experienced skiers after 3 days of skiing recommend taking at least a day break to recuperate. In our case, we restored our strength already on the way home, charged with new impressions and mutual desire to repeat the trip next season.
All wonderful travels!
