THERE IS SNOW IN SLAVKO, BUT IT'S HIGH
Tourist boom continues in the famous ski resort of Slavsko. Thousands of mountain skiers storm the slopes of the surrounding mountains. And if the vagaries of the weather do not allow riding near the house, then the highlands save. Long-running slopes on the mountains Trostyan, Vysokiy Verkh or a relatively new descent on Mount Ilza welcome their fans.
As always, the reason was an unexpected call.
– Are you coming?
- Of course, I'm going! And what can be the answer. Something bewitched these green mountains. Whether its primordial harsh beauty. Or special, crystal clear air, which you can’t breathe in any way. Or maybe something else elusive, hard to perceive, which is simply called the soul of the local region.
Oh dear. . .
How to get to Slavsko? At first glance, there is nothing easier. However, if you look closely, questions arise.
The main transit point is Lviv. And the fastest way to get here is by plane. Flight time varies from one to one and a half hours. The real time will be at least 4 - 5 hours. This is subject to travel to and from the airport and check-in. To this it should be added that the weather often interferes with the plans of passengers. And you can get stuck in the waiting room for a very long time. In addition, upon arrival in Lviv, you still need to get directly to the mountains.
It is about 700 kilometers from Kyiv to Slavsko by car. 300 kilometers to Rivne after repairs can be passed in one breath. And then there are frequent problems in the form of traffic jams on the roads of the Lviv region. And, again, the main deterrent is the weather.
Only trains go directly from Kyiv to Slavsko. On average, it takes 12 hours. Moreover, these compounds are almost always filled to capacity. Although, there is one caveat. In Lviv, wagons are usually half empty. For many years there has been talk of running the train directly. That is, through Ternopil - Rohatyn - Stry. And the railway has such an opportunity. The only obstacle is the small-town selfishness of the Lviv people.
If you take tickets for a month, no problem. What if it's urgent? Like tomorrow? In this case, it is unlikely that everything will turn out so smoothly.
For free travelers to choose from the very simple folk trains. Of course the comfort is far from the same. But it's cheap and you can always leave. The total travel time will be a little over a day. Not that big of a deal, I must say. But it's safe. Until recently, high-speed electric trains were very convenient. However, not so long ago they were renamed into regional, and then into high-speed express trains. And the price immediately increased several times.
There remains a whole scattering of bus routes. Moreover, this type of transport can be reached directly even to the regional center of Stryi. And then there is very little left. And without any problems.
Gone are the days when in order to get a coveted ticket it was necessary to go to the bus station. And to stand, as a rule, a huge queue. The Internet has made this process much easier. In addition, specialized sites have appeared.
Therefore, tickets are sold exclusively with a guarantee of seat availability and boarding the bus. In addition, all passengers are insured. And the ticket price includes all mandatory taxes, fees and charges, including the bus station fee.
In this case, a ticket was purchased for the flight Kyiv - Truskavets. The CETRA model bus is not the newest, but quite comfortable and quite cozy. On the way, stops in Zhytomyr, Novograd-Volynsky, Rivne, Dubno. And at the request of passengers, it makes a stop near the Lviv railway station.
From here it is easy to go to Slavsko by train or bus. But, since the trip is almost official, organized by the Association of Journalists “Tourist Press Club of Ukraine” and the Lviv Regional State Administration, a minibus is already waiting for the guests.
The distance from Lviv to Slavsky is one hundred and forty kilometers. Travel time, two - two and a half hours.
From time immemorial. . .
The history of Slavsko is connected with the Kiev prince Svyatopolk and goes back to ancient times. In Russian chronicles, the first mention of these places dates back to 1015. After the death of the Grand Duke of Kiev Vladimir Svyatoslavich, a cruel fratricidal war began between his heirs. Svyatopolk, nicknamed the Accursed, kills princes Boris and Gleb.
Their brother, Svyatoslav Vladimirovich, frightened, flees to the Carpathians. However, in the upper reaches of the Opir River, the envoys of Svyatopolk overtake the prince of the Drevlyansky. His symbolic grave is located above the river. And the village "Slavsko" was named in memory of him.
The natural location of the Beskid and Gorgan mountain ranges around the village has created a unique microclimate with a lot of snowfall in winter. Slavsko began to develop as a winter recreation center since the 18th century, when Galicia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Skolev lands, sold by Count Pototsky to another Count Yevgeny, together with the entire Tukhol region, then passed into the hands of new entrepreneurs - Gredel and Schmidt.
Clever businessmen set up boarding houses here: picturesque places, mild climate attracted noble nobles here. Gredel's firms profited thousands of Romans by serving wealthy tourists. Hotels, a climate therapy station, a springboard are being built in Slavsko....
In the 20-30s of the XX century, mountain lifts and ski jumps were built. But Slavsko began to acquire special development in the 1970-1980s. More than ten lifts were built on the slopes of the mountains. Until the end of the 1980s, Slavsko became the leading ski resort in the USSR. Annual championships and international competitions were held here. After the 90s, several more ski lifts and a large number of comfortable private hotels were built in Slavsko.
How guests are received
Today, everyone welcomes tourists in Slavsko. Or almost everything. Weak and notorious loafers do not count. Accordingly, houses are built with the expectation of receiving more or less numerous guests. The owners themselves live in a separate annex or together with visitors.
It is gratifying to note that the situation with housing has changed significantly. Previously, the services of several bases, a couple of sanatoriums, and ubiquitous grandmothers were offered. Now everywhere, like mushrooms after the rain, numerous cottages have grown, often not inferior in level to the royal towers. Some of them even have their own websites.
Although, anyway, word of mouth remains the most preferred method of advertising. Those who have previously settled, recommend to their friends and acquaintances. Those, in turn, to their acquaintances. Etc. Prices are different, from symbolic for a couple of square meters on the floor to infinity. As they say for every taste and budget.
Ride and survive
But, after all, people do not come here just to sit in rooms, even the most luxurious ones. I also want to see the world. And here you can not do without local taxis. These are exclusively good old UAZs. People call them goats in a simple way.
For some reason, an old story that supposedly happened several decades ago immediately comes to mind. Somehow, the army of one of the Scandinavian countries announced a tender for the supply of vehicles for command personnel. The Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant also sent its products to the competition. The answer was shocking. Sorry, but we have to refuse. Our officers do not want to die before their soldiers....
Whatever it was, these unpretentious machines have been faithfully serving their owners for many years. Of course, there is no need to talk about even elementary comfort. But there are undeniable advantages. In terms of cross-country ability, only a tank can argue with this work of automotive technology. In the mountains, you can't do without it.
My sweet home
This is true, even if you only live a couple of days. Boarding house Slavsky (http://www. slavsk. com. ua/) was built in 1989. But it doesn't look ugly at all. Just the case when age is not felt. Because maintenance repairs take place almost constantly.
57 rooms can accommodate 120 guests. And there are plenty to choose from. The highlights are the outdoor pool, sauna, ozocerite and physiotherapy departments. Here you can not only relax, but also improve your health.
For those who like to eat in the morning, a buffet in the Ukrainian interpretation is offered. There is plenty to choose from and plenty. And in the evening, after a busy pastime, you can relax in a cozy bar.
The double room has everything you need. Particularly pleased with the inherited huge double bed. There are places to fall apart. And, for example, to watch some kind of movie on a satellite channel. By the way, a small surprise in the form of a chocolate candy awaits the newly arrived guests. A trifle, but nice.
Only mountains can be better than mountains
Being in the mountains and not climbing to the top is nonsense. Moreover, a new track has recently been built on Mount Ilsa. But to get to the top you have to use those same unkillable UAZ vehicles. And let it be a brand new Patriot, but the breed is felt in everything. But there is a guarantee that you will get there.
The distance from Slavske is about twelve kilometers. And the last third of the mountain, sometimes icy serpentine. But, the rise is worth the spent nerves. Moreover, there are old authentic Carpathian houses along the way. Not to mention the beautiful views of the mountains and valleys.
At the top is the recreation center "Ilz". A three-storey cottage with 20 rooms can accommodate up to 50 people, a two-storey cottage for 6-8 people. In addition, a fine restaurant with 50 seats and an obligatory sauna. And also a playground, a gazebo, a barbecue, a summer pool.
But the main route, starting literally from the door. There is a tow lift seven hundred and fifty meters long. The height difference is one hundred and fifty meters. The track is wide enough and equipped with night lighting. This is a good place to start for beginners. But more experienced skiers will also enjoy.
You feel a special flavor when the mountain is covered in fog. You can't see anything at five meters. But, does that stop anyone!
Rest all year round
In general, you can find a lot of interesting things in Slavske and its environs. And the most advanced hosts also try to present something special to tourists. So the hotel complex "Four Seasons" (http://slavsko. lviv. ua) once began with a three-story wooden cottage. Over time, several more solid wooden cottages joined him. And today it is a real ethnographic museum. The difference from the canons lies in the fact that all this splendor was created for receiving guests.
Boykovskaya hut, capable of providing a warm welcome for 10 people, stretched for as many as three floors. It is interesting that at the very top each room is dedicated to its season - "Spring", "Summer", "Autumn" and "Winter". Hutsul craftsmen built their house with two exits. And traditionally, lounges correspond to their seasons.
There is a hut a little higher. True, unlike the real one, tourists also live here. Two rooms are equipped for them - "Lunar" and "Solar". Stables nearby. Guests have a unique opportunity to take a horse ride through the ridges of green mountains. In addition, they can ride ATVs.
And so that guests on the street are not bored, they are entertained by a whole zoo. Moreover, all this living creature freely roams the territory, begging for treats from guests. And somehow everything is adjusted, harmonized. Looking at such friendship, and people's mood rises, all troubles are forgotten.
Recently, one more highlight has been added to the long list of entertainment - the development of pottery. Now everyone can feel like a master. And this process is really exciting!
On the surface, everything seems simple. But it turns out you even need to be able to turn the potter's wheel. And most importantly - centering. In other words, to keep the piece of clay in the center of the potter's wheel all the time. But he doesn't want to. And he constantly strives to escape somewhere.
But what a pleasure when you still get something. It is possible with a clear conscience to announce upon arrival to all relatives, acquaintances and friends that this is my job!
(Ending follows)
