Bukovel

Bukovel, the preeminent ski resort in Eastern Europe, is situated in the scenic Carpathian Mountains of western Ukraine. About 1.3 kilometers from the village of Polianytsia, this well-known winter destination in the Nadvirna Raion of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast sits 900 meters above sea level. Bukovel has evolved from a small ski area to a world-class resort drawing guests from all around the world since its nature as a tourism hotspot causes seasonal fluctuations in population.

The tale of Bukovel’s ascent to prominence started in 2000 when a joint venture between Scorzonera Ltd. and Horizont AL planned an all-year-round tourist and recreational complex. The founding of the resort was characterized by careful preparation and worldwide teamwork. Experts from Plan-Alp in Austria and Ecosign in Canada were invited in to investigate possible ski fields and cableways, completing the master plan that would define Bukovel’s future.

The resort developed quickly, adding fresh ideas and enhancements every year. Launched on Mount Bukovel’s northern slope late 2001, the first 691-meter ski lift Shortly later, in 2002, a 1000-meter chairlift ropeway on the northwest slope of the mountain was finished. With new slopes and lifts added yearly, the next years showed constant increase. The 2A ski run with a chairlift debuted in 2003; the 7A ski run with a surface lift opened in 2004.

The course of growth for Bukovel has been simply amazing. From a small start with just 48,000 guests in 2003, the resort saw explosive rise in visitor count. Bukovel welcomed 206,000 visitors in the 2005-2006 season—a number almost doubled to 400,000 in the 2006-2007 season. With 850,000 visitors, the 2008–2009 season marked still another noteworthy achievement. This increasing trend persisted, and by the 2010–2011 winter season, Bukovel had an amazing 1,200,000 daily visits, with international visitors making 8–10% of the total. In 2012, Bukovel became the fastest-growing ski resort globally thanks to this amazing rate of expansion.

The present infrastructure of the resort reflects its fast development. Bukovel today has 17 ski lifts covering about 60 kilometers of pistes. With 61 piste sections carefully arranged to guarantee a safe and fun experience for all, the resort suits skiers of all ability levels. Twelve of these are Blue runs, ideal for novices locating their snow legs. Of the 41 total, most—41—are Red runs, which provide intermediate skiers interesting challenges. Eight Black runs offer the best test of ability and nerve for most experienced and thrills-seeking guests.

With the resort spread over five mountains—Dovha (1,372 m), Bukovel (1,127 m), Bulchinekha (1,455 m), Babiy Pohar (1,180 m), and Chorna Kleva (1,241 m)—Bukovel’s topography is among its most remarkable aspects. Along with varied skiing opportunities, this varied terrain presents amazing panoramic views of the Carpathian countryside. Mount Dovha at 1,372 meters tops the resort; the base sits at 900 meters, resulting in a total vertical drop of 472 meters that promises both skiers and snowboarders equally exciting descents.

The resort’s dedication to providing a world-class skiing experience is clear in its careful slope maintenance and contemporary conveniences. Even in cases of limited natural snowfall, all runs are meticulously planned with a grass basis and equipped with snow cannons to guarantee best skiing conditions all season. The slopes are positioned deliberately to shield from direct sunlight, preserving the quality of the snow. Three of the runs are lit for those who like night skiing, extending the skiing day far into the evening.

Designed to reduce wait times and maximize time on the slopes, Bukovel’s lift system is also rather remarkable. The resort runs one three-person, one two-person, one T-bar lift in addition to eleven four-person chair lifts. With up to 34,700 people per hour, this large network guarantees effective movement between runs from the resort’s 15,000 simultaneous skiers.

Bukovel provides specialist runs for those looking for particular challenges. While a dedicated mogul run (1A) offers a testing ground for those who enjoy the technical challenge of negotiating bumps and jumps, a professional giant slalom course suits competitive skiers looking to refine their racing skills.

The evolution of Bukovel has not been without complexity, especially with regard to ownership. Some of the Bukovel resort came under state ownership in December 2016 after PrivatBank was nationalized. This sparked debates on the resort’s future since the state-owned portion is up for auction in October 2018. The section of the resort owned by Privatbank would be sold by March 2020, ushering a new chapter in Bukovel’s continuing narrative.