Ski season started late: prices for the 2025/2026 season
31 December 2025 02:33
After a long wait and a warm winter, two ski resorts in Ukraine have officially announced the start of the ski season. We are talking about Play and Bukovel. Earlier, [Kommersant] wrote that neither ski resort was able to start the season before Christmas due to a lack of snow and warm weather.
Why the ski season started later than usual
Ukrainian ski resorts traditionally open in mid- or late December. However, the situation has changed for the 2025/2026 season:
- a long period of above-zero temperatures;
- a shortage of natural snow in the Carpathians;
- limited opportunities for artificial snowmaking due to the weather.
As a result, the resorts were forced to postpone the start of the season and wait for favorable conditions for snow cannons to work.
Play Resort: the season opened on December 27
The start of the season at the Play resort, located near the village of Plavia in Skole district, was announced on December 26 on the resort’s official Instagram page.
The actual start of skiing took place on Saturday, December 27.
What’s open at the start of the season
- the first ski lift and piste 1a;
- training ground;
- snow tubing (partially);
- children’s area.
The slopes are covered with snow, and snow cannons are actively working. The resort has also announced prices for the 2025/2026 season.
Bukovel: the season starts on December 28
Ukraine’s largest ski resort, Bukovel, has announced the opening of the season on Sunday, December 28. The announcement was made on December 26 on the resort’s official website.
“The countdown to the 2025-2026 ski season has begun. Very soon the first slopes will be opened at the resort,” the post says.
What has been launched in Bukovel since December 28
Slopes:
- 2C
- 5A
- 5B
- 12B
Transitions:
- B
- D
Excerpts:
- 2
- 5
- 12
Evening skiing starts on January 2.
How much does it cost to ski in Bukovel?
Prices for ski passes depend on the season:
- high season – 1500 UAH
(December 19 – January 1; January 7 – March 16) - new Year’s period – 1950 UAH
(January 2-6) - low season – from 907 UAH
(from March 17 to the end of the season)
What it means for tourists
- the ski season started late, but is gradually gaining momentum;
- a limited number of slopes and lifts are open at the start;
- resorts rely on artificial snowmaking;
- the full season will depend on the weather in January and February.
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