SLAVSKO - you can and should drive!
Snow fell in Kyiv today, which means that winter has begun not only according to the calendar. We waited. I'm not waiting for winter in order to start summer soon. And in order to go to the mountains and ski down the mountain. How great is that!
This season I decided to ride in Slavsko, as I have never been to Slavsko in winter. But in order to avoid surprises, and to be prepared for the train, intelligence is needed on the spot. A week ago, for this purpose, my friends from the Association of Journalists of the Tourist Press Club of Ukraine, who are interested in all this, decided to visit Slavsko.
To get to Slavsko from Kyiv, the main thing is to take a train ticket. All trains in the direction of Uzhgorod or Chop stop Slavsko. My favorite train number 13 Kyiv-Uzhgorod. It leaves Kyiv at 20-06, and arrives in Slavsko at 7-40. The train is convenient in that I am at work during the day, I have time to go home for things, I rest and sleep at night, and upon arrival - a full day.
And here is the platform, we are met, five minutes by car and already in place. Our company is small, everyone is different, but one thing unites us - what's new in Slavsko, how things are with the road, how to entertain yourself, how and where to go skiing. And we decided to settle in the estate of the Arefievs. The owner Dima Arefiev met us on the platform. A beautiful 3-storey house provides an opportunity to accommodate everyone and with all amenities. Arefievas Dima and Oksana, hospitable hosts, hold annual plein-airs of artists, so paintings hang in all rooms in the house. Paintings with views of the Carpathians, flowers, portraits, which adds positive emotions to the house. You can buy the picture you like.
After the arrangement, we set off to get acquainted with Slavsko. The town itself is located in a valley between mountains full of blueberries, strawberries, mushrooms. The Opir River flows through the town with the Slavka River flowing into it. The cleanest air, as there is not a single industrial enterprise around at a distance of 100 kilometers. All this attracts guests and vacationers. And in winter - skiing. The glory of the ski resort has long been attached to Slavsko. To attract new tourists, you need to give something new. So they considered in the club "Karpaty" and installed and have already launched a new lift to Mount Pohar with a length of 1.1 km. When descending, the trail takes 1.5 km. An undoubted breakthrough is the acquisition of snow cannons and a snowcat. The ski season lasts two or three months and everyone does not have time to ski, the season can be extended only thanks to technology.
And next to the ski lift, construction of all related facilities is underway. And it is noteworthy that this is the closest lift from the station.
For those who want to completely merge with local customs and traditions, it is worth settling in the Four Seasons hotel complex. The complex consists of three houses. This is the "Boykovskaya hut" of three floors, designed to receive 10 people in four rooms with the characteristic names "Spring", "Summer", "Autumn", "Winter". "Hutsul's hut" fully corresponds to its name (it is noteworthy that on the second floor there are rooms with beds lying right on the floor, this is a miracle! ) and "Kolyba". Yes, yes, "Kolyba" is not for food, but for living. Has two floors. On the first floor there is a large dining hall, on the second floor there are two rooms "Lunar" and "Solar".
All the furniture of the complex is made of natural wood by local craftsmen.
And the zest of the complex is given by antiques: clothes, household utensils, musical instruments, furniture.
The complex has everything for leisure! For adults, a place for barbecue, for children, animals freely walking around the territory, ATVs and an armored personnel carrier, horses for horseback riding in the summer (there is a stable) and winter sledges - royal - in winter.
The whole complex is located among trees and firs, for vacationers it is an excellent use in the summer - daytime sleep in a hammock! When the heat comes, you can use the pool.
And in winter go skiing on the nearby mountain Volosyanka. Or, after driving a little further, take the High Top lift.
Vacationers from the Smerichka hotel complex come to High Top. This lovely hotel is the last one on the way out of Slavsko to the pass in Transcarpathia. What predetermined its paramount importance - to eat before the long journey. If desired, this can be done in a cafe or restaurant. The food here is excellent! We were fed an amazing mushroom soup and an equally amazing banosh. This is the national cuisine and they cook it in such a way that it is impossible to repeat it yourself. How to convey the smell of white Carpathian mushrooms? You need to come and dine at Smerichka.
After a hearty lunch, you can relax. This is included in the complex. First, a sauna, then billiards, and if you stay a few more days, then ATVs, bicycles, and hiking are at the service of vacationers. In winter, skiing and snowboarding. And in the evening karaoke at the bar. The entire complex "Smerichka" is compact and homely, for lovers of antiquity you can see interesting exhibits, the interior design of the entire complex is designed in the same style by a high-class woodcarver. The staff is patient and friendly. The rooms are equipped with everything you need, everything is clean, I liked the air in the rooms - probably, natural furniture smells like that. And yes, the prices are reasonable.
Across the river from Pogar is the well-known lift of the last century Politechnik. And if you want to live on the mountain almost next to the last lift stand, then the Alpiysky Dvor Hotel invites those who wish. The whole style of the hotel is designed according to the name. The hosts seem to say: We are in the mountains and we are in Europe. Complete set for relaxation. Restaurant and outdoor terrace, sauna and swimming pool in the yard, billiards and conference room, library on all floors in each hall. The rooms are full of minimalism, rationalism and good quality. And for a greater contemplation of nature in some rooms, the toilet rooms even have windows. And for the complete set, I inform you that there is Wi-Fi.
Evening is early, but what do they do in the evening? Have supper. The restaurant "Maxim" kindly agreed to feed us, this establishment is owned by the Arefyev family. The restaurant is famous in the city. Exhibitions and auctions for the sale of paintings are held here, all fans and connoisseurs of beauty come here from Ukraine and abroad. The restaurant has a small museum dedicated to alpine skiing, since Dima Arefiev was a famous sportsman in the past and has competed in slalom for our country more than once.
Well-fed and not completely tired, we set off to look for how to spend an evening in Slavsko. Of course we find out how. There is a bowling alley in the city. Great floor, balls, music, bar. Summary - there are places to spend evenings.
Tired, we return to rest in the Arefyevs' estate.
After all, in the morning we will have a program of acquaintance with Volosyanka. This village has almost completely merged with Slavsko, is located 8 km from the railway station Slavsko. Former name Polyanka. Indeed, the village is located in a valley at the foot of a mountain. After passing through the clearing, a wonderful castle opens up behind the trees. The spirit is captivating! Medieval castle. This is the Vezha Vedmezhya hotel complex. The main advantage for such a complex is its location away from the road surrounded by trees. The VIP-level castle hotel is equipped with the latest technology. Judge for yourself: satellite TV, telephone, safe, mini-bar, bathroom with shower, hairdryer in every room. Meals in the restaurant "Refectory" or visit the bar "Berloga". For seminars or conferences there is a conference hall, which easily turns into a cinema. Definitely a sauna. And despite this, the castle is filled with all the attributes of the Middle Ages. Women can try on dresses, men can try on armor, please try your hand at archery or crossbow. And here is the exhibition of the arsenal of weapons. Several types of guns. And next to it is a swimming pool, little animals-sheep for kids. The hotel is located on the banks of the Slavka River and a rope town is also built here. For big thrill-seekers, the construction of the second town is already being completed. His level will pull on the master of sports, probably. And more news. Paintball earned. Large area, many barriers and towers, excellent field. You can go to the mountains, pick mushrooms and berries. Just enjoy the mountain air and silence. And in winter it's a ski equipment rental. Hotel "Vezha Vedmezhya" is located 600 meters from the chair lift 2800 m long to Mount Vysokiy Verkh (1242 m). There are also three ski lifts with a length of 700.750 and 800 m.
And who does not want privacy, then very close to the ski lift to the High Top mountain stands the restored five-story building of the Zakhar Berkut tourist complex.
Here is such a trip-reconnaissance before the winter season in Slavsko. I am glad that the roads in the city were leveled. These are not paved new roads yet, but they are no longer potholes.
You can drive and it's worth it. Slavsko is ready for winter and is waiting for guests.
