The Carpathians are preparing for a full house: what are the prices for winter holidays and why Bukovel sets the highest bar

Demand for winter trips to the Carpathians is growing every day, and prices are changing rapidly depending on location and demand for holidays. Tourist regions are already almost full, and holidays in the mountains are becoming increasingly expensive, especially in the most popular destinations. Find out more about current prices, booking details and why Bukovel sets the highest standards

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Demand for holiday trips to the Carpathians is growing rapidly. According to Booking, almost 80% of accommodation has already been booked for the Christmas and New Year period. RBC-Ukraine talks about seasonal trends, price increases and the reasons why Bukovel remains the most expensive resort in Ukraine.

All the key findings on prices, booking conditions and opportunities for budget holidays are in our article.

Tourist season: lots of views, fewer bookings

Despite the traditional winter popularity of mountain regions, the overall situation is complicated. According to tourism market experts, a significant proportion of Ukrainians are postponing their trips.

Owners of mountain estates note that traffic on their websites is high, but not all visitors are converting to confirmed bookings. The most popular areas are a long line of locations from Verkhovyna to Yaremche, as well as Slavske, Dragobrat, Yasinya, Polianytsia, Bukovel, and Tatariv.

In the low season, a standard double room in Vorokhta or Yaremche costs approximately 1,200 UAH, with upgraded options costing up to 3,500 UAH. Against the backdrop of reduced demand, owners often agree to a 15-20% discount. That is why you can find options for around 1,000 UAH per night in key destinations.

Price increases before the winter holidays: what to expect?

Between 24 December and 8 January, the cost of accommodation increases by at least 50%. And even under such conditions, there are almost no offers left — most hotels and guesthouses in popular locations are already fully booked.

Experts note that owners are trying not to raise prices sharply, as a significant portion of Ukrainians simply cannot afford a more expensive holiday. At the same time, a new factor has appeared on the market, namely legalisation checks on private estates, after which some of the properties are transferred to commercial utility rates, which increases costs for owners.

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Bukovel: the premium segment that dictates the rules

The highest prices are traditionally set by Bukovel and neighbouring Polianytsia. Here, the ‘starting price’ for standard rooms is from 2,125 UAH, improved rooms from 3,000 UAH, spa hotels from 4,500 UAH, and suites reach 10,000 UAH and above. Even in the off-season, many hotels do not drop below this threshold, offering a maximum discount of 20%.

Chalets in Vorokhta and Yaremche start at 4,500 UAH per night, and in Bukovel — from 6,500 UAH, with villas up to 12,000 UAH.

Demand remains stable. The resort does not need 100% occupancy; about 60% of premium guests, which Bukovel targets, is enough. That is why accessibility here is low and prices are high.

Ski passes are also becoming more expensive: in high season, a day of skiing costs about 1,500 UAH, and during the New Year period — 1,900 UAH.

Over the past few years, winter conditions in the Carpathians have become increasingly unstable — warm winters are reducing the natural snow cover. Resorts are saving the season by using artificial snow. Because of this, many Ukrainians are shifting their travels to the summer months, when demand is consistently high.

Where can you find budget options for skiing?

For those who want to go to the mountains without spending a lot, the best locations are Slavske and Dragobrat.

In Slavsko, standard accommodation costs from 900 UAH in the low season and 1,200–1,900 UAH during the Christmas period. There are also luxury rooms available from 5,000 UAH.

Dragobrat is more expensive: from 2,000 UAH on regular dates and from 3,200 UAH on holidays. In nearby Yasinya, options are still available for 1,200–1,500 UAH, but you need to factor in the additional transfer.

Lift prices vary significantly: last year in Slavske, a day pass cost 700–850 UAH. Dragobrat has a system of single and package lifts: one lift costs 150 UAH, 10 lifts cost 800 UAH, and 20 lifts cost 1,400 UAH.

Ethno-tours for Christmas: demand is only growing

Ethno-tours are a separate category of winter recreation. Kryvorivnya stands out in particular, where the holidays turn into a large carnival performance with authentic Hutsul traditions.

Prices depend on the route and number of days:

— 3 days from Lviv — about 3,700 UAH;

— 2 days from Chernivtsi — from 5,100 UAH;

— 5 days from Kyiv — about 9,250 UAH.

If you don't want to look for accommodation, plan routes, and worry about logistics, the most convenient option is ready-made tours of Ukraine. The Visit Ukraine portal offers winter trips to the most popular locations. Ready-made programmes, transfers, reservations, and support — everything is included.

Choose your tour on Visit Ukraine and discover Ukraine without any hassle!

Reminder! Winter in Ukraine is a time for cosy trips, thermal pools, atmospheric cities and fairytale landscapes. Even on a small budget, you can find locations that will give you vivid impressions and a break from the hustle and bustle. We tell you about the best places for winter trips in Ukraine here.

Photo: Wikipedia

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