Winter Tourism in the New Reality: How Mountain Communities Operate This Season Amidst Energy Challenges

Shelling, blackouts, heating issues, and freezing temperatures – these are the current realities of life for Ukrainians. Yet, despite these hardships, the country does not stop. Businesses are adapting, investing in alternative power sources, and continuing to operate.

In spite of all these challenges, the tourism industry has officially opened its winter season. The State Agency for Tourism Development (SATD) spoke with several representatives of mountain communities to discuss how businesses are adapting to today’s conditions.

Winter arrived late in the Carpathians this year. A warm, snowless December delayed the start of the season, and when the frosts finally arrived, they were accompanied by power outages lasting 7–8 hours a day.

Vorokhta

In the Vorokhta community, the lion's share of businesses consists of small cottages ranging from 200 to 500 square meters. Operating these requires generators with a capacity of 7–12 kW. One such generator costs an owner approximately 2,000–3,000 UAH per day in fuel. For large hotels, the scale of expenses is significantly higher.

"Businesses are resilient and determined; everyone is trying to ensure guest comfort. Generators cover basic needs: heating, lighting, and kitchen operations. Sometimes capacity isn’t enough—hot water might disappear temporarily—but guests respond with understanding and are grateful for the entrepreneurs' efforts to provide amenities," says Oleh Moldavchuk, head of the community's tourism council and a local business owner.

According to him, the average stay is 3–4 days. Most tourists come from western regions and the capital. Demand dipped slightly during sudden cold snaps and blizzards due to travel difficulties but has stabilized over the last few weeks. Interestingly, people from central regions are traveling to the mountains just to spend some time in warmth and with consistent light.

Slavsko

The situation in Slavsko is similar but has its own nuances. Thanks to sufficient snow cover, the Trostian, Zakhar Berkut, and Pohar slopes are open and fully equipped for skiing.

The Zakhar Berkut ski resort is fully equipped with generators, allowing the ski lifts to operate independently of blackout schedules. Trostian and Pohar function during periods of centralized power supply. Infrastructure—including hotels, restaurants, and warming stations—remains stable even in freezing temperatures.

Community officials noted that demand is more predictable this year. There is no excessive influx during weekdays; instead, the main flow occurs on weekends. A notable trend this winter is the rise of youth tourism, with an increase in organized school groups—a phenomenon previously more common in the summer.

Bukovel

Bukovel operates under a different energy model. The resort imports electricity from European Union countries, pre-ordering the necessary capacity. While the cost of this energy is significantly higher than the standard rate, it allows the resort to minimize risks, avoid the logistical hurdles of diesel generators, and reduce environmental impact. Stable power here is the result of direct investment in energy resilience.

"Since 2022, the resort has run a Recovery Program for the military and their families in cooperation with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This includes a week-long stay with accommodation, meals, and access to attractions like the MAVKA Waterpark, the Ferris Wheel, and the 'Hutsul Land' ethnopark. To date, 27,000 military personnel and their families have participated, with total investments exceeding 250 million UAH," representatives of Bukovel’s Office of Sustainable Development shared.

This winter season in the Carpathians is a testament to the exhausting work of Ukrainian businesses. Operating under limited resources, calculating every expense, and adapting to energy deficits and unpredictable weather, entrepreneurs are doing their utmost so that their guests can spend at least a few days in the mountains to recover and breathe in relative safety.

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