Ski Trip to Slavske {part 3}

Day 1 of skiing in Slavske was done at the smallest of 3 mountains in the area.  I'm not even sure what the name of the mountain is.  BUT, the ride up the mountain was one for the records.  You see, the roads in Slavske are covered in compacted ice/snow.  No sand or salt to help vehicles along.  That means that you need one heck of a vehicle to get around on the roads...

These hummer/jeep machines of a car are everywhere in Slavske.  They can handle anything, including driving over the frozen river (albeit with a car of alarmed passengers).

Vicki, ready to go skiing!  

Dan and Kym in the backseat (there are two more additional jump seats facing sideways in the back of the car).  Our skis went underneath the seats and are under Dan and Kym's feet.

The father that lived at the house we stayed at was our driver for the weekend.  Kolya made quite the pretty penny off of us because you need to take a taxi to get to the mountains.  But, it was well worth it.  So on the first day, not only did he drive us to the mountain, he drove us UP the mountain.  It was a riot of a ride and well worth my 20 UAH (less than $3 USD).

Kym and myself near the top of the mountain.  

Lydia in red, Kym in yellow

There we go! 

at the base of the mountain...not exactly a ski lodge, we'll save that for ski day #2 and 3.

At the bottom of one of the runs--all of the little huts/tables on the side are selling shaslik (shish kabobs), fried potatoes, and hot wine

Bennett and his bug goggles

Kymmy Gibbler and her banana yellow pants :)

Lydia, Vicki, Dan--the paper ticket that Dan has in his mouth was good for one ride up on the "t-bar" lifts.  To go halfway up the mountain cost 6 UAH (about 75 cents) and to take the t-bar all the way cost 8 UAH ($1 USD).  

To rent skis in Slavske ran about 50 UAH per day (around $6 USD).  Mine fit like a glove and worked pretty well once I remembered how to ski :)  Day 1 of skiing was good--a nice warmup, but day 2 and 3 were days for the books.  Pristine skies, 2-3 feet of fresh powder, a chairlift, doing my first black run (and moguls).  Yep, I'd go back in a heartbeat :) already planning next years ski trip!   It was some of the best skiing I've ever done...and you'll have to wait til tomorrow for those pics :)