Picture this! Vast plains covered in fluffy white, transparent ice popsicles decorating every roof, downy piles of snow hanging heavily on pine tree branches making them bend under its seamless weight and millions of feathery snowflakes falling down from the sky and slowly turning into droplets as they touch the warmth of your hands. This is Bucovina in winter!
There is no doubt that this winter wonderland is really going to worth your while if you are on a look out for a stunning scenery. The snowfalls here can be so heavy sometimes that they can reach more that one meter in height and temperatures can go as low as -10 degrees Celsius. So yes, enjoying this magical winter fairytale comes with a price, that of facing the cold, sometimes harsh weather. But, after you’ve seen the breathtaking landscapes that Bucovina has to offer, I promise you’ll not regret it! Bonus- you’ll have a lot of social media material 😉
If you would like to enjoy nature but at the same time get those endorphins going, you can give the nearby ski slopes a try. The Soimul Ski slope is among the most popular ones in the area and is conveniently situated next to the place we were staying at.
It’s about 1.500 km long and at least 8 m in width so there is enough space to enjoy yourself. It also has snow canons, a chair lift, night lighting and a sleigh slope. However, the Soimul Ski slope is quite steep and is considered a difficult slope, so if you do not have that much experience with skiing it’s probably best if you stick to the sleigh or a glass of mulled wine 🙂
Another beautifully situated ski slope is the Rarau Ski Resort. This resort is a little bit further from the accommodation, compared to the first one. You’ll have to travel about an hour with your car to get there but don’t worry, you will not get bored on the way. In fact, you’ll have a lot to see because the slope is situated in one of the most spectacular natural reserves from Romania, the Rarau- Giumalau Mountain Reservation- which is another captivating travel experience, but I will tell you more about it at a later time.
The Rarau Sky Resort opened for business in 2019, so it’s a pretty new and modern resort. It has one long ski slope (2.850 m), of medium difficulty, a state of the art gondola, nine snow canons and a very spacious parking lot. At the top of the ski slope, they have a small open air bar where you can catch your breath and warm your hands with a cup of tea or coffee, while admiring the view from the comfort of the strategically placed bin bag chairs.
But if you’re not that much into sports, don’t worry 😉 I’ve got something nice for you, too! How about a horse and carriage ride through the lush forests of Bucovina!? 🙂
The tour takes about two hours and it is very relaxing and not to mention, incredibly romantic. Our guide was very nice and gave us a lot of information about the forest and the animals it shelters. And, if you are lucky enough, you might even meet a few cute deers along the way 🙂
To sum up, I believe that Bucovina is wonderful all year round, but it is fascinatingly beautiful during winter 🙂
P.S. If you are interested in the activities and locations I’ve mentioned in the article, let me know in the comments section.
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