Trostian (1,232 m a.s.l.) is a rewarding destination in the Skoliv Beskyds of the Ukrainian Carpathians — a mountain that wears two very different faces depending on the season. In summer it offers a peaceful grassy summit with open views; in winter it transforms into one of the liveliest ski resorts in western Ukraine, right next to the town of Slavske.
The peak rises from a clearly defined massif bounded by the valleys of the Opir and Holovchanka rivers. Its northeastern slopes are steep (30–40°) and blanketed in spruce forest, while the southern flanks are gentler and more open. The summit itself is flat and grassy — a fine spot to take in the rolling Carpathian ridges around you. In winter, ski runs fan out in three directions — east, north and west — with runs ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 metres in length and catering to different ability levels. The atmosphere on the slopes is warm and informal, with food and drinks available at every section of the mountain.
How to reach the summitTrostian holds a quirky place in history — it was here that the first hang-gliding rally ever held in the USSR took place, bringing together 25 athletes from 11 cities across Ukraine, Russia and Latvia.
Source: Wikipedia (license CC BY-SA 4.0)