From 29 August to 1 September, Plast Victoria’s annual Lesh Tabir (Ski Camp) brought together scouts, parents, and friends for another unforgettable long weekend — this time at the Kalyna Ukrainian Ski Lodge, Mt Hotham.
After a week of heavy snowfall, participants arrived on Friday to find Mt Hotham blanketed in deep white powder — a true winter wonderland! Though the weather and visibility were poor and the lifts weren’t running that day, spirits remained high. Chefs Stefan and Katya Danylak welcomed everyone with a gourmet dinner, setting the tone for a cozy and cheerful start to the camp. The kids, undeterred by the fog, spent the evening building snowmen outside the lodge.
Saturday – Hitting the Slopes
The first full day of camp began bright and early with ski lessons in the morning. The mountain came alive with laughter, snowflakes, and a few beginner tumbles. After a hearty lunch back at the lodge, families headed out again for afternoon ski practice, making the most of the improving conditions.
As the sun set, a friendly snowball fight broke out — with no clear winner! — followed by an exciting night-skiing session under the lights, a magical experience for both first-timers and seasoned skiers.
Sunday – Skills and Smiles
By Sunday morning, everyone had mastered the art of putting on and taking off ski gear — a major achievement in itself! The beginners showed huge progress, gliding more confidently down the slopes after a full day and night of practice.
The afternoon brought a change of pace with some tobogganing fun, while the evening wrapped up with a lively trivia night, testing everyone’s brains after a day of testing their balance. Laughter and team spirit filled the Kalyna lodge late into the night.
Monday – Closing the Camp
On Monday morning, campers enjoyed one final ski lesson before gathering for zakryttia, the official closing ceremony. There were warm words of thanks, proud smiles, and plenty of tired but happy faces as everyone packed up for the journey home.
A heartfelt thank you to Komendant Michael Herczaniwski, the bulava and organisers, and our incredible chefs Stefan and Katya Danylak for keeping everyone fuelled with delicious meals all weekend.
We were extremely lucky — both with the abundance of snow and the excellent weather that allowed most lifts to reopen from Saturday afternoon onwards.
It was another truly memorable Lesh Tabir — filled with learning, laughter, good company, and the unmistakable warmth of the Plast community.
SKOB!
Hotuis’!
