An abnormally warm winter and lack of snow are not a hindrance if the skis are waxed, a new helmet is purchased, and thermal underwear lies ironed on the top shelf. The main question is where to go this year and, most importantly, how to make your vacation affordable. How to replace Austrian Sölden and the Italian Dolomites – in the winter review of OneTwoTrip.
Dombay, Karachay-Cherkess Republic
Pearl of the Caucasus – that’s what Dombay is called. They love the resort for its unique and picturesque nature and elusive atmosphere of comfort and tranquility. Dombay lifts “throw” skiers and snowboarders to a maximum height of 3168 meters.
There are more than 10 trails on the slope; more precisely, it is difficult to estimate due to the lack of markings, and their total length is 20 kilometers. The resort has six chairlifts and the same number of drag lifts. Most of the trails are for comfortable skiing: moderate slope, smooth terrain, few bumps.
Dombay has a wide variety of cafes and restaurants, mainly Caucasian cuisine, which serve excellent trout. There are two popular discos (both at the Mountain Tops hotel). There is bowling, a swimming pool, horse riding and easy walking trails.
The ski season in Dombay lasts from December 20 to April 15. The thickness of the snow cover in some places reaches 3 meters.
How to get there: by plane to Mineralnye Vody.
Question price: Ski-pass for 1 day 1,400, for 5 days – 5,850 rubles.
Khibiny, Kirovsk
Kirovsk, like no other, can boast of an advantageous location: a city on the shore of Lake Bolshoy Vudyavr, surrounded on three sides by mountains. There are 4 ski areas nearby: Mount Aykuaivenchorr, ski complex “Bolshoi Vudyav”, ski complex “Aykuay”, Mount Kukisvumchorr and Mount Sparrow in Apatity.
The most interesting is Mount Aykuaivenchorr (GK “Bolshoi Vudyav”),
located 30 minutes from Kirovsk, the length of which is about 35 kilometers, 15 of which have artificial lighting. The slopes are aimed at both real pros and beginners. Six drag lifts and one chairlift help you move between the slopes. Extreme sports enthusiasts will appreciate the freestyle ski jumps and ski jumpers.
For older children and beginner skiers and snowboarders, there is a special training slope staffed by experienced instructors. And the Bolshoy Vudyavr ski complex is also covered by Wi-Fi networks, so you can immediately send photos from your skiing to Instagram.
The duration of the ski season is from November to June. The best time in Khibiny is March-April.
How to get there: by plane to Apatity or Murmansk.
Question price: Ski-pass for 1 day 1,300, for 5 out of 7 days – 5,400 rubles.
Sheregesh, Kemerovo region
The best trails in Western Siberia are located in Sheregesh. During the 2014-2015 season, more than a million tourists visited here, making it one of the most popular ski resorts in Russia. The trails are located on the slopes of Mount Zelenaya, at the foot of which there are about 50 hotels, hotels and chalets. The highest point of ascent is 1570 meters above sea level. In total, Mount Zelenaya is surrounded by 15 slopes from (green to black) and 19 lifts of various types: rope tows, chairlifts, gondolas.
In terms of skiing, Sheregesh is known for its large amount of snow and off-piste skiing. The thickness of the snow cover in some places reaches four meters. Professionals will appreciate the opportunity to ride on virgin soil in the forest. The slopes have the international FIS standard because the Russian Championship stage is held on these slopes.
The ski area is formed from four peaks – mountains Mustag, Zelenaya, Kurgan and Utuya. The mountain is divided into 3 sectors – Sector A and Sector E, Southern Sector (“Malca”, formerly “Skyway”). Ski-pass can be purchased for all zones or for each separately
In Sheregesh there are sports equipment stores, a ski-board school and a Tumbler ski nursery. As well as restaurants and cafes at the foot and top of Mount Zelenaya. Dining room, bar. Bowling center (12 lanes),
billiards. Disco club. Saunas, Russian baths.
The ski season lasts from November to May.
How to get there: by plane to Novokuznetsk, and then 200 kilometers by bus.
Pricing price: a single “Big” ski-pass for 1 day costs 1,400 rubles (for ski lifts «Cascade», « Malka», «Sector E»). “Small” ski-pass for 1 day – 1,000 rubles.
Krasnaya Polyana, Krasnodar region
The unique resort village of Krasnaya Polyana is located 42 km from the Black Sea, on the southern side of the Main Caucasus Ridge. Thanks to this location, the climate here is extremely mild, which makes for pleasant skiing.
The most remarkable resort of the village is Rosa Khutor, which provides the opportunity to practice both winter and summer mountain sports. Rosa Khutor is home to 80% of all ski slopes in Krasnaya Polyana. Before the 2014 Olympics, their total length was 77 kilometers, and after the sports festival, the routes stretched for almost 100 kilometers. They are connected by 5 gondola and 13 chairlifts. This is the largest ski area in Russia, the elevation changes reach 1535 meters.
Due to the fact that the resort’s infrastructure is widely distributed throughout the valley, rest after skiing is mainly limited to gatherings in bars and restaurants at hotels.
How to get there: by plane to Sochi.
Question price: the cost of a ski pass per day depends on the season. Until December 25, it costs 1,100 rubles, from December 26 to January 10 – 2,500, and from January 11 to March 31 – 1,950 rubles. Skiing for 5 days in a row in the “high season” – 11,300 rubles.
Tsey, Republic of North Ossetia
The Tsey resort is located on the northern slopes of the Caucasus Range (on the map). This is a land of majestic snowy peaks, wild and fast mountain rivers, glaciers and magnificent landscapes, which is a junction of ski routes of the most varied complexity.
The resort is located along the gorge, at the foot of Mount Adaikhoh, at altitudes of 1910–2870 m. Seven trails of different difficulty levels have been prepared for athletes: 2 red, 2 blue and 3 black. The total length of the slopes is 7.7 kilometers. The slopes are covered with a 2-3 meter layer of snow. The season in Tsey usually lasts from January to early April, and in especially snowy years – until May.
On the territory of the ski complex there is a stable and an equipment rental center, and there are mountaineering and alpine skiing instructors. In hotels and hotels, guests can enjoy hotels and karaoke bars, saunas and swimming pools, baths and exercise equipment, billiards and table tennis. Excursions to the protected areas of the Tseysky Gorge are organized from the city. The gorge contains one of the most famous historical monuments in North Ossetia — sanctuary Recom.
How to get there: the nearest airport is in Vladikavkaz, then by regular bus.
Mount Moroznaya, Kamchatka Territory
Mount Moroznaya is a popular ski center in Kamchatka, where representatives of the Russian national alpine skiing team train. From the top there is a breathtaking view of the Koryaksky and Avachinsky volcanoes.
Moroznaya offers mountain skiing enthusiasts 5 pistes with a slope of 10 to 30 degrees, including one for children. The total length of the slopes suitable for skiing is 2100 meters, and three lifts help you reach them. And there is a wellness center next to the resort.
Be sure to take into account that heavy snowfalls and blizzards often occur in Kamchatka during February-March.
How to get there: Moroznaya Mountain is located ten minutes from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Airport.
Pricing price: Ski-pass for the whole day – 1,100 rubles on weekdays, 1,600 rubles on weekends.
Gudauri, Georgia
Gudauri is located on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus Range. And this resort is equipped with the latest technology.
The average height is 2153 meters above sea level. The lower station of the lift is at an altitude of 1990 meters, and the upper one is at 3307.
The total length of the trails is 50 kilometers. The height of snow cover on the slopes reaches 1.5 meters. There are 22 slopes for skiers. The wide open slopes of Gudauri provide opportunities for snowboarding and powder skiing. The lifts can simultaneously serve 11,000 vacationers.
Professional skiers will enjoy the slalom, giant slalom, super-G and downhill courses. All of them are FIS-certified. Guaranteed snow cover – from the second half of December to May. Despite the fact that the resort is located high in the mountains, the weather typical for Gudauri — warm and sunny.
How to get there: by plane to Tbilisi. Then 120 kilometers to Gudauri by bus.
Pricing price: Ski-pass for the whole day 875 rubles for adults, card for 5 days – 3,986 rubles.
