“Nature has no bad weather,” and each season has its own special charm. So, if summer attracts with beaches and warm seas, then winter has other treasures in store. Cold weather is the best time to go high, high into the mountains, where fresh snow glistens in the sun and the blue sky rings with frost, ski or snowboard all day, and warm up by the fireplace in the evenings with a glass of mulled wine. In anticipation of the upcoming snow season, we have compiled a brief overview of 10 Russian and foreign resorts for active winter recreation.
Krasnaya Polyana, Sochi
The first holiday home appeared in the Western Caucasus in 1924, and after the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Krasnaya Polyana flourished and in just a few years managed to earn a reputation as the best ski resort in Russia. Modern trails of varying difficulty levels with comfortable lifts, an extreme park with jumps, and most importantly, developed infrastructure with a good road from the airport, hotels, bars and restaurants of international level and the largest equipment rental point in Russia. At the main Alpika-Service ski complex there are four chairlifts, and the total length of the slopes is 14 km with a height difference of 1680 meters. The skiing season lasts here from November to May.
Khibiny, Kirovsk
The rocky and treeless Khibiny Mountains were conceived by the forces of nature as a volcano, but streams of hot magma were never able to break through to the surface, but only formed a huge mound with a diameter of 50 km on the Kola Peninsula. Snow fields compacted by snowstorms allow you to drive wherever your eyes take you; the width of the tracks here is completely unlimited. The Khibiny Mountains are located beyond the Arctic Circle, and from December 14 to January 4 the sun does not appear above the horizon, but you can ride at night on well-lit trails. Also, jumping hills were built here, and in 1990 Khibiny became the Russian Olympic training base for freestyle skiing. There are six rope tows and one chairlift on Mount Aykuaivenchorr, and the total length of the slopes is 30 km. The ski season lasts from October to May.
Zabljak, Montenegro
Zabljak resort is one of the highest cities in the Balkans, it is located at an altitude of 1465 m, and buses run from all city hotels to the ski lifts. The ski slopes on the slopes of Durmitor National Park are great for beginners in snowboarding and skiing. There are adult and children’s lifts on the three main slopes, there are several ski and snowboard schools and a large selection of rental equipment. Some of the trails are illuminated, while the rest are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The length of the longest route on the Savin Kuk descent is 3500 meters. The ski season lasts from December to April.
Bakuriani, Georgia
The sunny valley of Bakuriani is surrounded by a ring of the Greater Caucasus ridges, due to which the weather there is almost always calm and the sun shines 210 days a year. It is on the tops of the Bakurian Mountains that the famous Borjomi mineral water springs originate. The main descent from Mount Kokhta is a 1,800-meter-long track that begins with a steep and undulating section and then turns into a plateau. Beginners should not climb to the highest station, it is better to ride from the middle of the mountain, but thrill-seekers can go down the difficult slope of Mount Mitarbi, but only accompanied by an instructor-guide. A half-pipe, boarder cross, and three jumps have been built in Bakuriani: 45 m, 70 m and 90 m. The ski season lasts from the end of November to the end of March.
Bansko, Bulgaria
The Pirin mountain range is a Bulgarian UNESCO reserve, and the ancient city of Bansko at the foot of its northern slopes could be an architectural museum of the Renaissance, so beautiful and authentic is each local house. There are trails of all difficulty levels, as well as excellent conditions for freeride. A special night track with bright illumination is open for skiing 24 hours a day. There are instructors on the trails for beginners, including Russian speakers. Every year a lot of snow falls here, and special snow cannons increase the length of natural trails by almost a third. The total length of all routes is 56 km. The skiing season in Bansko is the longest in Bulgaria – from December to May.
Pas De La Casa, Andorra
Pas De La Casa is the largest resort in Andorra in terms of slopes and pistes. Two ski centers and four snow valleys are connected by an extensive network of lifts starting at the same point, which is especially convenient for motley groups – you can ski on slopes of different difficulty levels, but meet in one place. There is a separate snowboard park and half-pipe, as well as 24-hour illuminated trails. For fans of slalom and downhill skiing, there is also freedom here – steep sections of wide tracks alternate with gentle, safe plateaus. There are a total of 55 ski slopes with a total length of 100 km. Skiing season is from December to April.
Söll, Austria
The picturesque valley near the Hohe Salve mountain range includes nine resorts; among them is the cozy village of Söll with mountain huts and hospitable hosts, where you can easily feel at home. In general, the resort is ideal for relaxed skiing and family holidays – there are a lot of simple but long slopes, schools for adults and a children’s ski club. A fan park and half-pipe, as well as brightly lit night tracks, have been built for active youth. The total length of groomed ski slopes is 250 km; on sunny days, of which there are many, 160 km of slopes are served by snow cannons. The best season for skiing lasts from January to early March.
Dolomites, Italy
The Italian Dolomites are a super-resort that unites the ski areas of twelve famous ski resorts in Italy. There is also a carousel of slopes that has become a landmark, along which you can move in a circle in both directions. 500 km of slopes with a well-thought-out system of lifts is called the “circumnavigation” of Sella Ronda; the easier slopes go counterclockwise; the steeper and more interesting slopes go clockwise; in both cases, in a whole day you can complete the entire circuit and return home tired, but full of impressions. The total length of all slopes covered by the single Dolomiti Superski ski pass exceeds 1,200 km. Skiing season is from November to April.
Gulmarg, India
The Himalayas are the highest mountains on earth, but there are few ski resorts here; the largest is in the Indian state of Kashmir. The main advantage of the local slopes is the untouched expanses for powder skiing, vast snow fields, large elevation differences and forest areas devoid of undergrowth. Since the local population is not particularly fond of skiing, the slopes are very free, and the fallen snow lies untouched for a long time. The cable car lifts vacationers in closed six-seater cabins, and rope tows lead to the slopes for beginners. The total length of the cable car is 5 km. The skiing season lasts from mid-December to March.
Toshal, Iran
Toshal, the closest ski resort in Iran to Tehran, residents of the capital affectionately dubbed it “home”. The alpine snow here is very fine and dry, for which it is especially appreciated by freeride lovers. The longest gondola lift in the world stretches to the top of the slopes – the 8 km ride provides an excellent chance to admire the landscape gradually flowing from sandy desert to endless snow fields. Steep walls with trails of varying difficulty levels descend from 3850 m to 1600 m. The total length of the trails is 17 km. The skiing season is the longest in Iran – from mid-November to the end of April.
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