Alpine skiing and snowboarding are one of the most popular winter holiday activities. We tell you which countries to fly to for beautiful mountain landscapes, ideally spent routes and vivid impressions. All you have to do is choose your favorite ski resort, book your flight, accommodation and head off to the snow!
Turkey
How to get there
To get to Uludag, you need to fly to Istanbul (round-trip ticket from 8300 rubles* per person). The Davraz resort is located near Antalya (flight from 10,200 rubles* per person). The closest airport to the Erciyes resort is in Kayseri (flight from 13,600 rubles* per person).
Where to live
● Karinna Hotel Uludag – from 13,400 rubles* per night per person;
● Sirene Davras Hotel – from 10,200 rubles* per night per person;
● Wyndham Grand Kayseri – from 3900 rubles* per night per person.
Resort Features
There are three large ski resorts in Turkey – Uludag (35 km of slopes), Davraz (8 km of slopes) and Erciyes (55 km of slopes), the main season is December-March. Uludag is ideal for beginners and intermediate skiers, there are many calm slopes, which mainly pass through the forest. In Davraz there are red and black slopes, and in Erciyes there are slopes for every taste and opportunity for freeride.
What to see
Uludag has mineral springs, and 36 km from the resort is Bursa, once the capital of the Ottoman Empire, where you can visit many interesting attractions. In the vicinity of Davraz there is the largest lake in Turkey, Egirdir, the ruins of the ancient cities of Antioch, Adada and Apollonia, and not far from the ancient city of Isparta with beautiful architecture and a large number of mosques. While vacationing in Erciyes, it is worth visiting the city of Kayseri and the Goreme National Park with an open-air museum.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
How to get there
A round-trip flight from Moscow to Sarajevo will cost from 20,000 rubles* per person.
Where to live
● Hotel Kristal – from 4700 rubles* per night per person;
● Šumarska Kuća Ognjište – from 1800 rubles* per night per person.
Resort Features
Jahorina ranks first in the list of the best ski resorts in Bosnia and Herzegovina; advanced riders especially like to come here – there are no green slopes, but there are many extreme red ones and there are black ones with a maximum slope (up to 56 degrees), as well as good conditions for freeride. The skiing season lasts from November to April, the total length of the slopes is 20 km.
What view
The resort is located just 30 km from Sarajevo, so you can see the ancient streets and mosques of the capital. We also recommend going on an excursion to the pretty cities of Pale and Mostar, the medieval fortress of Blagaj, the Orlovača and Mokro Miljačka caves, the latter of which are the longest in Europe.
Bulgaria
How to get there
To get to the Bansko resort, you need to fly to Sofia (from 15,000 rubles* per person round trip).
Where to live
● Balkan Jewel Resort & Chalets – from 3500 rubles* per night per person;
● Hotel Tanne – from 3700 rubles* per night per person.
Resort Features
Bansko is a resort town located on the slopes of Pirin Mountain, where the largest ski center in the Balkans is located. There are tracks of all difficulty levels, including difficult black ones, as well as virgin snow, and there is a fun park and a halfpipe for snowboarders. There is snow from December to April, and the length of the slopes is 50 km.
What to see
Bansko is not only a ski resort, but also a colorful ancient town with museums and cultural and historical attractions. In Staroto Gradiste you can see the ruins of ancient fortresses, and to the southeast of the city – the medieval churches of St. George and St. Elijah. In the surrounding area there are thermal springs, the village of Rupite, located in the crater of a former volcano, and the ancient city of Plovdiv.
Greece
Photo: smoxx/shutterstock.com
How to get there
A round-trip flight from Moscow to Athens will cost from 15,300 rubles* per person.
Where to live
● Domotel Anemolia Mountain Resort – from 6400 rubles* per night per person;
● Castri Hotel – from 2700 rubles* per night per person.
Resort Features
Parnassos is the largest ski resort in Greece. The picturesque trails are surrounded by coniferous forests, and some even offer views of the sea. The resort does not have green slopes, but there is a large selection of blue, red and black ones, and there are also opportunities for freeride. The snow here is always of excellent quality, as there is an artificial snowmaking system. The skiing season lasts from December to April, the length of the slopes is 34 km.
What to see
There are no hotels at the resort itself, so you will have to stay in ancient Delphi or Arachova, where you can also diversify your vacation with an excursion program. Other interesting places nearby include the town of Amfissa with many neoclassical buildings, the ruins of the medieval castle of Oria and the Byzantine Church of the Savior.
North Macedonia
How to get there
A round-trip flight from Moscow to Skopje will cost from 9900 rubles* per person.
Where to live
● Hotel New Golden Place – from 2400 rubles* per night per person;
● Pandora – from 2000 rubles* per night per person.
Resort Features
Mavrovo is the most beautiful ski resort in Macedonia, where the European Snowboard Cup stage is held annually. The ski area is located at an altitude of 1860 to 1255 meters above sea level. Here you will find trails of all difficulty levels, maintained in perfect condition by snow groomers and snow cannons, and there are evening ski areas. The season opens in November and lasts until the end of April. The total length of the trails is 25 km.
What to see
The resort is located near the picturesque Mavrovskoye Lake, where trout abound. Nearby you can see the monastery of St. Jovan Bigorski on the slope of Mount Bistra and the ancient city of Ohrid, the “Jerusalem of the Balkans”. As well as the atmospheric villages of Galichnik and Janche, separated by a mountain range, which are famous for their cheeses.
Georgia
How to get there
Flying to Tbilisi and back from Moscow can cost from 15,000 rubles* per person.
Where to live
● Tsar Bani Spa Resort in Gudauri – from 1700 rubles* per night per person;
● Snow Rooms Hotel in Gudauri – from 4700 rubles* per night per person;● Hotel Crystal in Bakuriani – from 3500 rubles* per night per person.
Resort Features
There are two main ski resorts in Georgia – Gudauri (season from late December to March, total length of slopes – 75 km) and Bakuriani (you can ski from December to March, length of slopes – 18 km). Gudauri will be of interest to advanced riders and freeride enthusiasts; it is distinguished by wide open trails, as they are all located above forest level. Bakuriani is suitable for beginner and intermediate levels of skiing; many slopes here lie among picturesque coniferous forests.
What to see
Upon arrival or before departure, you should pay attention to Tbilisi. Explore the old city, climb to the Narikala fortress, relax in the famous sulfur baths. Near the capital is the city of Mtskheta, which is often called the “Second Jerusalem”.
Not far from Gudauri, see the ancient fortress in the Ananuri region, drive towards Russia along the picturesque Georgian military road to see the Holy Trinity Temple and the majestic Kazbek. In the vicinity of Bakuriani, be sure to go to the resort town of Borjomi, and if time permits, visit the ancient cave city of Vardzia, which is located closer to the border with Armenia.
Kazakhstan
Photo: Christian Popp/shutterstock.com
How to get there
A round-trip flight from Moscow to Almaty will cost from 20,000 rubles* per person.
Where to live
● Hotel “Edelweiss” – from 1400 rubles* per night per person;
● DDHotel – from 1100 rubles* per night per person.
Resort Features
The Chimbulak ski resort is located at an altitude of 3163 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by majestic peaks with evergreen Tien Shan firs. There are many blue slopes, but there are also extreme red and black ones, and the downhill and giant slalom slopes are among the ten most difficult in the world. There are opportunities for freeriding. The total length of the prepared slopes is 25 km, the skiing season lasts from November to April.
What to see
The resort is located near Almaty, so don’t miss the opportunity to explore the largest metropolis of Kazakhstan. In the vicinity of the city you can visit the Turgen tract, the frozen Butakovsky waterfall, and the Alma-Arasan hot springs. And if time permits, it’s worth going to the local “Grand Canyon” – Charyn Canyon, which is located near the border with China.
Armenia
How to get there
A round-trip flight from Moscow to Yerevan will cost from 13,000 rubles* per person.
Where to live
● Hostel Tsaghkadzor – from 740 rubles* per night per person;
● Tsaghkahovit Hotel – from 1400 rubles* per night per person.
Resort Features
Tsakhkadzor is the main winter resort of Armenia, located on the picturesque slopes of Mount Teghenis. From the tops of the tracks on sunny days you can see Lake Sevan and Ararat. The resort is suitable for riders of all levels: there are slopes for both beginners and extreme sports enthusiasts, as well as virgin slopes on which you can ride without avalanche danger. The ski season lasts from December to March, the length of the slopes is 30 km.
What to see
The main attraction of Tsakhkadzor is the ancient Kecharis monastery, built in the 11th century. In addition, it is worth visiting the museum of the most famous natives of the city – the Orbeli brothers and the Church of Gregory the Illuminator. On the way to the resort or back, take some time to visit Yerevan – go up to the observation deck of the Cascade complex, visit the National Gallery of Armenia and the Carpet Museum.
Croatia
How to get there
You need to fly to Zagreb (from 15,000 rubles* per person round trip) or Pula (from 16,000 rubles* per person).
Where to live
● B&B Afrodita – from 4000 rubles* per night per person;
● Boarding House Lucija – from 2700 rubles* per night per person.
Resort Features
Platak is the only ski resort in Croatia that offers sea views. There are trails for both beginners and experienced riders, most of which pass through picturesque forests. Excellent snow cover here is maintained by cannons. Snowboarders and freestylers will appreciate the presence of a snow park with various figures for extreme tricks. The skiing season lasts from December to March. The length of the trails is 8 km.
What to see
The nearest interesting cities are the port of Rijeka with original architecture, the ruins of a torpedo factory and the remains of an ancient city wall, as well as Krk, the oldest city on the Adriatic, where the Frankopan castle is located. A little further away is the city of Pula with its own ancient Roman amphitheater and underground museum.
Montenegro
How to get there
A round-trip flight from Moscow to Podgorica will cost from 18,000 rubles* per person.
Where to live
● Green House – from 2000 rubles* per night per person;
●Bianca Resort & Spa – from 6900 rubles* per night per person.
Resort Features
Kolašin 1450 is the largest and most popular ski resort in Montenegro. The ski slopes have a dense snow cover, which is maintained artificially if necessary. It offers ideal conditions for beginner and intermediate level riders. For experienced skiers and snowboarders there are freestyle and virgin trails. The ski season lasts from December to April, the length of the slopes is 16.5 km.
What to see
One of the most striking attractions of Kolasin is Lake Biograd, around which there is a nature reserve with numerous picturesque paths along which you can walk at any time of the year. In the mountains nearby there is one of the oldest monasteries in Europe – Moraca, dating back to the 13th century, as well as the ancient Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, built in 1252.
Kyrgyzstan
How to get there
You need to fly to Bishkek. A round-trip flight from Moscow will cost from 15,500 rubles* per person.
Where to live
● Flamingo Hotel – from 1500 rubles* per night per person;
● Hotel Enirest – from 850 rubles* per night per person.
Resort Features
The Karakol ski resort is located on the slopes of the Terskey-Alatau ridge of the Tien Shan mountain system. From the panoramic peak there are views of the nearest five-thousanders and the high-mountain lake Issyk-Kul. There are no severe frosts here, most of the trails are wide and spacious, they pass through a picturesque coniferous forest. The resort has excellent skiing conditions for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. There are areas for freeride. The season lasts from November to April, the length of the trails is 20 km.
What to see
The resort is located within the city of Karakol, so you can take a tour of the main attractions – for example, the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the Dungan Mosque. Interesting places in the surrounding area include the ice-free Issyk-Kul Lake and the Altyn-Arashan hot springs.
Serbia
How to get there
You need to fly to Belgrade. A round-trip flight from Moscow will cost from 16,000 rubles* per person.
Where to live
● Vip Apartments Kopaonik – from 3600 rubles* per night per person;
● Vila Irina – Studio 11 lux – from 5800 rubles* per night per person.
Resort Features
Kopaonik is considered one of the best ski resorts in Serbia. Here the sun shines 200 days a year, for which it is nicknamed “sunny mountain”. The slopes are covered with oak, beech, spruce and pine forests. The resort has trails for athletes of all skill levels, including seven black ones, as well as freeride areas and a snowboard park. More than 90% of the slopes are equipped with artificial snowmaking systems. The skiing season lasts from November to April, the length of the slopes is 62 km.
What to see
An active holiday goes well with relaxation in the thermal springs of Vrnjacka Banja, Matarushka Banja or Siyarinska Banja. Sights worth visiting include the Studenica Cathedral and Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the ancient Zica Monastery (Royal Lavra). Nearby is the town of Kraljevo with beautiful boulevards and interesting temples, as well as Cacak, where the impressive Ovčaro-Kablar Gorge is located.
*Prices valid at time of publication
