There are only a few days left before the start of winter and it’s time to think about which ski resort to choose for your holiday this year. To do this, you don’t have to get a visa and fly abroad: there is good skating in Russia. We picked 11 excellent resorts, which are no worse than the Alps in quality and more pleasant in price.
Caucasus
"Arkhyz"
Winner in the category “Best Young Ski Resort in Russia” at the “Leaders of the Sports Industry” award in 2016. Skiers and snowboarders love Arkhyz: in more than three years, more than 500 thousand people have visited here, and the resort has gained the reputation of the “Russian Alps.”
And this love is understandable: here you will find stunning landscapes, an excellent climate for skiing and snowy, sunny winters. “Arkhyz” is located at an altitude of 1400 to 3300 meters above sea level, the highest points being the mountains Pshish and Sofia. On the territory you will find beautiful untouched nature, beautiful glaciers and mountain lakes.
There are currently 8 trails at the resort, difficulty levels from green to black. It is worth noting that the resort is constantly developing and growing, so if you are not ready to go to the Russian Alps this year, still include Arkhyz in your plans for the future.
The downside of Arkhyz is that there are still few hotels at the resort, and rooms are sold out very quickly. If the prices for the remaining rooms scare you, you can always rent a room from local residents or stay in the village of Arkhyz (minibuses run from there to the resort).
Trail map - Arkhyz ski resort
Season: from January to March
Number of tracks: 8
Cost of the road from Moscow: round trip flight from (to Mineralnye Vody) + 350 rubles by bus from the airport to the village of Romantik.
Accommodation: from per person per night
Ski pass: 7,700 rubles for 7 days
Complex website: arhyz-resort.ru
"Dombay"
Dombay is one of the most popular ski centers in the Caucasus. The resort is located in a very beautiful place: in a nature reserve near the confluence of several rivers. The beauty here is still wild; development of the resort began only recently, but at a good pace: last years appeared in Dombay comfortable hotels, a new line of lifts opened, the owners of the resort purchased modern equipment and hired a team of good instructors. So a few more years - and no Alps will be needed. In addition, the prices for skiing here are encouraging.
Both beginners and pros will enjoy Dombay. The main slope is Mussa-Achitara; you can descend from it along a dozen different routes with a total length of 20 km. The ski area is located at an altitude of 1630 to 3012 meters. A lot of gentle slopes for those who are not yet too confident in themselves are adjacent to steep red slopes. For experienced professionals, there are six routes on “wild slopes”, where you and an instructor will be taken by helicopter and picked up after the descent. The pleasure is not cheap, but worth it.
Trail map - Dombay ski resort
Season: from December to April
Number of tracks: 12
Cost of the road from Moscow: flight from (to Mineralnye Vody) + 800 rubles by bus.
Accommodation: from per person per night
Ski pass: 8,920 rubles for 7 days
Complex website: dombaj.ru
"Elbrus region"
This is one of the largest and most popular mining ski resorts in Russia. At the same time, there are not only high-quality tracks, but also very reasonable prices, especially compared to Europe. People come to Elbrus to get on skis and boards or to hone their skills - there is excellent skiing for everyone. IN ski resort includes two slopes - Elbrus and Cheget.
Elbrus officially has 11 trails with a total length of 11 kilometers, but in reality it is one large mountain slope, which is suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. The trails are mostly blue: wide and flat, with short red sections. If you are not too confident in your abilities yet, go to the Azau clearing, where an excellent green track has been prepared.
Cheget is a place for extreme sports enthusiasts and professionals. There are 15 official slopes, but again it is more of a single slope. The long and steep route is considered one of the most difficult in the world, the descents run through Pine forest, so it’s better for beginners not to meddle here. But there are plenty of opportunities for freeride and backcountry. On the northern slope there are Cheget hillocks - natural formations, skiing on which helps develop balance and improve control over skis. Snowboarders are recommended to ride on the southern slope of Cheget, where the slopes are wider but no less steep.
Route map of Elbrus and Cheget
Season: from November to May
Number of tracks: 11 on Elbrus, 15 on Cheget
Cost of the road from Moscow: flight to Nalchik from for one + taxi from the airport from 3,500 rubles one way
Accommodation: from per person per night
Ski pass: 8600 rubles for 6 days
Complex website: resort-elbrus.ru
Kola Peninsula
BigWOOD (“Big Woodyavr”)
A modern ski resort in Khibiny was built relatively recently. BigWOOD is located 9 km from, on the southern slope of Mount Aykuaivenchorr (Sleeping Beauty). The level of service and quality of services here are excellent, prices are no higher than at other good Russian resorts.
“Big Woodyavr” is the highest mountain complex in the North-West of Russia. There are 8 ski routes of varying difficulty, and 5 of them are suitable for beginners. The quality of the tracks is at the European level, several have FIS certificates. In total, skiers and snowboarders can expect more than 45 kilometers of skiing, 18 of which have artificial lighting - an important detail, given that daylight hours are short in the north.
The total height difference is 550 meters. For beginners there is a training slope with a belt lift; for professionals there are wide trails for fun carving with a slope of up to 40%, a snow park and three virgin couloirs. In general, no one will be bored.
Trail map - Bolshoy Vudyavr ski resort
Season: from November to May, but in favorable weather there is snow even in August.
Number of tracks: 8
Cost of the road from Moscow: flight from (to Kirovsk) or train "Moscow - Apatity" from (reserved seat)
Accommodation: from per person per night
Ski pass: 6000 rubles for 7 days
Complex website: bigwood.ru
Siberia
"Sheregesh"
"Sheregesh" is one of the most equipped resorts in Western Siberia. The tracks here are considered the best in the region. The resort is located in the south of the Kemerovo region, in the Gornaya Shoria massif. This is a stunning place the size of a small European country, almost the entire territory of which is covered with impenetrable taiga. Snow is guaranteed here during the season, the skiing is interesting, there are tracks for both beginners and professionals - virgin soil awaits them in the forest.
Two slopes in Sheregesh are FIS certified and host one of the stages of the Russian Alpine Ski Championship. In total, the resort has six ski areas, with 15 trails with a total length of about 36 kilometers. The elevation changes here range from 640 meters on long, flat slopes to 1270 meters on slopes for extreme sports enthusiasts.
Sheregesh stands out among ski resorts for its unusually long season - the climate allows skiing here from November to May. Moreover, thanks to the unique combination of humidity and temperature, beautiful snow falls already in November, forming a soft “powder” that freeriders love so much.
Trail map - Sheregesh ski resort
Season: from November to May
Number of tracks: 15
Cost of the road from Moscow: flight from (to Novokuznetsk) + 3,700 rubles by taxi to the resort
Accommodation: from per person per night
Ski pass: 1200 rubles per day
Complex website: gesh.info 
Ural
"Zavyalikha"
This relatively young, but already quite popular ski resort is located 200 kilometers from Ufa and Chelyabinsk. Skiers and snowboarders love Zavyalikha for excellent snow, good service and affordable prices.
The national snowboard team trains in Zavyalikha, and Russian Cup competitions are also held here - all this testifies to the quality of the slopes. They are named here romantically, after the names of gems: Malachite, Agate, Rhodonite, Garnet, Charoite, Dolomite, and in the future they promise to open Aventurine.
There are ten tracks in the complex: one black, seven red, one for beginners and one for children. The longest trails start at the top of Mount Zavyalikha and go down to the foot, the height difference reaches 860 meters. The total length of the trails is about 16.5 kilometers. You can ride off-piste, it is not prohibited here.
Slope map - Zavyalikha ski resort
Season: from November to April
Number of tracks: 12
Cost of the road from Moscow: flight from (to Ufa). If you're traveling in a group, you can book a free airport transfer at the resort.
Accommodation: from 1,800 rubles per person per night at the “Stone Flower” hotel (located on the territory of the ski resort)
Ski pass: 1,600 rubles/day on weekends, 900 rubles on weekdays
Complex website: zavjalikha.net
"Gubakha"
This ski center located in the south of the Northern Urals, in the Perm region. Gubakha is famous for its variety of trails: there are tracks for downhill, slalom, giant slalom and freeride. The Perm Open Alpine Skiing Championship is held in Gubakha.
The maximum height difference is 310 meters, the total length of the trails is more than 20 kilometers. Trails of different difficulty levels do not intersect, so skiing is quite safe. Most of the routes at the top converge at one point, so you can change the route at any time before starting the descent. Beginners will not be afraid; there are quite a lot of long and gentle sections for them and there is a convenient training route.
The tracks are not fenced with nets, and the administration of the complex has nothing against freeriders - they even have a separate, longest track - almost 2 km of pure pleasure.
Slope map - Gubakha ski resort
Season: from December to April
Number of tracks: 17
Cost of the road from Moscow: flight from (to Perm) + from 380 rubles bus
Accommodation: from per person per night
Ski pass: 1200 rubles/day on weekends, 900 rubles on weekdays
Complex website: gubaha.com
"Abzakovo"
Residents of Magnitogorsk have long chosen this ski resort - it is located only 60 km from the city - and a couple of years ago, after the construction of a modern ski complex, skiers and snowboarders from all over Russia began to come here.
Russian biathlon and alpine skiing teams train in Abzakovo, and also host stages of the Russian Cup. The season here lasts from November to May, and there is snow in any weather: there are snow cannons on eight of the thirteen slopes. The slopes are mostly gentle and not too difficult: there are no black slopes, 4 red ones, the rest are suitable for those who have been skiing for a short time. Night skiing is offered daily during high season.
If you get tired of skiing, you can switch to a snowmobile (there is a separate track for them), ride on the skating rinks or go to the Aquarium water park.
Season: from November to May
Number of tracks: 14
Cost of the road from Moscow: flight to Magnitogorsk from one person, train from Magnitogorsk to Novoabzakovo station from one person one way
Accommodation: from per person per night
Ski pass: 1400 rubles/day on weekends, 1000 rubles/day on weekdays
Complex website: abzakovo.com
"Bath"
If you get bored of skiing in Abzakovo - or you’ve already been there and want something new - pay attention to the Bannoe ski complex, it’s only 25 kilometers away. Magnitogorsk is also closer from here - 40 kilometers. The complex itself is located on the shore of Lake Bannoye surrounded by stunning beautiful mountains and forests.
There are fewer tracks here than in Abzakovo - only 4, two red, blue and green. The length of the trails is 2.5 kilometers, the elevation difference is 450 meters. But there are excellent conditions for skiing for beginners and a separate park for children. There is a large snow park, halfpipe and tubing for those who are tired of skiing. Fans of night skiing are appreciated here; the slopes are beautifully lit.
Trail map - Bannoe ski resort
Season: from November to May
Number of tracks: 4
Cost of the road from Moscow: flight to Magnitogorsk for one person
Accommodation: from per person per night
Ski pass: 4000 rubles for 3 days
Complex website: ski-bannoe.ru
"Adzhigardak"
In the West Southern Urals There is another ski resort, Adzhigardak. It differs from others in its mild, pleasant climate: the temperature in this area rarely drops below -15 C, and there is usually a lot of snow. So it’s usually warmer here than in other resorts in the Urals.
The trails run along the slopes of Mount Adjigarak, today there are ten of them, they are certified by FIS. The trails are mostly blue with black and red sections. There is a separate area with rails and training jumps for snowboarders.
Since the eighties, the resort has had a children's and youth Olympic reserve school, and competitions and starts are held on the slopes all winter.
The resort is actively developing: modern hotels are being built, and a couple of years ago new ski lifts were launched, which opened access to the northern slope, where four more slopes are open. This season, a lift to the top of the mountain has also been launched, where a new large freeride area has been opened.
Trail map - Adzhigardak ski resort
Far East
"Mountain air"
On Sakhalin there is one of the most dynamically developing ski resorts in Russia - “Mountain Air”. It is located right in the capital of the island, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
By 2020, they promise a paradise for skiers and snowboarders: three new hills will be developed, as many as nine cable cars will be built, and the length of the slopes will increase to 85 kilometers. This is the future, but the present is already good: today in “Mountain Air” there are 14 tracks of different difficulty levels: five black, seven red and two green. The longest route is 4.4 kilometers. The height difference is also impressive - 495 meters.
And we also have
10 august
There are four ski resorts in Sochi. These are Rosa Khutor, Gornaya Karusel, Gazprom and Alpika Service, although the latter is currently under reconstruction. Each of those remaining in service offers a choice of trails of varying difficulty levels, from the simplest for beginners to extreme trails for professionals.
Rosa Khutor Resort
One of the most popular ski resorts in Sochi. For the 2014 Olympics, the complex was completely reconstructed, and today it is the most modern ski resort in the country. In total, there are 39 trails of varying difficulty levels on the slope, total length 94 km. The elevation difference is 1534 meters. To reach the heights, 26 lifts of various types are used. Thanks to modern equipment for creating artificial snow, the skiing and snowboarding season begins in November and lasts until May.
In the summer, the Rosa Khutor resort offers visitors five hiking trails and three bike trails. Also at an altitude of 1350 meters above water level there is the Panda Park rope complex. There are three routes to choose from, one of which is at an altitude of 23 meters.
Route diagram.
Official site.
Features and prices
- SKI passes in high season (day): Adults 2,650 RUB, Children 1,300 RUB
- Rental - skis, poles and boots (day): Adults 1,400 RUB, Children 750 RUB
Gorki Gorod Resort
It consists of the Gornaya Karusel sports and tourism complex, modern hotels and a complex of apartments, shops, restaurants and other infrastructure. In essence, this is an independent and independent city that allows you to engage in activities with comfort and coziness. active recreation. 30 winter sports are presented to visitors ski slopes with a total length of 30 km. Some of the trails are illuminated, allowing you to ski in the evening. Snow cannons guarantee snow until May, and 11 cable cars help skiers climb initial height. The complex operates children's schools with professional instructors.
In the summer, the only mountain bike trail in Krasnaya Polyana opens for tourists, and rope courses operate. It is proposed to visit the surroundings of Sochi national park on quad bikes.
Route diagram.
Official site
Features and prices
- SKI passes in high season (day): Adults 1,900 RUB, Children 1,300 RUB
- Rental - skis, poles and boots (day): Adults 1,200 RUB, Children 900 RUB
Resort "Gazprom"
The most respectable resort of Krasnaya Polyana, which includes the Laura complex, located on the Psekhako ridge. Its distinctive feature from neighboring ski resorts is its gentle slope, which allows you to enjoy skiing on high-speed slopes. By the way, the Russian national ski and biathlon team is based here.
The complex features 7 “green” and “blue” ski slopes for beginners, which are ideal for training, including children. Eight “black” slopes for professionals and 8 slopes from easy to difficult for the whole family. You can move around the complex on 14 cable cars, one of which is the longest ring road in the world.
On the territory of the resort, the social and cultural center “Galaktika” operates all year round, where there is an ice arena, a water park, a cinema, a bowling alley and a billiards club. In the summer, horseback riding, hiking trails and downhill skiing on cheesecakes are offered.
Route diagram.
Official site
Features and prices
- SKI passes in high season (day): Adults 1,600 RUB, Children 950 RUB
- Rental - skis, poles and boots (day): Adults 1,800 RUB, Children 900 RUB
Sochi ski resorts are located in Krasnaya Polyana, on the slopes of the Caucasus. All of them are located close to the sea, as well as international airport. There is a pleasant mountain-sea climate and easy access to the slopes, so the resorts are very convenient for tourists. Many meet New Year at one of the ski resorts in Sochi.
The 2014 Olympics competitions were held in Krasnaya Polyana. As a result, there are new high-quality slopes and lifts, developed infrastructure, a lot of daily accommodation and hotels, and a large range of related entertainment.
Below you see a map of ski resorts, current for the 2019 and 2020 season.
When does the ski season start in Sochi?
Since the climate here is mild, the ski season opens in December and lasts until mid-April (sometimes until May). It is always warm in Krasnaya Polyana: around 0...+5 degrees. But there is a lot of snow at the resort. The height of the snow cover remains at 2-4 meters, and sometimes reaches 8.
Now we will tell you what ski resorts are in Sochi.
Rosa Khutor
The most popular in Krasnaya Polyana. Suitable for families with children, experienced skiers and freeriders.
Trails. About 40 trails of all difficulty levels. The total length of the descents is more than 100 kilometers. It was here that alpine skiers competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics. The slopes allow you to practice both regular skiing and freestyle. If you don't have much riding skills, instructors are available.
Lifts. You can choose from 29 cable cars.
Ski pass The price for one day ranges from 1,700 to 3,100 rubles depending on the season - for example, prices increase on New Year's holidays.
Leisure. At Rosa Khutor you can not only ski, but also relax in other, most diverse ways. There is an art studio, a spa center, a yoga and massage center, a children's club, and numerous restaurants. You can also ride ATVs and snowmobiles, take a helicopter flight, go mountain climbing or go horseback riding.
Where to stay. Choose accommodation in Rosa Khutor.
Krasnaya Polyana (formerly Gorki Gorod)
It can hardly be called the largest ski resort in Russia, but in Krasnaya Polyana it is the largest: it simultaneously receives up to 10 thousand vacationers. This ski resort was previously known as “Gorki Gorod” and “Mountain Carousel”, and since 2019 it has been called “Krasnaya Polyana”.
Trails. There are slopes of different difficulty levels, most of them are quite short. There are 32 trails in total, and their total length is 30 kilometers.
In general, the resort is suitable for beginner skiers and advanced skiers who love winding and steep slopes. For advanced riders there are so-called circuses - sections between the peaks.
Lifts. There are 13 cable cars (gondolas, chairlifts, rope tows) on the slopes.
How much does a ski pass cost? In high season it will cost 2100 rubles per day.
Leisure. Everything is standard, but exciting: spa centers, fitness centers, a cinema, a water park, bowling alley, restaurants and cafes.
Where to stay. Choose accommodation in Krasnaya Polyana.
Gazprom Laura
At first it was a ski resort, and for the Olympics it was supplemented with the Laura ski and biathlon complex.
Trails. There are 23 slopes with a total length of approximately 20 kilometers. Compared to Rosa Khutor, everything here is more compact. The slopes are generally easy and suitable for beginners. If you like leisurely skiing, this is the place for you. However, 3 slopes have been created for experienced skiers - according to reviews, they are very impressive.
Lifts. The ski resort offers 13 cable cars, one of which stretches for 5 kilometers and is one of the longest in the world.
Ski pass Prices for ski lifts during the high skiing season are 2,500 rubles per day.
Other ways to relax. After conquering the mountains, you can relax in the pool or spa. The resort has a shopping and Entertainment Center“Galaktika”, where there are not only shops, but also a water park, bowling center, skating rink, billiards club, cinema and restaurants. If you want to relax actively, visit the climbing wall, ride horses or ride ATVs.
Where to stay. Accommodation in Adler can be booked at any time.
Gazprom Alpika
This is one of the first ski resorts in Sochi. It was subjected to reconstruction, which began in 2010. Recently, this is again one of the places where people go skiing in Sochi.
Trails. This is a resort for professional skiers and those who have mastered freeride. It is not suitable for beginners, because... There are 5 challenging trails with a total length of 7.5 kilometers.
Lifts. There are 5 cable cars.
Ski pass It will cost 2500 rubles per day.
Additional rest. You can arrange a helicopter flight, go snowmobiling, and also try the waters from mineral springs. Of course, there are cafes and restaurants here too.
Where to stay. You can choose accommodation in Esto-Sadok - it’s very close.
Single ski pass
Starting from the 2019-2020 season, all four Sochi ski resorts will have a single ski pass. With its help you can use any route of any resort.
Ski resorts in Sochi 2020 - prices with accommodation and review of the most popular places in the village of Krasnaya Polyana (Rosa Khutor). Houses, apartments, cottages and hostels - where is the best place to stay. Alpine skiing in Sochi 2019 is somewhat different from last year, both for the better and for the worse. Best Places for skiing and infrastructure have become different. In particular, the Polyana 1389 hotel was finally opened in Laura - it is especially convenient for those who have the means and travel to Sochi by car in winter. There is parking there, the cottages are comfortable, and there are spa programs for women. But those who decide to travel by train will have to take care of purchasing tickets in advance: “Swallows” have been greatly reduced, so from October it has become inconvenient to travel by train.
Five facts about alpine skiing in Sochi:Fact No. 1: Laughter grass grows in the vicinity of Krasnaya Polyana. In the forests near the village in the summer there is laughter grass, which locals called Allium (Allium ursinnum). One bunch of such grass makes a person laugh for about 30 minutes without ceasing. Fact No. 2: We skied in Krasnaya Polyana back in 1992! The first ski lift was built by the Alpika-service company 25 years ago, when the resort was little known in Russia, and livestock was grazed in the village itself. Fact No. 3: The first inhabitants of Rosa Khutor were Estonians. The name of the resort comes from the name of the first resident, Estonian Adul Rooz. Estonian settlers settled here in the 19th century, becoming winners of the USSR All-Union competitions named after. Stalin in bobsleigh. Fact No. 4: During the construction of the cable car, the builders used catapults. To deliver building materials to hard-to-reach places, special catapults were designed, which threw stones and bags of rubble to the construction site so as not to spoil the forest. Fact No. 5: One of the Rosa Khutor tracks has its own Hachiko. The poor dog has been waiting for his owner for 5 years, who went skiing in the fog and disappeared. The dog can be found at the rescue station near the ski lift - it is fed by local workers. |
In addition, due to the crisis, service in many cheap and middle-class hotels has decreased. A lot of hotels were built, but after the Olympics the service dropped somewhat. Maybe now the situation will improve - after all, the crisis has forced the majority of ski lovers to abandon not only Switzerland and Austria, but even Bulgaria. So Sochi's Krasnaya Polyana has great prospects in this regard.
Accommodation prices
Hotel houses with views of the river and mountain panoramas are in greatest demand. The easiest way to rent an inexpensive room at the Rosa Khutor ski resort is through online booking. On New Year's Day, as a rule, prices for rooms and cottages increase by about 20%. Despite the fact that the resort has a huge number of restaurants and cafes, it is best to choose tours with all-inclusive meals. At the same time, many hotels know that tourists wake up and ride at different times, so Buffet available almost 24 hours a day.
Krasnaya Polyana area (Rosa Khutor) | Bed space (hostel) | 1-room apartment (private sector) | Family cottage | Room for two with breakfast (guest house or economy class hotel). | Suite without meals with children And |
Center (Ul. Defenders of the Caucasus, Estonian, Olimpiyskaya) | 500 rubles per day per person | 50,000 rubles per month Three-room apartment – 77,000 rubles. | Three-story - 170,000 per month. One-story - from 90,000. Per day - from 20,000 rubles. | ||
Middle (Listopadnaya, Pereselencheskaya, Garazhnaya, Panorama and Lavender embankments) | 400 rubles per day, with kitchen and bathroom on the floor. | 40-50 thousand. Per day - 3-4 thousand. | |||
(Kamenka, Berezovaya, Gribnoy Lane, Ski Lane, Acacia) | 350 rubles per person. | 40 thousand, per day 3-3.5 thousand. | Wooden house - from 50,000 rubles per month with all amenities. |
When renting houses, you can rent a cottage with a bathhouse, parking lot, children's playground and barbecue area. However, given that plots in these protected areas are worth their weight in gold, almost all real estate has a very modest internal territory.
Gazprom (Laura)
The ski resort in Sochi Gazprom or, as it is also called, Laura, is one of the best. Who was on European resorts won't be too disappointed in it. The only unpleasant thing is not always decent service and occasional rudeness. And your face will be photographed at the entrance - in case you steal your rented Fisher skis. But overall, in terms of comfort, everything is fine.
The main base at Gazprom is located near the lower lift. Cottages, restaurants, Beautiful places- all this is guaranteed. The infrastructure is good with the exception of some drag lifts, near which queues accumulate. Plus, the resort is low, so the organizers have to maintain the snow cover with the help of cannons in some places. So it doesn’t happen that the snow has melted in Laura and it’s impossible to ride. Moreover, artificial snow is better for athletes and professionals. Therefore, snow cannons in Gazprom are really a big plus of this resort.
In total, Gazprom has 16 tracks of varying difficulty. Those who have not previously practiced alpine skiing in Sochi 2020 will find it very comfortable and convenient - there are gentle slopes for training. As for the price of ski rentals, you will have to pay from 500 to 1000 rubles for a Volki or Fisher set. Overall, not bad, you can have a wonderful rest in a few days. You can also rent a snowboard.
"Rosa Khutor"
The ski resort in Sochi “Rosa Khutor” is a former resort for poor people. Prices here are the most affordable, especially in terms of accommodation. But rental and ski lifts are even more expensive than in Europe. A lift for 1 day will cost 2,650 rubles. Conditions - after the Olympics (and competitions were held here too) became quite normal. A picturesque, but somewhat dull view of the Mzymta River, all kinds of Russian taverns and borscht houses, a good cable car with spacious cabins. By the way, there are also expensive hotels in Rosa Khutor, but you need to understand that the resort is mainly dominated by young people and locals.
The length of the routes at Rosa Khutor is greater than at Gazprom-Laura. There are as many as 77 km of them, 16 lifts. The snow cannons are working - there is plenty of room to ride. Some of the lifts are still under construction, and have been for several years now. The downside is that there are rocks and ice blocks on some routes. There are also queues at the lifts. In addition, reviews from tourists about Rosa Khutor indicate that the resort loves to cheat with prices. So everything is typical Russian. But again, those who come for a ride will get it. The only thing is that you need to be careful, because not all dangerous routes are marked. Look at the map, remember, don’t rush.
In general, Rosa Khutor is irritating, especially for those who have visited Europe before. But there is nowhere to go. If you accept it and just come for a ride, you might even enjoy it. By the way, those who want to buy children's mountain skis should know that personal equipment is sometimes stolen at Rosa Khutor.
"Mountain Carousel"
The ski resort in Sochi “Mountain Carousel” is located in the town of Estosadok. It became famous because Medvedev skated here. If you manage to book a hotel in the “Mountain Carousel” at 960 meters, you will enjoy only one picturesque view. Of all the alpine skiing in Sochi 2020, Carousel is the most beautiful.
The length of the trails here is 27 kilometers. Most of the tracks are professional, there are even jumps, but there are also several tracks for beginners. It’s better not to come here with children, although there are good instructors for them. It’s just that, in the opinion of many, the tracks for children’s skiing are dangerous. And it’s difficult to drive a car here—there’s almost no parking. Otherwise, “Mountain Carousel” is a very worthy object. Hotels are average in price, from 3,000 rubles and kopecks per room. Alpine skis for rent from well-known companies - Salomon, Rossignol, Berton, elite Volki and Fisher. Cost – about 1000 rubles. A ski pass will cost 700 rubles and more.
The service at the Mountain Carousel is not too different from Gazprom and Rosa Khutor, but, probably due to the smaller number of people, it is calmer and more dignified. Plus, the infrastructure is not so developed - there are much fewer restaurants, saunas and bars here.
Although skiing in Sochi 2020 are inferior to the European level, they are developing every year. Those who don’t go to Sochi go to Dombay. Organizers of ski resorts in Sochi are working to improve service, which increased noticeably in 2019.
Ski resorts are always in mountainous areas with areas equipped for skiing, snowboarding, slides and others extreme species sports Modern mining ski slopes Sochi also has restaurants, mountain lodges and even entire hotels on its territory.
Nowadays skiing is popular for family trips and trips with friends, especially during the holidays and New Year's holidays. Sochi is a ski resort that has long been called a national health resort, because there are also medical sanatoriums there.
TOP ski resorts in Sochi
"Rosa Khutor"
The most popular Sochi ski resort. It was he who hosted the Olympics, where Russia took a lot of gold in 2014 and since then the territory has only expanded, new ones appear cable cars, trails. The highest point is 2320 m. It is located near Krasnaya Polyana. In 2018, 14 cable cars and 15 ski slopes were opened for skiers of various abilities. There are no long queues.
Ski resorts Sochi
Accommodation - apartments or hotels from 3 to 5 stars. In terms of entertainment, there is almost everything: restaurants of different cuisines, entertainment for children and even a beauty salon. A ski pass starts from 1000 rubles per person per day, it includes unlimited cable car rides throughout the day, ski slopes of different levels in Sochi.
It's not very difficult to get there. Transport from the airport to Rosa Khutor has stopped running, this needs to be taken into account immediately. There are Lastochka trains, but they don’t run often. A taxi will cost up to 2,000 rubles. There are regular buses from Sochi and Adler. You can also get there by car. There are signs on the routes leading to the Rose. by the most popular destination Among the tourists in winter are alpine skiing, Sochi.
Gazprom
This is the oldest and most well-maintained ski slope. Located in the valley of the Laura River. There are 14 cable cars and 23 ski slopes. For children there is a children's club "Morozko". For accommodation there there are various hotels from 2 to 5 stars. The resort, although the oldest, is constantly being improved and ranks second in price after “Rosa”. The prices of hotels and restaurants, as well as a ski pass, are not affordable for everyone. Web cameras are installed throughout the territory. But here you can really find an inexpensive snack and a cheap hotel. There is a large entertainment center "Galaktika".
You can also get there by buses and the Lastochka train, getting off at the station of course. Or taxis, buses. Gazprom is located next to Rosa Khutor, so the transport is the same. The highest point is 2556 meters. When purchasing a tour, you should look at what is included in the tariff. Sometimes it’s better to buy a tour cheaper and save on things that you definitely won’t need.
Krasnaya Polyana map
"Mountain Carousel"
A cheaper and more affordable resort, but developing very quickly. There are 13 lifts and 11 slopes from green to black. There are inexpensive restaurants with delicious food. There are not many people, there are practically no queues. The resort is also located in Krasnaya Polyana, near the village of Krasnaya Polyana, in the village of Esto-Sadok. Taking the ski lift, you can visit a cafe or restaurant at a very high altitude in the mountains. Krasnaya Polyana, Sochi - ski resort high level, but in the village of Krasnaya Polyana there are no ski resorts.
On a note! In the near future, the Gorki Gorod project plans to expand and increase the number of establishments: new expensive restaurants, a water park.
You can get there by train “Lastochka”, getting off at the “Gornaya Karusel” station, before reaching the final one. Regular buses run from Sochi, Adler and the Airport. Taxi up to 1500 rubles. Some Sochi residents and Adler residents make a good living from this. The highest point of the resort is the Black Pyramid, height - 2375 meters.
"Alpika Service"
The resort was built a long time ago and is considered the most sporting. Skiing competitions and marathons are often held here. It is there that the women's biathlon for skiers and the men's biathlon with Dmitry Guberniev take place. Located 8 km from the village of Esto-Sadok. People ski here from December to May, the highest point is 2150 m. There are several large hotel complexes and small hotels on the territory. At an altitude of 2100 meters there is a real bathhouse with large panoramic windows. “Alpika” is famous for its strong slope height difference, which starts from 500 meters. The route length reaches several kilometers.
Attention! Alpika is also a Gazprom resort, but still these are different resorts, and they should not be confused.
Alpika includes 15 ski slopes and 5 cable cars. Buses and minibuses go there regularly from Adler, and only buses from Sochi. You can find a bus from Sochi airport (Adler), but it runs rarely.
"Gorki city"
Route map "Gorki Gorod"
It starts from the very resort village Esto-Sadok and covers most of the mountains and entertainment of Krasnaya Polyana. People come here in winter and summer. “Gorki Gorod” has apartments that are rented for a month or daily. This is convenient if you are planning a long vacation. The highest point is 2360 meters. Here, in addition to the regular trails, which stop working after 5-7 pm, there are autonomous trails with lighting and artificial snow. There you can rent equipment and ride under the night sky. An option for those who do not have the opportunity to ride during the day or simply want night romance with the moon and a minimum of people.
Attention! If you are planning a trip with big company and large bags, it is better to order a transfer. You need to take the Lastochka train or bus to the Esto-Sadok station.
There are many others ski slopes Krasnodar region, which are also a must-see. For example, Lagonaki. There is a sanatorium, several cafes and hotel. The routes continue to develop, new cable cars appear. Lagonaki is located in Adygea, there is a favorable climate and the temperature in the mountains rarely drops below −15 degrees.
The second little-known but worthy resort is Dombay. Located in Karachay-Cherkessia, not far from the Krasnodar Territory. highest point- 4068 meters. On the territory of Dombay there are baths, saunas and swimming pools at different heights, cable cars and trails. All year round Dombay welcomes skiers and climbers, as well as just tourists who come on sightseeing tours.
You can buy tours to Sochi ski resorts on official websites. True, the demand for them is high and it is best to book them a couple of months in advance. Therefore, the question of where to go skiing in Sochi depends on the tourist’s wallet and his preferences. The website clearly describes the differences between the tours and the prices for each. There is a manager online who you can write to or call if you have any questions.
