For more than 30 years, the SKA LenVO Sports Complex has been the base for year-round training of representatives winter species sports and an arena for competitions of various ranks and scales. The Kavgolov Games, famous in the 70s and 80s of the 20th century, stages of the World Cup in cross-country skiing and Nordic combined, international, all-Russian and city competitions of skiers, biathletes and combined athletes took place here.
The national teams of Russia, St. Petersburg and Leningrad region in winter sports, orienteers and rowers, cyclists and climbers tested and test their strength. IN last years Mass sporting events are also held here, attracting hundreds of participants and becoming famous throughout Russia - such as the Toksov Marathon and the Hepojärvi Tour, which combines competitions in cross-country skiing, cross-country, cycling and roller skiing. Gunde Svan, Per Elofson, Bjorn Daly, Thomas Alsgaard, Mika Myllula, Vladimir Smirnov and many others performed on the SKA tracks. Here Yulia Chepalova won her first victory at the World Cup stage, becoming an Olympic champion a month later.

The SKA Sports Complex, located on the shore of Lake Khepojärvi, included:

Sports base with a stadium, rowing center, hall, hotels, boiler room and canteen;
- Biathlon shooting range;
- A ski track certified at one time by the International Ski Federation (FIS) (for certification, the track was laid, profiled and cleared of vegetation in accordance with the FIS certification requirements);
- The only rollerskiing and cross-country trails in the vicinity of St. Petersburg

The combination of the necessary terrain, favorable microclimate, infrastructure prepared for development and transport accessibility make the SKA Sports Complex a truly unique base for training athletes of all levels and holding competitions in various sports. A similar complex within a radius of 250 km from St. Petersburg No . Unfortunately, the listed advantages also interested people with other interests. As a result, last summer and this fall the threat of destruction loomed over the complex.

Over the past few months, active and large-scale work has been carried out directly on the ski and biathlon track of the SKA sports base in the village of Toksovo in the area of ​​Lake Khepojärvi and the biathlon shooting range, related to deforestation and soil movement and marking of construction sites (photos attached). The work is being carried out on the famous Samurai climb, which, due to its complexity, has been awarded the honor of having a proper name. Judging by the ongoing excavation work and the posted markings, the lift itself as part of the ski and biathlon routes should be destroyed.

Many children's sections, national teams of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region and amateur athletes involved in various sports: biathlon, cross-country skiing, Nordic combined, orienteering, mountaineering, cycling, etc. They use this complex not only for competitions, but also as a training base. On the tracks laid along the Toksovo hills, athletes who became the pride of Soviet and Russian sports grew up and polished their skills: Evdokia Mekshilo and Nina Gavrylyuk, Lyubov Egorova and Evgeny Belyaev, Nikolai Puzanov and Rinat Safin, Anatoly Alyabyev and Dmitry Vasiliev, Vladimir Drachev and other legendary representatives Leningrad and St. Petersburg.

Transfer for development and subsequent the inevitable exclusion of the use of the famous Samurai climb as part of the route, directly on which the forest is being cut down and marking signs are installed, will make it FUNDAMENTALLY IMPOSSIBLE to use not only this section, but also the ENTIRE sports complex for holding official All-Russian and international competitions . This is due to the fact that in the vicinity of the SKA shooting range there are no other climbs that have the height difference and profile required for certification.

The current situation and the threat looming over the ski and biathlon complex cause extreme concern among the sports community, active athletes and sports organizations in our region, however, appeals to the administration of the village of Toksovo and the leaders of the Leningrad Army Sports Club did not bring any clarity. Rather, on the contrary, from the responses of administration representatives, it became clear that either the leadership of the Army Sports Club does not control what is happening in the territory under its jurisdiction, or deliberately does not provide information about the development to representatives of sports federations, government bodies and the public interested in using the Complex for its intended purpose.

Vladimir Zhitenev

Of all the variety of ski slopes in the city and the Leningrad region, only a few places should be highlighted where the level of infrastructure and the preparation of the slope itself are of high quality. Each of you who has ever ridden on a track prepared by a retrack will tell you what a pleasure it is.

There are basic, significant factors when choosing a location for active rest and training. Firstly, the location and how you can get to the track in different ways. Secondly, the availability of parking, changing rooms and a cafe. If a cafe, buffet, restaurant is not such an important component, then parking and changing rooms play a very important role. Third - piste preparation, lighting, equipment rental and ski service.

Undoubtedly, for all these factors, the training center “Kavgolovo”, near the village of Toksovo, occupies a leading position. From the very beginning of winter, snow cannons are already starting to work to prepare the tracks for training. There is lighting throughout the entire route. The complex building has everything necessary for preparing skis, any service and rental. Ample parking. The cafe-dining room is designed for 150 people. Changing rooms and showers contribute to a comfortable stay at the complex.

Training center "Kavgolovo" is located at st. Lesgafta 35 building 1. 17 km from Devyatkino metro station. You can also get there by train from the Finnish station to Kavgolovo station (46 minutes) and from Devyatkino station (20 minutes) also to Kavgolovo station.

The oldest track in the region.

The SKA route was built back in the fifties of the last century. Regional and all-Union competitions were constantly held here, for which the Kavgolovo sports complex was equipped with four hotels, a ski stadium and a judges' pavilion. SKA is one of the most difficult tracks. Its length is 10 kilometers, and the total height gain (in other words, the sum of the heights of all the slides that you have to climb) is 400 meters. It's ideal for pros, but for beginners it's best to practice on shorter running courses.

How to get there: by train from Finlyandsky station to Toksovo station, minibus 431 from the Prospekt Prosveshcheniya metro station to the Toksovo Center stop, from there it’s a kilometer walk. The journey will take 30 – 40 minutes.

"Dynamo" in the Kavgolovsky forest park

A small but convenient training track among centuries-old fir trees.

Unlike the nearby SKA, Dynamo is also suitable for those who are not very confident on skis. Its length is 5 kilometers, and the total height gain is only 120 meters. It is occasionally used for local competitions. The rest of the time, the wide road, protected from the wind by coniferous forest, is ideal for training.

How to get there: by train from Finlyandsky station to Kavgolovo or Toksovo stations, minibus 431 from the Prospekt Prosveshcheniya metro station to the Toksovo Center stop, from there it’s a kilometer walk, in addition, next to Dynamo it’s located ski resort"Eagle Mountain" with parking. The journey will take 40 minutes.

"Pargolovskaya ski track"

A winding and easy route on the northern outskirts of St. Petersburg.

The Pargolovskaya ski track runs through the southern part of the Shuvalovsky forest park. This is the most convenient route for skiers who do not have time to go to train at Eagle Mountain or Blue Dacha. In addition, it is very suitable for beginners: the height difference is only 15 meters, there are no slides, and the coach can observe the skier without practically moving from one place.

How to get there: by bus, minibus from the Ozerki or Prospekt Prosveshcheniya metro stations to the Doroga na Kamenka stop, from there - 500 meters on foot. The journey will take 10 – 20 minutes (depending on traffic jams on the Vyborg highway)

LMZ

A well-equipped and wide track in the picturesque Lembolovo forests.

An ideal road for those who are already bored in Pargolovo, but it’s too early to go to Toksovo. The total length of the ski track is 10 kilometers. It is paved by Buran snowmobiles, so the track is wide enough for both classic and free-running competitions. The total height difference is 200 meters, the section that is especially difficult for beginners and “intermediates” is right in the middle: there are many slides and sharp turns. The area around the LMZ ski track is indented with small walking trails, which are used by children and ordinary vacationers who occasionally go out of town with their skis. Among the amenities are a well-equipped racing start (with radio communication) and a recreation center with brick houses: relatively cozy, although without any special frills.

How to get there: by train from Finlyandsky station to Lembolovo station. The total travel time is a little over an hour.

"Blue Dacha"

A long and difficult route at the foot of the Koltush Upland.

The route of the MOO STC "Monolit" is located a few kilometers from the urban area of ​​Rzhevka-Porokhovye. This is one of the longest ski runs in the vicinity of St. Petersburg (about 15 kilometers). Part of it passes through open terrain, one section is replete with long and steep climbs (the total drop is 255 meters). Competitions there are held quite rarely. The main convenience is that you can get to it directly from the city on skis, since there is a special walking ski track from the forest park in Porokhov, along which it is direct to the track - only 7 kilometers on flat terrain.

How to get there: by buses and minibuses 426 – 430 from the Ladozhskaya metro station to the village of Suoranda. Travel time is only 30 - 40 minutes.

Kavgolovo is not just a hotel complex, but a country recreation center with good infrastructure. There is plenty for active recreation lovers to do here. all year round: in winter - ride boards and alpine skiing, sleigh and cheesecake, in the summer - mini golf, boats, tennis. Moreover, what is especially convenient is that the complex is located just twenty kilometers north of St. Petersburg - at the foot of the Northern Slope.

Accommodation. The hotel's room capacity consists of two-, three- and five-bed rooms with private facilities (shower and toilet). The decor, however, is not far from the Soviet one (simple single beds, a minimum of inexpensive furniture), and household appliances (TVs and refrigerators) are only available in rooms with additional amenities. But the prices are an order of magnitude lower than at more modern recreation centers and country hotels.

Restaurant complex. The hotel dining room has a capacity of 150 seats. The prices are quite reasonable: set (breakfast, lunch and dinner) - 400 rubles, breakfast - from 100 rubles, lunch - from 180 rubles, dinner - from 120 rubles. The meals are very satisfying, the menu is varied. In addition, the complex has a café-bar with snacks and alcohol.

Nature. The surroundings of Toskovo are one of the most beautiful places in the Leningrad region (see photo): century-old pine trees, hills, lakes... Nearby is the famous Toskovsky bison reserve - the northernmost point of Europe, where these unique animals live.

Sports and active recreation. The opportunities for active recreation in Kavgolovo are almost unlimited. Let's start with winter sports. For lovers of alpine skiing and boarding, the Northern slope is equipped for skiing; There are four lifts, including a rope tow. If you don’t know how to ski, but still want adrenaline, the “Wild Cheesecakes” trail is for you: no less scary and fun, but no special skills are required. For those who prefer active recreation without extreme sports - cross-country skiing.

In spring and summer, mini-football, basketball and volleyball are played in Kavgolovo - there are also equipped grounds for this on the territory of the complex. In addition, there are table tennis tables, a shooting range, bicycles and boats. Most often it is not necessary to take equipment with you for either winter or summer sports - there are rental points (exceptions are boards and alpine skis).

Finally, there is a paintball court on the territory of the complex - it can be used at any time of the year.

Entertainment. If during the day everything in Kavgolovo is suitable for active recreation, then in the evening you want more relaxing entertainment. In this case in hotel complex There is a sauna with a relaxation room, billiards, and barbecue areas (barbecues can be rented here).