04.04.18 86 427 14

I have been skiing and snowboarding for 17 years.

Evgenia Torgashova

went to Krasnaya Polyana

I live in Bashkortostan, so ski resorts Southern Urals already studied. For the third winter in a row, I go to Sochi for a week to the resorts of Krasnaya Polyana. The last trip cost me 20 thousand rubles. I'll tell you why I love Krasnaya Polyana and what you can save on.

Why Krasnaya Polyana

Krasnaya Polyana - resort in Krasnodar Territory and the common name for the area where the village of Krasnaya Polyana, the village of Estosadok (it is closest to the ski centers) and ski resorts are located.

This year, for the first time in history, all four resorts in Krasnaya Polyana were opened: Gazprom Alpika, Gazprom Laura, Gorki Gorod, and Rosa Khutor.

Many people think that "Rosa Khutor" and "Krasnaya Polyana" are synonyms, but they are not. Rosa Khutor is only one of the resorts in Krasnopolyana, but it is the largest: the length of the slopes here is 102 km. The total length of the tracks of all the resorts of Krasnaya Polyana is 160 km, and this is not counting the huge off-piste area (at your own peril and risk).

There is no longer such a vast ski area in Russia. Sheregesh can be put in second place, but there are only 35 km of slopes. In Krasnaya Polyana, you can ride every day at a new resort, and to fully explore Rosa Khutor, even three days will not be enough.

Krasnaya Polyana is not only skiing from morning to evening. Ski festivals and concerts of stars are held here: we got to the Tinkoff-Rosa-Fest and almost missed the Splin concert. Skating rinks, karting tracks, water parks, cinemas, equipment stores, gyms, exhibitions - there is something to do in bad weather.

I have skated in Austria and Italy, and Krasnaya Polyana is more suitable for me for a short vacation. To go to the Alps, you need to plan ahead. You won’t be able to break loose there “under the forecast” or just go for the weekend.

Comparing prices in the Alps and Krasnaya Polyana is a favorite pastime of experienced people. For me, rest in Krasnaya Polyana is definitely cheaper.

Flight

To get to Krasnaya Polyana, you need to fly to Sochi. The nearest airport to Sochi is located in Adler - this is not a neighboring city, but a district Greater Sochi. In winter, air travel from Moscow to Sochi costs from 3000 R one way. If you fly with your ski equipment, do not forget to look at the cost of a ticket with luggage - usually it is higher by 1500-2000 R.

Airlines "Aeroflot", "ES-7", " Ural Airlines”, “UTair” transport in winter ski equipment free of charge, in addition to the basic baggage allowance. But this does not apply to the cheapest tariffs "Light", "Promo" and the like - they are suitable only for those who plan to rent equipment on the spot.

If you take the most cheap airfare, get ready to pay extra for luggage and other options.

Width="2168" height="1244" class=" outline-bordered" style="max-width: 1084.0px; height: auto" data-bordered="true"> Direct ticket Moscow - Sochi in winter can be bought for 3000 R one way

My experience. I live in Bashkortostan. Flights Ufa - Sochi - Ufa with luggage on my dates cost 12,000 R per person. We decided it was expensive and checked the prices for package tours. As a result, we managed to buy a last-minute tour from one well-known tour operator for 15,600 R for two. The tour included a round trip charter flight, hotel accommodation - 6 nights with breakfast.

Such prices for tours in winter are not uncommon, here is an example of booking a tour from Kazan.

Advice for residents of the regions and not only: check how much tours cost on aggregator sites ("Fly", "Travelata", "Level Travel") - often it's cheaper than paying for air tickets, accommodation and transfers separately.

Transfer from airport

Transfer prices depend on where you stay. There are two fundamentally different options:

1. live in Krasnaya Polyana or Estosadka, near ski resorts;
2. live on the coast, in Adler, and come to the mountains to ride.

I will talk about the pros and cons of each option further, but for now let's look at the cost of the transfer. If your hotel is in a mountain cluster, be guided by the following prices.

156 R - a ticket for bus number 105 or 105c, which goes to Krasnaya Polyana.

300 R - a shuttle ride of the Rosa Khutor resort. The shuttle runs on schedule and does not stop at other resorts. Here is the schedule.

1300 R - a trip in a passenger taxi, ski equipment for 2-3 people usually fits into such a car.

2000-2200 R - minivan taxi for a large company of 7-8 people.

300-400 R - a car for car sharing at the airport parking lot.

Long-term car rental without a driver in Sochi costs from 1000 rubles per day, excluding fuel costs.

If you decide to live by the sea, and only go to the mountains to ride, then the transfer issue is even easier to solve: 500 R costs a transfer around Adler in a passenger taxi, from 50 R - travel by public transport.

My experience. We flew with a tour operator, so we didn’t pay anything for the transfer: we were met by a bus at the airport and taken to the hotel. Comfortable.

Where to live: Krasnaya Polyana

Pros. A hotel in the mountains, in close proximity to resorts, is convenient for singles, couples, and especially families with children. Less time passes from breakfast to the first skiing. More entertainment in the evenings - what is called "apres ski" in Europe.

During the season, Krasnaya Polyana constantly hosts parties in bars, jazz festivals, lectures on avalanche safety and freeride skiing, and concerts. Entertainment in winter is more in the mountains, and not on the coast.

Minuses. Living in Krasnaya Polyana in winter is expensive. A hotel room for two with a separate shower room costs an average of 3500-4000 R per night.

It is most expensive to live in hotels on the Rosa Plateau at an altitude of 1170 m. There are ski-in-ski-out hotels, that is, you can get out of them right in your ski boots and immediately get on the lift. These are large chain hotels with a buffet for breakfast and dinner, storage rooms for inventory and spa complexes. You have to pay for everything: a day of stay in the Rosa Springs spa area, for example, will cost 2000 R.

Closest to the cable cars are the Riders Lodge, Rosa Springs, Rosa Ski Inn, Rosa Chalet cottages. A room at Rosa-ski-inn, when booked a month before the trip, costs from 7,500 rubles per night, even without breakfast. Similar prices in the youth "Ryders Lodge".

As you move away from cable cars hotel prices are going down. And they fall to a minimum if you are ready to consider not a hotel, but a hostel. In the hostel, prices start from 600 rubles per night - you don’t even need to book in advance.

You still have to resolve the issue with the transfer from the hotel to the ski lifts. This is either a free shuttle (if you have a ski pass), or city buses number 135, 105, or a taxi. A bus ticket within Krasnaya Polyana costs from 25 R, a taxi ride around the resort - 300-400 R.

Advice. There are few hotels from which you can go directly to the ski lifts, and they are expensive. Book hotels where a daily shuttle to the ski lifts is already included. So you don’t have to wait for a bus every morning or order a taxi to get to the lower stations of the Gazprom, Gorki Gorod or Rosa Khutor cable cars. Hotels always report this service on Booking.com.

How to save. Best hotels open bookings for the winter in the summer. To live in classy hotels in the mountains, you need to take care of the reservation at least 4-6 months before the trip.

Where to live: Adler

This is not the most obvious accommodation option for those who travel to Sochi to ski. Nevertheless, we have been practicing it for three years in a row and we advise everyone. We are talking about Adler, and not about central Sochi. From Adler there is a highway to Krasnaya Polyana, the road to the ski lifts takes 40-50 minutes by car.

Pros. In winter, Adler hotels are idle, so here you can find excellent double rooms with a private bathroom at a price of 1000 rubles per day. You won't find a room of this class at this price in Krasnaya Polyana.

If you live in Adler, then every time after skiing you can change the climate. In the mountains at the level of the Rose Valley, the daily temperature is about 0-5 °C, and on the coast in winter it reaches 15 °C. Watching the sunset on a deserted winter beach is priceless.

Minuses. Every day you have to spend 2 hours on the road (an hour there, an hour back). If you get to the resorts by car, you will have to deny yourself mulled wine on the mountain and a mug of beer after skiing.

My experience. This year we went through a tour operator, accommodation was included in the price of the tour. Our friends flew in from Orenburg themselves and settled in the same hotel - Sochi Park Hotel. For 6 nights they paid only 3000 rubles for a double room. Everyone can do this:

There are several hotels in Adler that operate on an all-inclusive basis - they offer accommodation, meals, transfers to the ski lifts. These are the Lieutenant Rzhevsky and Arly hotels, the Knowledge boarding house and others.

At 8 am, guests are taken to any of the three ski centers, and at 16-17 hours they pick it up. You can go right away in ski boots - save on luggage storage.

Width="1000" height="598" class=" outline-bordered" style="max-width: 1000px; height: auto" data-bordered="true"> In 2017, we lived at the Lieutenant Rzhevsky Hotel. Accommodation, breakfast and dinner, transfer to the ski lifts and back cost 1500 R per person per day

How to get to the ski lifts

If you do not live in a ski-in-ski-out hotel, you will have to get to the ski lifts every morning.

In Krasnaya Polyana you can get to the ski lifts with a free shuttle if you have a ski pass from any resort. You can also take a taxi (300-400 R) or public bus. A bus ticket costs 25-50 R depending on the number of stops.

If you live in Adler and plan to go every day to ski resorts, the options are as follows:

1. the same transfer from hotels - sometimes it is included in the accommodation. At the Sochi Park Hotel, a transfer costs 600 R round-trip;
2. the famous Olympic train "Swallow" - 250 R from the station "Imeretinsky resort" to the station "Rosa Khutor";
3. bus Olympic Park - Rosa Khutor - 187 R one way;
4. private traders - from 200 R per person, but they will go only when there is a full car;
5. carsharing - from 8 R per minute of car rental.

My experience. Car sharing is well developed in Sochi. On this trip, we got to the resorts only by carsharing cars. A car ride from the Olympic Park to Rosa Khutor cost 400 R. There were four of us, so my car sharing costs were only 1500 R per week.

If you plan to use carsharing in Sochi, I advise you to register in the application while still at home: documents can be checked for several days. We chose the Yurentkar company. Their application seemed to me very simple and convenient.

Car sharing has some peculiarities: the car can be left only in permitted places. And the company will have to appoint a sober driver every day.

Width="1000" height="750" class="" style="max-width: 1000px; height: auto"> You can take bus number 135 from the Olympic Park to Rosa Khutor for 187 R . True, it will take you almost two hours.

Ski passes

So, you flew in, settled in, drove to the resorts and decided how you would get to the ski lifts. It remains to buy a ski pass and finally start skiing.

There are four ski resorts in the Krasnaya Polyana ski area: Gazprom-Laura, Gazprom-Alpika, Rosa Khutor and Gorki Gorod. Prices for ski passes are different everywhere, there is no single ski pass yet, although the media regularly promise it. With a single ski pass, it will become like in Europe: you buy it and ride throughout the entire zone. In the meantime, every day a tourist has to choose which resort to go to.

Each resort has a detailed tariff scale for ski passes: prices depend on the days of the week and season (more expensive on weekends and holidays), on the number of skiing days in a row, age and other factors.

"Rosa Khutor"

Ski pass price per day in high season: 2650 R.

Tracks: 8 green, 18 blue, 12 red, 8 black, sled and tubing tracks, snow park.

Suitable for: families with children, advanced riders, freeriders.

In my opinion, this is the best ski resort in Russia today with total length trails 102 km. There are green runs for beginners, many blue and red runs. It was here that the Olympic skiing program was held, and now everyone has the opportunity to ride on the "male" or "female" Olympic slope - these tracks are called so.

2560 R

cost a ski pass for a day at the Rosa Khutor resort in March 2018

In 2016, trails were opened on the southern slope of the Aibga ridge. now this favorite place freeriders: they do not like prepared tracks and go wherever they look. Rosa Khutor is a resort more suitable for experienced and advanced skiers, as well as for freeriders.

Rosa Khutor has the most expensive ski passes: 2650 rubles per day during the high season, which lasts from the end new year holidays until the end of March.

How to save: buy a ski pass on the official website with a 5% discount and for several days at once. A ski pass for two consecutive days on the site costs 4560 R - 2280 R per day. You can buy ski passes for three, five, seven days of skiing, but I recommend doing this only if you are sure of a good weather forecast. If it snows, most of the tracks will be closed due to poor visibility and the danger of avalanches, and your money will be lost.

Gazprom Laura

Runs: 3 green, 7 blue, 8 red, 3 black, cross-country ski runs.

Who it's for: Beginners and those who like calm skiing.

The resort is well suited for lovers of leisurely skiing on blue and green slopes. The total length of the tracks here, according to the official website, is 23 km (now imagine the scale of Rosa Khutor with its 102 km).

A daily ski pass in the high winter season (until early April) costs 1850 R. It is advantageous to take a morning ski pass: it is valid from 9:00 to 13:30 and costs 1200 R. There are rates for children and pensioners.

Gazprom Alpika

Ski pass price per day in high season: 1850 R.

Trails: 3 red, 2 black.

Suitable for: experienced riders, freeriders.

This is a resort for professional skiers. The fact is that it was the first in Krasnaya Polyana - it opened in 1993 under the name "Alpika-service". The history of the local ski area began with him. In 2010, the resort was closed for reconstruction, and the opening took place just this season.

5 difficult and very difficult tracks with a total length of 7.5 km have been opened. There is also a children's slope with a travelator - a special rubber track for climbing. While it is deserted here, you can meet a rare freerider or expert. Prices for ski passes are similar to Gazprom Laura.

"Gorki city"

Ski pass price per day in high season: 1900 R.

Trails: 2 green, 9 blue, 13 red, 4 black, most of them are short.

Suitable for: either completely beginners or very advanced skiers who are not embarrassed by narrow, steep and winding slopes.

For those who came to Krasnaya Polyana before the Olympics, this resort is known as the "Mountain Carousel". Today it is 30 km ski slopes different levels of complexity. Beginners ride on the blue and green slopes leading to Upper city- This is a platform at an altitude of 960 m above sea level. Advanced riders ride in the so-called circuses - couloirs between the peaks.

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 the remaining in the ranks offers a choice of tracks of various difficulty levels, from the easiest for beginners to extreme tracks for professionals.

Rosa Khutor Resort

One of the most popular ski resorts in Sochi. For the 2014 Olympics, the complex was completely renovated, and today it is the most modern ski resort in the country. In total, there are 39 tracks of various difficulty levels on the slope, with a total length of 94 km. Elevation difference 1534 meters. 26 lifts are used to rise to a height various types. Thanks to state-of-the-art artificial snow equipment, the skiing and snowboarding season starts in November and lasts until May.

During the summer, the Rosa Khutor resort offers visitors five hiking trails and three bike trails. Also at an altitude of 1350 meters above the water level is the rope complex "Panda Park". There are three routes to choose from, one of which is at a height of 23 meters.

Route scheme.
Official site.

Specifications 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

Resort "Gorki Gorod"

It consists of the sports and tourist complex "Gornaya Karusel", modern hotels and apartments, shops, restaurants and other infrastructure. In fact, this is an independent and independent city, which allows you to engage in comfort and coziness. outdoor activities. For visitors there are 30 winter ski slopes with a total length of 30 km. Some of the trails are illuminated, which allows skiing in the evening. Snow cannons guarantee snow until May, and 11 cable cars help skiers climb initial height. The complex has children's schools with professional instructors.

In summer, the only mountain bike trail in Krasnaya Polyana opens for tourists, rope complexes operate. It is proposed to visit the surroundings of Sochi national park on quad bikes.

Route scheme.
Official site

Specifications 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 in Krasnaya Polyana, which includes the Laura complex, located on the Psekhako ridge. Its distinguishing feature from neighboring ski resorts is a gentle slope, which allows you to enjoy plenty of skiing on high-speed slopes. By the way, the Russian national skiing and biathlon team is based here.

The complex has 7 "green" and "blue" ski slopes for beginners, which are ideal for learning, 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 all year round there is a social and cultural center "Galaktika", 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 high-speed descents from the mountain slopes on cheesecakes are offered.

Route scheme.
Official site

Specifications 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 is beautiful at any time of the year, and the winter months are no exception. For vacationers in the winter, there are a lot of advantages associated with an independent visit. popular places and attractions. Even if you arrive in Sochi for 1 or 2 days, you will spend them in winter tropical beauty. Spreading palm trees and flowering shrubs adorn the city in these months, calm from tourists. The fragrant Mahonia and the beautiful Mimosa bloom only at the end of winter. Large, fluffy flowers-balls, brightly decorate the city in sunny colors and create a cheerful summer mood.

Weather

Winter in Sochi is sunny and warm compared to other regions of Russia. Air temperature in the center december exceeds +12° С, in January+8° С, in february+7° C. Snow falls very rarely and not every year. Lies for 1-2 days and melts. There are no more than ten cloudy days during the winter month. The rest of the time the bright southern sun shines. In December, at the height of the day, the air temperature can reach +25° С. In the winter months, sun loungers are installed on the territory of the sanatoriums for sunbathing, in which vacationers sunbathe with pleasure. The water in the Black Sea in winter is +10°C and some brave tourists dare to swim.

Winter in Sochi - photo

Sea and coast

In winter, the sea often changes, sometimes raging with force breaking its waves against the shore, sometimes calm and gentle. Walks on sea ​​shore bring pleasure from the contemplation of this marine giant with its dark waters. And the sea air will saturate the body with important trace elements.

Winter sea Sochi

Advice for those who decide to swim in the winter sea. Take a light jog warm up your body. Take a quick dip and rub your body after bathing with a soft towel. It would be great to have a cup of hot herbal tea. This will warm the body from the inside. After such a procedure, you will feel rejuvenated for several years, and vigor and lightness will appear in your body.

What to see in Sochi in winter

In winter, the outflow of tourists is clearly felt. The streets become freer, there is practically no one on the beach. The bustle in the markets and shops disappears. Public transport half empty, taxis in excess. A great opportunity to get to know the city and see the sights of Sochi without the fuss and hustle.

Where to go near Sochi

Traveling in the foothills of the Sochi region in winter can be made in the winter months if you arrive here for 2 or more days. A picnic on equipped sites with barbecue will add a homely atmosphere and comfort to your vacation. Eagle Mountains And monument to Prometheus great place for such an event. Admiring the mountain beauties will leave wonderful stories and vivid photographs in your memory for a long time.

For lovers of conquest mountain peaks, you can advise to climb Mount Akhun. In winter, it is easier and safer to do this. The mountain offers a breathtaking view of the sea and mountains.

Tower on Mount Akhun

Stalin's dacha near Matsesta will interest admirers of the "great leader of the people." The building attracts the attention of true connoisseurs and researchers of the architecture of the last century.

Treatment in Sochi

famous Sochi resorts and sanatoriums have gained world fame for a long time. Many are equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment. Unique climate combined with treatment high level favorably affects the healing of the body, and getting rid of many diseases. All resorts are open all year round.

famous Matsesta hydrogen sulfide baths contribute to recovery from many diseases of the skin and musculoskeletal system. Radon springs contain waters of unique composition that have a beneficial effect on the human body.

Sochi is one of the most environmentally friendly cities in Russia. Clean mountain air, combined with the sea, has an unprecedented effect on maintaining health, and gives an excellent boost of energy for a long time.

Cultural entertainment

With the advent of cool weather in Sochi, festivals, holidays and competitions are organized, which are attended with interest by residents and guests of the city.

In December there is an international Sochi Film Festival. Well-known cinematographers come from all countries. At this time, you can meet in popular places and just on the street, famous actors and popular artists. The city is filled with the atmosphere of the great art of cinema.

International Yury Bashmet Music Arts Festival takes place annually in mid-February. The holiday with the participation of famous artists is the pinnacle of cultural events in winter Sochi. During the festival, you can hear young and rising talents, and who knows, perhaps many of them will become world celebrities. And now they are taking their first steps in art, precisely within the framework of the Sochi festival.

Where to relax with children

In Adler is international Airport. Tourists arriving in Sochi by air begin their acquaintance with the resort from Adler. Adler, unlike Sochi, is located on a flat area. Neighboring with Abkhazia, provides additional opportunities for traveling and getting to know the sights of a neighboring country.

After the 2014 Olympics, Adler was replenished with many entertainment and sports facilities. Many modern hotels have been built, a modern beach with imported golden sand has been equipped. Famous Olympic Park this is the hallmark of modern Adler.

Visiting the territory of the Park with a child, you can admire the original architectural solutions and techniques. Ice Palace"Iceberg", "Puck" ice arena, "Ice Cube" curling arena are modern and very original buildings. They will be the perfect backdrop for your photos. Here is a real Russian Disneyland - Sochi Park, from the rest in which your children will be delighted. visit Formula 1 tracks will please lovers of high-speed sports and young fans of cars.

You can go on an excursion to the Formula 1 track in Sochi, Riviera Park

It is one of the largest in Russia. More than 200 species of fish live in 30 aquariums, with total area more than 6 thousand square meters. A tunnel with a glass dome will allow you to admire huge sharks and flocks of colored fish swimming past. A zone with freshwater inhabitants of tropical rivers and lakes has been created in the Oceanarium. A tropical forest and a small waterfall reminiscent of the Amazon jungle.

At the time of the hot summer days so hard to find time to visit the famous and so beautiful places most southern point Russia. During the winter months, this is easier and more enjoyable. Coming to Sochi in winter, you will make a trip to the city unique nature and big cultural events.

Ski resorts in Sochi 2020 - prices with accommodation and an overview of the most popular places in the village of Krasnaya Polyana (Rosa Khutor). Houses, apartments, cottages and places in hostels - where 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 hotel "Polyana 1389" was finally opened in Laura - it is especially convenient for those who have the means and went to Sochi by car in winter. There is parking there, and 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 buying tickets in advance: “Lastochki” have been greatly reduced, so since October it has become inconvenient to get by train.

In addition, due to the crisis, service has fallen in many cheap and middle-class hotels. Many 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 Krasnaya Polyana has great prospects in this regard.

Accommodation prices

Most in demand are hotel houses overlooking the river and mountain panoramas. In the Rosa Khutor ski resort, it is easiest to rent a room cheaply through online booking. On New Year 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 around the clock.

When renting houses, you can rent a cottage with a sauna, a parking lot, a playground and a barbecue area. However, given that plots in these protected areas are worth their weight in gold, almost all real estate has a very modest interior area.

Gazprom (Laura)

The ski resort in Sochi Gazprom or, as it is also called, Laura, is one of the best. Those who have been to European resorts will not be very disappointed in it. The only unpleasant thing is not always decent service and occasionally slipping rudeness. Yes, and your face at the entrance will be photographed in case you steal the Fisher skis you rented. But in general, in terms of comfort, everything is fine.

The main base in Gazprom is located near the lower lift. cottages, restaurants, Beautiful places– all this is guaranteed. The infrastructure is good except for some drag lifts, near which queues accumulate. Plus, the resort is low, so the organizers have to support the snow cover with cannons in some places. So it doesn’t happen that the snow has melted in Laura and it’s impossible to ride. Moreover, for athletes and professionals, artificial snow is better. Therefore, snow cannons in Gazprom are really a big plus for this resort.

In total, Gazprom has 16 tracks of varying difficulty. For those who have not skied in Sochi 2020 before, it will be very comfortable and convenient - there are gentle slopes for training. As for the price of ski rental, for a set of Volki or Fisher you will have to pay from 500 to 1000 rubles. In general, not bad, for a few days you can have a wonderful rest. You can also rent a snowboard.

"Rosa Khutor"

The ski resort in Sochi "Rosa Khutor" is a former resort for the rogue. The prices here are the most affordable, especially in terms of accommodation. But rental, lifts are even more expensive than in Europe. The lift for 1 day will cost 2650 rubles. Conditions - after the Olympics (and there were competitions here as well) became quite normal. A picturesque, but somewhat dull view of the Mzymta River, all kinds of Russian taverns, a good cable car with spacious cabins. By the way, there are expensive hotels in Rosa Khutor, but one must understand that mostly young people and locals prevail in the resort.

The length of trails at Rosa Khutor is greater than at Gazprom-Laura. There are as many as 77 km of them, there are 16 lifts. Snow cannons work - there is where to ride. Some of the lifts are still under construction, and for several years already. Of the minuses - on some routes there are stones and ice blocks. There are also queues for lifts. In addition, the reviews of tourists about Rosa Khutor indicate that the resort is very fond of cheating with prices. So everything is typical in Russian. But then again, whoever came to ride will get it. The only thing you need to be careful, because not all dangerous routes are marked. Look at the map, memorize, do not rush.

In general, Rosa Khutor is annoying, especially for those who have previously visited Europe. But there is nowhere to go. If you accept and just come to ride, you can even have fun. By the way, those who want to buy mountain skis for children should know that personal equipment is sometimes stolen in Rosa Khutor.

"Mountain carousel"

The ski resort in Sochi "Mountain Carousel" is located in the town of Estosadok. He became famous for the fact that Medvedev rode here. If you manage to book a hotel in the "Mountain Carousel" at around 960 meters, he will enjoy only one picturesque view. Of all the skiing in Sochi 2020, Karusel is the most beautiful.

The length of the trails here is 27 kilometers. The main track is professional, there are even ski jumps, but there are also several tracks for beginners. It is better not to go here with children, although there are good instructors for them. It’s just that the tracks for children’s skiing, according to many, are dangerous. Yes, and with a car there is a tension - there are almost no parking lots. Otherwise, the "Mountain Carousel" is a very worthy object. Hotels - average in price, from 3000 rubles with kopecks per room. Alpine skis for hire from well-known companies - Salomon, Rossignol, Berton, elite Volki and Fisher. The cost is about 1000 rubles. Ski pass will cost from 700 rubles and more.

Service at the Gornaya Karusel is not too different from Gazprom and Rosa Khutor, but, probably due to the smaller number of people, it is more calm and dignified. Plus, the infrastructure is not so developed - there are much fewer restaurants, saunas and bars.

Although skiing in Sochi 2020 are inferior to the European level, they are developing every year. Who does not go to Sochi, he goes to Dombai. The organizers of ski resorts in Sochi are working to improve the service, which has grown significantly in 2019.

In a broad sense, the ski resort in Sochi is called Krasnaya Polyana, although there are no ski complexes in the village of Krasnaya Polyana itself, they start from the village of Esto-Sadok, next to which Gazprom and Gornaya Karusel are located, and end with Alpika and the most extreme resort "Rosa Khutor".

In general, a lot has already been done for the development of skiing for the Olympics, which is natural, but even now the complexes continue to develop rapidly and compete with each other, so every year you see something new: new cable cars are being built, new routes, hotels, all kinds of entertainment.

Guns are now everywhere, because it is not always possible to count on mother nature. The official season lasts as long as possible from December to April and even May, but in fact we definitely ride in February and March.

Where to ski in Sochi

Every time we visit, we try to run through all the places to see and experience all the innovations. Actually, only 3 complexes, where there are mountain slopes in Sochi are now working.

Alpika-service, the very first Krasnopolyansk resort, is now under reconstruction. There is an expansion, construction, so while everything is closed, we are waiting for something grandiose. So far, they sell Gazprom ski passes and deliver them to the Gazprom slopes with their cable car. In general, everything seems to be moving towards a merger with Rosa.

Gazprom (also called Laura after the name of the river and the ski and biathlon complex) we consider so far the best, with many European resorts he could compete, and on modern tracks, and on lifts, and on infrastructure, as always, he loses only in service. Site of the complex http://polyanaski.ru/

There is artificial lighting and snow on the slopes, so the snow is usually fine there, although the resort is located quite low.

The complex is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and until 23:00 on Friday, weekends and holidays. There are 14 cable cars: gondola, chair and tow. We didn't see any lines here.

Now there are 15 tracks of varying difficulty, but more will be opened. There are beautiful, gentle slopes for beginners, there are excellent "black" ones, but they are open only with a confident snow cover.

It is very good to study on the “green” Gazprom tracks, all our beginner friends and especially the children got up on skis there. In general, everything here is focused on family holiday: wide pistes, non-ski activities such as snow tubing, go-karting, large Entertainment Center"Galaktika" (cinema, skating rink, mini-aqua park, club, etc.). Prices, I note, are not low, especially for restaurants, etc.

"Mountain carousel"

The most beautiful places here, although the resort itself is not as popular and fashionable, and the infrastructure is not as rich as in Rose and Gazprom. But it is a more peaceful, democratic place. But, most likely, everything will change soon, development is proceeding at a rapid pace, because the "Mountain Carousel" is part of the grandiose Gorki-gorod project: modern hotels, shopping centers, water park, etc.

Recently, evening skating was done in Karusel, and before the tracks were open only until 17:00, there are also guns. There are not many trails yet, only 25 km from the "green" ones (the training ones are very good) to the "black ones". A very popular freeride complex, i.e. off-piste skiing, which, by the way, is prohibited. A total of 13 lifts, gondola and chairlifts.

The atmosphere here so far, I repeat, is quite democratic, you can easily find an inexpensive and tasty snack, for example, what else to look for at Gazprom and Rosa.

"Rosa Khutor"

The most fashionable resort where you can go skiing, mostly youth, quite modern and developing. True, here we also encountered rude service, but it is clear that the level is growing. "Rose", in fact, has already gone beyond ski complex, it exists on its own, without geographic reference to any locality, and already, as it were, has become such a point, because there is absolutely all the infrastructure here, including children's and family entertainment, and you can easily spend up to a week there without leaving at all.

There are cannons, so everything is in order with the snow, there was no lighting, but they already did evening skiing. 18 lifts of all types: gondola, chairlifts, ski lifts, conveyor lifts, there are small queues on them.

The skiing area here is huge, about 30 runs from green to red and black, but some are closed. Here is the most spectacular Olympia lift in Polyana, passing over the abyss, and the most high point skiing - 2320 m.

View from Olympia

Rosa infrastructure: shops, fashion boutiques, cafes, restaurants of any cuisine, hairdressers, skating rink, karaoke. Accommodation: from apartments to luxurious Radisson. Everything is expensive.

In summer, the trails are used for mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding.

How to get there

Previously, the most convenient way was "Swallow", but now their routes have been greatly curtailed, now nothing goes from the airport at all, you have to look for options.

If we go to Rosa or Gazprom, we get off at the Rosa Khutor station, i.e. the final one, and if you go to Karusel, you can still get off at Esto-Sadok and get to the complex on the Karusel free bus.

Train timetable

As an option - a taxi, from the Address will cost 1200-1500 rubles, or buses (from the center of Sochi, Adler and the airport).

Accommodation

In general, an expensive resort is probably the most expensive in Russia, and ski resorts are traditionally even more expensive than beach resorts. Although there are not only 5-star hotels here, there are enough 2-3 * accommodations, and apartments, and even the private sector, but the prices still, let's say, do not always correspond to the quality of service.

Most cheap option accommodation - Adler private sector, but you have to regularly travel to the mountains, so this is only suitable for the option with a car.