Is it necessary to go abroad for a ski holiday? Not at all. There are excellent resorts in our country, and in almost all parts of it. The complexes differ significantly in terms of level, entertainment and prices. In our selection - 10 popular ski resorts in Russia for every taste and budget.
Rosa Khutor, Krasnaya Polyana
The ski resorts of Krasnaya Polyana are among the best in Russia. In terms of infrastructure, they are not inferior to European ones, and therefore prices are high. There is a mild maritime climate, wide groomed trails and a lot of entertainment.
Where: Krasnodar region.
How to get there: by plane or train to Sochi, further at will: bus, electric train "Lastochka" or a rented car. It takes about 40 minutes from the railway station to Rosa Khutor, and an hour from the airport.
Season: from mid-December to early May. The best time for skiing is February and March. Sometimes there is not enough snow for the New Year. At the end of April, you can literally ski in a T-shirt and shorts and even sunbathe.
Height difference: 1534 m.
Trails: total length of trails - 102 km. The resort was designed for competition, therefore difficult tracks prevail - black and red. There are 11 black runs, 13 green runs, 19 red runs, and 23 blue runs.
Ski passes: from 1,500 to 2,950 rubles per day, depending on the season. For 5 days - from 6300 to 11100 rubles. There are subscriptions for a different number of days.
Rental: a set for alpine skis or snowboard costs from 1400 to 1900 rubles per day. Newbie gear is cheaper than professional gear.
Accommodation: in Krasnaya Polyana, guesthouses cost from 800 rubles per night, hotels 3 * - from 2000 rubles.
More things to do: visit the Olympic facilities, go to Sochi. The resort has many restaurants, cafes, beauty salons and spas. There is entertainment for children.
Abzakovo
It is a small and inexpensive ski resort compared to others in Russia. It has many advantages: low prices, almost no queues for lifts and is suitable for beginners. The pistes are good, and those who rode in the snowy season or in too warm weather leave negative reviews about them. The atmosphere is calm and comfortable.
Where: Republic of Bashkortostan.
How to get there: by plane to Magnitogorsk, then by bus to the Novoabzakovo stop (travel is about 100 rubles). You can also get there by train to the station of the same name. Residents of the Urals often travel by car.
Season: from November to the end of April.
Height difference: 311 m.
Trails: 13 slopes ideal for beginners - no freeriding and no black slopes. The average length of the track is 1.2 km. There is a 10 km cross-country skiing and biathlon trail with the possibility of shooting at the turn, as well as 4 slalom and giant slalom trails.
Ski passes: on weekdays - 1,000 rubles, on weekends - 1,400 rubles per day.
Rental: a ski or snowboard set costs 1000-1500 rubles on weekdays, 1300-2000 rubles on weekends.
Accommodation: there is little of it, mostly chalets and small hotels. The average room price is 2000 rubles per night. You can stay 15-20 km from the resort - in Novoabzakovo or Beloretsk (from 2500 rubles per night).
What else to do: visit the zoo where the Amur tigers live, ride ATVs, go to the indoor water park, SPA center or local baths.
Mount Sobolinaya
Mount Sobolinaya is often included in the rating of the best ski resorts in Russia. And it is no coincidence - this is an excellent option not only for outdoor activities, but also for health improvement. If you come here for a few days, you will have time to try all levels of skiing difficulty.
Where: Baikalsk, Irkutsk region.
How to get there: by plane or by train to Irkutsk or Ulan-Ude. Then take a train, electric train, bus or taxi to Baikalsk.
Season: from early November to early May.
Height difference: 479 m.
Trails: all difficulty levels. There are slopes with an incline of up to 50 degrees, there are slalom, training and tubing routes.
Ski passes: 1000 rubles a day on weekdays, 1850 rubles on weekends.
Rental: a set of skis costs 300-500 rubles, a snowboard - 800-900 rubles (more expensive on weekends). After 15:00 - discounts.
Accommodation: prices are affordable - a night at the hotel costs from 800 rubles. You can rent a private house (from 5000 rubles per day) or apartments (from 2800 rubles). The nearest hotels are near the ski lifts.
What else to do: There are many bars and restaurants around the resort, as well as a health complex where you can recuperate and heal. You can go to Baikal, because it is in the winter months that the icy landscapes of the lake are most impressive.
Dombay
Dombay is a nostalgic direction for many. The Mussa-Achitara ridge has been known since the middle of the 20th century, when the first lifts appeared. True, the resort does not meet modern requirements - the infrastructure is lame, but the prices here are average. However, many people love it for its beautiful nature, mild climate and views of the Caucasus Mountains.
Where: Karachay-Cherkessia.
How to get there: by plane to Mineralnye Vody, then by taxi or bus. You can take a train to MinVod, to Cherkessk or Nevinnomyssk, then change to a taxi or bus. There is no direct bus - only with a change in Teberda. Find out how to get to Dombai.
Season: from December to April. Details about the weather in Dombai.
Height difference: 1600 m.
Trails: only three - blue, green and red. But for off-piste skiing there are more than 10 routes of different difficulty levels.
Ski passes: for new lifts - 1600 rubles per day. In the old complex, each lift is paid separately.
Rental: 400-450 rubles per day for a ski or snowboard set.
Accommodation: you need to book in advance - even in September, there are no more options for December-January at affordable prices. Budget rooms cost from 1300 rubles per day, hotels 3 * and above - from 5000 rubles. Find out about housing prices in Dombai.
More things to do: the resort has cafes, restaurants, billiards, bowling, dance clubs. Ride snowmobiles, sledges and horses.
Descent along the long track at Dombai
Elbrus and Cheget
Probably the most famous ski resort in Russia is the Elbrus region. The highest mountain in Russia and Europe has been attracting tourists all year round for more than a decade. In addition to Elbrus itself, they also ride on Mount Cheget. Elbrus is a picturesque and inexpensive place. Despite the average level of infrastructure, the experience of the resort will remain pleasant.
Where: Terskol, Kabardino-Balkaria.
How to get there: by plane or train to Mineralnye Vody or Nalchik, then by taxi to the village of Terskol. You can take a bus, but there is no direct one - you need a change in Tyrnyauz or Baksan.
Season: on Cheget - from December to April, on high parts of Elbrus - all year round.
Height difference: on Cheget - about 1100 m, on Elbrus - up to 2000 m.
Trails: Cheget is more suitable for snowboarders and experienced skiers, while Elbrus has routes of all levels. There are good opportunities for freeriding.
Ski passes: from 1550 to 1900 rubles a day on Elbrus and 800 rubles a day on Cheget.
Rental: 1100 per day for a ski or snowboard package. On New Year's holidays - 1650 rubles.
Lodging: the most budget rooms cost from 1,700 per day. Many options in the range of 3000-5000 rubles. At the same time, many hotels in the Elbrus region, like Dombai, have been preserved in the best traditions of the last century - multi-storey, large, with simple rooms. There are also mini-hotels, recreation centers, cottages.
More things to do: sample local dishes such as khychins, shorpu, herbal teas and homemade wine. Go horseback riding or quad biking, go to local baths, try skating, freeride, paintball and bowling. Go on an excursion to Shelter-11 and Bochki Shelter at an altitude of 3800. But do not forget that the body must undergo acclimatization for at least 2-3 days.
Sheregesh
Sheregesh is the largest ski resort in Siberia, not inferior in level to the best resorts in Russia, and at the same time inexpensive. There are almost no avalanches and a lot of natural snow. The resort attracts extremists with tracks with a lot of trees. Learn about the rest on Sheregesh.
Where: Kemerovo region.
How to get there: you can get to Novosibirsk, Kemerovo or Novokuznetsk. From there, take regular buses or taxis. There are few direct buses.
Season: lasts from the 20th of November to May.
Height difference: 680 m.
Trails: 16 tracks up to 5 kilometers long. Most are red and green, some of the routes have black sections at high altitude.
Ski passes: from 1200 rubles for a subscription for a day, depending on the tracks.
Rental: a snowboard or ski set for a day (8 hours) costs from 700 rubles. Hire for an hour - 200 rubles.
Accommodation: from 1200 rubles for a room in a guesthouse - there are most of them in the resort. Hotels 3 * cost from 3000 per room per day. There are hotels at the foot of the mountain. If you want to save money, settle in the village.
What else to do: ride huskies and horses, visit baths, spas, gyms. There are restaurants of different levels, a nightclub and a children's amusement park.
Khibiny
The most famous resort of the Khibiny is Bolshoy Vudyavr. It is the highest alpine ski resort in the North-West of Russia with the longest skiing season, as it is located in the Arctic Circle.
Where: Murmansk region, Kirovsk.
How to get there: by plane or by train to the city of Apatity, then change to a bus to Kirovsk, from there to go to the resort every day by public transport. From the center of Kirovsk to the trails (Northern slope) - 15 minutes on foot and 7 minutes by bus.
Season: from late December to late April.
Height difference: 550 m.
Trails: the average length is 1-1.5 kilometers. 10 blue, 6 red, 6 black and 1 green training.
Ski passes: for 2 hours - 700 rubles, for 1 day - 1550 rubles, for 5 days - 5700 rubles. There are subscriptions for any number of days.
Rental: ski or snowboard set - 1490 rubles per day.
Accommodation: you can live in Kirovsk itself. There are hostels from 800 rubles per night, hotels - from 2500 rubles, apartments - from 2000 rubles.
What else to do: freeride, the most opportunities for which are here in Russia. There are many bars, restaurants and karaoke facilities. If you're lucky, you can see the Northern Lights in winter. Go to the neighboring polar resort, which few know about - Kukisvumchorr. It is no less interesting and a little cheaper there. For example, a subscription for a day is 1200 rubles.
Bobrovy Log
Bobrovy Log is a fairly new and inexpensive ski resort in Russia. Suitable for skiers of all skill levels. And although there are no very high mountains here, local tracks are even adapted for sports competitions.
Where: Krasnoyarsk.
How to get there: by plane or train to Krasnoyarsk, and then by city bus.
Season: from November to April.
Height difference: 345 m.
Trails: there are 15 tracks, of which 5 are black, 6 are red, 3 are blue and 1 is green.
Ski passes: the price depends on the number of lifts. The maximum number is 10 lifts, the cost is 700 rubles on a weekday and 1100 rubles on weekends.
Rental: set of alpine skis / snowboard + boots - 700-1400 rubles, depending on the class of equipment.
Lodging: 3 * hotels cost from 2500 rubles per room, apartments and hotels are simpler - from 1500 rubles. Another option is to rent an apartment in the private sector not far from the resort - from 1200 rubles per day.
What else to do: visit the spa complex with Turkish bath, sauna, hydromassage and relaxation room. Try the Rodelbahn and Ziprider rides and take your kids to the Royev Creek Zoo. The resort is located within the city, so almost all entertainment is in Krasnoyarsk.
Video of descent on an easy ("green") track
Mountain air
The Mountain Air complex on Sakhalin is a modern, but unpopular resort due to its remoteness, and mostly locals rest there. However, if you have already tried all the main ski resorts in Russia, pay attention to this unusual and interesting destination.
Where: Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Bolshevik mountain.
How to get there: by plane to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, and from the airport by bus.
Season: from December to April.
Height difference: 500 m.
Trails: total length - 25 km. There are 10 red, 5 black and 13 green.
Ski passes: from 150 rubles per lift. 10 lifts - 1350 rubles.
Rental: ski or snowboard set - 2500 rubles per day.
Accommodation: living on Sakhalin is not cheap. Apartments - from 3000 rubles, hotels - from 4500 per day.
More things to do: of entertainment, mainly cafes and restaurants, there is also a paragliding club.
Igora
Igora is a modern ski resort in Russia with reasonable prices. There are trails of all difficulty levels, and it is in Igor that you can see the highest mountains in the Leningrad region.
Where: Leningrad region.
How to get there: to St. Petersburg by plane or train, to the resort - by bus or train (about 1 hour).
Season: from December to March, sometimes to April.
Height difference: 120 m.
Trails: the total length of the tracks is 3.5 km. There are 7 tracks in total, including a snowboard track and a gentle training slope.
Ski passes: for 1 day - 1500 rubles.
Rental: standard ski set - 720 rubles on weekdays and 880 rubles on weekends for 3 hours. Snowboarding kit - 820 rubles on weekdays and 920 rubles on weekends for 3 hours.
Accommodation: there is practically nowhere to live in Igor, and in the vicinity (5-10 km) there are many options for cottages and guest houses from 3000 rubles per room per day.
What else to do: Go to the spa with Thai and Ayurvedic programs, baths, saunas and restaurants. Travel to St. Petersburg and visit museums.
Igora ski resort
Which resort to choose
There are many ski resorts in Russia, there are also in the central part, and in Siberia, and in the Far East. Along with the most famous - in Sochi, Kemerovo and in the Caucasus - there are less known options, but not inferior in terms of the level and variety of leisure activities.
The most affordable are Igora, Bobrovy Log and Sobolinaya Gora, the leaders in terms of infrastructure are Krasnaya Polyana and Sheregesh, and the options "in the middle" are the Caucasus, Bashkiria and Sakhalin (the latter loses in terms of distance and price). The Khibiny is suitable for tourists who like unusual routes, those who are looking not only for an opportunity to ski, but also to discover unique places for themselves. Prices are average.
Dombay and Elbrus are regions with a rich history, and if you want your route to be as picturesque as possible, choose these places. The panorama of the Caucasus Mountains leaves no one indifferent! It is better for beginner skiers to go to Abzakovo, Igor, Sheregesh and Elbrus region (Elbrus, not Cheget), and professionals and extreme skiers - to Dombai, Khibiny, Sakhalin and Sobolinaya Gora.
If you are dreaming of a European-level vacation - you should visit Rosa Khutor, Sheregesh and Mount Sobolinaya. It is better to rest with children in Krasnaya Polyana, in Abzakovo, Igor or Bobrovy Log - primarily due to transport accessibility and proximity to cities.
