10 best ski resorts in Russia

The place is familiar to almost every Muscovite who loves skiing. Affordable both in price and location relative to the city, it cannot but attract lovers of active winter recreation. Two sports parks represent a single ski complex. There are 23 slopes for two and a single ski pass, which can be used to pay for all services in both areas. True, in order to purchase it, you will need cash - there are no terminals at the box office. The infrastructure of the complex is very developed: there are restaurants, hotels, entertainment, and a free shuttle runs between the parks. The highlight is the webcams on the slopes, they broadcast in real time the state of the tracks and the current weather conditions.

The Solnechnaya Dolina ski resort is a significant sports facility in Russia.About 30 competitions of federal and world importance take place here every year. The most famous are the stages of the World Cup in snowboarding (2016) and ski-cross (2017), the Championship among instructor schools. The complex consists of 11 tracks for professional skiers and beginners, all equipped with an artificial snow system and have night lighting. There are 10 single- and double-seat rope tows, for entertainment there is a cable car, rental of skis, snowmobiles and ATVs. In general, it is comfortable to relax here, but visitors complain about the noise, as construction work is still going on at some sites.

A large ski complex is a great place for a family holiday. There is a lot of entertainment for all ages: there is a children's club, a skating rink, and a rope park. It is not boring and easy to walk - all the forest paths are illuminated. True, the entrance to the territory is paid - 500 rubles.There are 10 slopes in the resort, you can choose the best one for an individual level of skiing. The longest is 390 m, it is also the most difficult, with sharp turns, variable terrain and good steepness. The complex is located not far from St. Petersburg, so it is not surprising that there are always many people who want to go skiing here. The reviews write that on peak dates the slopes are fully loaded, and you need to be prepared for small queues for the lifts.

The Rosa Khutor ski resort is the largest Olympic-level sports center in Russia. The total length of slopes of varying difficulty is 102 km with a vertical drop of 1535 m. All of them are certified by the International Ski Federation (FIS).The artificial snow system ensures the duration of the skiing season up to 180 days a year. The resort has 28 lifts. The average speed of the main ones is not less than 6 m / s. Each gondola can accommodate up to 8 people, and the outdoor cable cars are equipped with 4- and 6-seater chairs. The maximum capacity of the complex is 7,000 people per day, however, visitors are not satisfied with the queues for the lifts and relatively high prices.

People go to the Dombay ski resort for the best views and Caucasian hospitality. Large elevation changes, soft and plentiful snow attract active skiers, especially those who like off-piste routes. The weather also often pleases visitors with sunshine. There are few prepared trails, but their length is not bad - 25 km.The difficulty of the slopes is different: from green for beginners to black for the most experienced skiers. Tourists like affordable housing prices and a large selection of accommodation options, delicious Caucasian cuisine in local cafes and restaurants. But the service and infrastructure of the ski resort, judging by the reviews, leave much to be desired.

The oldest resort in the Southern Urals is also one of the most popular in Russia. Modest in size in comparison with the same Krasnaya Polyana, it has more than once become the base for national ski competitions. The tracks here are the best in the region: there are practically no ice sections on the slopes, and some reach an impressive 3 km in length.You can stay in the administrative building of the complex, but experienced skiers choose to stay in the village - it's much cheaper. True, inexperienced travelers can get lost in search of slopes - there are actually no signs. Difficulties await those who come to rest with their own car - there are parking lots, but they are paid, small capacity and without security.

There are 15 ski slopes of different difficulty levels available at the Arkhyz resort. Each of them is equipped with an artificial snow system. The total length of the tracks is 24 kilometers. 3 tracks are FIS certified for racing. The ski infrastructure consists of 4 cable cars - 2 chairlifts and 2 gondola lifts. The total throughput is 9100 people/hour. There are tourist ski passes with the possibility of paying for one lift.The Arkhyz ski resort is relatively inexpensive: 6 days of rest for one adult costs about 30,000 rubles. There are also seasonal discounts and special offers for family skiing. The only thing is that it is inconvenient for visitors without personal transport to get to the complex.

Sheregesh is one of the largest ski resorts in Siberia. It is popular in Russia due to its picturesque landscapes and abundance of natural soft snow. Skiers praise the resort for the variety of easy and difficult ski slopes, the longest of which reaches 3.9 km. There are no problems with renting skis and other equipment, the lifts are quite comfortable. Freeride enthusiasts love the local forests.Visitors note the developed infrastructure, good living conditions and prices for any wallet. But there are not so many entertainments besides skiing on the slopes. Those who are going to Sheregesh by their own transport should take into account that the road to the village is steep and dangerous.

The ski slopes of the Elbrus region are located on the slopes of the highest peak in Europe - the city of Elbrus, as well as the city of Cheget. On the slopes of Elbrus there are wide, comfortable tracks for beginners, but still the resort is famous for the most difficult tracks in the world. In many areas there are no prepared tracks at all. The bottomless virgin soil reigns here and the slope beckons from 20 ° to 45 ° - the Holy Grail for freeriders. Also, the highest mountain cable car in Europe (4 km to the top point) was built on Elbrus, there is something to do during the holidays.The season is long: from November to mid-May, and in some places you can ski all year round. But you need to properly prepare for the conditions of the highlands and give yourself enough time to acclimatize.

The mountain and tourist center "Gazprom" is open all year round, it consists of two slopes - Laura and Alpika. The ski infrastructure is represented by 13 cable cars and 35 slopes of varying difficulty. 7 slopes are illuminated for evening skiing. Here is the world's longest 3-cable car with a fantastic view from a height of 78 m.The complex includes 2 hotels for comfortable living, a biathlon complex, a ski stadium and a social and cultural center "Galaktika", there are also three children's clubs, where children are entertained with educational games and learn to ski. Holidays here provide a great experience for everyone, but keep in mind that the price of services here is above average.