One who has ever felt the incredible sensation of freedom, speed, steep slopes and who have seen the fantastic snow landscape around will once and for all become a faithful fan of mountain skiing.
Russia is a country where the most part of the territory is covered with snow during six month.Winter sports and entertaiment have always been prominent here.
In the mountain areas skiing is well-developed. The long season allows skiers to choose the most convinient time for their vacation. There are well-equipped ski routes and descents on a virgin soil (also called freeride) here for mountain skiers and snow-boarders, which allows everyone to have their fun on the snowy slopes. Those wishing to go into more extreme freeride can take a helicopter to access the harder routes and try the heli-ski. It is also possible to combine mountain skiing with long walks through virgin snow on special ski equipment - ski-rounds.
WHERE TO SKI?
The best known mountain ski resorts in Russia are located in the Caucasus mountains. Thousands of tourists come to try and conquer the peaks of the ancient Ural mountains. Lines of excellent quality and equipped in the Altay resort "Belokurikha". "Manjerok" is called "the gate to mountain Altai". Fans of exotic places will be interested with descents fromthe volcanoes of Kamchatka and Sakhalin or in vicinities of the beautiful lake Baikal.
Skiing in the Magadan region will be an unforgettable experience. The active development of "Marchekan" resort testifies to the increased popularity of this northern corner of Russia among mountain skiers.
A trip to the Kola peninsula will be a fine adventure. Here, behind Polar circle, the well-known mountain masiff of Khibiny is located, where the snow sometimes stays untouched even in the summer. From November till May it is possible to see the polar lights.
Mountain-skiing bases are equipped both near Moscow, and St.-Petersburg.
Numerous resort complexes offer a high level of attendance and a full set of services for your comfortable rest.
CAUCASUS MOUNTAINS
The majestic ridges of the Caucasian mountains rise between The Black and Caspian seas. The highest peak in Europe - Elbrus - is situated here. Caucasus is real treasury of nature sanctuaries: the impressive Gorge of Dante and Guamskoye, the Rufabgo, Chegemskiye and Medoviye falls, crystal clear lakes with colourful names Blue, Semitsvetnoye (seven-colours). And of course the snow-white mountain peaks. One of the largest and oldest resort regions of Russia - the Caucasian Mineral Waters is also situated in this most remarkable region.
KRASNAYA POLYANA
The Krasnaja Polyana is one of the best mountain-skiing and climatic resorts by the world standards. It only 40 km away from the coast of the Black sea. It is surrounded by mountains from all sides. They are an effective barrier from cold winter storms from the north, and dry Asian winds from the east. Thanks to the woods surrounding the area, the summer heat here is easier to eddure than on the sea shores. These comfortable climatic conditions have earned this region the name of "Russian Switzerland".
The ski season here lasts from December till May. The skiing zone covers three valleys. The cabel-road will bring you up from 540 m. to 2238 m.,which is one of the greatest height differences among the world's skiing resorts. Its top station is the only place accessible to the mass tourist in Caucasus, whence you can admire the full panorama of the Caucasian mountains.
A ski kindergarten is open for the yongest visitors. The beginners go down their first skiing lines on the bottom slopes of the mountains, and all the festivities are organized here, as well as "snow shows". There is a lot of people sleigh riding here, as well as those preferring snow motorcycles, horseback riding, mountain bikes, paraplanes or even baloons. During the sunny days you will see a lot of sunbathers. Fans of extreme driving are eagerly awaited on virgin slopes (slopes with deep snow), and also special programs such as heli-ski and ski-rounds.
The Red glade has excellent conditions for skiing.
A certain number of the 2014 Olympics' competitions will take place here. The new Centre of mountain skiing has already opened its doors. Its main attractions are 14 descents set on the slopes of the Psekhako ridge as well as a comfortable gondola type cable-line with closed cabinas. There is also a professional stadium for biathlon sportsmen here.
The resort is actively preparing for this significant event, improving and developing its tourist infrastructure.
( Federal Agency for Tourism)