This winter, more and more Russians will stay on holidays and vacations in Russia: some popular tourist destinations have been closed in the interests of security and sanctions, some have become inaccessible due to the rising currency. However, you can relax in Russia just as well as in Europe. There are more mountain systems in our country than in any other state, so everyone can easily find something to their liking. We offer you a list of the best winter resorts in Russia, where there will be something to do for both beginners and experienced snowboarders or skiers.
Sheregesh
The Sheregesh ski resort is considered one of the most visited in Russia - about a million tourists visit it a year! The complex rightfully bears the name of the best resort in Western Siberia. Various sports competitions are regularly held on the basis of Sheregesh, including the Russian Winter Sports Championships. The complex is equipped with prepared tracks of various difficulty levels, most of which are located on the slopes of Zelenaya Mountain. The resort is also very popular with off-piste skiing enthusiasts.
Where: Kemerovo region, Tashtagol district, Sheregesh village, Zelenaya mountain.
How to get there: By train to the city of Tashtagol, by plane to Novokuznetsk (165 km), Kemerovo (387 km) or Novosibirsk (567 km). Then take a taxi or bus.
Trails: 15 slopes. The maximum length of the track is 3900 m. The height difference is 670 m.
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Big Woodyavr
"Bolshoy Vudyavr" is one of the most modern and high-mountainous resorts in the northwestern part of Russia. In total, the complex has about 30 km of tracks of varying difficulty. It should be noted that all tracks have passed the international FIS certification. For beginners, wide slopes on the training slope are a good choice, experts and freeride enthusiasts will rightfully appreciate the more difficult slopes. In addition, if you're lucky, in addition to outdoor activities, you can enjoy the northern lights.
Where: Murmansk region, Kirovsk, Mount Aikuayvenchorr.
How to get there: By train to the city of Apatity, by plane to Murmansk (210 km) or the city of Apatity (26 km). Then take a taxi or bus.
Trails: 9 slopes. The maximum length of the track is 3400 m. The height difference is 540 m.
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Rosa Khutor
Undoubtedly, one of the most famous resorts in Russia, Rosa Khutor offers guests a variety of options for both winter and summer holidays. The resort has gained even more popularity since the 2014 Winter Olympics, and now visitors can take a ride on the Olympic trails. Rosa Khutor is distinguished by high standards of service and safety, as well as a large number of different tracks. In addition, the resort has a system of artificial snowmaking, which makes it possible to extend the ski season up to 140 days a year.
Where: Krasnodar Territory, Sochi, Adler District, Estosadok village.
How to get there: By train to Sochi or Adler, by plane to Sochi (50 km). Then take a taxi or bus.
Trails: 26 slopes. The maximum length of the track is 4126 m. The height difference is 1534 m.
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Igora
A favorite vacation spot for residents of the Northern capital, located at the highest point of the Karelian Isthmus. The Igora resort offers the highest vertical drop and the longest tracks in the Leningrad Region. In winter, all opportunities for active recreation are created here: the resort has 12 slopes of various difficulty levels, drag and chair lifts, cross-country skiing trails and slopes on cheesecakes. The visiting card of the resort is the ice palace, on the arena of which European figure skating champions Yuko Kawaguchi and Alexander Smirnov, as well as SKA hockey players, train. Here your child will be put on skates and entertained in the animation zones. Well, you can warm up and relax after active leisure in the fresh air in the spa center with a 25-meter swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and bar.
Where: Leningrad region, Priozersky district, 54th kilometer of Priozerskoe highway.
How to get there: By train or plane to St. Petersburg (54 km). Then take a taxi, train or bus.
Trails: 12 slopes. The maximum length of the track is 1210 m. The height difference is 120 m.
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Sable mountain
Sobolinaya Gora is one of the largest ski resorts in Siberia. In 2010, it received the title of the best ski resort for beginner skiers, but the complex has slopes for experienced athletes, including "black" ones. In addition, there is a treatment center on the territory of the complex, where you can relax after active skiing. We also highly recommend the panoramic cafe "Height 900", which offers a stunning view of Lake Baikal.
Where: Irkutsk region, Slyudyansky district, Baikalsk.
How to get there: By train or plane to Irkutsk (54 km). Then take a taxi or minibus to Baikalsk.
Trails: 12 slopes. The maximum length of the track is 2100 m. The height difference is 479 m.
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Volen
Volen Sports Park, located just 50 km from the capital, consists of two complexes, one of which is located in the town of Yakhroma, and the other - 4 km away, in the village of Stepanovo. There are 14 slopes in Yakhroma, in Stepanovo there are only 4, but they are steeper and longer, due to which they are considered the most pleasant slopes in the Moscow region. The park also has a skating rink, a heated swimming pool and the Children's Ski Club, where children from 3 to 10 years old are taught to ride.
Where: Moscow region, Dmitrovsky district, Yakhroma, der. Stepanovo
How to get there: By train or plane to Moscow (50 km), then by bus, train or taxi.
Trails: 18 slopes. The maximum length of the track is 415 m. The height difference is 60 m.
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Elbrus
In the Elbrus area there are two well-known resorts at once: "Cheget" and "Elbrus Azau". Basically, these resorts are chosen by experienced skiers and snowboarders who prefer extreme skiing. The slopes of "Cheget" are considered one of the most difficult in Europe, in addition, there is a likelihood of avalanches in the area. However, this does not stop extreme freeriders. The Elbrus Azau tracks are better equipped, so they are safer, despite their complexity. The season at the resort lasts all year round, so here you can ride on real snow even in summer. In addition, the ski lifts offer an incredible view of Elbrus and its surroundings.
Where: Kabardino-Balkaria, Terskol.
How to get there: By train or plane to Mineralnye Vody (180 km) or Nalchik (124 km). Then take a taxi, bus or minibus.
Trails: Cheget - 17 slopes. The maximum length of the track is 5000 m. The height difference is 1140 m. Elbrus Azau - 27 slopes. The maximum length of the track is 5000 m. The difference in elevation is 1780 m.
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Dombay
The Dombay resort was built already in 1921, and therefore is truly legendary. The total length of the slopes is 20 km, most of which are of medium difficulty, that is, they are designed for those who are not skiing or snowboarding for the first time. There are also several tracks for beginners, as well as for extreme lovers - Dombai has very difficult free-ride slopes. Having ridden enough, vacationers can admire the North Caucasian mountains by paragliding.
Where: Karachay-Cherkessia, pos. Dombay
How to get there: By train to the cities of Mineralnye Vody (204 km), Cherkessk (124 km), Kislovodsk (157 km); by plane to Mineralnye Vody, then by bus or taxi.
Trails: 12 slopes. The maximum length of the track is 5400 m. The height difference is 1382 m.
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Abzakovo
Abzakovo is a favorite resort for the residents of the South Urals. On the slopes of the complex, you will not find extreme slopes; beginners and amateur athletes will like it here most of all. In addition, the region has a good climate and a large number of sunny days, which attracts fans of skiing in "frost and sun" from all over the region. In addition to ski slopes, Abzakovo also has 10 km of cross-country skiing and biathlon tracks with firing lines. The complex has a water park and a zoo, as well as a spa center with a swimming pool and sauna.
Where: Bashkiria, Beloretsk district, village Novoabzakovo
How to get there: By train to Magnitogorsk to Novoabzakovo station or by plane to Magnitogorsk (65 km), then by bus or taxi.
Trails: 13 slopes. The maximum length of the track is 3280 m. The height difference is 370 m.
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Mountain air
Mountain Air is one of the main resorts in the Far East. The favorable location just 10 km from the capital of the region cannot but please the guests of the island, who will have to spend a lot of time on the flight. The ski resort is equipped with slopes of various difficulty levels - "green", "red" and "black". In addition, there is a snowboard park in the Mountain Air. A distinctive feature of the complex is that guests are also offered tourist support services in the Sakhalin region. Ecological tourism is especially popular.
Where: Sakhalin Region, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Bolshevik
How to get there: By plane to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (10 km), then by bus or taxi.
Trails: 10 slopes. The maximum length of the track is 3100 m. The height difference is 460 m.
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