Each tourist has his own answer to the question of what a good vacation is , for some it is beach entertainment and the endless sea coast, for others it is important that there are many restaurants or cafes nearby, others love walking in the historical center, looking for architectural masterpieces or ancient religious buildings. There is also a special category of travelers who cannot imagine a vacation without mountains covered with eternal snow, their dream is to conquer Elbrus or Dombay, to preserve the stunning beauty of mountain landscapes in their hearts.
Elbrus or Dombay - who is in charge?
Dombay
Everyone knows about the beautiful Elbrus from the school curriculum, where this mountain range is remembered not only in geography lessons, but also in literature. The Russian poetry genius Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov, being exiled to the Caucasus, sincerely fell in love with these places, admired and dedicated many poems to them. This peak has its own, special place in the system of the Greater Caucasus. Always covered with snow, seemingly cold and inaccessible, it attracts tourists like a magnet.
For a long time, the Dombai massif, which is also located in the Caucasus, remained in the shadow of its older brother, Elbrus. Today it acts (quite successfully) as a competitor to the famous Caucasian peak. Only his specialization is somewhat different, the first place among occupations is occupied by alpine skiing.
Mountaineering, mountain skiing and other extreme activities
In previous years, Elbrus received mainly groups of climbers who tried to reach its peaks, to repeat the feat of the first hero, who in 1829 managed to install a flagpole on the eastern peak. During the years of the existence of the Soviet Union, the place was the most visited among climbers in the country and abroad.
In recent years, the tourist potential of the Elbrus region, this famous mountainous region, has grown significantly. Now, in addition to mountaineering, other extreme sports are offered here. One of the most popular offers is alpine skiing, athletes do not master the slopes of Elbrus, but the Cheget mountains, where many lifts are installed, trails of various difficulty levels are organized.
The entertainment system is also well thought out, in addition to skiing, you can sit in cafes and restaurants, just walk around the beautiful area with stunning panoramic views. In summer, you can go to the Narzan Valley, where the famous mineral springs are located.
Alpine skiing on Dombai is the main thing, it is for this that beginners and professionals come here from all over Russia, and abroad too. There are many tracks laid here, which have different difficulty, the steepness of the slope, respectively, the speed developed by the athletes. Descent from the mountains ends in a large meadow, where skiers meet, sledding, children learn to ski. This ski resort has a lift system, a well-developed infrastructure - all this makes the rest comfortable and memorable. It is important that there is good equipment here, experienced instructors work, and the hotel line is developing.
In addition to alpine skiing, at this winter resort you can master other sports activities, or participate as a spectator in international competitions in the following types: freestyle (World Cup stages); slalom and giant slalom (Russian competitions); snowboard. There are opportunities for paragliding, both at an amateur and professional level.
Tourist bases
Elbrus has two slopes, northern and southern, the latter is the most mastered by climbers and skiers, it is here that the main tourist centers are located and the most developed infrastructure. Currently, construction of some shelters is underway, this is the name of the places for the rest of climbers, before continuing the ascent.
Dombai has gained popularity as a Russian ski resort, it occupies a small area, almost all hotels and hotels are concentrated in the Dombai glade. Not far from this place, trails equipped with lifts begin.
Mountain ranges are even more difficult to compare than countries, cities and resorts, too different climatic conditions, geology and geography. They are united by one thing - the desire of travelers to reach the peaks (literally and figuratively), to master the slopes.
Elbrus is chosen by tourists who:
- dream of conquering the most famous five-thousander of Russia;
- of all sports, they prefer mountaineering;
- indifferent to the level of hotels and service in them.
Dombay is preferred by Russians and guests of the country who:
- do not have money for Courchevel, but want the same quality of rest;
- love skiing;
- love to watch world-class sports;
- would like to master snowboarding or paragliding.
