Russia is a country with numerous ski resorts that attract not only locals, but also many foreign citizens. Fabulous nature, wild vegetation, fresh mountain air – all this makes holidays at domestic resorts especially attractive.
In order to facilitate the choice of a traveler, this article presents the top 5 winter resorts in Russia.
1. Sochi
Russia's most famous and beloved winter resort is Sochi. The best ski resorts in Sochi and its surroundings are the Rosa Khutor, well-known after the Olympics, the recently renovated Gornaya Karusel, and Alpika Service. If you are a novice skier or snowboarder, give your preference to the Alpika-Service complex. For advanced skiers, the Olympic Rosa Khutor will be a great place to relax.
You can diversify your leisure time in winter Sochi by visiting local parks, museums, and historical sites. Pay your attention to the Sochi arboretum. A visit to Sochi's architectural landmark, the Archangel Michael Cathedral, will also be unforgettable. The Sochi Museum of Local Lore will tell the visitor about the peculiarities of the local region.
Winter holidays in Sochi will surely delight the whole family!
2. Dombay
No less famous winter resort in Russia is Dombay, which is geographically located in the hospitable Karachay-Cherkess Republic. Dombay mountain settlement is located in the Teberdinsky National Reserve. Wild coniferous forests grow here, so rest is especially useful for people with lung diseases.
Dombay ski resort has several trails, each of which is designed for different levels of training. Traditionally, the green trails are designed for beginner skiers, the blue ones for experienced users, and the red ones for professionals. The tracks start working at 7 a.m. and finish at 5 p.m.
It is worth noting that tourists who want to visit Dombay in the winter must book a hotel in advance. The influx of visitors at this time of the year is great.
Dombay will conquer the heart of any traveler. Be sure to visit this region!
3. Belokurikha
It is impossible to ignore the Altai Belokurikha. Recently, this place has become a developed local resort. Local hotels and sanatoriums are perfect for family holidays. In the event that you are traveling with a noisy company, rent a whole cottage, then it will be really free and convenient.
Do not deny yourself the pleasure and go on an exciting sightseeing tour. The Temple of the Healer Panteleimon, the mountain Church, and small chapels will remain in the memory of travelers for a long time. Winter is traditionally considered the best time of the year for sanatorium treatment. Fans of an active lifestyle will be pleased with the local ski resort, modern lifts, descents of various difficulty levels. Winter holidays in Belokurikha are attracting more and more attention from both Russian and foreign tourists!
4. Sheregesh
In the Asian part of Russia, in the Kemerovo region, there is a beautiful ski resort, which bears the poetic name Sheregesh. The ski season here lasts from November to May, which allows travelers to choose a convenient time to relax.
There are more than 500 hotels and sanatorium complexes in the resort. The length of the trails varies depending on the difficulty level.
In addition to traditional ski holidays, you can book a helicopter sightseeing tour in Sheregesh, visit local SPA complexes, baths, saunas, cozy cafes at the foot of the mountain peaks.
According to official statistics, Sheregesh is the most visited ski resort in Russia. In 2014, more than 500 thousand tourists visited here.
5. Kirovsk
The northern regions of Russia can also boast the presence of winter resorts that meet all the requirements of tourists. Recently, many residents of the capital have begun to visit the resort in Khibiny – the city of Kirovsk.
There are 5 ski slopes of various difficulty levels in Kirovsk. The ski season lasts quite a long time here – in November the resort is ready to receive skiers from all over the country. The most pleasant weather conditions here are from March to April.
There are ski jumps for freestyle skiing and ski jumping on the slopes of Kirov Khibiny. Children on the slopes of Khibiny will also have something to do – cheesecake riding, sledding, tubing. Ski resorts in Kirovsk are a great option for a family holiday!
Remember, winter holidays in Russia can be exciting! Perhaps by visiting one of these places, you will find your ideal vacation spot for many years to come!