Where to ski in Europe inexpensively? A small guide to ski resorts. Where to ski and snowboard: Resorts in Russia and neighboring countries It’s good to go skiing in winter where in

It's November outside the window, things have turned to winter and now is the time to decide for yourself the following - to go to the mountains in winter or not to go? For some, everything seems obvious and there is not even a question - amateurs are already taking skis out of the closets. For others, not everything is so simple... Is it worth it? Should this be expensive? What will I do there? Skiing is very dangerous and other horror stories and doubts.

Let's try to dispel some myths about ski holidays and we will try to bring more clarity to the question winter holidays.

Pros of ski holidays

1. Are ski holidays expensive?

On the one hand, this is true, but on the other, it is not entirely true. If you go during the peak season, to a popular station, buy skis and a suit for them in the latest fashion, then your vacation will cost a pretty penny (unless your grandmother has her own chalet in Courchevel, then everything is simpler).

Let’s add here self-catering without restaurants and half board in hotels and it will be even cheaper!

You don’t have to buy skis and equipment, but book them in advance at inexpensive rentals. Or even borrow from friends and acquaintances.

What if you buy a ski pass not for all the rides and not for the entire period of your stay? After all, at each station there are passes for half a day, for one-time descents, for certain routes. In some French ski resorts and there are free ski lifts for beginners.

In short, if you approach the issue wisely and look through several specialized forums, then you can safely remove the equal sign between the concepts of “a week of vacation at a world-famous ski resort” and “crazy prices.”

2. Winter holidays are a great alternative to the beach and sea

Why not change your holiday style? After all, summer is the season of water, beaches and Turkey-Egypt. But winter? Maldives, Thailand, the same boring Sharm el-Sheikh, UAE. It's boring to do the same ritual twice a year.

Is it the whole cycle of winter fun in the cold associated with fun in the snow and ice? This is our way! Moreover, you can spend much more calories and exercise at a ski resort than in the same time by the sea, where you supposedly swim (with a cocktail in your hand and without taking off your sunglasses) in the hotel pool. And where there are more movements, there are more impressions, drive, and finally, life!

3. Even if you don't ski, you're sure to find plenty of other pleasures

As a rule, at most ski stations (and especially in France), they develop a separate cycle of activities for vacationers, not related to skiing or snowboarding. These fun activities can be divided into ice-snow and non-ice-snow fun)).

Among the first are sledding (as well as a dozen other devices designed to bring tourists down a snowy mountain as fun as possible), snowshoeing, snowmobile tours, dog sledding, horse-drawn sleigh rides, conquest of artificial ice mountains, riding on ice skating rinks, cross-country skiing and much more.

From the second - visiting spas, beauty salons, massage rooms, swimming pools, flights to balloons, airplanes and helicopters, slot machine halls, shopping, cinema, entertainment centers, excursions to nearby towns and historical sites.

4. Mountain cuisine and gastronomy

I don’t know what they feed in Slovakia, Poland, Romania or Bulgaria, but I’ll tell you honestly that I haven’t found anything tastier, more interesting and more nutritious than (and also) .

In any case, wherever you go for the winter holidays, you are guaranteed new and interesting gastronomic experiences!

5. Skiing is a sport, but an enjoyable one

For athletes, I have one more argument - skiing is a real sport. Therefore, a week or two of skiing in the mountains will perfectly keep you in shape, help you lose excess weight and get a huge boost of energy for the rest of the winter.

6. A ski holiday is a great time to spend it with the whole family.

Nothing brings members of the same family closer together and leaves such vivid and wonderful impressions for a lifetime as a vacation spent together. And ski resorts are created for family vacation a unique warm atmosphere (you have to warm each other up to the maximum in such a cold climate) and provide a lot of opportunities for entertainment for everyone, young and old.

Be sure to spend a holiday at a ski resort with the whole family at least once in your life and you will never forget it - verified!

7. Fun and nightlife

For young people at ski resorts there are also plenty of opportunities to “relax” after a hard, tiring day of skiing and a hearty mountain dinner - in night bars and discos. There is a sufficient assortment of them even at very mediocre and small stations in France, but in Courchevel, Megève or Meribel there is even a surplus.

Here you go. In my opinion, I listed all the pros and delicately encouraged readers to go on a winter vacation to the snowy mountains. For those who are still skeptical about winter holidays in the mountains, please speak out in the comments or ask clarifying questions. Interested and enthusiastic people are welcome to continue the ski theme.

After all, better than the mountains there can only be mountains... ©

prielbrusie-ski.ru

Sochi ski resorts may not be inferior to European ones in terms of service, but they also cost accordingly. Therefore, skiers who want to save money go to the Elbrus region - to the highest point in Europe. Elbrus itself is accessible only to climbers; the highest altitude for skiers is Gara-Bashi (3,780 m above sea level).

Two ski resorts - "Cheget" and "Elbrus Azau" - offer slopes that are suitable for both beginners and professionals. Beginner skiers should choose Elbrus Azau: the slopes there are less steep. But “Cheget” is a challenge for extreme sports enthusiasts. The elevation difference there is 1,000 meters, and the trails are less well-groomed.

If you want to save as much as possible, you need to be prepared for a level of service a la the Soviet Union. For example, a night in a remote ski resort the camp site will cost about 400 rubles. But if you expect to live next to the highway, you will have to part with at least 1,500 rubles.

• Ski pass: from 1300 rubles per day.
• Equipment rental: from 500 rubles per day.
• Accommodation for one person: from 650 rubles per night.
• : from 9,168 rubles.
• Visa: need not.

Another Russian ski resort, Dombay, has been actively developing recently. Recently a completely new complex opened there cable cars. It is still inferior in quality of services to neighboring Krasnaya Polyana, but is noticeably cheaper. 20 km of slopes and an impressive altitude - 1,630 - 3,012 m - will appeal to lovers of steep descents and clean mountain air.

And for those who are already bored with the bypassed routes, it is available special service: tourists are taken for a fee to the top of the “wild” slope by helicopter, and then picked up by helicopter.

• Ski pass: from 1,200 rubles per day.
• Equipment rental: from 700 rubles per day.
• Accommodation for one person: from 1,100 rubles per night.
• Flight for one person from Moscow and back: from 11,413 rubles.
• Visa: need not.

Siberian ski slopes not as popular as the Caucasus, but they can also offer tourists a lot of interesting things. For example, the Sheregesh ski complex near the town of Tashtagol Kemerovo region. The steepness of the trails in this direction is not great, but those who want to learn how to ride quickly and inexpensively can safely go there, and only then go to conquer the Caucasus.

But you shouldn’t think that “Sheregesh” is a paddock for amateurs. The slopes of this resort with elevation changes of up to 680 m have hosted and still host All-Russian and Siberian alpine skiing competitions.

• Ski pass: from 1,300 rubles per day.
• Equipment rental: from 150 rubles per day.
• Accommodation for one person: from 2,390 rubles per night.
• Flight for one person from Moscow and back: from 20,883 rubles.
• Visa: need not.

Ukrainian ski resorts in the Carpathians they are not inferior to Russian ones in terms of cheapness and offer tourists a huge choice: in total there are more than 50 ski resorts in this direction for every taste and budget.

Ukraine is actively developing the construction of more and more new resorts, wanting to participate in the competition to host the Winter Olympics - 2022, and strives to show its mountain tourism from the best side. The most popular local bases are Bukovel, Slavske and Dragobrat. The first is the most developed and the most expensive, the second is for those who like to save money, and the third is the highest mountain, so you can ski there even until May.

• Ski pass: from 1,200 rubles per day.
• Equipment rental: from 750 rubles per day.
• Accommodation for one person: from 3,558 rubles per night.
• Flight for one person from Moscow and back: from 16,345 rubles.
• Visa: need not.

A new and modern ski resort, Gudauri, has recently opened in Georgia. The elevation difference on it is 1,000 meters, the average length of the slopes is 2–3 km, and the longest descent is 7 km.

By the way, this resort may appeal not only to those who like to ride down the slope, but also to fans of tranquil rides through picturesque valleys. The creators of the ski resort tried to make sure that it is not inferior to its European counterparts in terms of comfort and safety, so beginners and families with children can safely go there.

Another large Georgian resort, Bakuriani, has established itself since Soviet times. It cannot boast of the novelty of Gudauri, but still attracts its loyal fans.

• Ski pass: from 1,600 rubles per day.
• Equipment rental: from 700 rubles per day.
• Accommodation for one person: from 10,093 rubles per night (all inclusive).
• Flight for one person from Moscow and back: from 14,627 rubles.
• Visa: need not.

Türkiye is not only beach holiday. In winter, she offers skiing in the mountains with elevation changes from 2,000 to 3,000 m. One of the most popular ski resorts in the country is Uludag, which is suitable for a wide range of skiers.

Even in winter, Turkey does not part with the usual all-inclusive format, so every major hotel in the mountains has its own ski lifts and makes package offers that include accommodation, meals and skiing. Traditionally high quality of service combined with relative cheapness allows Turkey to attract many Russians even in the cold season.

• Ski pass: from 2,240 rubles per day.
• Equipment rental: from 1,100 rubles per day.
• Accommodation for one person: from 2,145 rubles per night.
• Flight for one person from Moscow and back: from 19,483 rubles.
• Visa: Bulgarian (2,668 rubles) or (2,668 rubles).

In Bulgaria, winters are warm and the mountains are low. But its gentle trails are suitable for beginners and family vacation lovers. In winter, the mountains are comfortable -5 °C. Although the level of service on the Bulgarian slopes does not reach the elite Alpine resorts, the price of a holiday there is much lower.

One of the largest ski resorts in Bulgaria - Pamporovo - is located in the Rhodope Mountains. For little money they will not only provide you with ski equipment, but also teach you how to ski on the slopes. And the ski season begins just at.

• Ski pass: from 2,500 rubles per day.
• Equipment rental: from 1,360 rubles per day.
• Accommodation for one person: from 780 rubles per night.
• Flight for one person from Moscow and back: from 17,218 rubles.
• Visa: Schengen (2,668 rubles).

Affordable prices for holidays in the Czech Republic have long attracted Russians. Business card countries are still excursion, not mountain tourism. But this fact also has its advantages. After all, both types of holidays in the Czech Republic can be combined: to see the fabulous winter Prague and to go skiing. The mountains in the country are low: the largest Snezka reaches 1,602 m above sea level.

The Krkonose National Park has a whole scattering of ski resorts, the most popular of which are Spindleruv Mlýn, Rokytnice nad Jizerou and Pec pod Snezkou. Another plus of the Czech Republic: among all the Schengen countries, it is perhaps one of the most friendly towards Russian-speaking tourists, so the ski resorts of Slovakia are world-class slopes. The best of them, Jasna in the Low Tatras, regularly hosts international and national skiing competitions. It has 57 km of slopes, which are divided into several categories, so that both beginners and professionals will find suitable steepness. The elevation difference ranges from 400 to almost 900 m. Finland is not the most cheap country. However, the cost of living there is partly offset by inexpensive air and train tickets, especially for residents of St. Petersburg. Finland in 2017 was recognized as the most safe state peace The Travel & Tourism
Competitiveness Report 2017, so it is suitable for those who value quality, comfort and do not like to worry.

For those who want to save money, the Pello resort is suitable. It is not as popular as Luosto, but the ski pass there costs not 35 euros, but 20. The slopes in both directions are long, but not too steep. And to diversify your holiday, in Finland you can ride a dog or reindeer sled.

If winter seems to be an exceptionally unpleasant and dreary season, This means that you have never been to the mountains, just looking at the snow-capped peaks of which naturally takes your breath away - no, not because of the frost, but because of their incredible beauty. Admiring mountain landscapes in fact, it goes well with skiing and snowboarding, whichever is nicer. The choice of ski resorts today is so rich that there is an ideal option for everyone, regardless of budget, skills and ideas about comfort. Another thing is that the exchange rate of the ruble does not allow most of us to organize a grand vacation and spontaneously indulge in a loved one European resort. Fortunately, there are places to ride in Russia, and snow remains at many domestic bases until late spring. We asked experienced riders to tell us about their favorite ski resorts in Russia and neighboring countries - from Kamchatka to the Caucasus.

Shymbulak

ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN

Height difference - 900 m

The total length of the tracks is 3620 m

Asel Suleeva

freelance journalist

Shymbulak is actually correct, but not everyone had time to adapt from the Russified spelling that arose in the USSR. Almost nothing else from Sovk’s heritage has survived here, only some touching elements of it: figures of mountain sheep and bears and bus stops with tiled mosaic. For the 2011 Asian Games, Medeu and Chimbulak were completely renovated, pouring a trainload of money into this business. It takes a ridiculous 40 minutes by car to Chimbulak from the center of Almaty. It will take a little longer by bus: there are three of them - 6th, 2nd and 12th - run from the Kazakhstan Hotel and take you to the Medeu skating rink, from there further on the cable car. A ski pass for a day will cost 3850 tenge (850 rubles) on weekdays and 6400 tenge on weekends. The lift runs until late, and a night ride costs 4,500 tenge. Rental in the city is cheaper than local rental. There are eight tracks in total, and snowcats operate on them very zealously. For freestyle there is a park, for freeride it is worth going up above Chimbulak - there are more opportunities for it.

I also highly recommend just taking a walk up. Behind Chimbulak there is the Mynzhilki plateau, it’s possible to get there even in sneakers - it took me an hour and a half. It’s pointless to climb higher on the Tuyuksu glacier without proper trekking boots. If you have shoes, the journey will take about three hours. I’m not an expert on rental housing in Almaty, but I can recommend the only hotel in which I had the opportunity to stay with a clear conscience. Called Salem, it is a chain of five conveniently located small hotels.

It’s easy to navigate the area of ​​“eating and drinking” in the center: on Abylay Khan there is a coffee shop within a coffee shop, and there are plenty of cafes and bars on the neighboring streets. The best solution is to despise all these similar establishments and go eat manti and kebabs. In this regard, the champion of popular love is “Saule”, the most laborious restaurant in Almaty. It is located at the entrance to the Almarasan gorge, which is inhabited by places with shish kebab and beshbarmak, but it makes sense to go to others only if there are no places in “Saul” (which is quite likely). If you still want a familiar set, I would recommend Noodles and Del Papa.

In addition to Chimbulak, you can have time to ride Akbulak. There are two ways to get there from Almaty - cheap and reasonable. There is a bus from the Sayakhat bus station to the Talgar bus station, and private buses from Talgar. Considering the driving style of rural drivers, it is better not to split hairs and order a transfer from Almaty. In addition to the Akbulak hotel, there is the Alma-Akbulak guesthouse, which is located several kilometers lower, but the room there is several thousand tenge cheaper.

Snegorka

Height difference - 55 m

The longest route is 400 m

Nastya Dujardin

community manager

Almost everyone skis in Magadan - there is snow in the city most of the year. From the beginning of October, snow falls on the hills in the region and the unofficial season begins. On the slopes, the season usually begins in mid-to-late October. They stop skiing only when the snow has completely melted. This does not happen until May.

In Magadan there are two slopes equipped with lifts: state and private. Both are located within the city, and getting to them takes no more than 15–20 minutes. There are almost no traffic jams in Magadan. On the RGS - the state slope - things are not very good. There are two rope tows there, which were made back in Yugoslavia. One works constantly, the second is switched on only when the queue for the first one exceeds the number of people in Bratislava. One lift costs 78 rubles. Equipment for

There is slope maintenance, but they don’t know how to work with it. For example, ice is often inflated instead of snow. The slope itself is very long, but only a fourth of it is illuminated. So it won't be possible to ride in the evening. There are two ski schools - skiing and snowboarding - but they mostly work only on weekends, although there are a lot of people interested.

On Snegorka, a private slope, things are no better. There are two baby lifts, one of which is turned on only at the end of the season. Here you pay not for lifts, but for time - 350 rubles per hour, regardless of whether it is a day off or a weekday. The slope is well lit and covered with snow, but it is almost four times shorter than the state slope. “Snegorka” focuses primarily on vacationers, so there are more children on tubes and lovers of winter barbecues. Now an organization has appeared in the city that is engaged in the popularization of snowboarding: they are trying to build parks, hold competitions, propose some improvements - but in the management of both slopes there are people who do not understand at all what this is for, and all this goes nowhere beyond ideas moves.

Those who ride professionally love to go out of town and ride off-piste. There you can, for example, build “kickers” and jump. The most popular places- Marchekanskaya hill and Armansky pass. But many have their own secret places. In this regard, the nature in Magadan is ideal - the entire city is surrounded by hills, on which snow often lies all year round. In addition, the hills are not as steep as mountains, which eliminates the possibility of getting caught in an avalanche or falling into a snow crevasse. On the other hand, there are no steep slopes to be found either. Off-piste skiing is also good because you can see nature. Actually, this is the only thing worth going to Magadan for if you don’t have relatives there.

Contrary to popular belief, Magadan is not a very cold city. Usually the temperature does not drop below 20–25 degrees below zero. However, if you leave the city, twenty kilometers away, you can feel the real harsh Kolyma winter. This, by the way, is what you need to prepare for if you come to Magadan for the first time. The airport is located 50 kilometers from the city, and the difference with the temperature in Magadan itself can reach 15–20 degrees. It is better to come to the city at the end of winter or spring, then tickets are cheaper. Ticket prices are the only thing stopping a large number of tourists. Not in Magadan railway, so the plane is the only way to get here. In summer and winter, during the holidays, the cost of a round-trip air ticket can increase to 50–60 thousand rubles. In the spring you can buy tickets for 26-35 thousand.

Sheregesh

Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo region

Height difference - 600 m

The longest route - 3900 m

Sergey Parfenov

PR manager

I came to Sheregesh for the first time in 2006. Then snowboarding in Siberia suddenly became very fashionable, several of my friends became interested in it, and I also decided to try it. Since then, I started going to Sheregesh two or three times a season. In recent years, however, it has happened much less often. But now I seem to have been rehabilitated and have already gone twice.

I like the diversity in Sheregesh. There you can ride on prepared trails (if they are prepared, of course), and freeride. There are several “wild” peaks where you can go on snowmobiles or snowcats. From some of them the descent can take several hours if you stop and stare at the surrounding beauty. It's very beautiful there. In Sheregesh there are generally good clubs and bars, bathhouses and all sorts of other opportunities to diversify the evenings after skiing. Instead of skiing, you can fly a hang glider, ride a snowmobile... It seems to me that for residents of Siberia this is an excellent weekend route: from Tomsk, for example, to Sheregesh is no more than 700 kilometers, you can ask for time off on Friday, take a bus or car on Thursday evening, be in place already at night, ride quietly for three days, and be at work on Monday. By the way, I have never been to Sheregesh more than three days, and for some reason it seems to me that there is nothing more to do there. Although my friends can stay there for a week and they really like it. I recently met guys from Tolyatti on the mountain; they came to Sheregesh as the capital of freeride. We were as happy as elephants.

In Sheregesh, the tracks are divided into two sectors: A and E. In sector A, it seems to me, the tracks are more varied: there are both red and, it seems, black sections. There is a descent and a special lift to the middle of the mountain for beginners. Sector E, in my opinion, is more suitable for relaxed riding or for beginners or inexperienced riders. There is also a completely bald slope at the top.

Siberians can get to Sheregesh by bus - there are tours from all of them major cities, most often they are designed for three days. From the capital - by plane to the airport of Novokuznetsk, from there - by bus to Tashtagol or directly to Sheregesh (from Novokuznetsk to Sheregesh is about 200 kilometers). At the foot of the Green Mountain in sector A there are a lot of hotels for every taste and color: there are good cheap hostels, there are hotels with stars, some of them offer their guests serious discounts on ski passes. There are also bars and clubs, parking lots, and souvenir shops. You can also live in the village: locals rent out apartments inexpensively (on average about 2,000 rubles per day), for a large group you can rent a cottage (here prices range from 4 to 30 thousand rubles and more). A taxi from the village to the mountain costs 100–200 rubles.

In recent years, many new ski lifts have been built here. There are old open double chairs, there are drag lifts. New ones are usually four-seater with a plastic protective screen or even eight-seater cabins. On the old chairs in sector A at the top the wind blows strongly, however, this is not very scary. I’m not a very picky traveler, so I can’t say that Sheregesh is really missing something. It seems to have everything you need to have a great time.

You can go to Sheregesh with any experience. In the end, you can hire an instructor at the rental office who will quickly teach you everything on special tracks. Plus, as I already said, there is sector E, where there are practically no serious slopes and it’s not at all scary for beginners to ride. Pros for beginners: firstly, here you can quickly and easily learn to ride, and if you are tired or cranky, there is something to do besides skating. For experienced people there are certainly good opportunities for freeriding. True, it is better to go for powder not at the beginning of winter, but later. We do this, for example, at the end of February.

As for snow, there used to be much more of it in Sheregesh. Locals say that at the beginning of the 2000s they even dug a special trench in the snow for the lift, because the chairs got stuck in the snow. Now there is enough snow for comfortable skiing, but riding in the forest is not very interesting: it’s hard, everything is rolled out. In my opinion, it is best to go here in February or early March. The main thing is not on holidays: neither New Year's, nor February 23, nor March 8. You can stand in line for the lifts all day - what kind of skiing is this?

Kirovsk

Apatity or Kirovsk, Murmansk region

Height difference - 550 m

Length of tracks - 1500–2000 m

Olga Miloradova

psychotherapist

For me personally, a good motivation to go to the Khibiny Mountains was the fact that the snow lies calmly there right up to May holidays, and not some melted something, but decent snowdrifts reaching the roofs of cars. At the same time, in comparison with winter skiing (which, however, I didn’t have to try there myself), the polar night is over, and daylight hours are longer than the work of the ski lifts. The lifts here are a different story.

There are two main slopes in Kirovsk. The first is the urban one, also known as the northern slope of the mountain with the almost unpronounceable name Aykuaivenchorr, on which there are chairlifts from Soviet times (if they have not been replaced). The second is the southern one, also known as Bolshoi Vudyavr, it has rope tow lifts, but nevertheless it is more well-maintained, efficient and pleasant to use. But it is also flatter at the same time. However, if your skills make you bored on the southern slope, it is better to do freeride on it, leaving the track, because on the northern slope there are beautiful canopies, which are characterized by avalanche danger from April. There is also a slope at the 25th kilometer, in the village of Kukisvumchorr, to which a very gloomy rope tow leads. This slope is not for the faint of heart, especially if you move to the left - in my purely personal opinion, the slope at the very top reached almost 90 degrees. But fear has big eyes.

As for all kinds of entertainment, there are either very few of them here or very difficult to find. There are several cafes, bowling alleys and other things, designed primarily for local population, so there is a chance to meet the residents of the surrounding area and take part in fun in the spirit of “who can do more push-ups from the floor” or “who can drink more vodka.” In the neighboring city of Apatity, anti-fascism previously flourished and you could go to a local themed concert.

It is best to go to Khibiny in a large crowd. Here a good choice rented apartments at any distance from the slope (and sometimes almost on it), and the optimal transport to get to the place is a plane to Murmansk plus a transfer from there, which cannot be done alone. However, there is also a train to the city and the Apatity station of the same name, which takes about 1.5 days, and from Apatity to Kirovsk you can easily and quickly (in half an hour) by minibus. Back in May, Kirovsk traditionally hosts a snowpark and all sorts of accompanying competitions and entertainment, which is ideal for those who like to jump.

Elbrus Azau

Nalchik or mineral waters

Elevation difference – 1400 m

Maximum track length - 2000 m

Asel Suleeva

freelance journalist

Having gone to Elbrus last year, I screwed up almost everything. I bought my ticket four days before departure and neglected to look for accommodation in advance. It turned out that spontaneity has nowhere to develop in Terskol - the village is very small, in contrast to the demand for housing in it. There are also the villages of Tegenekli and Neutrino, but they are even smaller. With the help of taxi drivers, the only option was found, and it was uncompromisingly bad. The only consolation was that if he had not been found, he would have had to sleep on the sofa in the lobby of the Ministry of Defense camp site, inhabited by military personnel who had come for training. If you agree on housing in advance, the most tramp-like housing options for locals cost from 500 rubles per person, for a thousand you can already get settled in some decent house. A good example of this is the Sapira cottage, which is also the only almost gingerbread house in the generally shabby Terskol.

Immediately multiply by two on the spot. As for hotels, in the spring, if you booked in advance, you could live in the Azau clearing itself for 2,000 rubles. Accommodation, transfer from the airport (Nalchik, by the way, is closer to Elbrus than Minvody) and, if necessary, an instructor can easily be found on VKontakte. Taxi drivers at the Minvod airport charge a thousand per nose, but they may not be enough for everyone, the instructors directly in Azau are rented, there are one and a half of them and they do not deserve recommendations. There is also a problem with rentals in the clearing - the range was clearly replenished under Tsar Pea. It’s better to go to the 7 Peaks Hotel rental. Another problem is the toilets. If in the clearing they are simply terrible, which is quite in line with the general inferiority of the service, then at the Krugozor station the toilet may simply be locked with a barn lock. Lifts cost 1,300 rubles on weekdays for a new one, 600 for an old one, that is, a slow one. At the ticket office, those who have already skated sometimes sell their ski passes at half price. The cable cars run until 17:00, later only the slope in the clearing and a bunch of cafes are available.

I would give the title of best public catering to the cafe of the Meridian Hotel; almost the most famous Terskol public catering establishment, Kupol, turned out to be tasteless, and the most pleasant atmosphere was in Bayramuk. There is nowhere to go for some tangible fun in the evening in Terskol - they say that the whole party is having fun in Cheget, for example, in the “Deep Purple” bar. However, I did not get to Cheget.

Cheget

Nalchik or mineral waters

Height difference - 900 m

Maximum track length - 1600 m

Evgeniya Makhina

copywriter

You either love Cheget madly, with its antediluvian ski lifts and barbecue smoke at dusk, or you don’t even understand why people come here voluntarily. There is essentially only one route here. Steep, difficult, officially red, a height difference of 900 meters and giant snow mounds that do not know the snowcat. Everything else is freeride.

Here I will climb onto the armored car and say: freeride on Cheget - only with guides. The avalanche situation here is very difficult, and you shouldn’t even venture into nearby couloirs without avalanche equipment and someone who knows exactly how this couloir will end and what the avalanche service has given for today. This year there have already been deaths, so really take care of yourself. It’s better to agree with the guides in advance so that you can definitely rent beepers and avalanche shovels (if you don’t have them). Since most of the freeride area is very close to the border with Georgia, you will need passes to the border zone. The guides can also arrange them for you; all you have to do is pick up the pass on the way from the airport.

The season lasts from December to April, best time- February March. The lifts on Cheget are well-deserved, they creak touchingly, like an old swing: two chairlifts on the first stage, up to the cafe “Ai” with a legendary view of Elbrus (the food is not so legendary). Next is another chair (it's terribly drafty) and a rope rope, also of retirement age. The views are incredible: in one direction - Elbrus in all its glory, in the other - Mount Donguz-Orun with the Semerka glacier. In general, for the million-dollar landscapes, it’s worth taking a walk along the path leading along the ridge from top station cable car: half an hour to an hour - and you feel like you’re on the roof of the world. If you decide that there is nothing to do on Cheget today, you jump into a taxi spewing Caucasian folk songs, and ten minutes later you find yourself at the Elbrus ski lifts.

Get to Cheget by taxi from the airport in Mineralnye Vody four o'clock. You can stay in one of the many small hotels surrounding Chegetskaya Polyana, and if there are many of you, it is better to rent an apartment in Terskol and walk to the ski lift through a fabulous snowy forest along the Baksan River. The apartment will be hung with lush carpets and stuffed with the owner’s belongings, but you can run the house and cook giant scrambled eggs for everyone in the morning. There are no problems with “where to eat”, the entire Cheget meadow consists of cafes: lagman, kebabs, khychin, herbal tea and, ah, local soda in glass bottles - why it is so tasty is beyond comprehension. At the local bazaar (right there in the clearing) you need to buy jurabs for everyone as a gift - thick, bright patterned socks (300 rubles), churchkhela and sour fruit marshmallow - such flat sheets from which you can tear off a piece, put it behind your cheek and feel like a happy person .

Snow Valley

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

Total elevation difference - 15,000 m (standard heliski program)

Length of the ski track - 5000 m

Andrey Pirumov

editor-in-chief of Doskimag.ru

I love Kamchatka and have been skiing there every year for ten years in a row. The skiing season in Kamchatka starts in early January and ends only at the end of May. January and February are good in terms of snow, but quite cold. In March it becomes much warmer and there are more sunny days, so I usually choose the end of March and all of April for skiing.

The problem with Kamchatka is the lack of infrastructure and lifts. All skiing here takes place with the help of snowmobiles or helicopters. The best place in Kamchatka - this is sports base“Snow Valley”, located two hours from the airport at the foot of the Vilyuchinsky volcano. There are all conditions for quality living here. Plus for the guys big park snowmobiles and a good snowmobile school. There are snowboard and ski rentals available, and there are many guides who can organize great skiing for you. If you wish, you can also book heli-skiing there.

Skiing in Kamchatka is suitable primarily for experienced skiers and snowboarders, but do not be afraid, Kamchatka is much closer and more accessible than it might seem. Be sure to bask in the warm springs - they are right at the base - and try the local fish and seafood.

Gudauri

Tbilisi, Georgia

Height difference - 1250 m

The longest route - 7000 m

Olga Efimova

legal adviser

I can name several good reasons to go to Gudauri: hospitality local residents, excellent level of service low prices, amazing food, lack visa regime, mind-blowing mountain views and riding opportunities. The slopes are always prepared, the Doppelmayer and Poma lifts are working (there are chairs and gondolas), and very (very!) delicious Georgian food awaits you every evening. Three years ago, a week’s skiing in Gudauri and a couple of days of rest in Tbilisi cost me 30 thousand rubles, including flights. Now it is unlikely that it will be possible to meet this amount, although the lari has grown less than the dollar and the euro, so a trip to Georgia is still cheaper than European rides.

Gudauri is good for skiers and snowboarders, both for beginners and experienced riders. There are traditionally more skiers, especially among local residents. There is a school of SnowLab instructors who will help you get on your board or skis, and for those who have seen almost everything, there is great options for freeride and heliskiing. You can even go paragliding.

The easiest way to get to Gudauri is by transfer from Tbilisi (about $100), or you can take a chance and, saving on the flight, get to Vladikavkaz and drive from there along the Georgian Military Road. But in this case, you risk staying on the other side of the Cross Pass, which is often covered with snow. I prefer to live in the lower or central part of Gudauri: most of the cafes and shops are concentrated there. Accommodation and transfer can be booked on one of two websites: GudauriTravel or Gudauri, where you can also monitor weather forecasts and ski pass prices. By the way, the cost of insurance is included in the ski pass, so there will be no additional expenses (although, hopefully, you won’t need insurance).

The most favorite restaurant of the resort is “Hreki”, where you must try ojakhuri and khachapuri on a spit. There is a hotel on the second floor of the restaurant, so you can not only eat there, but also live. Although I prefer to stay in the apartments of local residents and enjoy Georgian hospitality.

Krasnaya Polyana

Height difference - 1745 m

The total length of the tracks is 72,000 m

Sofia Klusova

editorial manager

According to my personal impressions, Krasnaya Polyana is getting better every year, although the price level for skiing and accommodation is higher than in others Russian resorts. This is exactly why you need to plan your trip as far in advance as possible and go with a large group while you still have a chance to snatch it chip flights and a large selection of accommodation. Check the dates of the competitions on the resorts' websites, otherwise you may come but end up not skiing. There are two ways to get to Krasnaya Polyana. By plane to Sochi or Adler, and then by Lastochka, taxi or bus. Lastochka is usually the most interesting, but it’s worth checking its schedule in advance. Also runs from Moscow to Sochi double decker train, but it is not very convenient to carry equipment in cases.

On the spot, you can choose which resort to go skiing at, each has its own advantages: Rosa Khutor has the eco-snowboard park The Stash, Gorki Gorod has night skiing, and Gazprom, in addition to the opportunity to ski at night, also has the cheapest ski pass . Unfortunately, there is no single ski pass for all resorts, but there are slopes for different levels preparations and modern lifts installed.

There are no problems with infrastructure and food either; in recent years, a lot of things have appeared for recreation - from spas and cinemas to a water park. Cards are accepted almost everywhere and there are ATMs. It is better to choose housing nearby so that you do not have to travel two hours to the ski lift, for example in Krasnaya Polyana, Gorki Gorod or the village of Esto-Sadok.

There is usually a lot of snow in February and March. At the same time, the temperature in March in Sochi and Adler is around +10...+15 degrees, and on the mountain it is only –3...–5. What I remember most is riding after a snowfall on fresh, not yet rolled snow. In contrast to the warm Adler, the mountains are incredibly beautiful and snowy. A trip to Krasnaya Polyana should be combined with walks around Sochi; in Adler, be sure to stop by the market for tea, spices and mimosas. Or you can even continue your vacation in Abkhazia after skiing.

I decided to prepare a list of resorts where you can go skiing or snowboarding so as not to be left with empty pockets.

Poiana Brasov, Romania (Mount Postarvaru)

The Romanian resort Poiana Brasov translates as “sunny meadow”.

The resort is considered international level and is located 13 kilometers from ancient city Brasov. From Bucharest airport it is 165 kilometers.

When does the season start in Poiana Brasov?

Poiana Brasov is located at an altitude of 1030 meters above sea level, it has snow cannons, which guarantees good snow cover, and northern slopes The Carpathians contribute to this. The ski season here lasts 4 months - from December to March, average temperature is -3°C.

How many tracks

The average snow depth is 50 centimeters. The total length of the trails is 14 kilometers, highest point– 1770 meters. The slopes are equipped with 10 lifts, there are ski, bobsleigh and toboggan tracks, as well as jumps. The resort is ideal for beginner snowboarders. For beginners, the resort has 3 blue pistes, for more experienced ones - 2 red and 4 black pistes.

What are the prices at the resort?

As for prices, six-day lift passes will cost $56 for adults and $41 for children. Equipment rental for six days will cost adults $43, children $32.

For those who want to study with an instructor, there is a school in Poiana Brasov skiing. For six days of classes you will need to pay $39.

How much does the tour cost?

A week-long tour to a Romanian resort with flights and accommodation will cost about 50,000 rubles.

At independent organization travel, a plane ticket will cost about 11,000 rubles. You will need to fly to Bucharest airport, and then you will need a transfer to Poiana Brasov itself. The transfer can be ordered at the hotel when booking a room. There are quite a lot of hotels in Poiana Brasov, the best a budget option will cost you about three thousand rubles per day.

Bansko, Bulgaria (Pirin Mountains)

The ski resort of Bansko is located in Bulgaria at an altitude of 936 meters above sea level in the territory of the Pirin Park, which is part of the world natural heritage.

When does the season start in Bansko?

In addition to being considered one of the best ski resorts in Eastern Europe, Bansko also has the longest season in Bulgaria, lasting from December to mid-April.

How many tracks

The resort is located at the foot of the Pirin Mountains and combines all the charm of an ancient town, chic new hotels, beautiful nature, an abundance of trails for every taste and the presence of modern ski lifts. There is a unique ski track here, the length of which is 16 kilometers. Almost all slopes in Bansko are equipped with snow cannons, and all mountain slopes are constantly processed by twelve snow groomers.

The mountain resort It has gentle slopes, steep and even sheer slopes, so it is suitable for both beginner skiers and snowboarders, and true professionals. The height of the tracks varies from 1,100 to 2,560 meters, their total length is 65 kilometers.

For those who have just started riding alpine skiing ah, Bansko fits perfectly. All routes are thought out literally down to the smallest detail, and for those who want to learn from professionals, there are Russian-speaking instructors. If you are not a beginner, then for confident skiers there are 7 red and 2 black slopes. The most extreme of them is the Tomba route.

All tracks are also ideal for beginner snowboarders, and the most experienced ones can go down the virgin snow, off the marked tracks.

What are the prices at the resort?

The cost of ski passes for adults at the Bansko resort is $36 per day and $202 for six days. The price of the ski pass includes an unlimited number of ascents on all ski lifts of the ski complex, as well as ascent and descent on the funicular.

How much does the tour cost?

The cost of a seven-day tour with flights and accommodation starts from 20,000 rubles.

Cost of an independent trip

A flight to Sofia, the airport closest to Bansko, will cost about 16,000 rubles in both directions. Then you will need to order a transfer to Pirin Mountain. You will have to travel 150 kilometers, which will be about three hours. Hotel accommodation will cost you on average another three thousand per day.

Bukovel, Ukraine (Carpathians)

The ski resort Bukovel is the most modern in Ukraine, it is located in Transcarpathian region in the village of Polyanitsa at an altitude of 900 meters above sea level.

When does the season start in Bukovel?

There are almost no severe frosts or winds in Bukovel, so the climate here is very comfortable. The ski season lasts from December to May, but the resort is open year-round.

How many tracks

The resort has 42 trails with a total length of over 50 kilometers. New to winter species sportsmen can take advantage of the blue slopes, there are 7 of them in Bukovel. More experienced fans of alpine skiing and snowboarding will be pleased with the large selection of slopes of medium difficulty - there are 28 of them. For real professionals there are 7 black slopes of increased difficulty.

What are the prices at the resort?

The cost of ski passes at this mountain resort for six days will be approximately $120. For an individual lesson with an instructor you will need to pay $12 per hour.

Cost of a trip to the Bukovel ski resort

There are two ways to get to Bukovel: by train or plane.

If you go by train, you will need to take a ticket to Lviv, and then order a transfer to Bukovel, which is 250 kilometers. Travel by train will cost a little over 4,000 rubles, transfer - approximately 2,500 rubles.

You can also take the train to Ivano-Frankivsk. The ticket price will be higher - 4,600 rubles, but the distance to Bukovel itself will be halved and will be 110 kilometers.

A plane ticket from Moscow to the city of Ivano-Frankovsk will cost about 20,000 rubles. Next, again, a transfer is required to the foot of Mount Bukovel.

As for hotels, many, in order to save money, try to book rooms not in Bukovel itself, but in nearby villages, for example, in Vorokhta. For a hotel in Bukovel you will have to pay from 900 hryvnia (3,200 rubles), in Vorokhta - from 400 hryvnia (1,420 rubles).

Bovec, Slovenia (Mount Kanin)

Bovec is considered the highest mountain resort in Slovenia, and it is the only ski resort whose slopes are at 2,000 meters. It is located 140 kilometers from Ljubljana, practically on the border of three countries - Slovenia itself, Austria and Italy.

Relative height resort area reaches 485 meters from sea level and is located at the foot of Kanin Peak (its height is 2,620 m).
For beginners, there is its own ski school and ski rental equipment.

When does the season start in Bovec?

The skiing season begins in December and closes at the end of April - beginning of May.

How many tracks

The resort has 15 trails with a total length of 15 kilometers:
black – 4 pcs;
red – 5 pcs;
blue – 6 pcs.

In general, the trails are quite varied both in length and difficulty. The slopes are perfect for both professionals and those just starting out on skis or snowboarding.

What are the prices at the resort?

Ski pass prices:
One day (adults) – $27;
One day (children under 14 years old) – 20 dollars;
6 days (adults) – $116;
6 days (children under 14 years old) - $67.

How much does the tour cost?

The cost of a week-long tour is about 50,000 rubles.

Cost of an independent trip

A flight from Moscow to Ljubljana will cost 18,000 rubles. Next, you will need a transfer to the resort itself; from Ljubljana to Bovec you will need to travel 140 kilometers.

The optimal price for a hotel room will be about 4,000 rubles per night.

As it turns out, there are a lot of options, and each one is cooler than the other.

Knee-deep snowdrifts, nipping frost... For once, she came to us real winter, and thousands of Russians flocked to the countryside for the weekend. We breathed in the cold air, looked around the surroundings with delight and froze in deep thought: what should we do about this?.. Of course, if you ski or skate, then there are no questions, you will find something to do. But many, finding themselves in nature, suddenly clearly realize that the delights of winter recreation are poisoned by memories of painful college tests in skiing, and the descent from the mountain on a sled, which ended in a fracture in childhood, still inspires horror. And even more often, you find yourself in another typical situation: you come with your family or company to a ski resort, everyone is discussing the slopes with a blush on their cheeks, and you feel like a stranger at this celebration of life... Don’t worry. There are many like you. “Only 40 percent of tourists coming to the mountains ski. And the remaining 60 percent also needs to be occupied with something,” says Sarah Roloff, head of the PR service of the tourism organization of one of the most famous resorts in Switzerland, St. Moritz.

In principle, winter tourism is more difficult to develop than summer tourism. In summer you need little: sun and sea. To lure a person to a resort in winter requires much more effort. In Europe, they have become very skilled in this matter: if the first “winter” clients were attracted to the Alps 150 years ago with the help of a simple marketing ploy, promising to reimburse all travel and accommodation costs if they did not like their holiday in the snow, now the industry works to so that people don’t get bored and get their dose of adrenaline. And skiing has nothing to do with it.

Step march!

So, if injuries or dreary school memories prevented you from getting on skis, then you can first try nordic walking, or Nordic walking. This type of fitness has gained wild popularity all over the world and is just beginning to spread in Russia. At first it was perceived as strange: people were walking around with poles that looked like ski poles, but without skis - as if they had been forgotten at home. However, what distinguishes nordic walking from a regular promenade is its more intense and uniform exercise stress. In the 80s, medical research confirmed the benefits of Nordic walking - in addition to the legs, the shoulder girdle, pectoral and back muscles are used, and the load is relieved from the joints (which is important, for example, for knee injuries). Typically, a walking person loads 70 percent of the muscles in the body, and when he walks in the “Nordic” style, then all 90 percent. Accordingly, 20 percent more calories are burned. This walking originated in Scandinavia in the first half of the last century - it was invented by professional athletes who summer time I also had to train. So they started running with poles, but without skis. Nordic walking allows you to overcome even simple ski slopes - then in the evening at the bar you can also discuss “that hill over there” and “that treacherous turn”...

Another type of skiing that is now gaining popularity is snowshoe, or snowshoeing. In fact, this is the most ancient device for moving on snow. Archaeologists believe that man first began using snowshoes in Central Asia about 4 thousand years ago, when it was necessary to make long treks through snowy spaces. If ancient devices look like wicker bast shoes with holes, then modern ones are plastic structures that provide different fastening options (including for ordinary sports shoes). The advantages of snowshoes are obvious. First of all, no preparation is required. Secondly, you don’t need complex equipment and you can even get by without poles. Snowshoes do not take up much space and fit easily into a bag. Thirdly, you are not dependent on infrastructure: you don’t need a track, skating rink or ski track to have fun. They were created for this purpose, to stomp on virgin soil wherever they please. Usually, snowshoeing even in the most ordinary forest causes puppy delight: you walk through the snow “like dry land,” and you can easily get into the most difficult places. In some countries, such as Canada, snowshoes have already caught up with skiing in popularity, and competitions are held on them. They go hiking and to the mountains on snowshoes. As an option - romantic walks without witnesses. It is worth noting that good snowshoe equipment costs from 80 to 200 euros, but for those interested you can find on the Internet a lot of options on how to make snowshoes yourself - for example, from a road sign and other improvised materials.

Ride served

However, there are sports where you don’t need to make any special efforts, but pleasure and adrenaline are guaranteed. These are variations on the theme of sleds and slides. It is best, of course, to make your dreams come true where there is a bobsleigh and luge track. The only highway in the former USSR is now at the disposal of the Latvian city of Sigulda. And they quite successfully drove tourists along it - though not in a real bean, but in a special one, similar to rubber boat tubing. Emotions are off the charts: you can compare it to a roller coaster, only you feel all the unevenness of the ice track, plus from time to time the bob is carried onto the side surfaces of the chutes.

There is also the opportunity to ride in a real sports bob, and in the homeland of bobsleigh - St. Moritz. The track there is unique, the only one in the world - it is formed naturally on the mountainside every year. Of course, amateurs are not allowed to descend on their own - only in the form of a “sandwich”: a professional pilot in front, two tourists behind him, and a professional again in the back. In general, all the work is done by professionals, and the tourist can only get the thrill. And they are guaranteed: a track approximately 1700 meters long can be covered in 75-80 seconds, the legendary horseshoe turn is especially impressive... The pleasure costs about $250.

There is also a more extreme way to go down an ice chute - skeleton, on a two-runner sled. This, perhaps the most dangerous sport (head down, lying on your stomach on a sled) was invented in the 19th century by brave British guys so as not to get bored on winter holidays. And they created a club. It is extremely difficult to become a member; you must be British. However, you can buy access for one day and even try the skeleton in action.

If this sport seems too risky, there is a gentler entertainment - tobogganing. Actually, the toboggan is the great-grandfather of the skeleton, a large useless wooden sled used by the Canadian Indians. Now you can ride them too, and you don’t have to frown condescendingly when remembering Russian downhill skating. Toboggans are used to cross ski slopes; you need to be able to control them. Frosty dust in the face, pulse in the temples, whistling in the ears are the indispensable companions of tobogganing.

Friendly crowd

And if you went to a winter resort in a large group, some of which do not tolerate traditional winter pleasures, then consider yourself lucky - you can organize competitions. Very suitable even for the most unsportsmanlike company ice stock, known as Bavarian curling. It differs from the usual one in simpler rules - no need to rub the ice with brushes. The stones in Bavarian curling are wooden, covered with iron hoops and have a vertical handle. You just need to throw them onto the ice as soon as you have the strength. Competitions can be held for throw distance or accuracy. Necessary conditions include a frozen pond or ice skating rink.

For those who, even in the coldest weather, check the elasticity of a soccer ball or stroke a tennis racket, dreaming of returning to their summer habits, a solution has also been found: in Moscow they play on open courts in winter. And what? We worked with brooms, cleared the ground of snow, and at the same time warmed up. And then - a few energetic games... There is nothing to say about volleyball and football - they are very easy to adapt to winter. IN Swiss Alps, for example, have taken this idea seriously - to give tourists the opportunity to engage in summer sports in the snow and even hold special tournaments. Cricket and volleyball among the snowdrifts no longer surprise anyone. Although when a group of Englishmen played cricket among the snow-capped mountains for the first time in 1988, it was considered a super extravagant act.

But perhaps the most original project was snow golf. The players are wrapped in scarves and hats, and the swing of the stick raises a column of silver dust. A ball of an unusual orange color rolls up to the hole... It would seem that snow and golf are opposite concepts. The stick and ball are associated exclusively with the emerald green fields. In addition, the hitting technique and choice of club depend on the surface: grass or sand. In snow golf, the usual rules, as players admit, practically do not work. However, this does not stop you from having fun. By the way, such an obstacle as a lake does not interfere with the game: if the ball hits a frozen surface, then it can be played. In general, if you have the fame of an office Tiger Woods, then you can easily continue training in the winter.

From winter extreme species There are also equestrian sports: polo on the snow, horse racing and skijoring (riding behind a horse on skis). These entertainments are for enlightened horsemen or those completely out of touch. But since horse riding is now part of the summer recreation program of many people, you can also try to transfer it to the winter - first, of course, by taking an instructor and a few lessons.

And finally, the most accessible of all sports is hiking. Essentially this is a walk through the mountains with visits to restaurants and tastings different dishes. Not to be confused with the Russian tradition of clubbing - moving from club to club by taxi! The tasting must be earned. First, you walk into the mountains for an hour and a half. You rise higher and higher, observe animal tracks, and if you are lucky, you will meet a herd of goats. Then you do the opposite route - you go down along other paths, stopping first for a wine tasting, then for lunch, then for a hearty dinner and dessert. As you can imagine, the way back is more fun. Well, you can finish the route in some bar for apres-ski - a fun get-together where skiers and snowboarders celebrate successful skiing. After this, you can definitely consider yourself an athlete. Or at least a fan...

St. Moritz — Moscow