Finally, the celestial office returned to its direct duties, and instead of the usual slush, the winter of this year pleases the Russians with a thick snow cover. It should be noted! And to do this, not lying on the couch, but actively, with the benefit of the body and for the sake of a good mood, you can go to one of the best winter resorts in Russia 2019. The list of such resorts was compiled by the Turstat agency through a survey of Internet users. And we have expanded and supplemented this list.
7. Leningrad region
The best ski resorts: Igora, Okhta Park, Red Lake
Three places open in the rating of the best winter resorts in the Leningrad Region, where Petersburgers love to spend weekends and holidays. Igora is a large complex located on the Karelian Isthmus - a place that can honorly hold the title of the “most beautiful” in the northern countries. There are nine tracks in Igor, the largest of them is more than a kilometer in length. They are intended for both experienced and beginner skiers.
If to Igora a little more than 50 km along the road, then Okhta Park is even closer - to go there no more than 20 minutes. The ski slopes are shorter than the ski slopes, the largest is 390 meters, but there is a snow park and a huge skating rink one and a half kilometers long, located in a beautiful snow-covered forest. And the longest resort from St. Petersburg is the resort "Red Lake". The number of tracks is impressive - there are 15 of them; there is also an extreme version for the most experienced, a little over a kilometer long and 120 meters high.
6. Altai
Best resort: Belokurikha
The status of one of the most popular winter resorts is serious - of federal significance. Its main attraction, thanks to which the resort was born, is the healing springs of nitrogen-rich water. Belokurikha is located on the border with the relict forest, in which oaks and Manchurian hazel grow.
The favorable climate, for which Belokurikha is compared with Switzerland, the marvelous beauty of nature and healing water - what could be better? Nowadays, a good service has been added to these components. One of the most popular winter resorts in Russia is built up with sanatoriums, pensions or cozy houses for two to four people.
The largest of Belokurikha’s slopes is more than two and a half kilometers long, and its height is as much as 550 m. But in addition to experienced ones, both beginners and children can ride. There is a separate, well-lit track for them.
5. Ural
Best resorts: White Mountain, Sunny Valley
The Ural Mountains is one of the most popular places for winter recreation. There are more than fifty of them, but two places are considered the best - “White Mountain” and “Sunny Valley”.
Mount Belaya Resort is located on one of the most beautiful mountains in the Ural mountain range. The main distinguishing feature of the resort is excellent free-style skiing, that is, off-piste. This extreme pleasure will be maximized if you have not forgotten your best universal snowboard at home.
However, not a single freeride - there are tracks on the mountain for both beginners and athletes.
"Sunny Valley" is fully consistent with its name - the mountain slope is reliably protected from cold winds and is well warmed up by the sun. In total, the resort has 11 pistes, from “cheesecake” to extreme, for experienced skiers, however, “Valley” specializes in beginners.
Both resorts have lighted tracks, there are artificial snow systems, snow-sealing machines and lifts.
4. Kemerovo region
Best resorts: Sheregesh, Tashtagol
This winter resort is gradually developing, and experts in tourist affairs predict Sheregesh popularity, almost equal to Sochi.
Sheregesh is located at the foot of the mountain, the slopes of which, as if by nature itself, are intended for human entertainment. There are ten tracks in the resort, the largest of which is almost four kilometers long. Moreover, they are of different difficulty levels: some, more gentle, are good for beginners who have just started skiing, and experienced skiers who love to race at great speed will be delighted with others. There are opportunities for free skiing on the slopes - avalanches do not leave the mountain, and the terrain is diverse.
3. The North Caucasus
Best resorts: Dombay, Arkhyz, Elbrus, Veduchi
Although the level of development of the services provided to the North Caucasian ski resorts is still far from the European level, however, the prices also differ from European ones, and in a pleasant way. There are opportunities to rent housing cheaper, there are more expensive, and the tracks are quite comfortable, with lights and snow systems, if you are not lucky with the weather.
- Elbrus, despite its formidable appearance, is very supportive of newcomers. Its slopes in the resort area are gentle and excellent for training and the first timid skating.
- Experienced and risky people will prefer Cheget, with its dangerously steep and slightly affected by civilization tracks (the danger of an avalanche adds to the adrenaline in the blood).
- Families with children who prefer to relax in comfortable conditions and put their favorite child for the first time on skis will prefer Dombay.
- A good alternative to Dombay is Arkhyz. He is just starting to rebuild, but for training beginners his convenient “green” tracks are more than suitable.
2. Moscow region
The best resorts: Sorochany, Stepanovo, Volen, Yakhroma
Surprisingly, in the lowland suburbs, there were almost 20 good ski resorts. It is clear that the name is more than conditional, since the height at the steepest tracks is barely more than 100 meters. But the conditions for beginners are almost perfect: comfortable slopes with gentle slopes, inexpensive instructors for adults and children (well, it’s cheaper than abroad). Plus traditions - the majority are located in places of the former school of the Olympic reserve, where Muscovites are used to riding during the Soviet era.
Differences among resorts are minimal. Both there and there are approximately the same level of service and quality of tracks.
- Experienced skiers prefer Stepanovo and Sorochany - there the slopes are more abrupt and more complicated.
- Beginners and parents prefer “Yakhroma” - the conditions there are the most comfortable for beginners.
- And those who want to ride not so much as to spend time as if on the slopes of the Alps are going to Volen. There at the European level of service and prices at the European level.
1. Krasnaya Polyana, Sochi
Best resorts: Rosa Khutor, Gorky Gorod.
For the best ski resorts in Russia in 2019, 40% of those polled cast their votes, more than double the second place in the rating. Why are they so popular?
“Rosa Khutor” - a resort, we will not be afraid of the word, luxurious; great place for those who can afford it. It opened only eight years ago, but during its existence managed to get several awards for the quality of services provided. There are almost a hundred tracks in Rosa Khutor. Most of them have a high level of difficulty, suitable only for experienced skiers, snowboarders and prefer a free style. However, in this ski kingdom there is a place for beginners. There are only three such tracks, but their total length is more than six kilometers. If a mild winter causes damage to the snow cover, all routes have the opportunity to make up for the shortage with the help of artificial snow.
While Rosa Khutor is primarily suitable for experienced skiers and professionals, the neighboring Gorki Gorod is primarily intended for beginners. However, more experienced athletes will find their niche there. The resort has tracks "black" and "red", of increased complexity. The people on them, unlike the Khutor, are few. Most people prefer to learn to ride under the supervision of instructors on more comfortable and safer “green” and “blue” ones.
And also “Gorki” - a mecca of freeriders; this resort was one of the first in Russia to provide all conditions for the adherents of free style.