Top-10 ski resorts in Russia

Winter is the best time for outdoor activities in the mountains: sun, snow, skiing or snowboarding, mysterious mountain peaks and calm forests, beautiful landscapes and guaranteed good mood! We offer you to get acquainted with the best places for skiing on the slopes in Russia.

1. Arkhyz

The good trails of the Arkhyz ski resort are located at an altitude of about 2,800 meters. There are 16 modern and well-prepared trails of varying degrees of difficulty. The total length of the slopes is 27 km. There are 7 lifts (4 chairlifts, 3 gondolas). The winter weather in Arkhyz is usually mild, during the day the temperature does not drop below -5 °C. The ski season lasts from early December to early April.

Ski pass: from 2000₽ – 3000₽ depending on the season and holidays.

How to get there: Arkhyz is located in the Caucasus, in Karachay-Cherkessia. The nearest airport is located in Mineralnye Vody, the nearest railway station is in Cherkessk. Regular buses run from both cities to Arkhyz.

2. Abzakovo

Abzakovo ski resort in Bashkiria is located on the slopes of the Ural Mountains. It is cool in winter, up to -15 °C, but winds are rare, so it is quite comfortable to relax here. The season lasts from the beginning of November to the beginning of May.

There are 13 trails in Abzakovo with a total length of about 16 km. The shortest descent is 340 meters, the longest is 2.8 km, there is a training track 170 m long. All levels of difficulty are presented, from "green" to "black". Freeride sites are also available. There are 6 rope and 2 chairlifts, there is a baby elevator.

How to get there: From Magnitogorsk to Novoabzakovo (by train or bus).

Ski pass: for 2 hours – from 1200 rubles, for 1 day - from 2400 rubles, for 2 days – from 3700 rubles.

3. Woodyawr

The Woodyavr Ski Resort is located in the Murmansk region. The total length of the trails is 45 km. Various lifts and trails of various difficulty levels are located in very picturesque places.

How to get there: from Kirovsk or Murmansk by taxi or public transport.

Ski pass: from 1000 to 4000₽ depending on the slope and time. There is a rental of ski and snowboard equipment.

4. Elbrus region

Elbrus and Cheget are popular ski resorts in Kabardino–Balkaria. Trails and lifts: the resort has prepared 7 wide trails with a total length of about 17 km. These are mostly "blue" tracks, where there are "red" sections. There are also 2 training slopes. There are 3 gondola lifts to the peaks (the height difference is about 1500 m).

How to get there: bus No. 535 runs from Nalchik bus station to the ski resort (about 120 km and 2 hours on the way).

Ski pass: prices depend on the area where you plan to ride, from 1000₽ to 2100₽. There is a rental service.

5. Baikalsk (Sobolinaya Mountain)

Mount Sobolinaya is located in the Irkutsk region, near the city of Baikalsk. Beautiful mountains and Lake Baikal, clean air and a mild snowy winter. The season lasts from mid-November to the end of April. The resort has 18 trails of all difficulty levels. the length is about 15 km. The longest track is 2,100 m, and there are also many short sections. 7 lifts.

How to get there: from Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude by minibus.

Ski pass: 1300 rubles per day on weekdays, 2200 rubles on weekends and holidays, 2600 rubles on New Year holidays. There is a rental service.

6. Khvalynsk

The ski slopes in Khvalynsk are located in the Saratov region on the Volga upland, the season begins in mid-December and ends at the end of March. Trails and lifts: 3 trails of varying difficulty — for both experienced and beginners. The total length is 3 km, there are 3 ski lifts.

How to get there: from Saratov by bus to Khvalynsk. You can also take a train to the railway stations Syzran, Balakovo or Vozrozhdenie, and then by car to Khvalynsk.

Ski pass: 2000 rubles per day on weekdays and 3000 rubles on weekends. There is a rental service.

7. Gubakha

Gubakha Ski Resort is located in the Perm Region in the southern part of the Northern Urals, where the skiing season begins from early December to mid-April. Trails and lifts: 18 trails, which in total stretch for about 18 km, 6 rope lifts and 1 chairlift.

How to get there: by any means of transport to Solikamsk or Perm, then by train or bus to Gubakha.

Ski pass: a day pass costs 1400 rubles on weekdays and 1800 rubles on weekends. There is a rental service.

8. Beloretsk

The Mratkino ski complex is located in Bashkortostan, on one of the highest points in the Southern Urals – Mt. Mratkino, 8 trails with a length of 8 km, 4 lifts — both rope and chairlifts.

How to get there: to Magnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk or Ufa, then by bus to Beloretsk.

Ski pass: a day ski pass costs from 1400 rubles on weekdays and from 2000 rubles on weekends and holidays. There is a rental of equipment.

9. Dombai

The famous ski resort of Russia – Dombai is located in Karachay–Cherkessia. Trails and lifts: 12 descents, the total length is about 25 km.

How to get there: by plane to Mineralnye Vody, by train to Minvod, Cherkessk, Nalchik or Nevinnomyssk. Then take the bus to Dombai.

Ski pass: on the new cable car complex - from 1600 rubles per day, on the old one — from 150 rubles for 1 ascent. There is a rental service.

10. Rosa Khutor and Krasnaya Polyana

The most popular Russian ski resorts Rosa Khutor and Krasnaya Polyana are represented by trails with a total length of 105 km. These are the most crowded and expensive ski resorts.

How to get there: From Sochi or Adler by bus or train.

Ski pass: prices start from 4700₽ at Rosa Khutor, and from 3400₽ at Krasnaya Polyana.