Alps vs Sochi: where Russians will go skiing in winter

Nowadays, “active vacation” is gaining popularity very rapidly. But not so long ago, the word “vacation” meant doing nothing. And ski resorts were traveled only for the sake of beautiful photos. When did everything change? Since when do sports and mountains have to do with vacation?

Throughout the first half of the XX century, the mountains remained an extreme place, and a trip to the glacier was not different from diving into the mouth of a volcano. But times have changed. People spend their free time on training and competitions, and on vacation they go to the mountains as often as to the sea.

On the eve of the start of the 2018/19 ski season, the French company Club Med conducted a study of the Russian ski market. A survey was conducted, in which more than a thousand people took part, each of whom answered the topic of their relationship with alpine skiing, talked about the criteria in the choice of destinations and resorts, as well as positive and negative impressions received on vacation in the mountains. The presentation of the results took place during a breakfast party at World Class Oruzheyny.

The French company Club Med is one of the largest players in the world tourist market. In addition to beach destinations, the company develops ski tourism. Club Med currently has 23 ski resorts, 15 of which are located in the Alps.

As the collected data showed, not only quantitative but also qualitative growth of the ski segment continues in our country. As part of the general trend towards a healthy lifestyle, alpine skiing is becoming a favorite winter leisure option, and ski resorts are becoming a must-visit destination.

* 52% of respondents admitted that they cannot live without sport.
* 92 % said that they prefer winter trips to the mountains to vacations in warm countries.
* 30 % try to go to ski resorts 2-3 times a season.

Who goes to the mountains in winter?

The mountains have turned from an intimidating risky entertainment into a territory of comfort. Winter landscapes allow everyone to feel unity with nature.

The portrait of a skier has also changed. If before it was severe men with icy beards, now it can be even an infant. According to the research, 69.9% of participants go to the mountains as a family.

The most striking changes in the portrait of the skier have occurred in our country. For most of the XX century, the mountains in the USSR remained a closed club for a select few. Either athletes who devoted themselves to skiing disciplines or the elite – scientists, professors, actors – who had access to rare ski resorts (if you can call them tourist centers and mountain huts of those years), as well as the opportunity to get equipment that ordinary Soviet citizens could not buy.

The domestic skiing world turned upside down in the 90s. New Russians started traveling to the Alps for the beautiful life, black caviar and a glass of Cristal. They were less interested in skiing than in partying at such resorts. But today our relationship with ski vacations has reached a new level.

* 85% of respondents go to the mountains to ski, and only 1.9% choose this destination in pursuit of fashion.
* 48.5% of respondents who have not vacationed in Club Med resorts prefer the Austrian Alps.
* 89.4% of respondents who have vacationed in Club Med choose the French Alps.
* 79 % have already vacationed in Sochi out of those who answered that they have vacationed in Russian ski resorts.
* 47 % are ready to pay more for European service in the Alps.
* 45.9% start planning a vacation in the mountains six months before the trip.

And these are not final conclusions. As long as ski tourism is in development, the number of vacationers in the mountains will grow.

Why are the Alps in the lead?

One fifth of the earth is covered with mountains, so the choice for skiing is quite large. But in Russia, in most cases, the choice is between the Alps and Sochi.

The popularity of these resorts can be explained by the fact that the starting point of their evolution was the Olympics. 12 of the 24 Winter Olympics were held in the Alps. Each Games were a worldwide advertisement for the resort. 63% of survey participants have winter vacations in the French Alps, the second most popular destination is Italy, Austria is in third place. And 48% of respondents prefer to vacation in Russia. Of them 79% vacationed in Sochi. The popularity of Krasnaya Polyana is explained by the lack of visa and close flight.

What plays a role when choosing a resort?

∗ 65% skiing area (quantity and quality of slopes)
∗ 40% transportation accessibility (visa, flight)
∗ 34% convenience for children (children’s clubs)
∗ 16,5% Russian-speaking instructors
∗ 16.5% infrastructure (places to go/shopping)
∗ 14% novelty of hotel/destination
∗ 9% TripAdvisor rating
∗ 7% prestige of the region

Problems of tourists on vacation in the mountains

Apart from beautiful scenery, Michelin cuisine and unforgettable skiing experiences, there are some problems that every tourist is concerned about. The survey revealed the most frequent disadvantages of ski resorts.

In the first place is expensive. But there were some tourists who are ready to overpay for good service. The language barrier and the queue for elevators are no less frequent problems. Although almost half of the respondents prefer to vacation in Russia. The rarest problem, but no less worrying, was the poor logistics of the resort.

All the disadvantages outweigh the emotions of skiing and snowboarding. It is not for nothing that ski tourism has become so popular so quickly. And a charge of adrenaline received, and in the form brought yourself. Well, so that you do not think long where to spend your vacation, we offer several activities for the current ski season:

• February 7-14. International Fireworks Festival in Courchevel. A pyrotechnic show will take place every Thursday during this period, turning the sky above the Three Valleys into a fabulous sea of fire and light.
• April 7. 3 Vallees Enduro Amateur Race. For over 15 years, Three Valleys has hosted an exciting and fun end-of-season race for everyone to compete in. If your riding level has seriously improved over the season, it’s time to test your skills!

Or you can go to domestic resorts, learn to ski and snowboard or tighten up your skills, or you can just enjoy the mountain scenery! Ski tourism welcomes everyone from small to large!