Walking through the winter forest is a great idea for a weekend, but there’s more to it than that. Speed, adrenaline, frosty air and a feeling of freedom – that’s what awaits you when you go down the slope. Our country has a lot of opportunities for active winter vacation: there are dozens of major ski resorts, and every year new locations and slopes are opened.
Head of the press service of the travel planning service OneTwoTrip
“We found out where it is worth skiing and snowboarding this season.”
Rosa Khutor
Kus: Adler district, Esto-Sadok settlement.
When is the season: from December to March.
Cost of travel: an airplane ticket from Moscow to Sochi and back in January will cost from 7000 rubles. From the airport to the resort there are trains “Lastochka”, a one-way ticket is 260 rubles. A hotel with a high rating and good reviews in Esto-Sadk can be found for at least 5000 rubles per night.
Ski pass: an adult daypass will cost 4200-5300 rubles, depending on the selected month. A children’s pass costs from 2200 to 3200. The highest price for a ski pass is fixed from February to mid-March.
Why choose?
Rosa Khutor is probably the most popular Russian ski resort, about which only those who are not interested in the topic of active winter recreation have not heard. There are more than 60 slopes of different levels, from green ones for beginners to black ones for advanced riders. By the way, there are 11 difficult slopes. There are also areas for off-piste skiing and snow parks for freestyle.
In the neighborhood there are two more excellent resorts, Krasnaya Polyana (34 slopes) and Gazprom (28 slopes). Everything together makes this place on the Caucasus Ridge, an hour’s drive from Sochi, the largest in Russia for skiers and snowboarders. Moreover, the infrastructure and quality of service are not inferior to the best resorts in Europe.
Arkhyz
Kus: Zelenchuksky district, Karachay-Cherkess Republic.
When is the season: from December to March.
Cost of travel: it is most convenient to go to the resort from the airport in Mineralnye Vody, where you can fly from Moscow for 9000 rubles (round-trip ticket). From the airport to Arkhyz 220 km, they can be traveled by shuttle bus (one-way ticket – 740 rubles) or pre-order a hotel transfer. Housing near the resort rents from 3000 rubles per day.
Ski pass: prices for a day start at 2200 and go up to 4400 for an adult, it depends not only on the season, but also on the time of day. A day ski pass is cheaper than a season ticket, which allows you to ski both in the daytime and in the evening. A children’s ticket costs from 1450 to 2300 rubles.
Why choose it?
This relatively young resort in Karachay-Cherkessia is among the top of the most attractive places in Russia for riders. Those who are not too confident in their abilities will be comfortable here: more than half of the 16 pistes are green and blue, and there are only two black ones. The slopes are wide and the height difference is not too big. You can ski on two slopes – the northern one, where the start is higher, and therefore the views are more breathtaking, and the southern one, which includes a bit more slopes.
Manzherok
Kus: foothills of Malaya Sinyukha mountain; Altai Republic.
When in season: December to March.
Cost of travel: the nearest airport is located in Gorno-Altaisk, which has regular direct flights from Moscow. The cost of a round-trip ticket will be about 20,000 rubles. To the resort 30 minutes by bus, a one-way ticket costs 150 rubles. Hotel in Manzherok can be found from 4500 rubles per day.
Ski pass: on weekdays a daypass will cost 1600 rubles, on weekends and holidays – in 2100. A ticket for a child costs 1300-1500 rubles. The highest price for a ski pass is fixed on New Year holidays: one day on the slope will cost 2500 for an adult and 1600 for a child.
Why choose it?
This resort in the Altai is attractive for those who want to enjoy the beauties of local nature. A distinctive feature of “Manzherok” is the rope chairlift, the longest in Siberia, its length is more than 2 km, and the views from it are mesmerizing. Even just riding on it is considered a local attraction. But there are enough pistes here: the total length is 30 km, there are all variants, from green to black, but the latter are only a few small sections. For fans of extreme sports there is a snow park with ski jumps, where freestyle competitions are sometimes held. There is also a separate flight zone. And for children and novice riders there are special safe zones.
Elbrus
Kus: Terskol village, Elbrus district, Kabardino-Balkar Republic.
When is the season: from November to May.
Cost of travel: the nearest airports are in Nalchik, a ticket from Moscow and back – from 12,000 rubles, and in Mineralnye Vody, here ticket prices start from 9000 rubles. Then you can get to the resort by shuttle bus, cab or transfer, the final destination will be the village of Terskol. Lodging in the vicinity of the resort is easy to find from 4000 rubles per day.
Ski pass: a day ofskiing will cost 2470 for an adult and 1520 for a child, but these prices are not valid on New Year’s weekend. A five-day pass from December 30 to January 7 will cost 4750 rubles for an adult and 2850 for a child.
Why choose it?
The highest peak in Europe is already a reason to visit this ski resort. Besides, there is one more peculiarity: although formally there are eight pistes at the resort, all of them pass one into another, and you will have an opportunity to go from the very top to the foot. Less confident riders can choose branches and sections where the slope is more gentle – all of them can be reached by elevators. Experienced skiers and snowboarders can go freeriding.
Dombai
Kus: Dombai town, Karachay-Cherkess Republic.
When is the season: from December to April.
Cost of travel: you can get there from the airport of Mineralnye Vody, airplane tickets from Moscow and back will cost 9000 rubles. Then you will have to take a cab or order a transfer in advance: there are no trains to Dombai, buses are also irregular. There are quite a lot of hotels in the resort itself, prices start from 3000 rubles.
Ski pass: one day of skiing for an adult will cost 2600 rubles. Preferential ski-passes for a day cost 1600, under this discount including children from three to 10 years old, persons from 65 years old.
Why choose it?
This large ski center is located in one of the most picturesque areas of the Caucasus, in the reserve near the confluence of several rivers. The development of the resort was started several years ago, now there are 19 slopes, including five green and three black ones, there is an opportunity to try heli-ski – you will be taken by helicopter to the top, and further down you go down by yourself on the untouched snow. This pleasure is not cheap, but you will get so many unique impressions that it makes sense to spend money, especially if you already have a rich experience of skiing.
Khvalynskiy
Kus: Khvalynsk, Saratov region.
When is the season: from December to March.
Cost of travel: the nearest airport is in Saratov, an air ticket from Moscow and back costs about 6500 rubles, further you will have to go by car or bus 210 km to the resort. Hotel in the area of “Khvalyni” can be found from 3000 rubles.
Ski pass: a card for the cable car costs 100 rubles, and each lift will cost 100-140 rubles, depending on the height of the slope and the week of visiting the resort, in the New Year holidays lift the most expensive. A weekend day pass for a child costs 2500 rubles and 3000 rubles for an adult. On weekdays, the price is lower – 1600 and 2000 rubles respectively.
Why choose it?
This ski resort is located on the territory of the recreation park “Khvalyn” in the Volga region. The hills here rise to the maximum for this region 380 meters, and the maximum drop of slopes is 181 meters. The resort has only four tracks: two green, blue, the longest of which is 1200 meters, and red, so it will be comfortable to ski with children. The slopes are well maintained, and from the upper points there are wonderful views of the surrounding area and the wide Volga River. There is also a complex “Khvalynskiye Thermae” with a warm outdoor pool – just what you need after a busy day of skiing.
Sheregesh
Kus: Sheregesh village, Kemerovo Region.
When is the season: from November to May.
Cost of travel: an air ticket from Moscow to Novokuznetsk and back costs about 18,000 rubles. From the airport to the resort can be reached by shuttle bus, 440 rubles per ticket, or by cab. High-rated hotels in Sheregesh are available from 3,000 rubles.
Ski pass: a single ski pass for one day in Sheregesh costs 3200 rubles, it will provide access to 19 elevators and 56 kilometers of piste. In total, five cable car operators offer their services, you can buy a separate pass for any of them or use a single one.
Why choose?
One of the best and largest resorts in Western Siberia is located in the south of the Kemerovo region in the Gornaya Shoria massif. Snow is guaranteed here, and it falls early and stays for a long time, so the skiing season is one of the longest in Russia. There are 22 tracks, including four green and black ones. Professional freeriders will appreciate the virgin land in a beautiful coniferous forest, and bonus are jumps from rocks and steep slopes. A separate plus will be the absence of avalanche danger.
Igora
Kus: Sosnovskoe village, Priozersky district, Leningrad region.
When is the season: from December to March.
Cost of travel: an air ticket to St. Petersburg from Moscow costs about 5000 rubles. From the city to the resort is 54 km, you can get there by cab or by shuttle bus. If you want to stay near the resort, count on a minimum of 2300 rubles per day.
Ski pass: there are two types ofski passes in this place: by the hour and by the number of lifts. Three hours of skiing will cost 2200 rubles for an adult or 1800 for a child up to 12 years old. The maximum number of lifts that can be purchased is 24. Buying such a season ticket will cost 3600 rubles for an adult, for a ticket for a child you need to spend 2700.
Why choose it?
A great opportunity to go skiing or snowboarding in the vicinity of St. Petersburg – Igora is only an hour away. Here you will find the highest “mountains” in the region: the height difference is up to 120 meters, and the maximum length of the piste is 1210 meters. There are eight pistes, most of them are designed for beginners and amateurs, there are also two pistes for trampolines and a route for cross-country skiing. The infrastructure is well developed: a spa complex and an entertainment center are waiting for guests, so it is worth coming here for a couple of days.
L. Tyagachev Ski Resort
Kus: Shukolovo village, Moscow Region.
When is the season: from December to March.
Cost of travel: from Moscow you can get there by car, about 40 minutes from the Moscow Ring Road, or by train from Savelovsky railway station, a one-way ticket costs 140 rubles. It is more convenient to live in Moscow, the cost of accommodation will be from 2000 rubles per day, but you can also stay in Dmitrov or the surrounding area, where prices start from 2500 rubles.
Ski pass: there are only four tariffs, the cost of which is from 1000 to 18 000 rubles – this is the starting price of a ski pass, further you need to pay for each lift, the cost of which is from 50 to 200 rubles. Preferential and children’s ski passes cost 500 rubles. Prices for lifting depend on the height of the slope and the day of the week.
Why choose?
In the Dmitrovsky district of the Moscow region there is the oldest skiing complex of this region. Members of the Russian national alpine skiing and snowboarding team train here, which means that the quality of the slopes is top-notch. There are 12 pistes in total, including two training ones. The maximum length is 600 meters, height difference is 96 meters. A lot of attention is paid to snowboarders, and there is even a separate snowboard park for them. You can also find excellent instructors who will quickly put you on the board. The infrastructure in the club is well developed: you can relax in a cafe or stay overnight in a hotel.
Red Lake
Kus: Korobitsyno village, Leningrad region.
When is the season: from mid-November to mid-April.
Cost of travel: first you need to fly by plane to St. Petersburg, a ticket from Moscow and back – about 5000 rubles, and then it is most convenient to go by car. Lodging near the resort can be rented for 4400 rubles per day.
Ski-pass: on weekdays you will have to spend 900 rubles for an hourpass for an adult and 700 rubles for a child, on weekends and holidays the price rises to 1200 and 900 respectively. There is also an opportunity to buy a certain number of lifts, maximum for one purchase can take 15 approaches, on weekdays for an adult the price will be 1800, and on weekends – 2300. There is also a discount for children: 1300 on weekdays and 1800 on weekends.
Why choose it?
This ski resort is located 90 km from St. Petersburg on the picturesque shores of Lake Krasnoye and is considered one of the largest in the region. Pistes are quite a lot – 18 pieces, mostly red and blue, however, depending on weather conditions, some of them are closed. There is a training and children’s green and a couple of black, short ones, suitable for slalom and ski acrobatics. The maximum height difference is 120 meters.
This is more of a resort for active family vacations, professionals and extreme skiers may be bored here, but you can spend a great weekend with children. In addition to alpine skiing and snowboarding, you can take a long cross-country skiing route, go ice skating and ice skating. We recommend staying in one of the hotels or in a cozy cabin near the resort.
Abzakovo
Kus: Novoabzakovo village, Bashkortostan.
When is the season: from November to May.
Cost of travel: an air ticket to Magnitogorsk (Chelyabinsk region), which is where the nearest airport is located, roundtrip will cost about 18,000 rubles, further to the resort you need to take a cab for about an hour. Lodging in the vicinity can be found for 2000 rubles per day.
Ski pass: the price of a single daypass on weekdays is 2650 rubles, on weekends it rises to 3000, there is also the possibility of choosing a VIP-turnstile, then you will have to pay 4000 rubles. During the New Year holidays (from 30.12 to 8.01) prices are slightly different: a regular day pass will cost 3500 rubles, and VIP-turnstile – 4500.
Why choose it?
The pleasant resort is located in Bashkiria, 200 km from Ufa, but it is more convenient to get there from Magnitogorsk. There are 13 tracks, mostly green and blue, but there are no black ones, so professional riders may be bored. However, “Abzakovo” is focused not on them, but rather on cozy family rest: there are many training slopes, where children will be comfortable, and in the vicinity there are routes for cross-country skiing. There is also a skating rink, water park, spa, entertainment center and “Husky City”. In general, it is worth coming here to spend a family weekend in the lap of nature.
Bolshoi Vudyavr
Kus: Kirovsk municipal district, Murmansk region.
When is the season: from November to May.
Trip cost: a flight from Moscow to Murmansk and back costs about 9700 rubles, then you can take a car or train. There is another option: fly straight to Kirovsk to the airport “Khibiny”, round-trip tickets will cost 10 500 rubles, from there it is easy to get to Bolshoi Vudyavr by bus or cab. You can book a room not far from the ski resort for 4,700 rubles per night.
Ski pass: a day ofskiing will cost 1900 for a child and 2550 for an adult. There is also an opportunity to buy a season pass, which is presented in two options: day skiing, afternoon and evening skiing. In the first case, a children’s ticket costs 24 thousand rubles, and an adult ticket costs 48 thousand rubles. For those who like to ride at dusk, the season ticket is a little more expensive: 29 and 59 thousand rubles.
Why choose it?
Bolshoi Vudyavr is the highest-altitude resort in Northwest Russia. In this place you will find more than 30 kilometers of pistes prepared at the European level, and their complexity begins with green and ends with black. The height difference is 550 meters, so you will definitely feel the drive and bright emotions. Freeride is available for the most sophisticated snowboarders and skiers.
Do not forget about the peculiarities of the location, it is in the Murmansk region you can see the northern lights with your own eyes. However, there are some disadvantages – the daylight hours here are very short, and there is a high probability of getting into the polar night. Most of the tracks are well-lit, so it will not interfere with your plans and entertainment.
Spend the coldest time of the year hot: warm up with new emotions, acquaintances and impressions.