Sochi vs Sheregesh: where are the mountains cooler?

The two most popular mountain resorts in Russia are Sheregesh and Krasnaya Polyana. Some people prefer Sochi for the opportunity to come down from the mountains and walk in an autumn coat along the sea shoreline, while others rush to master the slopes in Siberia, starting in October. What makes both resorts so attractive and where should you go? In the first part of our series of publications “Sochi vs Sheregesh” we will tell you about all the advantages of “skating” in the Siberian village of Sheregesh, which has long become a kind of mecca of soulful meetings of snowboarders and skiers from all over the country.

Our guide in Sheregesh

Sergey Turikov (affectionately called “Kamikaze” by his friends). He is a co-founder of the company “Mountain Patrol”, a sportsman, a senior coach of the Novosibirsk Federation of Alpine Freestyle Skiing. Started training on the ski slopes of NSO and Novosibirsk. More than 20 years of alpine skiing experience. Started in hard disciplines. In 2002 I started to get interested in a new, interesting for me discipline Freeski (which at that time in Russia was not recognized as an official discipline). In the same season I came to Sheregesh for the first time. From that period I started to master off-piste skiing. One of the pioneers of Russian freeskiing in the Urals. Multiple participant, prize-winner, initiator and judge of Freeski competitions.

“Any freeride starts with a piste” – they said. Mine started with jumping on cross-country skis on the slides of Novosibirsk zoo.

The beginning and end of the season

Sergei Turikov says: ” The season always starts at different times. Sometimes we open it already at the end of October, and once it happened on September 26. However, the official opening usually falls on the middle or end of November, when the first heavy snowfalls begin. We also close the season at different times. Sometimes there is still snow at the end of May, and sometimes at the end of March it is barely enough for skiing. However, we can see a regularity and a certain cyclicity here. As a rule, one of the four seasons ends earlier than usual. For example, the 2016/17 season started very early (in mid-October we were already skiing in full swing), but it also ended early (by mid-March the mountain had almost melted). The current season is likely to be quite long.”

High season

“Peak visitation to the complex is divided into two periods. The first is from November 20 to December 15, and the second is from February 15 to March 15. It is these dates that are considered the high season in Sheregesh.”

How to get to Sheregesh

“Coming from afar, it is most convenient to get from Novokuznetsk airport by cab or minibus, ordering them in advance. Tourists usually use Avito or the Bla-bla-car app. There you can always find a lot of favorable transfer options.”

Infrastructure and atmosphere

“As for the local infrastructure, there are their own nuances, as everywhere. However, in general, everything necessary is there. Hotels, cafes, bars, rentals, bathhouses, stores in the village, there is a 3D cinema, so you will have something to do after skiing. To the essential minuses I would refer the absence of a single skipass on the mountain. You have to carry a lot of cards with you all the time. I’ll tell you straight: Sheregesh is not the best resort in Russia, but people choose it not for its service, but for its special Siberian atmosphere and snow. The local atmosphere is unique in that during the season the maximum number of riders from all cities of Russia and abroad gathers here This all gives Sheregesh a special flavor. Everyone comes here for fluffy and soft snow, as well as for “fan” and carefree skiing. People come from all over Russia and recently there have been a lot of groups with foreign riders”.

Trails for beginners and experienced freeriders

“In general, Sheregesh is one of the best places in terms of snow quality in the world. That is why riders from all corners of our country come here for the opening of the season. There are enough places for skiing. During or right after snowfalls you can ride right under the elevators. If you walk a bit, there are excellent glades and forest not far away. And in general, not sophisticated riders will enjoy skiing near the complex. In order to start mastering off-piste skiing in Sheregesh and feel comfortable, you need to ride confidently on a prepared slope. Sheregesh is a great place for beginner freeriders. If you approach training wisely, go to a freeride school or use the services of a certified instructor, then a person will adapt to the conditions as quickly as possible and get the necessary information about safe routes.

Riding alone off-piste in any case is not worth it – it is simply dangerous. Experienced riders are advised to ride with “locals”, and beginners are strongly advised to take an instructor or enroll in a freeride school. It is better to take time to explore and determine for yourself the most comfortable and safe options for descents.

But still do not overestimate your strength, it is better to be prepared and read about the peculiarities of the terrain and snow on the Internet before the trip.

About the slopes. The complexity of slopes in Sheregesh is diverse. On the Internet you can easily find a map of pistes and elevators, it will help beginners without problems to orient themselves on the mountain. Green is divided into several sectors: Sector A, “Panorama”, Sector E. For beginners will be more suitable to roll out Sector A, “Bun” (elevators of the company “Cascade”) and bypass gentle slopes “Panorama”.”

Choosing freeride skis

“The main difference between freeride skis and conventional piste models is the overall width, the presence of a rocker (although recently this technology has been used in piste models as well) and the longer ski length. Usually the geometry of freeride/ski touring skis comes with a waist of at least 105 mm. When choosing the height for a beginner, we make a plus to the height from +5-10 cm and up to +20 cm to the height of an experienced rider.

If you don’t want to bring equipment with you, it’s not a problem. In Sheregesh there are many rentals with good equipment. Every season new models for freeride arrive, which you can try out on the spot. You can also book skis in advance by making a payment.

In order to choose the right freeride model, you should first of all understand the conditions in which the ski will be used. If you want a more versatile ski, you should take a ski with a waist from 105 to 110 mm. If you are going to ski mainly on bottomless fields, the waist should be at least 112 mm and it is desirable to have a “rocker” in the toe of the ski. A very big role will be played by the place where you are going to use the ski. If you take all the factors into account, you will not have to buy a second pair of skis and you will save a considerable amount of money and nerves. Be sure to consult with experienced professionals when buying, then you will surely get the equipment you really need.”

Most of the time I myself ride the Fischer Ranger 122. This particular model, for the first time in many years is brought to its best realization. For years I have been riding its predecessor Big Stix 122, which was always lacking something. The weight, the design, the geometry. But the Ranger 122 has everything in balance. It’s maneuverable, punchy and reliable – a steam engine! Just what I need.

In the next article in our series we will consider all the advantages of vacationing and skiing at a ski resort in Sochi, study the specifics of the Olympic slopes, compare prices for skipasses and infrastructure. And where will you go skiing this winter?