Sochi: an overview of the best ski resorts. Ski resort in Sochi (15 photos) When the ski season begins in Sochi

04.04.18 86 427 14

I have been skiing and snowboarding for 17 years.

Evgeniya Torgashova

went to Krasnaya Polyana

I live in Bashkortostan, so ski resorts South Urals already studied. For the third winter in a row, I have been traveling to Sochi for the resorts of Krasnaya Polyana for a week. The last trip cost me 20 thousand rubles. I'll tell you why I love Krasnaya Polyana and what you can save on.

Why Krasnaya Polyana

Krasnaya Polyana - a resort in Krasnodar Territory and the general name for the area where the village of Krasnaya Polyana, the village of Estosadok (it is closest to the ski centers) and ski resorts are located.

This year, for the first time in history, all four resorts of Krasnaya Polyana were opened: Gazprom-Alpika, Gazprom-Laura, Gorki Gorod, Rosa Khutor.

Many people think that "Rosa Khutor" and "Krasnaya Polyana" are synonyms, but this is not the case. Rosa Khutor is only one of the Krasnaya Polyana resorts, but the largest: the length of the tracks here is 102 km. The total length of pistes in all Krasnaya Polyana resorts is 160 km, and that's not counting the huge off-piste skiing area (at your own risk).

There is no longer such a vast skiing area in Russia. Sheregesh can be put in second place, but there are only 35 km of tracks. In Krasnaya Polyana, you can ride in a new resort every day, and three days will not be enough to fully explore Rosa Khutor.

Krasnaya Polyana is not only skiing from morning to evening. Ski festivals and celebrity concerts are held here: we got to the Tinkoff-rose-fest and just barely made it to the concert of the Spleen group. Skating rinks, karting circuits, water parks, cinemas, equipment shops, GYM's, exhibitions - there is something to do in bad weather.

I skated in Austria and Italy, and Krasnaya Polyana is more suitable for me for a short vacation. To travel to the Alps, you need to plan well in advance. You won't be able to go there "under the forecast" or just go for the weekend.

Comparing prices in the Alps and Krasnaya Polyana is a favorite pastime of the seasoned. For me, rest in Krasnaya Polyana is definitely cheaper.

Flight

To get to Krasnaya Polyana, you need to fly to Sochi. The nearest airport to Sochi is located in Adler - this is not nearby town, and the area of ​​Greater Sochi. In winter, a flight from Moscow to Sochi costs from 3000 RUR one way. If you are flying with your ski equipment, do not forget to look at the cost of a ticket with luggage - usually it is higher by 1500-2000 RUR.

Airlines Aeroflot, Es-7, Ural Airlines, Utair transport ski equipment free of charge in winter, in addition to the basic baggage allowance. But this does not apply to the cheapest fares "Light", "Promo" and the like - they are suitable only for those who plan to rent equipment on the spot.

If you take the most cheap air ticket, get ready to pay extra for luggage and other options.

Width = "2168" height = "1244" class = "outline-bordered" style = "max-width: 1084.0px; height: auto" data-bordered = "true"> Direct ticket Moscow - Sochi in winter can be bought for 3000 RUR one way

My experience. I live in Bashkortostan. Air tickets Ufa - Sochi - Ufa with luggage for my dates cost 12,000 RUR per person. We decided it was expensive and checked the prices for package tours... As a result, we managed to buy a hot tour from one well-known tour operator for 15 600 R for two. The tour included a charter flight there and back, hotel accommodation - 6 nights with breakfast.

Such prices for tours in winter are not uncommon, here is an example of booking a tour from Kazan.

Advice for residents of regions and not only: check how much the tours cost on aggregator sites (Fly, Travel, Level Travel) - it is often cheaper than paying for air tickets, accommodation and transfer separately.

Transfer from airport

Transfer prices depend on where you stay. There are two fundamentally different options:

1. live in Krasnaya Polyana or Estosadka, near ski resorts;
2. live on the coast, in Adler, and come to the mountains for a ride.

I will talk about the pros and cons of each option further, but for now let's look at the cost of the transfer. If your hotel is in a mountainous cluster, consider the following prices.

156 Р - a ticket for bus number 105 or 105c, which goes to Krasnaya Polyana.

300 R - a trip on the shuttle of the Rosa Khutor resort. The shuttle runs on schedule and does not stop at other resorts. Here is the timetable.

1300 R - a trip by a passenger taxi, ski equipment for 2-3 people usually fits into such a car.

2000-2200 R - taxi-minivan for a large company of 7-8 people.

300-400 R - car for car sharing in the airport parking lot.

Long-term car rental without a driver in Sochi costs from 1000 rubles per day, excluding fuel costs.

If you decide to live by the sea, and only go to the mountains for a drive, then the issue with the transfer is even easier to solve: 500 R costs a transfer around Adler by a passenger taxi, from 50 R - travel by public transport.

My experience. We flew in with a tour operator, so we didn't pay anything for the transfer: we were met by a bus at the airport and taken to the hotel. Comfortable.

Where to live: Krasnaya Polyana

Pros. A hotel in the mountains, in close proximity to resorts, is convenient for singles and couples, and especially for families with children. Less time passes from breakfast to the first skiing. More entertainment in the evenings - what is called "après ski" in Europe.

During the season, Krasnaya Polyana constantly hosts parties in bars, jazz festivals, lectures on avalanche safety and freeride skiing, and concerts. There is more entertainment in the winter in the mountains than on the coast.

Minuses. It is expensive to live in Krasnaya Polyana in winter. A hotel room for two with a private shower room costs an average of 3500-4000 RUR per night.

The most expensive accommodation is to stay in hotels on the Rosa Plateau at an altitude of 1170 m. There are hotels of the "ski-in-ski-out" format, that is, you can go out of them directly in ski boots and immediately get on the lift. These are large chain hotels with breakfast and dinner buffets, storage rooms and spa facilities. You have to pay for everything: a day of stay in the Rose Springs spa zone, for example, will cost 2,000 rubles.

The hotels "Riders Lodge", "Rose Springs", "Rose Ski Inn", cottages Rose Chalet are located closer to the cable cars. A room at the Rose Ski Inn when booking a month before the trip costs from 7,500 rubles per night, even without breakfast. Similar prices in the youth "Riders Lodge".

As you move away from cable cars hotel prices are dropping. And they fall to a minimum if you are ready to consider not a hotel, but a hostel. In the hostel, prices start from 600 rubles per night - you don't even need to book in advance.

You will still have to deal with the issue of transfer from the hotel to the ski lifts. This is either a free shuttle (if you have a ski pass), or city buses No. 135, 105, or a taxi. A bus ticket within Krasnaya Polyana costs from 25 R, a taxi ride around the resort - 300-400 R.

Advice. There are few hotels from which you can go directly to the ski lifts, and they are expensive. Book hotels that already include a daily transfer to the ski lifts. This way you don't have to wait for a bus every morning or order a taxi to get to lower stations cable cars "Gazprom", "Gorki Gorod" or "Roses Khutor". Hotels always inform about this service on "Booking".

How to save money. Best hotels open reservations for the winter in the summer. To live in classy hotels in the mountains, the reservation must be taken care of at least 4-6 months before the trip.

Where to live: Adler

This is not the most obvious accommodation option for those who go skiing to Sochi. Nevertheless, this is what we have been practicing for three years in a row and we recommend it to everyone. We are talking about Adler, and not about central Sochi. From Adler there is a high-speed highway to Krasnaya Polyana, the road to the ski lifts takes 40-50 minutes by car.

Pros. In winter, Adler hotels are idle, so here you can find excellent double rooms with a private bathroom at a price of 1000 rubles per day. You cannot find a room of this class at this price in Krasnaya Polyana.

If you live in Adler, then every time after skiing you can change the climate. In the mountains at the level of the Rose Valley, the daytime temperature is about 0-5 ° C, while on the coast in winter it reaches 15 ° C. Watching the sunset on a deserted winter beach is priceless.

Minuses. Every day you will have to spend 2 hours on the road (an hour there, an hour back). If you get to the resorts by car, you will have to deny yourself mulled wine on the mountain and a glass of beer after skiing.

My experience. This year we went through a tour operator, accommodation was included in the price of the tour. Our friends flew in from Orenburg themselves and settled in the same hotel - Sochi Park Hotel. For 6 nights they paid only 3000 rubles for a double room. Anyone can do this:

There are several hotels in Adler that operate on an "all inclusive" system - they offer accommodation, meals, transfer to the ski lifts. These are the hotels "Lieutenant Rzhevsky" and "Arli", the boarding house "Knowledge" and others.

At 8 in the morning, guests are taken to any of the three ski centers, and at 16-17 hours they are picked up. You can go straight away in ski boots - save money on a left-luggage office.

Width = "1000" height = "598" class = "outline-bordered" style = "max-width: 1000px; height: auto" data-bordered = "true"> In 2017 we lived in the hotel "Lieutenant Rzhevsky". Accommodation, breakfast and dinner, transfer to the ski lifts and back cost RUB 1500 per person per day

How to get to the ski lifts

If you do not live in a ski-in-ski-out hotel, you will have to get to the ski lifts every morning.

In Krasnaya Polyana the lifts can be reached by a free shuttle if you have a ski pass from any resort. You can also take a taxi (300-400 R) or a public bus. A bus ticket costs 25-50 RUR, depending on the number of stops.

If you live in Adler and plan to go every day to ski resorts, the options are as follows:

1. the same transfer from hotels - sometimes it is included in the accommodation. At the Sochi Park Hotel, the transfer costs 600 RUR round trip;
2. the famous Olympic train "Lastochka" - 250 R from the station " Imereti resort"To the station" Rosa Khutor ";
3. bus Olympic park- "Rosa Khutor" - 187 R one way;
4. private traders - from 200 R per person, but they will go only when the car is full;
5. car sharing - from 8 R per minute of car rental.

My experience. Car sharing is well developed in Sochi. On this trip, we got to the resorts only by carsharing cars. A trip by car from the Olympic Park to Rosa Khutor cost 400 rubles. There were four of us, so my car-sharing expenses were only 1500 R per week.

If you plan to use carsharing in Sochi, I advise you to register in the application at home: documents can be checked for several days. We chose the Yurentkar company. Their application seemed to me very simple and convenient.

Car sharing has its own peculiarities: the car can only be left in authorized places. And the company will have to appoint a sober driver every day.

Width = "1000" height = "750" class = "" style = "max-width: 1000px; height: auto"> By bus No. 135 you can get from the Olympic Park to the "Rosa Khutor" for 187 RUR. True, it will take you almost two hours.

Ski passes

So, you arrived, checked in, drove to the resorts and decided how you will get to the ski lifts. All that remains is to buy a ski pass and finally start skiing.

There are four ski resorts in the ski area of ​​Krasnaya Polyana: Gazprom-Laura, Gazprom-Alpika, Rosa Khutor and Gorki Gorod. Prices for ski passes are different everywhere, there is no single ski pass yet, although the media regularly promise it. With a single ski pass, it will become like in Europe: you buy it and ride around the entire zone. In the meantime, the tourist every day has to choose which resort to go to.

Each resort has an expanded tariff scale for ski passes: prices depend on the days of the week and the season (on weekends and holidays it is more expensive), on the number of skiing days in a row, age and other points.

"Rosa Khutor"

Price of a ski pass per day in high season: 2650 RUB.

Trails: 8 green, 18 blue, 12 red, 8 black, toboggan and tubing trails, snow park.

Suitable for: families with children, advanced riders, freeriders.

In my opinion, this is the best ski resort in Russia today with a total length of 102 km of slopes. There are green trails for beginners, many blue and red trails. It was here that the Olympic alpine skiing program was held, and now everyone has the opportunity to ride on the "male" or "female" Olympic slope - these slopes are called that.

2560 RUB

cost a ski pass for a day at the Rosa Khutor resort in March 2018

In 2016, trails were opened on the southern slope of the Aibga ridge. now this favorite place freeriders: they do not like prepared tracks and go wherever they look. Rosa Khutor is a resort more suitable for experienced and advanced skiers, as well as for freeriders.

Rosa Khutor has the most expensive ski passes: 2650 rubles per day in high season, which lasts from the end new year holidays until the end of March.

How to save: buy a ski pass on the official website with a 5% discount and for several days at once. A lift pass for two days in a row on the site costs 4560 R - 2280 R per day. You can buy ski passes for three, five, seven days of skiing, but I recommend doing this only if you are sure of a good weather forecast. If it snows, most trails will be closed due to poor visibility and the danger of avalanches, and your money will be lost.

Gazprom-Laura

Trails: 3 green, 7 blue, 8 red, 3 black, cross-country skiing trails.

Suitable for: beginners and those who love quiet riding.

The resort is well suited for lovers of leisurely skiing on blue and green slopes. The total length of trails here, according to the official website, is 23 km (now imagine the scale of Rosa Khutor with its 102 km).

A daily ski pass during the high winter season (until early April) costs 1850 RUR. It is advantageous to take a morning ski pass: it is valid from 9:00 to 13:30 and costs 1200 RUR. There are rates for children and seniors.

Gazprom-Alpika

Price of a ski pass per day in high season: 1850 RUB.

Trails: 3 red, 2 black.

Suitable for: experienced riders, freeriders.

This is a resort for professional skiers. The fact is that it was the first in Krasnaya Polyana - it opened in 1993 under the name Alpika-Service. The history of the local ski area began with him. In 2010, the resort was closed for renovation, and the opening took place just this season.

5 difficult and very difficult tracks with a total length of 7.5 km have been opened. There is also a children's slope with a travolator - a special rubber path for climbing. While it is deserted here, you can meet a rare freerider or an expert. Prices for ski passes are similar to those of Gazprom Laure.

"Gorki city"

Price of a ski pass per day in high season: 1900 RUB.

Trails: 2 green, 9 blue, 13 red, 4 black, most of them are short.

Suitable for: either completely beginners or very advanced skiers who are not embarrassed by narrow, steep and winding tracks.

For those who came to Krasnaya Polyana before the Olympics, this resort is known as the Mountain Carousel. Today it is 30 km ski slopes of different difficulty levels. Beginners ride on blue and green slopes leading to the Upper Town - this is a site at an altitude of 960 m above sea level. Advanced riders ride in the so-called circuses - the corridors between the peaks.

Ski resorts in Sochi 2020 - prices with accommodation and an overview of the most popular places in the village of Krasnaya Polyana (Rosa Khutor). Houses, apartments, cottages and hostels - where to stay. Alpine skiing in Sochi 2019 is somewhat different from last year's, both for the better and for the worse. The best skiing spots and infrastructure have changed. In particular, the Polyana 1389 hotel was finally opened in Laura - it is especially convenient for those who have funds and went to Sochi by car in winter. There is parking there, and the cottages are comfortable, and there are spa programs for women. But those who decided to travel by train will have to take care of buying tickets in advance: "Swallows" have been greatly cut, so since October it has become inconvenient to travel by rail.

In addition, due to the crisis, service in many cheap and middle class hotels has dropped. Many hotels were built, but after the Olympics, the service dropped somewhat. Maybe now the situation will improve - after all, the crisis forced the majority of alpine skiing enthusiasts to abandon not only Switzerland and Austria, but even Bulgaria. So the Sochi Krasnaya Polyana has great prospects in this regard.

Accommodation prices

Most popular are hotel houses with a view of the river and mountain panoramas. In the Rosa Khutor ski resort, it is easiest to rent a room inexpensively through online booking. On New Year as a rule, prices for rooms and cottages increase by about 20%. Despite the fact that the resort has a huge number of restaurants and cafes, it is best to choose all-inclusive food tours. At the same time, many hotels know that tourists wake up and ride in different time, therefore Buffet available almost around the clock.

When renting houses, you can rent a cottage with a sauna, a parking lot, a playground and a barbecue area. However, given that the plots in these protected areas are worth their weight in gold, almost all real estate has a very modest interior territory.

Gazprom (Laura)

Ski resort in Sochi Gazprom or, as it is also called, Laura, is one of the best. Who was on European resorts he will not be very disappointed in him. The only unpleasant thing is not always decent service and occasionally slipping rudeness. Yes, and your face will be photographed at the entrance - what if you steal the rented Fischer skis. But in general, everything is fine in terms of comfort.

The main base at Gazprom is located near the lower lift. Cottages, restaurants, Beautiful places- all this is guaranteed. The infrastructure is good with the exception of some drag lifts where queues accumulate. Plus, the resort is low, so the organizers have to maintain the snow cover with cannons in some places. So there is no such thing that in Laura the snow has melted and it is impossible to ride. Moreover, artificial snow is better for athletes and professionals. Therefore, snow cannons at Gazprom are really a big plus of this resort.

Gazprom has 16 routes in total of varying complexity... Those who have not previously been involved in mountain skiing in Sochi 2020 will find it very comfortable and convenient - there are gentle slopes for training. As for ski rental prices, you will have to pay from 500 to 1000 rubles for a Volki or Fisher set. In general, not bad, you can have a wonderful rest in a few days. You can also rent a snowboard.

"Rosa Khutor"

The Rosa Khutor ski resort in Sochi is a former resort for rogue. The prices here are the most affordable, especially in terms of accommodation. But rental, lifts are even more expensive than in Europe. The lift for 1 day will cost 2650 rubles. Conditions - after the Olympics (and the competition was going on here as well) became quite normal. Picturesque, but somewhat dull view of the Mzymta river, all kinds of Russian taverns, borshchevny, a good cable car with spacious cabins. By the way, there are also expensive hotels in Rosa Khutor, but you have to understand that mainly young people and locals prevail in the resort.

The length of the routes at Rosa Khutor is longer than at Gazprom-Laure. There are as many as 77 km of them, 16 lifts. Snow cannons work - there is a place to ride. Some of the lifts are still under construction, and for several years now. Of the minuses - stones and ice blocks come across on some tracks. There are also queues at the lifts. In addition, the reviews of tourists about Rosa Khutor indicate that the resort is very fond of cheating with prices. So everything is typical Russian. But again, whoever came to ride will get it. The only thing you need to be careful about, because not all dangerous tracks are marked. See the map, remember, do not rush.

In general, Rosa Khutor causes irritation, especially among those who have visited Europe before. But nowhere to go. If you put up with it and just come for a ride, you can even have fun. By the way, those who want to buy mountain skis for children should know that personal equipment is sometimes stolen in Rosa Khutor.

"Mountain carousel"

Ski resort in Sochi "Gornaya Karusel" is located in the town of Estosadok. He became famous for the fact that Medvedev rode here. If you manage to book a hotel in the "Mountain Carousel" at around 960 meters, he will enjoy only one picturesque view. Of all the alpine skiing in Sochi 2020, Karusel is the most beautiful.

The length of the tracks here is 27 kilometers. Most of the tracks are professional, there are even trampolines, but there are also several tracks for beginners. It is better not to go here with children, although there are good instructors for them. It's just that the tracks for children's skiing, in the opinion of many, are dangerous. Yes, and the car is tense here - there are almost no parking lots. Otherwise, the "Mountain Carousel" is a very worthy object. Hotels are average in price, from 3000 rubles per room with kopecks. Alpine skis for hire from renowned companies - Salomon, Rossignol, Berton, elite Volki and Fisher. The cost is about 1000 rubles. Lift pass will cost from 700 rubles and more.

The service at Gornaya Karusel is not too different from Gazprom and Rosa Khutor, but probably due to the smaller number of people, it is calmer and more dignified. Plus, the infrastructure is not so developed - there are much fewer restaurants, saunas and bars here.

Though skiing in Sochi 2020 are inferior to the European level, they are developing every year. Those who do not go to Sochi go to Dombai. The organizers of ski resorts in Sochi are working to improve service, which has grown significantly in 2019.

As soon as winter comes, many people have a question: how and where to spend the weekend? Some might say that there are no interesting entertainments in winter. But if you have visited a ski resort at least once, then you probably already know that you can also deal with frosty days. active sports, you can enjoy ice skating, skiing, etc. The love of winter sports should be instilled in both adults and children. It is enough just to spend a day or two in interesting place... Modern ski resorts in the city of Sochi are at your service.

Overview of the most interesting, most popular ski resorts in the city of Sochi

Meet with the best places, which have already conquered fans of cross-country and downhill skiing, skating, snowboarding. Even those who love to ride snowmobiles and cheesecakes will find entertainment to their liking. The ski resorts of the city of Sochi are considered a paradise for those who love outdoor activities. They literally beckon to themselves. There is for everyone here The best way pastime.

Sochi resorts are glad to meet everyone who is eager to have a good rest, who loves extreme sports, who just wants to be in nature away from noisy and gas-polluted megacities. All winter sports are represented here. It is not for nothing that Sochi is called the pearl city Krasnodar Territory... If you look into history, you can find out that during the USSR, Sochi was considered a symbol of prosperity and prosperity.

Today, the presented resort offers tourists a number of invaluable opportunities - active recreation for professional athletes, amateur skiers. Resort areas rest are replete with all kinds of entertainment, rich cultural programs, exciting excursions around historical sites, attractions, etc. Among all the ski resorts in Sochi, Krasnaya Polyana stands out.

It is worth noting that this is the only resort in the world that is so close to the sea. The favorable geographical location allows vacationers to enjoy an unusual mixed climate - mountain-sea. The presence of an airport nearby is an additional plus, since getting to the ski resorts of Sochi is really simple and easy, all the tracks and roads are well equipped. Getting to the resort is easy:

• By plane. An international airport is located about forty kilometers from Krasnaya Polyana. The communication is fine.
• By train. Many trains reach Adler, Sochi and even a ski resort.
• By car, bus. This type of transport easily gets along convenient routes from Adler, Sochi. You can use the services of a private taxi or public transport.

If you want to enjoy skiing, better place you will not find. According to the guests of Krasnaya Polyana, here truly dizzying entertainment awaits every extreme. We have to think that these ski resorts are a real adrenaline rush.

History of ski resorts in Sochi

Many are interested in when and how alpine skiing appeared in Sochi. This sport came to us from the West, in the "dashing" 90s. This sport was and remains an elite one. In 1992, the Alpika-Service organization built the first ski lift. The idea found a response in the hearts of many extreme lovers. Skiers began to come to Krasnaya Polyana. At the very beginning of its foundation, this resort was far from the Swiss or Austrian resorts... But already in 2007 the situation changed radically.

If it had not been for the decision to hold the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, this place would have remained a semblance of a ski resort. Then an incredibly many different possibilities opened before the "Krasnodar Pearl". The tracks were improved, new lifts were built. The sports infrastructure has moved to a different level. Not only hotels have appeared, but also luxury entertainment complexes. Interestingly, even after the end of the 2014 Winter Olympics, the resort is still developing, and this development is proceeding at a rather active pace.

Description of resorts

If we are talking about the Krasnaya Polyana ski resort, then it should be noted that there are two villages and four complexes. Interestingly, the village after which the resort was named is located farthest. Esto-Sadok is closer. Behind it, one can immediately see the slopes of the mountains, on which such famous sports complexes as Gazprom, Rosa Khutora, Gornaya Karusel, Alpika-Service are located. All entertainment stretches over 11 kilometers.

Dissatisfied guests of the resort often complain that a single subscription could be made for all of the complex. But this has its own plus. So sports complexes can fight for their tourists, offering them more opportunities for successful skiing and entertainment options. So, as noted earlier, the ski resort includes 2 sports complex, each of which has its own characteristics. Ski resorts:

• Alpika-Service is one of the oldest ski resorts in the Krasnodar Territory. When the Olympic Games were held here, the emphasis was on freestyle and bobsleigh competitions. It is important to note that the stages of the Russian Cup in winter sports are held in this place every year. The total length of 15 skiing trails is 25 kilometers. Experts note that it is here that there is almost the largest drop in the world, which is 1698 meters. The double-chairlift is especially convenient. There are five lifts. In addition to skiing, it offers helicopter flights, snowmobiling, horseback riding, you can visit mineral springs. Mountain peaks know how to surprise guests. In addition, there are many cafes, restaurants, eateries here.
• Rosa Khutor is the largest ski resort in Russia on an Olympic scale. Many winter sports lovers note that it is Rosa Khutor that is in the greatest demand. It has all the necessary modern equipment, conditions for freeriding, there are different tracks for trained athletes and for amateurs. As additional entertainment, there is an ice skating rink, bars, restaurants, a nightclub, souvenir shops, fashionable clothes, spa salons, hairdressers, etc.
• Gazprom is a large and at the same time the youngest family-type mountain tourist complex. Its second name is Laura (this is the name of the local river). This complex is more suitable for beginners, so there are many “green” slopes, which are notable for their gentleness. In total, there are 16 tracks, with a total length of 15 km. The environment of additional entertainment is represented by a social and cultural center called "Galaxy", where you can visit a bowling center, a water park, a cinema, an ice arena, bars, restaurants. It is worth noting that thanks to its diverse, highly developed infrastructure, Gazprom has become incredibly popular among tourists.
• Gornaya Karusel is the first spacious complex chosen by both professionals and beginners in winter views sports. If you have an average level of training, then the Mountain Carousel is unlikely to be of interest to you. Freeride lovers will certainly be pleased with a special area for them. All nine tracks are internationally recognized. Their length is 12 meters. There are 28 lifts here. Interestingly, in the Gornaya Karusel, snow lasts until the first summer days. This is the main attraction. Resort guests can choose from different excursions Olympic Park, "Roller coaster" (a complex of trampolines). Festivities of a mass character, fairs, and show programs are often held here.

Many athletes try to visit all sports centers, and only then they choose the one that they liked more than others.

Ski season in the ski resorts of Sochi

Before going to Krasnaya Polyana, you should know that the local climate is quite mild, this is due to high temperatures, proximity to the sea. Therefore, it is important to understand that ski season here is not so long. It lasts from December to April. Average daily temperatures range from 0 to 5 degrees. The resort is covered with wet heavy snow. Of course, this moment complicates the descent off-piste. Freeride proponents often talk about this. In some places, the height of the snow cover reaches eight meters, while on average it is about two to four meters.

Accommodation

It is not difficult to find suitable housing in two villages, in existing complexes. Tourists can choose the most different hotels, hotels, private cottages. If you decide to stay in Krasnaya Polyana, where all the entertainment infrastructure is concentrated, then be prepared for the fact that before mountain slopes you have to get there. The road will take no more than 20 minutes. The second village of Esto-Sadok is located closer to the slopes, they can be reached on foot. There are also new hotels here (their construction was timed to coincide with the Olympics), but the infrastructure is poorer.

The separate town "Gorki Gorod" is of particular interest. It is located in the area of ​​the Gornaya Karusel complex. Here you will find restaurants, shops, cafes and cinemas. There is even a water park. Good conditions for living there is also directly in the complexes Gazprom, Rosa Khutor.

Ski resorts in Sochi are relatively young, appeared only in the late 90s of the last century. At the same time, they firmly take their place in the top ten ski resorts in the world - thanks to modern infrastructure, an excellent level of pistes and good service that is not inferior to famous resorts Switzerland and Austria. Rest in Sochi is cheaper, getting here is much easier, and the magnificent nature of the Krasnodar Territory is beyond praise.

How it all started

Three decades ago, Sochi was positioned as a summer resort, until in the 90s of the last century from the West to Russia, the fashion for downhill skiing "came". In 1992, the Alpika-Service company built the first ski lift in Krasnaya Polyana: tourists immediately supported this idea. Today Alpika-Service is one of the four ski resorts in Sochi, not the most fashionable, but quite popular.

It is located in the village of Esto-Sadok, from its slopes a gorgeous panorama of the Chugush Mountain opens up. The total length of local routes is 25 km. The lifts here are new (thanks to the Olympics), however, the gondola cabins are rather low, and it will not be possible to attach a camera to the helmet.

Fashionable Rosa Khutor

The Sochi ski resorts include three more - Rosa Khutor, Gazprom and Gornaya Karusel, all of them are also located in Krasnaya Polyana. But they have a serious advantage. Their appearance is associated with 2007 - with the decision to hold the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. The construction was large-scale - everything experienced skiers confirm the highest level of the tracks.

The most fashionable resort is Rosa Khutor. For the Olympics, tracks were built here for all types of winter competitions. Fifty slopes with a total length of 80 km is not just cool, the best European resorts can envy it.

True, there are no separate tracks for children, but they do not have to start skiing from the top of the slope. But training for them is provided in a special children's club. Adults at the resort will appreciate the Extreme Park, which has slalom, ski acrobatics and mogul trails. Another advantage of the resort is a huge selection of hotels located near the ski lifts .

Gazprom is not lagging behind

This resort is the youngest, it is also called Laura, in honor of the local river. There are only 16 trails here, their total length is 15 km. But on the other hand, the resort is very compact and cozy, renting villas is popular, which is very convenient for families and large companies. The resort is distinguished by the orderliness of the trails: skiers will not be able to go astray and accidentally get on another trail, so beginners need not be afraid that the route will suddenly become dangerous. The resort has a wide range of entertainment options, an ice arena and a heated outdoor pool, which is especially pleasant to swim in winter.

Mountain Carousel Leadership

The resort was recognized internationally before others. it whole city(part of the Gorki Gorod complex), with fashionable hotels and comfortable apartments. The slopes cover 27 km, there are gentle and very extreme slopes. The local mountains are also perfect for off-piste skiers - there is enough snow here. There are special routes for kids.

All Krasnaya Polyana resorts are suitable for skiing from late autumn to mid-April (there are a couple of places for skiing even in summer). They perfectly complement each other, allowing the tourist to choose exactly what he needs. And rest so that you want to come again.

There is very little time left before the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.
Meanwhile, the mountain resort has already begun to recoup the costs.
We invite you to take a look at the photographs taken by Boger in Sochi.

Most of all I was surprised by the abundance of tourists in the mountains of Sochi on Krasnaya Polyana. Full house on all lifts. This is not surprising, because bloggers do not even know that ski resorts began to develop in Krasnaya Polyana long before Sochi was declared the capital of the Olympic Games.

On July 4, 2007 (it was already July 5 in Russia), the next, 119th session of the IOC took place in Guatemala, at which the host of the 2014 Olympics, the city of Sochi, was chosen. And by the way, private investor Potanin has been building the Rosa Khutor ski resort since 2003!

And at the beginning of 2007, the first stage of another was opened near Krasnaya Polyana. ski complex OJSC Gazprom - Laura (the first stage includes 6 cable cars and 18 tracks).

On the photo is not the most visited complex of Krasnaya Polyana - "Gornaya Karusel". The complex was opened to visitors in 2008 and is popular with skiers and snowboarders as well as tourists. And the turnover of "Gornaya Karusel" alone is already 157.6 million rubles a year! And when the whole world and all Russians learn about this resort, incomes will only increase. This complex was built purely for tourists, no Olympic Games will be held here. During the 2014 Olympics, Gorki Gorod will become only a mountain media village and an auxiliary media center.

The development project of the complex provides for the construction of ski slopes with a total length of about 30 kilometers with 12 lines of gondola, chair and drag-type lifts. The total carrying capacity of the ski resort should be up to 12 thousand people at a time

And if you take the resort "Rosa Khutor", then in the winter season 2012/2013 ski area The complex offers for skiing 72 (!) km of slopes of varying difficulty - from green to black. The current system of artificial snowmaking is the largest in Europe and covers more than 100 hectares of the resort's ski area.

The total investment in Rosa Khutor is 69 billion rubles, of which 21 billion is a credit line opened by Vnesheconombank. The rest is Potanin's money.

The Rosa Khutor resort is the largest venue for the 2014 Olympic Games. 30 sets of Olympic medals in fifteen sports disciplines will be played on the Rosa Khutor tracks. There are no such tracks in Russia according to all IOC standards. In February 2012, for the first time in Russia and in the entire post-Soviet space, competitions of the Alpine Skiing World Cup took place at the Rosa Khutor ski resort. But if they had listened to the whining of individual bloggers, alpine skiing in Russia would not have existed further.

On the horizon is not the sky, but the black sea. Height 2050 meters above sea level. The beauty!

Do you think that private investors build hotels for two weeks? If they planned to pay off during the Olympic Games, the rooms would cost from 1 million rubles per day. Although there are still naive people on the Internet who think that everything and everyone is being built only with government money.

What can be seen from above

In Sochi, I met a journalist of the federal channel of Russia, who covers the Olympic Games, for him Sochi will be the seventh games! He said that the completion of the little things goes on all the games right up to their beginning. This is a common practice, and this is not our mentality, as some people write.