The longest mountain ski Track in the world allows you to get the most out of riding. After all, on the slope skiers spend most time without wasting it on lifts. Incredibly long runs start at high altitude... There are wonderful views of the surroundings from there. Sarenne is in the first place among the best tracks in the world. Let's tell you more about it.
Sarenne
This is the longest ski slope in the world and is classified as a black level. Its length is 16 km, and the height difference is 1820 m. It goes through the Sarenne glacier and abuts against Alpe d'Huez (France). By the beauty of the landscape and the conditions of the descent, it is compared with the European White Valley, located in Chamonix. Saren is the best choice for experienced skiers... This is an elite track, marked in black, as it has a higher level of difficulty.
The top platform of this area is the picturesque Pic Blanc, 3320 m high, as well as the Sarenne glacier. The glacier itself is small in size, and many interesting trails are laid on its slopes. The capacity of the Sarenne ski slope is 1000 skiers per day. Many people descend by the light of the moon to get exciting emotions.
White Valley
It is considered the longest ski slope in the world. It runs along the most beautiful slopes of the Alps in France. White Valley or Vallée Blanche is a whole 22 km of continuous descent!
Skiers drive up to Chamonix, the largest alpine glacier. This is the most famous ski area on the planet, where the altitude difference is 2700 m. White Valley offers slopes of different difficulty levels: blue, red and black. There are 21 tracks here, so there are plenty to choose from. An active holiday in Chamonix is suitable for athletes with varying degrees of fitness. Some sections can only be crossed with an escort professional guide because the glacier has cracks there.
You can come to the White Valley from France and Italy. The beginning of the longest ski slope in the world is located at the summit of the "Noon peak" (Aiguille du Midi). Chamonix is a wonderful and superbly equipped resort full of comfortable hotels, villages and cottages. The service sector is excellently developed, which makes it possible to fully enjoy a pleasant stay.
White Valley in Chamonix is the leader among the longest ski slopes in the world. But its competitor is a circuit located in New Zealand. She walks along the Tasman glacier.
New Zealand Circuit
Its length is 30 km and a width of 2 km. The Tasman Glacier is located between the Cook and Brown Ridges, in the New Zealand Alps, on South Island... It is included in the area occupied by Mount Cook National Park of the country. The famous glacier was named after the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who became the first European to reach the shores of New Zealand. The trail on the Tasman glacier is a favorite vacation spot for tourists, climbers and skiers. The most famous mountain resort of New Zealand - Hermitage is also located there.
Austrian Eleven Circuit
The well-known and very long track is considered black and red. It stretches for 11 km, starting from highest peak in Tyrol - Greitspitz (2,872 m) and ending at Ischgl Dorf. After driving along the slope, skiers get straight to the bottom of the valley, in the central part of Ischgl. This is Austrian popular resort, which belongs to Tyrol territorially. It is located in the Silvretta ski area.
Ischgl is a rather expensive and fashionable holiday destination. There are hotels of various levels operating here. The best five-star hotel in the country - Trofana Royal, is located in this place. Ischgl has the largest ski area. Without taking off your skis, you can go around all the trails. Many hotels here are connected with lifts by underground escalators. This is a very handy feature of Ishtl.
Italian Cervinia
The red piste, which stretches for 20 km, is the best choice for advanced skiers. You can get to Cervinia from the Klein Matterhorn (Switzerland) using the highest cable car in Europe. The trail starts at an altitude of 3883 m and descends to 1524 m, to Valtournenche (Italy), which connects to Cervinia. The difference in height is 2279 m.
The route goes along glacial fields with separate intersperses of hilly sections. You can ride here from November to April, as the snow lasts for a long time at high altitudes. For beginners, the shorter Ventina trail is recommended, located in Cervinia. It is a descent from the picturesque Rosa plateau, 11.5 km long. Cervinia or Cervinia is the oldest ski resort in Italy. It is located on the southern slopes of the Matterhorn Peak, in the Aosta Valley.
Cervinia is considered the highest mountain resort in Italy. The city of Breul-Cervinia is at an impressive height of 2050 m, and the highest point for skiers is 3480 m! Cervinia is a popular, cozy and very attractive resort.
French Circuit Cascades
It is a blue track 14 km long. Its maximum tilt angle is 25%. It is ideal for those who know how to ski but do not consider themselves to be an experienced skier. This is the longest ski slope in the world if only the blue slopes are considered. The Cascades starts in Flains, at the top of Les Grandes Platières, at an altitude of 2500 m. The descent takes skiers to Sixt. Picturesque area, elevation difference of about 1800 m, and not a single ski lift - these are the differences of the track.
The longest ski slopes the world attracts all lovers of outdoor activities: from beginners and children to extreme sports. Each skier can choose a perfectly prepared track with the desired level of difficulty.
The total length of the trails of the three resorts: more than 106 km
Longest track: more than 7 km
Lift pass: about 1400 rubles per day
The most popular mountain resorts in Russia are located on the southern side of the Main Caucasian Range, on the territory of the famous Krasnaya Polyana of Greater Sochi. These are the mountain tourist center of OJSC Gazprom, Rosa Khutor and Gorki Gorod. Since Krasnaya Polyana is located only 42 km from the Black Sea, the climate here is very mild (on average about zero degrees), but the moisture-rich sea air condenses well into snow. There is always plenty of it on local highways.
Due to its proximity to the mountains, the ski resorts of Sochi have one of the longest skiing seasons - from December to May. Among hundreds of kilometers of prepared slopes of various difficulty levels, both professional athletes and amateurs will definitely find slopes to their liking. Illuminated trails allow you to enjoy skiing until late in the evening. The resorts have instructor schools, children's ski clubs and equipment rentals. The high level of service attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world to Krasnaya Polyana. But main feature resorts are picturesque landscapes of the nature reserve.
except alpine skiing and snowboarding, Krasnaya Polyana resorts can offer snow tubing, ski tours, walking excursions and walks of varying difficulty, skiing, ice skating, an amusement rope park and zip lines.
SHEREGESH
Season: early November - first week of April
Height difference: 640-1270 m
Total length of trails: 36 km
Longest track: 5 km
Lift pass: 1200 rubles per day
Ski resort Sheregesh is located in the south of the Kemerovo region, in Gornaya Shoria. This is the place where the ridges of the Northeastern Altai, Kuznetsk Alatau and Salair ridge converge into a complex knot. Nine-tenths of the territory of Gornaya Shoria is covered with impenetrable taiga, and the population density is less than 5 people per square kilometer. For the amazing beauty of nature, this region is often called Siberian Switzerland.
Sheregesh consists of three ski areas united by a ski pass, 18 cable cars and more than 50 km of prepared tracks. The main ones are located on the slopes of Zelenaya Mountain (1270 m). In 1995, Sheregesh received the FIS certificate (International Federation of Alpine Skiing), which allows holding international competitions, and in 1996 hosted its first Russian Alpine Skiing Championship.
Due to low air humidity, early and heavy snowfalls, the season for skiing on natural snow lasts from November to April.
Sheregesh slopes have interesting terrain and are suitable for skiers of any level. On the black track, the slope is 30-35 degrees, and in some places it reaches 45 degrees.
Sheregesh is one of most popular places for freeride. In winter, the thickness of the snow cover sometimes reaches 3-4 meters. You can ride both in the forest and on open snow fields. At the ski resort, freeride schools are constantly held to teach off-piste skiing.
Among other types of outdoor activities, Sheregesh offers paragliding, flat skiing, hiking trails, heli-skiing and heli-board (options for transfer to the starting point - walking, snowmobiles, helicopter), backcountry, snowmobiling.
ELBRUS
Season
Height difference: 2000 - 3780 m
Total length of trails: 35 km
Longest track: 10 km
Lift pass: 1300 rubles for one lift
Elbrus region - the region of the Central Caucasus around the high mountain Europe. The western summit of Elbrus reaches a height of 5642 meters, the eastern one - 5621 meters.
In the Elbrus region there are two ski areas - Cheget and Elbrus itself.
Elbrus marked tracks are equipped, wide, with a comfortable slope. They are ideal for quiet riding. True, beginners have to be content with either the lower part of the slope, or ride at the very top, where the green track turns into blue. For initial training, it is better to choose ski resorts that are simpler from a technical point of view.
The Elbrus cable car is the highest in Russia and Europe. It is several meters higher than the lift at the top of the Aiguille du Midi in the western part of Mont Blanc. The upper station of the cable car is located at an altitude of 3847 meters:
Art. Azau - Art. "Old Horizon" - ROMA-1; the length of the lift - 1740 m; track length - 5100 m; vertical drop - 650 m.
Art. "Old Horizon" - Art. Mir - ROMA-2; the length of the lift - 1,800 m; track length - 5110 m; height difference - 500 m.
Art. "Mir" - Art. "Gara-Bashi"; the length of the lift - 1500 m; track length - 2000m; vertical drop - 347m.
The total length of tracks of different difficulty levels is 12.21 km, the height difference on the tracks is 1497 meters. Thanks to the system of artificial snowmaking of the tracks, the duration of the skiing season on Elbrus is up to 180 days a year. Cheget tracks are considered the most difficult in the world. They are mostly red and black. Steep slopes with a height difference of about 1000 meters do not forgive mistakes and insufficient qualifications. The famous Cheget hills (in the second stage) will immediately show the real level of your skill.
1st stage - two cable cars, one of which is single-chairlift, the second is double-chairlift. Vertical drop - 650 m. Track length - 1 600 m.
2nd stage - single-seat cable car, height difference - 300 m. The length of the ski slope - 900 m.
Snowboarders prefer the southern slopes - wide and steep fields and descent along the "Dollar" (northern route), if they are not closed by the control and rescue service due to the threat of an avalanche.
A feature of rest in the Elbrus region is the opportunity to devote the whole day to interesting walks - to drive along the most beautiful places Kabardino-Balkaria, see Chegem waterfalls, Blue Lakes, visit thermal spring Geduko and Aushigersky hot springs. A visit to the famous Vysotsky Mountaineering and Hunting Museum in Tegenekli will be a pleasant and informative addition to skiing in the mountains. You can also visit the highest mountain museum in the world (3500 m above sea level) - the Museum of the Elbrus Defense.
Dombai
Season: mid-December - mid-April
Height difference: 1632-3012 m
Total length pistes: 25 km
Longest track: 5.4 km
Lift pass: 8100 rubles per week
Dombay is located on the territory of Karachay-Cherkessia, at the foot of the Main ridge of the Caucasus Mountains. This is not just a popular ski resort in Russia, but also a unique nature reserve. The main attractions of Dombai are mountains, lakes, glaciers, grottoes, forests. The name "Dombay" is translated from the Karachai language as "bison" - these large animals can be seen on the territory of the Teberda nature reserve.
The weather in Dombai in winter is quite comfortable: during the day the average air temperature is about -5 degrees. Due to the abundance of sun, mild climate and healing mountain air, Dombay is also called a climatic resort.
The best place for skiing is considered to be the south-western slopes of Mount Mussa-Achitara at an altitude of 1630-3168 m. In the upper part, the track is flat, without steep drops. It is ideal for those who feel insecure about skiing. In the lower part of the slope, the track is steeper, with bumps. There are "red", in some places even "black" areas.
Most of the slopes in Dombai are designed for calm skiing: moderate slope, smoothed relief, few bumps. "Advanced" skiers prefer skiing in the forest, however, this requires a decent snow cover.
For lovers of freeriding, Dombay offers several routes. They begin at the upper station of the 5th stage of the chair lift and pass mostly on the northern slope of Mussa-Achitara. There are also heli-skiing programs where experienced freeriders can put themselves to the test on the pristine snowy slopes.
The resort is equipped with five lines of chairlifts, gondola and six chairlifts, pendulum cable cars and a network of drag lifts. The picturesque mountainous nature and the hospitality of the locals push into the background such minor disadvantages as the small number of trails and the queues for the lifts.
Kirovsk
Season: mid-December - mid-May
Height difference: 678-1060 m
Total length of trails: 45 km
Longest track: 3 km
Lift pass: 5800 rubles per week
Kirovsk is located on the shore of Lake Bolshoy Vudyavr. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides. One of them is Aikuayvenchorr (Sleeping Beauty), on the slopes of which there are the best ski slopes of the north-west of Russia.
The highest ski resort on the Kola Peninsula, Bolshoy Vudyavr, is known far beyond the Murmansk region. The guests of the complex are waiting for FIS-certified tracks with a total length of over 45 kilometers with a vertical drop of more than 550 meters.
"Bolshoy Vudyavr" is ideal for family vacations: there is a spacious car parking, a large cafe, equipment rental, a children's room with a playground has been created for the youngest guests, where professional educators will look after the kids. Older children and novice skiers and snowboarders can learn to ride on a special training slope equipped with a belt lift.
The ski complex "Kukisvumchorr" is located nearby, in the microdistrict of the same name in Kirovsk. The highest point of Mount Kukisvumchorr is 890 meters, the height difference is 520 meters, the total length of the tracks reaches 10 kilometers. The virgin skiing areas are popular among freeride fans. Traditionally, the Khibiny Open Cup freeride competition is held here.
Within the city limits there is a small ski slope "Snowpark Town Hill", a feature of which is the longest track for cheesecakes in Kirovsk. Thanks to the lighting and walking distance, the slope is popular among fans of evening skiing.
Ski areas:
Mount Aykuavenchorr: 18 tracks with a length of about 30 km with a vertical drop of about 550 m. Mogul track, freestyle jumps, jumps for skiers-jumpers. The most attractive for amateurs is the 1300 m long slope, served by the lift "Latvia".
Mount Kukisvumchorr: the length of the tracks is 2-2.5 km with a vertical drop of 504 m. Freeride is 5 km.
Mount Vorobyinaya is located in Apatity, far from the traditional winds of Kirovsk. The forest belt protects the slope from the wind blowing off the snow. The length of the slope is 550 m, the height difference is 80 m.
Backcountry camps are held annually in Kirovsk. In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, the city's ski resorts can offer paragliding, snowmobiling, hiking routes to the mountains, heli-skiing.
ABZAKOVO
Season: end of October - first week of April
Height difference: 499-819 m
Total length of trails: 16 km
Longest track: 2.78 km
Lift pass: 5700 rubles per week
Ski resort "Abzakovo" is located in the spurs Ural mountains in the southeast of Bashkiria. For active winter holiday this is one of the best and most prepared resorts in the Urals. Not only amateurs, but also titled athletes, national teams of Russia ride and train on the tracks of Abzakovo. Periodically, high-level competitions are held here: stages of the Russian Cup in Alpine Skiing and Snowboard (FIS), stages of the European Cup in Snowboard, the Russian Championships and the Russian Championships in Alpine Skiing.
In Abzakovo there are 13 ski slopes of all categories with a total length of 16 km and a vertical drop of up to 320 m. Special illuminated slopes allow skiing at night.
Thanks to the artificial snowmaking system, the ski season in Abzakovo lasts from November to May. There are seven drag lifts and one chair-lift on the territory of the complex.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, you can go hiking or horseback riding, cross-country skiing, shooting, ice skating, volleyball or tennis.
One of the highlights of Abzakovo is the zoo right in the center of the resort, the oldest inhabitant and symbol of which is the bear "Barin". Now the zoo contains bears, wolves, camels, Amur tigers, Far Eastern leopard, bison, yak, deer, lynx, raccoon dogs and other animals.
SOROCHANI
Season: early December - early April
Height difference: 135-225 m
Total length of trails: 6400 m
Longest track: 1050 m
Lift pass: 160 rubles per lift
Sorochany is one of the best ski resorts in the Moscow region. It is suitable for both active and family vacations, as well as for honing sports skills. Various competitions are often held at the resort.
Sorochany is located 49 km from the Moscow Ring Road along Dmitrovskoe highway, in an ecologically clean zone of the Klinsko-Dmitrovskaya ridge. The resort offers several lighted trails of varying length and difficulty. Lovers of alpine skiing and snowboarding can ski on 10 slopes with a vertical drop of up to 90 meters.
On the slopes, lifts from Austria and Italy are installed: two-seat and four-seat chairlifts, three drag lifts, two baby-lifts for snow tubing.
In Sorochany, there is a modern system of artificial snowmaking of the mountain, which allows the season to be extended until mid-April and to keep the tracks in working order in case of insufficient snow cover and during thaws.
In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, everyone can go snow tubing.
The resort has a rental and a workshop for the repair and tuning of ski equipment. There is a playroom for children from 3 to 12 years old.
STEPANOVO
Season: end of December - end of March
Height difference: 110-223 m
Resorts: Stepanovo, Volen 5 km
Total length of trails: 9 km
Longest track: 0.9 km
Lift pass: 160 rubles one climb
Stepanovo - ski resort located in the Moscow region. For skiing, there are six slopes equipped with a difference in elevation that is not bad for this area - 110 meters. In addition, the tracks in Stepanovo are considered the longest in the Moscow region. They start from an artificially filled hill and go down to the Volgusha River. On the opposite bank of the river, near the village of Strekovo, there is a wide and gentle slope for beginners.
Main slope: a track with steep drops, length 900 m, drop 110 m.
Central slope: slope with steep drops, length 700 m, drop 90 m.
The main slope along PPKD-3: medium difficulty track, length 850 m, drop 110 m.
Strekovsky slope: simple track, length 580 m, drop 50 m.
Strekovsky slope along PPKD-3: simple track, length 550 m, drop 60 m.
Bypass slope: slope with steep drops, length 750 m, drop 90 m.
The slopes in Stepanovo were chosen by fans of evening skiing, since the slopes from the side of Stepanovo and Strekovo are illuminated, and snowboarders - there are comfortable chair lifts for them.
In general, Stepanovo tracks are designed primarily for family holiday... On weekends and holidays, there are traditionally a lot of people who want to ride, and queues for the lifts are not uncommon. The slopes are not particularly interesting for professional athletes. Experienced skiers or snowboarders are more likely to classify local "red" slopes as "blue".
In addition to active skiing or snowboarding, you can go ice skating, sledding, cheesecakes, horses, snowmobiles, ATVs and buggies in the nearby Volen Park.
MOUNTAIN SALANGA
Season: mid November - mid April
Height difference: 345-625 m
Total length of trails: 4.2 km
Longest track: 1,3 km
Lift pass: 1200 rubles per day
The Gornaya Salanga resort is located on the border of the Kemerovo Region and the Krasnoyarsk Territory in a mountainous area with picturesque landscapes. It resembles a real Alpine village - cozy alpine-style chalets at the foot of the mountain, well-prepared trails with big amount natural snow, the main visitor center with a restaurant and rental, a children's playground.
The resort is perfect for out-of-town outdoor activities and a comfortable family pastime. Mountain Salanga is located far enough from the bustling cities and close enough to come for a weekend. Especially for beginners, there is a gentle slope with a separate free lift (baby-lift), where they can calmly hone their skiing technique.
Mountain Salanga is also interesting for advanced amateurs ski holiday... For experienced skiers and snowboarders, there are slopes No. 2 and No. 3 for - you will not find beginners on them. On the north-western part of the mountain there are two “wild” slopes that will be appreciated by lovers of freeride and mogul - trail 4 and the section of the slope between trails 1 and 2.
Since 2014, the Gornaya Salanga Interregional Sports Training Center has been operating on the basis of the resort, providing a full-fledged infrastructure for training organized groups of athletes of any qualification.
Characteristics of the tracks:
Track 1 - Beginner (900 m, drop 170 m)
Trail 1a - initial level (1090 m, drop 225 m)
Route 2 - middle level (700 m, drop 190 m)
Route 2a - middle level (910 m, drop 225 m)
Track 3 - difficult level (850 m, 215 m)
Track 3а - difficult level (950 m, 215 m)
Track 4 - hard level, freeride (852 m, 215 m)
Other types of outdoor activities in winter at the resort "Gornaya Salanga" - cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, winter football. There is a special slope in the area of an additional lift from the lake for riding on snow-scooters, ice-floes and "tablets".
YALGORA
Season: mid November - early April
Height difference: 100 m
Total length of trails: 1200 m
Longest track: 600 m
Lift pass: 100 rubles per lift
The active recreation center "Yalgora" is located not far from the capital of the Republic of Karelia - the city of Petrozavodsk, on the shore of Lake Yalguba. In the language of one of the indigenous peoples of Karelia - the Vepsians - "yalo" means "big". This refers to the height of the mountain on which the ski complex is located - 122 meters above sea level, which is quite high for this area.
January, February and March are ideal months for skiing on Jalgora when the snow cover is high and the average temperature is -10 degrees Celsius. The season usually closes in early April, although often the snow does not melt until May.
Total number of slopes: 4 (three ski slopes with a vertical drop of up to 100 meters and a length of up to 400 meters and a training slope)
Characteristics of the tracks:
Training slope - length 120 meters, initial level of skiing. Children and beginners train on this small track. Here they can learn movements and hone their skills freely and safely.
Green track - 120 meters long, beginner and intermediate skiing levels. The track has no sharp turns and a gentle slope, on which the difference in altitude of almost 100 meters is not felt too much. Due to its arcuate bend, it captures the largest area of the slope. Part of the route runs through a beautiful northern forest.
The red slope is 600 meters long, medium and confident skiing levels. This track is suitable for experienced snowboarders and skiers. Although it is winding, but without sharp descents.
Black slope - 450 meters long, advanced level of skiing. Track with tight turns and changing angles. This descent is popular among extreme lovers.
In the Yalgora ski resort, you can also go cross-country skiing along a 2500-meter long forest trail.
In "Yalgor" you can rent equipment and use the services of an instructor.
The resort has a café, a panoramic café and a bistro. In between skiing, you can get acquainted with interesting natural, historical and cultural sites:
Suisari Island, known as the filming location of the film "Cold Summer of 1953"
Kizhi Island - a museum-reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Murom Assumption Monastery, one of the most inaccessible monasteries in Russia
Kivach waterfall, the second largest after the Rhine lowland waterfall in Europe
Cape Besov Nos, known for petroglyphs, among which there is an image about 2.30 m long, which is about 5 thousand years old.
Ski holidays are always popular. The list includes the best ski resorts in the world, which are offered by the Alpine countries of Europe and North America. They are united by the highest level of winter recreation.
It is impossible to evaluate European ski tourism without mentioning "Best of the Alps". The Best in the Alps is a collection of twelve prestigious ski resorts from five countries. All offered European resorts are among the "Best".
Zermatt, Switzerland
One of the oldest ski resorts in the world, the village of Zermatt is located on the northern slope of the Matterhorn in the Pennine Alps. This is the highest European resort.
Industrial enterprises are prohibited here, only electric vehicles are used for transport. The cleanest air, bright sun and breathtaking beauty of the landscape attract many tourists.
Ski season lasts all year round thanks to non-melting glaciers. On the slopes of Trockener Steg (2939 m) and Klein Matterhorn (3883 m), snowboarders, skiers and other enthusiasts winter species sports do not notice the summer. Due to its location on the glacier, the grandiose snow park is open all year round. Regular snowfalls provide constant snow cover.
The total length of groomed trails is more than 300 km, of which 21 km are suitable for skiing in the summer season. Elevation changes allow you to quickly pick up speed, which is very much appreciated by snowboarders. There are 72 ski lifts for skiers. One of the ski lifts takes tourists to a vertical descent, the height of which is the second highest in the world. There are many tracks of increased difficulty, which attracts professionals.
Ecotourism is very developed here in summer.
St. Moritz, Switzerland
The oldest Swiss ski resort, a fashionable (and expensive) meeting and resting place for the elite. It is located in the Engadine Valley, on the bank of a transparent mountain lake Lei da San Murezzan.
St. Moritz is justly proud of a series of famous trails for bobsledders, skiers, toboggans, where world-class competitions are held.
Guests are offered 350 km of ski slopes, 180 km for cross-country skiers. For athletes of different levels, there are five main ski sectors. The most popular ones are Corviglia (2488 m, dangerous slopes and challenging tracks for professional snowboarders and skiers), Diavolezza (2973 m) and Corvatch (3451 m) - gentle slopes and safe tracks for beginners. A sled track 4.2 km long has been laid. It offers tourists 60 funiculars and lifts.
St. Moritz offers a large number of modern ice rinks, toboggan, bobsleigh and rock climbing trails. On the ice of the lake, games of polo and cricket, curling, horse races, etc. are held. World-class winter sports competitions are constantly held here.
Valley 322 sunny days a year. The ski season lasts from the second decade of December to the end of March.
Chamonix Mont Blanc, France
The Chamonix Valley, which gave its name famous resort, lies at the foot of the majestic Mont Blanc. It was here that the first Winter Olympics of 1924 were held.
The ski season lasts from December to March, in the highlands until mid-May. On the ski slopes, webcams are placed, providing operational information about the weather and snow conditions.
High-class professional ski slopes are characterized by elevation differences from 1000 to 3300 m, their total length is about 170 km. The slopes vary in variety - from extreme in difficulty for experienced athletes (for example, the 17 km Valle Blanche slope or the Grant Montet slopes) to gentle slopes for beginners (blue and green slopes). For beginner skiers, there are schools with experienced instructors.
The maximum height of the vertical slope, difficult even for experienced skiers, is 2807 m. The longest ski slope in Europe, the legendary White Valley, 22 km, is also located here.
The valley's many quaint villages offer a variety of leisure activities for tourists.
Megeve, France
The Savoyard town of Megève has managed to preserve the spirit of antiquity, combining it with modern comfort. Majestic mountain peaks (up to Mont Blanc only 20 km) surround it from all sides. The special atmosphere of the town with cobbled streets and old buildings is emphasized by the surrounding of spruce and fir forests that protect it from the winter winds.
325 km of ski slopes with a maximum height of 2350 m are designed for skiers of all skill levels.
The longest track is 9 km. Many trails are laid out in a wooded area, which makes them especially attractive. 41 lifts are in operation.
Megève offers three well-equipped ski areas: Mont-d'Arbois, Rochebrune-Côte and Le Jail. Mont d'Arbois is located in the southwest, offering challenging trails and steep cliffs for experienced skiers. It is connected by a pendulum road with Rochebrune-Cot. Rochebrune offers long runs through the forest as well as challenging trails. The cable car takes you to the nature reserve. There is also a certified downhill track for extreme lovers.
The first snow falls in October and lasts until April. The ski season lasts from December to March.
Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
The only representative of Italy in the "Best of the Alps", this ski resort is located in the north of the country, in Dolomites... The 1956 Winter Olympic Games were held here. The Sun Valley stretches at an altitude of 1224 m above sea level. Surrounded on all sides by mountain peaks, it is a breathtaking sight. The beauty of "Queen Dolomite" has long been appreciated by filmmakers.
Ski areas are divided into seven levels of varying complexity... The slopes of Cortina d'Ampezzo are not of interest to high-class athletes, but very attractive for intermediate and entry-level alpine skiing enthusiasts.
The total length of the tracks is 140 km. The most high point for skiing - 3240 m.The biggest difference in altitude - 1715 m.
Snow cannons are used to maintain the tracks. About 40 lifts are constantly operating. The first of them start working in November, but the opening of the season falls on the beginning of December. The ski season lasts five months - from December to April.
The resort is distinguished by a lively social life; many come here precisely for her sake.
Kitzbuhel, Austria
One of the first Austrian resorts, the town of Kitzbühel attracts tourists both in winter and in summer.
Since 1931, one of the most difficult stages of the Alpine Skiing World Cup has been held here, on the legendary Streif track. The track is famous for its difficulty and danger, and the victory on it is proof of the highest skill.
For skiing, there are 60 ski slopes of varying difficulty. Distance for alpine skiing 145 km, cross-country skiing 120 km.
The entire territory is divided into three zones. Hahnenkam offers long and challenging trails among cliffs and forests. There is a 7 km long Pengen track with a height of slopes up to a kilometer. The Horn Zone offers easy descents for beginners. There are also tracks for snowboarders. The many kilometers of trails in the third zone - Aurach - run close to Kitzbühel and are distinguished by a variety of landscapes.
The mountainous climate ensures mild winters with an abundance of snow and sun. Due to the low altitude, the snow cover is unstable, so snow cannons are used.
54 lifts bring guests to the mountain slopes. The ski season lasts from early December to late April. In the summer, Kitzbühel becomes an ecotourism center.
Lech, Austria
According to the National Geographic channel, this is the best ski resort in the world. It is located in western Austria, Arlberg region. In this region, in addition to Lech, there are several other resorts connected common system cable cars and lifts.
Located at an altitude of 1450 m, the resort offers about 60 high-quality trails of varying difficulty. The total length of the tracks is about 300 km, the longest is 5 km. Vertical drop - 1000 m.
The resort offers excellent conditions for virgin skiing - about 200 off-piste routes. This is the only resort in Austria where off-piste skiing is allowed, with freeriding enthusiasts going upstairs by helicopter.
For snowboarders, Lech offers a limited number of the most interesting tracks.
The 22 km long circular trail connecting Lech, Oberlech, Zürs and Zug - the legendary White Ring - has become the longest ski trail in the world.
The snow cover here is considered the best in Austria.
The condition of the tracks is under constant control. Snowmaking systems have been installed on 70% of the area, and laser measurements and GPS are used to level the slopes.
The absence of glaciers limits the season from early December to early April.
Representatives of the American continent, included in the top of the famous ski resorts of the world, are no less popular.
Lake Louise, Canada
An unusual ski resort is located around the glacial Lake Louise, in the center National park Banff. A combination of lakes, waterfalls and mountain peaks, this Canadian ski resort is renowned for its unparalleled majestic beauty.
The climate of the resort, located at an altitude of 1646 m, ensures reliable freezing of not only the lake itself, but also the waterfalls in winter. Even the grandiose Takakkaw Falls, whose height is 380 m, freezes. Glacial lake measuring 2.4 km x 1.2 km, it becomes a huge ice rink.
For alpine skiing, there are about 140 slopes for flat and alpine skiing of various levels of difficulty. For professional athletes, they are interested in mountain slopes Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay. There are 11 lifts at the guests' disposal, the cable car rises to a height of 442 m, from where a breathtaking snow panorama opens up. The highest point of the resort is 2637 m. The ski area is one of the largest in the world - about 1700 hectares.
The ski season lasts from mid November to early May. The annual International Ice Sculpture Festival, which takes place in January, is very popular.
Whistler Blackcomb, Canada
The largest winter resort North America an area of 3307 hectares located in the Rocky Mountains near Vancouver. The 2010 Olympic Games were held here. The name of the resort was given by two mountains - Whistler and Blackcomb, connected by a cable car. A special pride is the eternal glacier, thanks to which you can ski in the northern part of the resort all year round.
This is one of the snowiest places in the world, the snow cover reaches 915 cm. The height above sea level is 675 m. There are about 200 tracks of different difficulty levels on the slopes. The vertical drop is 1560 m. The longest mountain trail is 11 km, the trail for flat skis is 21 km. There are 24 lifts at the service of athletes, the highest station for which is 2240 m.
Freeriders love this ski resort because of the many great pistes. A helicopter is used to climb the virgin tracks.
The ski season lasts from November to the end of May. The season does not end on Horstman Glacier, skiers ride even in summer.
The luxury ski resort is renowned for its infrastructure.
Aspen, USA
The American state of Colorado is known for its comfortable mountain resorts, the best among which is Aspen. The town that has preserved its charm of antiquity, which gave its name to the resort, is located in the beautiful Roaring Fork valley at an altitude of 2,400 meters above sea level. The resort is divided into 4 sectors: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, Snowmass.
Aspen Mountain offers extreme trails, challenging slopes, wooded areas - for the professionals. There are less extreme areas for the mid-range. There are no trails for beginners.
Aspen Highlands offers different routes, but difficult ones prevail - many long slopes, elevation differences over 1000 m.
Buttermilk is famous for its gentle slopes for beginners and intermediate people, there are no conditions for professionals.
Snowmass is the largest sector. It is focused on the "golden mean" - difficult for beginners, but for experienced ones it will hardly be interesting. There are separate tracks for children's education.
The four zones are linked by a lift system. The total length of tracks is more than 200 km, the longest is 5 km.
The ski season lasts 5 months - from November to April.
Russia- a country with endless expanses, snowy winters and centuries-old traditions of hospitality. And there are also worthy of attention of Russians and foreigners. The best ski resorts in Russia.
The favorite winter entertainment in Russia has always been sledding or skiing down the mountain. Therefore, it is not surprising that these days ski holidays are very popular among Russians.
And if we add to this the dynamic development of infrastructure, reasonable prices and the absence of a language barrier, it becomes obvious that Russian ski resorts are worthy alternative European.
1 Ski resort "Rosa Khutor"
Let's start our review with the largest and best Russian ski resort "Rosa Khutor", located in the Caucasus Mountains in the village of Krasnaya Polyana.
From January to April, Rosa Khutor turns into a real Mecca for lovers of active winter recreation, and the hottest peak of the season is in February and March.
In total, the resort has 35 ski trails with a total length of 77 km. Since it was here that all the stages of the Sochi Olympics in alpine skiing and snowboarding were held, the pride of the Rosa Khutor resort are as many as nine black slopes, which will certainly appeal to fans of steep slopes and thrills.
The length of the longest of them is more than 3 km. For beginners, green trails with a length of 100 m to 2 km are perfect, the most popular of which is B 52, equipped with evening lighting.
As for entertainment after skiing, then their choice among visitors to this resort is unusually wide, because the complex is located on the territory of Sochi. Natural beauties, Olympic venues, amusement parks, restaurants and discos - nobody will be able to get bored here!
2
Dombay has earned a reputation as one of the most popular ski resorts in the Caucasus since the days of the Soviet Union.
Nowadays, Dombay is dynamically developing: in terms of the quality of infrastructure, it is already approaching the alpine ski resorts, but the prices are much lower compared to them.
The ski season here lasts from December to April. The main place for skiing is Mount Mussa-Achitara, whose height exceeds 3 km. On its slopes there are trails of varying degrees of difficulty with a length of 20 km.
Freeride - skiing on unbroken slopes is a favorite pastime among extreme lovers at the resort. And in order to spend a truly magnificent vacation on Dombai, we recommend taking a paragliding flight and enjoying the picturesque panorama of the Caucasus peaks.
3
One of the most visited ski resorts in Russia is Abzakovo, which is 60 km from Magnitogorsk. Locals they have already appreciated it for a long time, and a few years ago a modern ski complex was built here, thanks to which the resort reached the all-Russian level.
The skiing season in Abzakovo lasts from December to April.
It offers vacationers 13 ski routes for skiing with a total length of 18 km: 5 green, 5 blue and 3 red. The shortest track is just over 100 m long, and the longest is 3280 m.
Abzakovo has other opportunities for active winter recreation: professional biathlon track, skating rink, winter fun park, snowmobiling and horse-drawn sledding.
4
The Sheregesh ski resort is located in the Kemerovo region at the junction of Altai and Sayan. For several decades in a row, Sheregesh has been a favorite place for ski holidays among the inhabitants of Siberia. There are real frosty snowy winters and short summers, which allows you to enjoy skiing from November to May.
Sheregesh greets its guests with real Siberian hospitality: excellent snow cover and a large number of long and well-groomed trails are its undeniable advantages.
The resort has 16 ski slopes for all levels of difficulty. The shortest route is 700 m long, and the longest is as much as 4200 m.
5
In the Murmansk region, on the territory mountain range Khibiny, there is a modern Russian ski center with mysterious name Big Woodyavr, or, in the language of advanced skiers, Big Wood.
This is real paradise for ski lovers: due to the fact that the resort is located above the Arctic Circle, the skiing season here begins in late autumn and ends in May. In winter, during the polar night, skiers can ski on the lighted pistes and admire the wonderful northern lights.
There are 28 tracks of any difficulty level on the slopes of Big Wood: from gentle slopes for beginners to trails for pros with up to 40% incline.
Lovers of non-standard species winter fun The resort offers fun-carving, freestyle and new-school trails, as well as off-piste areas on untouched snow.
An unforgettable experience is produced by snowmobile tours in the northern expanses of the Arctic: frosty air, picturesque snowy landscapes and dizzying speed will be an excellent addition to your holiday in the ski resort Bolshoy Vudyavr.
6
The Zavyalikha resort is located on South Urals-and is considered one of best resorts in Russia for ski holidays.
The Zavyalikha slopes will surely appeal to experienced skiers: Of the 13 trails for skiing, most are red, with a high level of difficulty, but, of course, there are several routes for beginners.
A special charm to the resort is given by the romantic names of its trails, many of which are named after the Ural gems: Malachite, Agate, Garnet, Aventurine, Mountain Flower.
In terms of technical equipment, Zavyalikha is at a fairly high level: for example, the resort boasts a unique high-speed six-seat ski lift "Konrad", which helped to completely forget about the problems with queues.
7
The Bobrovy Log Funpark in Krasnoyarsk is not just a ski complex, but a real winter amusement park that has no analogues in the whole of Siberia.
From November to April, there are 15 slopes for alpine skiing and snowboarding, of which 5 are black, 6 are red, 3 are blue and 1 is green.
The territory of the resort is bordered by the famous nature reserve"Krasnoyarsk pillars", so you can see the ancient mysterious rocks by climbing to the upper station of the cable car.
Also in the fanpark "Bobrovy Log" you can spend time on the ice skating rink or ride down the mountain on cheesecakes.
The thrilling Rodelbahn ride, a fiery combination of roller coasters and bobsleigh, awaits avid extreme sports.
There are similar entertainments in the USA and some European countries, but the Krasnoyarsk Rodelbahn has the longest track in the world - 3.4 km.
A dizzying sleigh ride on winding steel rails will make your winter holiday in the Bobrovy Log fun park truly unforgettable!
8 Ski resort "Sobolinaya Mountain"
The Sobolinaya Mountain resort attracts numerous tourists not only with its ski slopes, but also the proximity of the famous Lake Baikal, the beauty of which can be admired while skiing.
There is a stable snow cover from December to April. There are 6 tracks of medium and high difficulty, as well as several sections for beginners, a tubing track and a freeride route for those who like fresh sensations.
The length of the tracks reaches 2 km with a height difference of about 500 m.
The resort has an ice skating rink, a large swimming pool, a gym, a sauna and a phytobar, where you can taste fragrant tea made from medicinal Baikal herbs.
9
The legendary Caucasian ski resort of Cheget has gained a reputation as one of the most extreme places for active winter recreation not only in Russia, but also in Europe.
The season here lasts from November to May, but in the upper parts of the Elbrus region you can ride in June.
Cheget can be safely called a wild resort: The slopes here are incredibly difficult, the infrastructure is at a very low level, there are sorely lack of lifts, and the local population does not like visitors.
Of the 17 tracks, only two are relatively easy, 5 are of medium difficulty, 5 are very difficult and 5 more are truly extreme. The longest track is 5 km long, and the elevation difference exceeds 1 km.
The "Dollar" slope has become widely known among fearless skiers., which is a continuous obstacle course: trees, bumps, stone rubble, dangerous narrow areas.
However, judging by the popularity of the resort, all these difficulties seem to be trifles for those desperate skiers who are ready to sacrifice comfort for a mind-blowing dose of adrenaline and fantastic mountain landscapes.
10
Mountain Air on Sakhalin Island is one of the most modern and fastest growing ski resorts Of the Far East Russia.
The skiing season here lasts from December to April. At the service of skiers 14 routes of all levels of difficulty, from training to professional.
In addition, there are trails for snowboarding and ski cross.
On weekends, sports competitions, music festivals and fun children's parties are traditionally held on the territory of the resort. And in order to add even more bright colors to active rest, we recommend making an unforgettable paragliding flight and enjoying the magnificent views of Sakhalin.
SEE ALSO VIDEO
"TOP-10 Best ski resorts in Russia"
The debate about which ski resort in the world boasts the highest lift, or where you can find the most areas for alpine skiing, still do not subside on freeriding forums. Today, there are 15 regions around the world where skiers and snowboarders ride at an altitude of over 3400 meters above sea level. Nine of them are located in the United States of America, with six of them in Colorado, in the Rocky Mountains. Actually, this explains such excellent preparation and a high level of skill among athletes from the United States.
But still, the palm does not belong to America. The "highest" resort in the world is Gulmarg located in India, in the Himalayas. Recently, this resort has become rapidly gaining popularity among freeriders around the world. Of course, the conditions here are far from "bourgeois" - neither luxury hotels, nor high-class service, but snow falls literally every day, and there are just a lot of tracks of different difficulty levels. The height of the rise here is as much as 4000 meters! The length of the longest route is 13 kilometers, there is a lot to roam. The season in Gulmarg opens in December and lasts until March.
In second place is a Colorado resort Arapakho-Basin in the Rocky Mountains. In height, it lagged behind Gulmarg quite a bit - 3978 meters. But the longest track here is several times shorter - only 2.6 kilometers. The season here lasts from October to June.
Another Colorado resort - Breckenridge- took the third place in the rating. The height of the rise here is 3962 meters, and the length of the longest route is 5.6 kilometers. In fourth place is the resort of Lowland, again Colorado, with a rise of 3960 meters and a track 13 kilometers long.
Top five high resorts also included the Swiss Zermatt... The ascent height here reaches 3880 meters, and the longest track is 3.2 kilometers. The famous French resort breathes on his back Chamonix - White Valley... The lifting height here is 3842 meters, and the length of the longest route is only one kilometer behind Gulmarg and Loveland- 12 kilometers. In seventh place was another Colorado resort - Tilluride in the Rocky Mountains. The climb height is 3831 meters, and the longest track is 7.4 kilometers. Russian Elbrus ended up in 8th place - the height of the rise was 3780 meters, and the longest route was 5 kilometers.
