In the heart of the majestic mountains of the gray-haired Caucasus lies one of the oldest tourist and mountaineering centers in our country. This is Dombay - ski Edem, located in the protected area of Karachay-Cherkessia. The incredibly beautiful landscapes of the North Caucasus, the purest mountain air and amazing conditions for active rest attract tourists from all over Russia, as well as near and far abroad.
The modern resort of Dombay is a unique center for mountaineering and skiing, a venue for international competitions, significant events in the cultural and sports life of the country.
Resort location
Dombai glade is an intermountain hollow at an altitude of 1620 meters above sea level - the place where Dombai is located. located in the basin of the Teberda mountain stream, on the territory of the Teberda national reserve. The high-mountain valley nestles comfortably at the foot of the Main where the waters of the Dombai-Ulgen, Amanauz and Alibek rivers merge.
The glade is ringed with a chain of bizarre snow-capped peaks with an unusually poetic name - Dombai-Ulgen (translated from Karachai - killed bison), Sulakhat - a sleeping girl, Belalakaya striped rock, Dzhuguturlyuhat (the habitat of the tours), Ine Peak, glorified by Viztsborom.
Thanks to the mild climate and successful geographic location Dombai has always beautiful weather: massive mountain slopes protect the resort from the winds, and the sun illuminates the valley for more than 320 days a year. Heavy snowfalls and persistent snow cover the long ski season lasting from November to May.
Dombay - ski Mecca of the North Caucasus
The sunny land of legends and legends - the amazing Caucasus - has long attracted travelers, explorers and climbers. Since the 20s of the last century, Dombayskaya Polyana has been developing as a center for tourism and skiing. Today Dombay is a ski resort that is rapidly developing its capabilities and infrastructure. The skiing conditions here are close to the alpine resorts: modern winter tracks, more than 20 kilometers long, an extensive network of lifts, a high level of service, and the main advantage is the wild, untouched beauty of the surrounding mountains.
Ski slopes of the resort
The ski slopes in Dombai originate at an altitude of more than 3 thousand meters at the top of the monumental Mussa-Achitara ridge. The system of slopes of various levels of difficulty and length is suitable for both beginners and aces of alpine skiing. The slopes, according to the accepted classification system, are conventionally divided into “green” (simple slopes for beginners), “blue” (medium difficulty level) and “red” - for confident pros.
The main ski area is laid at an altitude of 2600-3012 meters and is characterized by an even, calm relief. For children and completely "green" beginners prepared the simplest gentle slopes, the so-called "paddling pools", equipped
For those who like to tickle their nerves and for professional athletes, the steep slopes of the northern part of Mussa-Achitara and the Gonachkhir gorge offer ample opportunities for freeriding. Heli-skiing fans will experience dizzying skiing along the untouched slopes from the peaks of Semenov-Bashi and the Alibek glacier, where extreme lovers are dropped by a local helicopter. For late hours skiing, the resort provides night lighting of the trails.
Dombai lift system
Dombay - ski resort served by several lift systems:
- Five lines of the chairlift, built in the 70-80s of the XX century. The fourth and fifth lines of the cable car are delivered to the main ski area. The fourth stage leads to the so-called "Moussa glade" at an altitude of 2.5 km. From here the fifth double-chairlift takes tourists to the crest of the ridge.
- Eight-seater gondola lift.
- The new complex, which includes six and four-seater chairlifts, delivering skiers and snowboarders to an altitude of 3200 meters.
- Yugoslavian cable car with a length of 1700 meters.
- A rope-pendulum road, including two carriages with a capacity of up to 40 people, lifting excursionists and skiers to a height of 2260 m.
- A network of tow roads serving the training slopes.
Attractions of the resort
The most important attraction of this region is the surrounding splendor of the nature of the Teberda reserve. Crystal mountain rivers and picturesque gorges, rapid waterfalls, the cold beauty of high-mountain lakes - an amazing panorama of these places opens up observation deck at the top of Mussa-Achitara. From here you can observe the distant Elbrus shining in the cloudy haze.
A notable place and a kind of visiting card of Dombai is the original eight-seat hotel Plate, made in the form of an alien ship.
On the way to the Alikbek gorge, there is a quiet and memorable place - the cemetery of the dead climbers. People come here to pay tribute to the memory and respect of those who died in the mountains while climbing or trying to save the lives of their comrades. On the path leading to the graves, there is a sign with the words from Vysotsky's song: "There are no scarlet roses and mourning ribbons, and the stone that gave you peace does not look like a monument ...".
Dombai entertainment and excursions
Dombay is a ski resort, where, in addition to the exciting variety of slopes, guests are offered a lot of opportunities for active and diversified recreation. You can admire the vastness of the snow-covered Caucasus while taking a walk on ATVs or on an exciting snowmobile safari. Fans of thrills will not be left indifferent by the opportunity to make a stunning descent in a special zorb, a voluminous transparent ball.
Deserve special mention exciting travel with an instructor paragliding, discovering unforgettable views of mountain landscapes from a bird's eye view. Confident skiers can try their hand at speedriding - an extreme combination of paragliding and alpine skiing.
On the territory of the complex there is an ice skating rink, toboggan hire, horse and hiking excursions around the picturesque corners of the Teberda nature reserve are organized.
Dombay in summer and autumn
Reserved Dombay is a ski resort that is worth visiting not only in winter. The delightful nature of this region offers excellent opportunities for recreation in summer and autumn. When the snow cover comes off the slopes of the Caucasus Mountains, the alpine meadows of the Dombai Valley bloom with a silky carpet of delicate plants. The beauty of centuries-old fir forests, turquoise mountain lakes, millennial glaciers against the backdrop of a clear sunny sky opens up to the eyes of travelers.
In summer, Dombai has a special cool climate, favorable for long walking excursions. At this time of the year, mountain biking and horseback riding, climbing the peaks of the Caucasus, and trekking are popular tourist attractions. In autumn, the nature of Teberda is lit up with a variegated palette of golden-purple colors.
Dombay - ski resort: prices for lifting and equipment rental
The prices for the lift services depend on the choice of the lift system. Since the main complexes of chairlifts belong to different owners, there is no single tariff at Dombai. There is a 50% discount for children and seniors.
- The cost of a single ascent on the old chair-lift depends on the queue and varies from 150 to 250 rubles, a day pass will cost a tourist from 500 to 1000 rubles.
- The cost of a ski pass for both stages of the new ropeway complex will be 1600 rubles per day for an adult. A one-time rise in each line is estimated at 500 rubles.
- Pendulum services cable car Alpine skiers and snowboarders will cost 200 rubles, tourists - 300 rubles per lift.
The rental price of a set of ski and snowboard equipment is approximately 400-450 rubles per day. On the territory of the complex, you can, among other things, purchase new equipment.
How to get there
There are several ways to get to the corner of Karachay-Cherkessia, where Dombay is located. The ski resort is located 230 kilometers from the airport of Mineralnye Vody, and the most in a simple way transfer is air travel. A bus runs from the airport every day (during the ski season from December to March), delivering tourists to the center of the village. You can also use a taxi or rent a car.
If you get to the ski complex by train, you can choose the stations in Nevinnomysk, Pyatigorsk, Nalchik or Mineralnye Vody as your destination. The road will take from 24 to 38 hours on the way. From the station to Dombai you can take a taxi, there are routes of regular buses.
Direct flights of comfortable intercity buses... You can also get directly to the place of rest without transfers, that is, by your own car.
Reserved places of the majestic Caucasus welcome their guests all year round unique nature, healing air and the splendor of the high mountain valleys. Dombay ski reviews tourists are unanimously ranked among the most impressive and beautiful resorts our country.
Dombay - mountain range in Karachay-Cherkessia. He became famous thanks to the legendary "Dombai Waltz". This is about him, the bard Yuri Vizbor wrote: "The skis are at the stove, the sunset is dying out behind the mountain." Dombay is most beautiful at sunset. The sight of snow-white peaks in a crimson halo enchants, and the crystal clear air intoxicates your head. These places are great at any time of the year.
Homeland of "Dombai Waltz"
Many people mistakenly believe that Dombay is a solitary one Mountain peak... Nothing like this! Dombay - whole Mountain country... It is located in Karachay-Cherkessia in the Caucasus. At an altitude of 1650 m high mountains the valley with the Dombai glade is hidden from prying eyes. On a small patch of land there is a whole village called Dombay. It was born in the 1920s thanks to the emergence of a popular tourist center.
Tourists are eager to buy unusual magnets depicting a mountain panorama. All the surrounding peaks are marked on it. With the help of such a souvenir, you can study the local geography. The Dombai glade is surrounded by three gorges - Amanauz, Alibek and Dombai-Yolgen. It so happened that they all met in one place. Perhaps because of this, the local mountains have some kind of special magnetism.
The most high peak is Dombai-Yolgen. It is also called Dombai-Ulgen. The height of the Caucasian giant is 4046 meters. Its summit is covered with snow all year round. In the Karachai-Balkarian language, the name means “killed bison”. It was once the norm to meet in mountain valleys this mighty beast. Alas, to this day, as a reminder, only the name of the mountain has survived.
Masterpieces from God
There is no doubt that most of the Dombai attractions are of natural origin. Chief among them is the mountainous landscape itself, which is a combination of fir forests, alpine meadows, snow-white peaks, glaciers, rivers, streams and waterfalls. The assortment also includes crystal clear air, which is a medicine in itself.
There are points from which the most picturesque views open up. These, for example, include the slopes of the Mussa-Achitara ridge. The natural observation deck is located at an altitude of 2,400 meters. The most spectacular peaks - Ine, Dombay-Yolgen, Belalakaya, Sofrudzhu, as well as the Sulakhat ridge are perfectly visible from here.
Mount Belalakaya 3861 meters high is also called "Striped". It got its name due to the alternation of layers of snow-white quartz. Ine means "Needle". There is no need to explain why the mountain received such a name. Amanauz reminds impregnable fortress... And the Dzhuguturlu-Chata mountain, which is also called the "Home of the tours", stands out for its many-headed ridge.
Not far from the Dombai glade there is a gorge through which the Ptysh River flows. The Chukhchur waterfall is literally at the entrance to the gorge. From here, a postcard view of the peaks of the Main Caucasian ridge opens up. There is also Alibek waterfall, which is considered the largest in Dombai. Its height is 25 meters. The Alibek glacier and Turye lake, which are distinguished by the special purity of the water, are very spectacular.
It is also impossible not to mention the Sofrudzhuk waterfall, which is formed by the turbulent Amanauz River. The stream of water falls from a height of several tens of meters. And the Mussa-Achitara ridge is known for its beautiful lakes located in the basins. For example, Lake Klukhor is 35 meters deep! For most of the year, it is covered with ice and opens in all its pristine nature only in the middle of summer. Not far from it, the Upper Klukhorsky waterfall is rustling. Well, if you want to see the Black Sea, it is enough to climb the Klukhorsky pass.
Not far from the Dombayskaya glade there is a river and the village of Teberda. The biosphere reserve, founded in 1935, bears the same name. Dombay is part of it. In total, the protected zone includes more than 150 mountain lakes. The reserve is famous for its zoo, where yaks, bison, Caucasian deer, bears, wild boars and wolves are kept. The birds of prey are represented by the black vulture and the griffon vulture. Visitors are offered horseback riding. You can buy honey and pine cone jam at your local store!
The skis are standing by the stove ...
In winter, the Dombai slopes are occupied by skiers. The ski area stretches up to an altitude of 3200 meters. The total length of the tracks reaches 25 km. The mountainous landscapes above are no different from those found in the Swiss or French Alps. The first cable car in the mountains was built in the 70s. Then the lifts were exclusively chairlifts. Now with bottom station, which is located at an altitude of 1600 meters, to the second station at an altitude of 2277 meters can be climbed in an eight-seat gondola.
WITH great height Dombayskaya glade is clearly visible, which is literally packed with cottages and small hotels. At the second station, your attention is sure to be drawn by the hotel in the shape of a "flying saucer". It was installed at the very edge of the abyss in 1979, and since then it has become one of the business cards Dombai. The hotel is small - it has one 4-bed and two 2-bed rooms. A stunning mountain panorama opens from the windows! The landscape is colorfully complemented by grazing musk oxen.
The next station is located at an altitude of 3008 meters. To this point, one ascends on a six-seater chairlift. Its capacity is 2 thousand people per hour. There are several small cafes, a toilet and equipment rental points at the station. The dazzling sun is a reminder that sunglasses and a protective cream will not be superfluous.
And, finally, the last spurt is required to "conquer" the highest point of 3168 meters. A four-seater chairlift leads here. From this place, the whole Dombay appears at a glance. High altitude is felt by shortness of breath due to thin air. The upper station serves as a link with two more stations, which, respectively, are located at altitudes of 3000 and 2980 meters.
Photo: Skiers and snowboarders get along on Dombai
The resort also has five lines of the old cable car and drag lifts. The resort has trails of all difficulty categories. The best place for skiing is the slopes of Mount Mussa-Achitara. The ski area is located between the altitudes of 1630-3168 meters. There are conditions for free-ride and heli-skiing. They ride on Dombai from December 20 to April 15.
Dombay in summer
It is clear what to do in Dombai in winter. But what to do here in the summer? At this time of the year, hikers, mountaineers and rock-climbers come to the mountains. On the Dombai glade, many hiking trails... Scandinavian walking is popular here. There is an opportunity to go mountain biking or rent an all-terrain vehicle with a driver to get into the most inaccessible places.
Those who wish can ride a horse, fly a paraglider. It's hard to believe, but even ... amateurs come to Dombai beach holiday! There is, of course, no sea here. But there is mountain lakes where the water warms up to +20 degrees in the middle of summer. The crystal clear mountain water is said to have a rejuvenating effect. You can sunbathe at an altitude of three kilometers. For this, lifts are used, which operate in the summer.
Climbers have chosen the following climbing objects - Belolakay, Marka and Alibek Peak mountains. There are two routes of category 3B laid on Belolakai. The third goes along the southeastern ridge of the Mark and belongs to category 2A. The fourth route is laid along the western buttress to Alibeksky Peak. It belongs to category 3B. In addition to these, the most popular, there are other routes from category 1A to 3B. The duration of the ascents is usually 8-10 days. During this time, they cover up to 55 km.
At the resort, tourists are offered a large number of excursions. Most popular destinations are Lake Tumanly-Kel, where trout is found, as well as the Gonachkhir and Azgek gorges. Tourist hits include Turye Lake, Devil's Mill Canyon and a whole collection of waterfalls - Sofrudzhinsky, Chuchkhursky and Alibeksky. The duration of the excursions does not exceed 4 hours. Most of the path goes by car. Tours are organized from July to September, but there are also winter options.
In addition to excursions, there are one-day and multi-day hikes. Autotourists travel independently to the Sentin and Shaonin temples. There are car tours to Lake Tumanly-Kel, Jamagat Narzans and the Shumka waterfall. Jeeping is popular. The duration of extreme trips is from two to seven hours. Domestic UAZ vehicles are used as all-terrain vehicles. You will not be bored at Dombai!
It is also worth mentioning the souvenirs that are brought from Dombai. Here you can buy unusual figurines of polar foxes, tigers, mountain goats made of fur. They are made so skillfully that they seem alive. Even in summer, knitted items are in demand, including ... slippers. The assortment includes mountain hats and felt hats. Dombai herbal tea and mountain honey can be a good gift.
How to get there
Dombai can be reached by any means of transport, except water transport. The nearest airport is in Mineralnye Vody. They perform here regular flights airlines "S7", "UTair", "Aeroflot", "Donavia", "Ural Airlines" and others. Then they go to the resort by taxi, a special shuttle bus, or a regular bus. Distance - 230 km.
Photo: Ratrak - best transport to climb Dombay
Nearest Train Station located in Nevinnomyssk. You can also go by train to Cherkessk, Nalchik or Mineralnye Vody. Depending on the type of train, the travel time from Moscow is 28-38 hours. Next, you have to get to the checkpoints, as in the case of the plane. Many Dombai hotels offer transfers.
Bus routes are organized from Moscow during the ski season. Travel time is 28 hours. From Nevinnomyssk you can get to Dombai by regular bus, but you will have to make three changes. Minibuses go to the resort from Cherkessk and Karachaevsk. The easiest way to visit Dombay is to go there on own car... The distance from Moscow to the resort is 1600 km.
Our travel club offers the following hiking programs:
Tell your friends!
Looking at the map of Dombai from a satellite, you will get an idea of the location of the village, its infrastructure, you will find streets and houses, institutions, restaurants and hotels. WITH interactive maps easy to travel - they will help you to plan a route, as well as to orient yourself upon arrival in the village.
Handy maps of Dombai with areas will help you determine the best place to stay, so that there are shops and cafes nearby, as well as cable car lifts. How tourist centre the village began to develop in the 20s. last century. For a long time, tourists who come to relax in the mountains or conquer their peaks lived in tent camps or in houses local residents... But, if you look at the modern map of Dombay with schemes, it becomes clear that today the village has a developed infrastructure and many proposals for accommodation.
The magnificent beauty of the landscapes surrounding Dombay is simply breathtaking. On the territory of a small village, using an interactive detailed map Dombai, you can consider the main hydro objects:
- Alibek channel;
- R. Amanauz;
- R. Dombay-Ulgen.
Mountain rivers meandering between the slopes attract tourists every year in the summer season. Here you can have a great rest, as well as fishing.
Dombay village on the map of the Russian Federation
Modern Dombay resembles a tourist camp, only instead of tents, hotels and hotels have grown here. There is no strict planning of streets in the village, as well as the names of city arteries. On the map of Dombai with the streets, you can see that the main highway in the village is part of the Military-Sukhum road. Through it, tourists and skiers get to the village.
There is no railway connection to the resort. Nearest railroad station located 100 km in locality Ust-Dzheguta. Zoom in on the Dombay map with streets and houses and you will see lanes along which you can walk to:
- shops;
- hotels;
- hotels;
- entertainment centers;
- restaurants;
- huts;
- boarding houses.
Hotels, huts and boarding houses of the resort are lined up along the A-155 highway. The largest offers for accommodation can be found in the center of Dombai. Small cozy cottages and hotels are located on the outskirts in the foothill zone. Using a map of Dombay with streets and houses, you can find best options for accommodation in the resort next to the cable car lifts. You will also find the direction of the mountain road, which stretches along the water channel and leads to the Alibek alpine camp - one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Teberda Valley.
Dombay map with streets and houses
Even before the Great Patriotic War Dombaya was a center where mountaineers and skiers were trained, and in the 60s. the village gained immense popularity and began to attract tourists with different levels of training. At the same time, the construction of cable cars began, which are displayed on Yandex maps of Dombai. The last cable car was put into operation in 2004. It lifts tourists and skiers to an altitude of 3200 m.
The objects built in the Soviet years attract special attention of tourists. The government of the Soviet Union was interested in the construction of a resort in the Dombai Valley, therefore, over the design of facades and internal interiors hotel complexes, which can be found on the map of Dombai with houses, worked by the best architects and artists of the country. There are still preserved mosaics, chasing, carpets, which create a unique national flavor and comfort.
The main attractions of the Dombai Valley include one of the highest points of the Caucasus Mountains - the Dzhugurluchat mountain range. His highest point is located at an altitude of 3921 m. In order to see the beauty and majesty of these mountains as best as possible, tourists go to the place "Mussa-Achi-Tara".
In addition, coming to Dombay, it is worth visiting such sights as:
- Klukhor pass;
- Devil's mill;
- glacier Ptysh;
- Muruja lakes;
- Alibek waterfall.
TO the most beautiful places Hiking and horseback riding tours are organized in Dombai.
Tourist infrastructure of Dombai
Economy resort village based on the provision of tourism, consumer services and trade. On the map of Dombai with house numbers, you can find a wide variety of hotels, boarding houses, camps, tourist centers. Rooms are equipped to accommodate tourists in hotels superior comfort, but those who prefer to live in the mountains closer to nature can stay at the recreation centers.
The main directions of tourism are hiking, horse riding, skiing and hang gliding. The infrastructure of the resort is favorable for recreation in the mountains. In addition to hotels, there are several restaurants, entertainment centers as well as shops and beauty salons.
The mountainous territory of Dombai is also known as the Dombai glade. It is located in the Caucasus Mountains, more precisely in the North Caucasus region, which is located on the southern border of Russia. The North Caucasus includes the Ciscaucasia - a flat territory north of the mountains between Sea of Azov, Kerch Strait and the Caspian Sea and northern part The Greater Caucasus Range, except for the eastern ranges that belong to Azerbaijan. The Greater Caucasus Range stretches between the Black and Caspian Seas for more than a thousand kilometers. The territory of the North Caucasus is divided between several Russian subjects: Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, Adygea, Kabardino-Balkaria, Dagestan, Karachay-Cherkessia and others.
Dombay is located in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, which is located in the northwestern part of the ridge. From the south, the territory of the Dombai glade is limited by the Main Caucasian ridge, otherwise there are no clear boundaries of the glade, since this is not an administrative unit. Dombay is the name of the area where three large gorges - Dombay-Elgen, Amanauz and Alibek - are connected. They form a vast clearing between the Caucasus Mountains at an altitude of about 1600 meters above sea level.
The name "Dombay", according to one version, is translated from the Karachai language as "bison" - these animals used to live in the forests of the North Caucasus in large numbers.
Dombayskaya glade is included in the Teberdinsky reserve, from here many begin excursion routes to the main natural monuments protected area of the North Caucasus.
Among the sights of Dombai are the Chukhchur waterfall, the Ine peak, the rocks of the Striped Mountain, the Turye lake, the Alibek glacier.
Mountain and village Dombay
The highest point of the Dombai glade is the Dombai-Elgen mountain, also known as simply Dombai. It rises above the terrain to a height of 4046 meters and has two more peaks below - 4036 and 3950 meters. To the west of the mountain there is a small urban-type settlement of the same name - Dombay. It is located at the confluence of Alibek and Dombay-Elgen at the source of the Teberda Amanauz river. This village is one of the most popular ski resorts in the country, famous center winter sports with a developed tourist infrastructure. There are several dozen hotels in the village, numerous cafes and restaurants with Caucasian cuisine, five cable car lines that take visitors up to three thousand meters above sea level. From such a height, the entire Dombai glade is clearly visible, decorated mountain ranges with Dombai-Elgen at the head.
One of the most popular ski resorts in the Caucasus, Dombay is good for both pros and beginners: everyone will find suitable slopes there. The resort is very compact: all hotels are concentrated on the Dombayskaya glade and are located in close proximity to the ski lifts, from one end of the village to the other you can walk in 20 minutes. Ski season lasts from December to May.
Dombay is located at an altitude of 1650 m on the glade of the same name near the confluence of several rivers. Local beautiful places began to attract tourists here in the first half of the 20th century: the first camp site appeared on Dombai in 1921. Before that, Dombai was a very modest settlement, and then remained so for a long time. But after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the tourist infrastructure of the resort experienced a powerful leap, and today on Dombai more than a sufficient number of hotels and recreation centers await sports fans.
The resort hosted international freestyle World Cup competitions, all-Russian slalom, giant slalom and snowboard competitions. There is also a real expanse for paragliders: several times a year competitions of the highest level in this sport are held.
How to get to Dombai
The way to Dombai will not be easy: you can only get there directly by your own car or bus, but from Moscow, for example, the road will take no less than 20 hours (1600 km along the M-4 “Don” highway). In all other cases, you need to get there by checkpoints: the resort has neither an airport nor a railway station.
By plane, Mineralnye Vody airport
The nearest airport to Dombai is in Mineralnye Vody (230 km), from where you can get to the resort by buses of the Gulliver transport company. They start from the railway station of the city from December to March every day early in the morning (at 5: 00-6: 00), and by 10: 00-11: 00 they already arrive in the center of Dombai. The fare is RUB 950, one piece of baggage and one pair of skis or a board included. The second option is by taxi transfer, which will cost about 4400 RUB. Finally, you can take a regular bus or train to Cherkessk or a bus to Teberda, from where you can change to a minibus - but this is a rather tiresome option with ski equipment at the ready. Prices on the page are for October 2018.
In addition, you can rent a car: immediately upon arrival at the airport or in the city there are several rental offices, but in the season it is better to book in advance. average price- from 1800 RUB per day.
Search for flights to Sochi (the closest airport to Dombai)
By train
The closest to Dombai is the station in Nevinnomyssk (by taxi or bus about 2.5 hours), others in the neighborhood - in Pyatigorsk (about 3 hours) or all the same Mineralnye Vody... From Moscow, trains leave from Kazan, Kursk and Paveletsky railway stations, on the way from 28 to 38 hours. A taxi from these stations to Dombai will cost 2500-3700 RUB, there are also regular buses.
By bus
Getting by bus is a rather long option (it takes about 28 hours from Moscow), but it is economical and convenient. From 3500 RUB one way, the skier will pack his equipment in his luggage and forget about its existence until Dombai, just enjoying the views of the most beautiful Caucasian ridges along the way. The buses are quite comfortable and equipped with TV, dry closets, hot water. A round-trip ticket is usually more profitable.
Dombay Hotels
Dombay is developing, rebuilding and growing, so there are hotels in the resort for every taste and budget. What is nice, many old buildings have been reconstructed, some hoteliers have even been certified, having received a pleasant 3-4 * status. Dombai also lacks cozy mini-hotels, where there are only 10-20 rooms. Apartments are actively rented in the private sector - this is perhaps the most economical option for large companies. However, despite the seeming abundance, during the New Year and Christmas holidays, as well as before March 8, there are practically no places - everything is booked in advance.
Accommodation cost strongly depends on the season - under New Year it is unlikely to find a room cheaper than RUB 3000, but at the beginning and at the end of the skiing period you can stay within RUB 1500.
Families with small children should pay attention to the Snow Leopard Hotel - there is a playroom there.
Alpine skiing in Dombai
Fortunately for skiers who value not only the style of their suits and an exquisite mug for mulled wine, Dombay has recently been developing at a Stakhanovian pace. This place is not as gingerbread as the alpine villages - the beauty of the local mountains is rather wild, powerful, partly frightening. But on the other hand, the prices are not as high as the peaks of the Alps, but the conditions for skiing, it seems, will very soon be compared. In recent years, a lot of hotels have been built here, a new and modern line of lifts has been opened, excellent equipment has been "caught up", and a competent team of instructors and rescuers has been recruited. Of course, in terms of infrastructure, Dombay is still far from Courchevel, but give it a couple of years and we won't recognize it.
Dombay trails
Descent from the top of the Mussa-Achitara ridge (3012 m) - the main skiing place in Dombai - you can carry out a dozen options for trails of varying degrees of steepness, difficulty and speed. Accordingly, the ski area here is located at quite impressive heights: 1630-3012 m, and the total length of the tracks reaches 20 km. There are both red areas for the pros and a lot of gentle slopes for "dummies".
Most slopes provide comfortable skiing: moderate slope, smooth terrain, few bumps. All slopes end on a large, gentle meadow, where you should be careful: sledges play here, beginners and children learn to get up on skis and boards, skiers who have barely come down from the slope are sitting and chatting.
Experienced, risk-taking athletes should be advised of unbroken slopes. Tourists together with an instructor are taken by helicopter to the top of the slope, and after the descent they are taken away ("heli-ski", from the English helicopter - "helicopter"). A total of 6 such routes have been developed. This pleasure, I must say, is expensive, but the impressions from it are unforgettable.
Vacationers in Dombai have the opportunity to compare it ski slopes with the slopes of Krasnaya Polyana, flying there and back in one day by helicopter.
Lifts
Not so long ago, a new ski complex of cable cars was built in Dombai, but the old line of chair lifts was not closed either. So there were fewer queues, and the pleasure of skiing at least tripled.
The new complex consists of 3 stages - an 8-seater gondola "Dombai-1" with ski pockets, comfortable seats and automatically opening and closing doors, which covers almost 2 km in 6 minutes; 6-seater armchair "Dombay-2" and 4-seater "Dombay-3".
Pay attention to the opening hours, they differ: "Dombay-1" is open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00, on weekends from 8:30 to 17:30, "Dombay-2" closes half an hour earlier, and Dombai-3 is open all week from 09:30 to 16:00.
Dombay Maps
Ski passes
On the new complex you can buy a ticket only for the gondola (400/250 RUB adults / children 6-12 years old), for the gondola plus a chairlift (700/500 RUB), or for all 3 lifts (900/550 RUB), which will take you to the very top. There are also ski passes for 1 day - 1400/850 RUB, 2 days - 2540/1500 RUB, 5 days - 5850/3500 RUB and others.
In the old complex, the cost of one lift on the chairlift is 150/75 RUB, on the pendulum road - 200 RUB (for excursionists without skis - 300 RUB), for a chain of rope tows a ski pass for a day will cost about 500 RUB.
What to bring
Most (and even the best) part of souvenirs in Dombai is of an edible nature - it is fragrant honey, jam from young spruce cones to strengthen the immune system, goat cheese, mountain tea, Praskovey wine or first-class mineral water.
Of course, a standard set of gifts is sold everywhere: magnets, plates, figurines of bison and deer. There are also expensive unique gifts, for example, Kabardian daggers with carved handles of surprisingly fine workmanship, as well as sheep wool products - socks (from 150 RUB), sweaters (from 400 RUB), hats, shawls. There are also sheepskin coats, quite high quality, but expensive. The largest selection is in the market, which is in the center of the village, and at the top of the lifts.
Dombay cafes and restaurants
It is not surprising, given the size of the village, but in Dombai there are more than 20 cafes and restaurants, some of them are right on the slopes, so you can easily eat without going far from the slopes. Moreover, they say that the most budget options lunches and breakfasts will be on the mountain (except, of course, home meals in rented apartments). The cuisine is mostly Caucasian, that is, manti, kebabs, all kinds of cheese pies, chakhokhbili and other yummy treats are found everywhere. If you want to dine exquisitely, it is better to pay attention to one of the restaurants at the hotels and order trout - it is good here. You can eat inexpensively the famous khychins - pies with potato, cheese and other fillings. On average, the cost of lunch depends on appetite - from 300 to 800 RUB.
Young skiers, as you know, are hot and enthusiastic people, so in the morning after a hard night do not hesitate to ask a cafe for susab - an “anti-alcoholic” drink made from ayran and mineral water, which removes all the consequences.
The best photos of Dombay
Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo
Most of the attractions of Dombay are located around mountains, gorges, lakes, National parks... Any cultural monuments or museums in the village cannot be found, for this you will have to go to Kislovodsk or Pyatigorsk (about 3.5 hours one way). Perhaps it is worth stopping by and bowing to the climbers who have found peace in the Dombai mountains, whose cemetery is located halfway to the Alibek alpine camp, about 1 km from the center of the resort. The guests are greeted by a touching wooden plate with the words of Vysotsky: "There are no scarlet roses and mourning ribbons, And it does not look like a monument, That stone That gave you peace ..."
Of course, you should climb the main peak of Dombai Mussa-Achitara. Most of the skiers will end up there one way or another, but everyone who is not risky to slide down from its heights should at least once be on this peak and admire the views of the surroundings.
A little further from the village - expanse in terms of natural excursions. In the village of Teberda there is a visiting center of the famous Teberda nature reserve, as well as a small museum and a zoo attached to it. The routes are interesting even in winter, despite the snow there is something to see here. About 10 kilometers from Teberda along the highway towards Essentuki stands the Sentin temple of the first half of the 10th century - a place amazing in its beauty and spirituality. It is worth visiting the narzan springs in the Jamagat Gorge, where the easiest way to get there is by jeep with a guide.
Entertainment in Dombai is undemanding: bowling, billiards or a couple of discos at hotels, as well as a sauna in the building of the pendulum cable car. In the evenings best places for recreation - cafes and restaurants. In the daytime - sleigh rides, ice skating, snowmobiling, ATVs and similar snow activities.
4 things to do on Dombai
- Buy home warm and cozy sheep wool socks - authentic hand-made local grandmothers.
- Climb to the "Plate" hotel, which is on the slope of Mount Mussa-Achitara. Using your phone and a couple of special effects, take a “I was stolen by a UFO” selfie.
- To honor the memory of the climbers who died in the Caucasus Mountains, whose cemetery is located not far from Dombai.
- Spend an hour or two in the Glade of parties: sunbathing, sipping mulled wine, enjoying the colorful ski crowd around and unrealistic views of the Caucasus Mountains.
Weather
Average monthly temperature, ° C day and night
