Top 10 ski resorts in Russia and the CIS

The ski resort is a small town with descents, skating rinks, hotels, cable cars, attractions and restaurants. There is a lesson for amateur and professional of any age. Resorts of Russia and CIS actively catching up with more popular European competitors, improving service and quality. Now, domestic tourists do not need to travel far to enjoy winter sports.

We reviewed the top ten the best options, understand the reasons for their popularity, strengths and weaknesses. Among them there are resorts with gentle slopes for beginners and children. A couple of options suitable for experienced tourists, they held international competitions. AT rating we have included secluded places and those that are known throughout the country.

Top 10 best ski resorts in Russia and the CIS

10 Gudauri, Georgia

Opens up rating best gudauri - ski resort on the slope of the Caucasus Mountains, which attracts several thousand tourists annually. Most trails are designed for beginners and lovers of quiet descents, when enough snow falls, the possibility of freeride. Pros prefer slalom and climb to the top, and the rest slowly roll down from the mountains. The total length of the tracks is 50 km. All slopes are certified by the Federation of Alpine Skiing. The resort’s pride are three chairlifts and gondola roads. Dopelmeyer, built by Austrian experts. In addition to skiing there are swimming pools, several tennis courts, bowling, saunas, massages, horseback riding and excursions in Tbilisi.

Visitors celebrate the novelty of cable cars and high-quality coverage of the tracks. Ski pass for the whole day costs 800 rubles. There is always a lot of snow, but I would like to tighten the service. The hotel sometimes lost hot water, the rooms are not the newest and clean. There is no pharmacy at the resort, all medicines must be taken with you. Communication between the lifts is configured incorrectly, you will have to walk to the beginning of the slope. During the landing and during the gathering you can get hit on the legs and head.

9 Smooth, Khakassia

Gladenkaya is named after the mountain in the southern part of the Republic of Khakassia, where the resort is located. Having taken the north side, he takes amateurs and pros from across the country. The slopes are certified for all types of winter sports, including downhill and slalom. The length of the route is 3.2 km with a height difference of up to 830 meters. On the southern slope there is a simpler slope 1 km long. The finals of the Russian Championships were held several times on the mountain. ski sport Freeriders chose the north-west highway with a height difference of 920 meters.

Visitors live in the Gladenkaya hotel complex, located at an altitude of 1,350 meters above sea level. Enough to ride, tourists go to the entertainment center Frying with a fitness instructor and a cinema. According to reviews, it is clear that at the beginning of the season there is still little snow, and special guns often break. The menu in the cafe is very simple and quickly annoying, and prices are too high. On the slopes of a strong wind, so artificially sprayed snow spreads to the sides.

8 Zavyaliha, Chelyabinsk region

Zavyaliha is located near Chelyabinsk and attracts tourists with good snow, high-quality preparation of trails and service. The resort appeared in 2000 and in 2011 was completely updated. Now the national team is training there; cup competitions are being held. Of Russia on a snowboard. The season is open from mid-November to April, the average temperature is only -10 degrees. Tourists live in the Stone Flower Hotel complex, which includes several restaurants, a cinema hall and a gym. Experienced instructors are waiting for beginners, an hour of training costs 1,300 rubles.

10 routes with a length of 16.5 km are available to visitors, one of them is black, seven are red, some are for beginners and children. The height difference is 430 meters, this is enough for pros and speed lovers. Most of the tracks are FIS certified, equipped with snowmaking systems and good lighting. In the upper part of the mountains, the slopes are accessible to tourists for lovers of cross-country skiing 15 km long. There are drag, towing and chairlifts. The resort is proud to have completely solved the queue problem. However, we put Zawyalihu in 8th place stamp, since snow is often scarce. Many trails are closed almost always, visible sticking stones and the ground.

7 Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

Karakol is one of the few in the countries CISthat challenges professionals. For beginners and lovers, there are a couple of slopes, but not everyone can cope with a height difference of 650 meters and an average steepness of 30 degrees. The resort is not designed for large groups of tourists, there are only 2 chair lifts. But you can ride wherever the guest is able to drive. There are practically no people on the slopes, but no one is watching the safety during the descent. Tired of active recreation, visitors go to Tash Suu hot springs. For the symbolic 200 som (2.5 euros) you can stay there for several hours.

Tourists warn that the resort infrastructure is not developed, to European standards far. But at a height of 2 km there is a cafe with delicious food and prices up to 100 rubles. Of the 2 lifts, one often does not work, and the other is very slow. Cabins are not warmed, cold inside. In addition to skiing, you can go to karaoke, a few shops and cafes, there are no other classes. Visitors recommend to come by company or for a couple of days, then not boring.

6 Chimgan, Uzbekistan

Sixth place among the best takes Chimgan, located in the bosom of the mountain range. A large selection of trails and the possibility of a long descent attract newcomers and amateurs from neighboring countries. Here, nothing prevents calm rest - large tourist groups have not had time to love this place. The season lasts from December to March, it is recommended to phone with the administrators before the trip and make sure that there is enough snow. Here they ride not only on skis, but also on snowmobiles, snowboards, sleds and skates. More experienced freeride prefer. The hotel has an equipment rental service; there is a ski lift and a cable car to all routes.

Judging by the reviews, ski resort many regular visitors. They note that here nature appears in all its glory.Perhaps comfort suffers from this a little, but Chimgan makes you feel free. Allowed to ride and take pictures on the background of the mountains. Not far from the resort is a souvenir market. The cafes serve traditional dishes, prices are quite affordable. The only warning to future visitors is the drop in altitude is 300 meters, you cannot develop tremendous speeds here. Best of all the place is suitable for parents with children.

5 Abzakovo, Magnitogorsk

Abzakovo - Russian resort located on the ridge Krykty-Tau. On the eastern slopes, 13 routes with a length of 18 km were built with a height difference of up to 320 meters. 4 of them are accredited FIS (International Federation of Skiers) and suitable for slalom. Trails are divided by color, indicating the complexity - 4 green, 5 blue and 4 red. 8 of them are equipped with snow cannons, skiing is allowed from the very beginning of winter. Daily surface aligned snowcat. Biathlon fans have a place to turn around - 30 firing lines are set on 10 km of tracks. Snowmobile routes are available. Almost all skating takes place among the coniferous forest.

We could not add Abzakovo to topAfter all, night skiing is organized here twice a week. There are tracks for beginners, almost everywhere there are identification marks. Families, groups of friends, and enthusiastic professionals come here. Tired of ski slopes, tourists skate and horse-drawn sledding. There is a baby lift for parents with babies. The cable car covers the entire complex with peaks. The ascent takes 16 minutes, during this time it is overcome 2 km. Although visitors have no complaints about the slopes, there are wishes for living. The rooms are small and outdated. Upon arrival, the client sees an inventory of everything in the room (forks, pillows, chairs, etc.). Such an attitude to the guests spoils the impression of the resort.

4 Dombai, Caucasus

The worthy 4th place was taken by the Russian Dombai, which attracts tourists 20 km of tracks of varying difficulty. The resort boasts well-groomed slopes and a developed network of lifts, including pendulum, gondola and chairlift roads. Here, international freestyle World Cup competitions have already been held several times, the tracks challenge experienced snowboarders and skiers. Hotels are actively updated, some have been certified and received 3 * or 4 *. The prices are a bit high, but the service is also at a good level. There are cheaper options - cozy small hotels with 10-15 rooms.

In the reviews, tourists point out amazing views that open from the top of Mussa-Achitara at an altitude of 3,012 meters. From here there are descents along several routes of different steepness and complexity. A real pros are encouraged to visit the unbroken slopes. Tourists, along with an instructor, are taken by helicopter to the top of the slope, then taken down below. The resort has a lot of positive reviews, guests do not find serious shortcomings. But some talk about the high cost, others point out the need to put more pointers.

3 Tufandag, Azerbaijan

Decent third place in top deserved Tufandag - ski resort at an altitude of 1920 meters above sea level. It is considered one of the most modern places in the countries. CIS. The site is located 20 km from the airport, there is everything necessary for comfortable living nearby. The resort began operations in 2014 and at the same time is able to accommodate 3,000 people. Tourists live in the hotel Qafqaz Tufandag Mountain Resort 5 *, or in more affordable hotels with a minimum set of services.

Total resort offers 11 trails with a length of 17 km. The tilt angle of the tracks varies from 900 meters to 3.15 km - the latter even challenges professional athletes! Skating begins in early winter, a hundred snow cannons create artificial turf.Cableways with a length of 5.8 km are delivered to hard-to-reach places of tourists. Around the hotel there are restaurants, souvenir shops, cafes, sports equipment rental centers. The only reason we did not give the resort a higher place was prices. For the CIS, they are greatly overestimated and almost equal to the European.

2 Chimbulak, Kazakhstan

Second place among the best takes Chimgan, located in the bosom of the mountain range. A large selection of trails and the possibility of a long descent attract newcomers and enthusiasts from neighboring countries. Here, nothing prevents calm rest - tourist groups have not had time to love this place. The season lasts from December to March, it is recommended to phone with the administrators before the trip and make sure that there is enough snow. Here they ride not only on skis, but also on snowmobiles, snowboards, sleds and skates. More experienced freeride prefer. The hotel has an equipment rental service; there is a ski lift and a cable car to all routes.

Judging by the reviews, ski resort many regular visitors. They note that here nature appears in all its glory. Perhaps comfort suffers from this a little, but Chimgan makes you feel free. Allowed to ride and take pictures on the background of the mountains. Not far from the resort is a souvenir market. The cafes serve traditional dishes, prices are quite affordable. The only warning to future visitors is the drop in altitude is 300 meters, you cannot develop tremendous speeds here. Best of all the place is suitable for parents with children.

1 Rosa Khutor, Sochi

About Rosa Khutor in Of Russia probably everyone knows, she deservedly became the leader of the rating. She has the largest snowmaking system in Europe, skating starts from the end of November. Vacationers are available 100 km of trails of any complexity. Everything is kept clean and tidy, the service is at a high level. The resort has 7 cable cars, professionals are waiting in an extreme park with a springboard. Guests stay in hotels from 3 to 5 stars. Rosa Khutor three times received the international World Ski Awards and is deservedly considered one of the best. The prices here are appropriate and are close to European ones.

Visitors warn that several thousand skiers go on the slopes all the time, you can’t call a lonely place. Many go to the highest point of Rosa Peak (2,320 meters above sea level) for photographs and downhill. Near the lift queue, rental is always packed with people waiting for their size. The prices in cafes and restaurants are very high, the ski pass is expensive, as are the cable cars. To get to the slopes before lunch, you'll have to get up early in the morning.

Popular vote - which ski resort in Russia or the CIS do you think is the best?
We vote!

Chimbulak

Chimgan

Tufandag

Danilovka

Abzakovo

Rosa Khutor

Karakol

Zawyaliha

Smooth

Gudauri

Total votes: 4

Vote results