The ski season is a year long.
When does the ski season start in Dombai? Which months are best to go if you are a backpacker? We will tell you what the weather is in each of the seasons and when is the best time to go to rest.
Winter: ski season in Dombai
Spring in Dombai
In March, they still actively ski, and, according to tourists, this is one of the most favorable months for skiers: warm and powdery. In general, the snow begins to melt at the end of April, and at this time the ski season in Dombai ends. The real spring in Dombai comes in May, although at the beginning of this month you can sometimes even ride if you have a particularly snowy, prolonged winter.
The average daily temperature in March is +2 ... + 3 ° С, in April +8 ... + 9 ° С, in May +12 ... + 15 ° С. May is the rainiest and most volatile month of the year (up to 12 days), and if you decide to visit Dombay at this time, it is better to bring a raincoat.
(Photo © Artem Mishchenko / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC 2.0)
Summer: hiking and climbing season
Since Dombay is predominantly a winter resort, summer is a low season. There are quite a few people, mainly those who are engaged in mountaineering and trekking come, so the prices become quite affordable. However, due to the low tourist flow, some infrastructure facilities (cafes, restaurants, hotels, cable cars) are "resting".
Summer is the hiking season in Dombai. At this time, there is space for exploring the surrounding mountains, hiking is possible along any route. At the beginning of summer, snow can still lie in many places (at height and in the shade), so July, August and September are more popular with mountain hikers, when it is comfortable to sleep in a tent at night.
In Dombai, it is usually sunny and dry in summer, although the weather is sometimes changeable. In June, the average daytime temperature is +18 ... + 19 ° С, in July and August around +21 ... + 22 ° С. However, when going to the mountains, remember that the closer to the top, the colder, but at the same time use sunscreen and cover exposed areas of the body - you can get seriously burned.
Autumn in Dombai
Autumn, namely October, is the most beautiful time: the monotony of green is diluted with bright autumn colors, and on the slope of Mussa-Achitara you can already find snow. However, the weather is getting a little worse, and we recommend that you carefully study the forecast before your trip. We were lucky, and almost all the time of our vacation in Dombai at the beginning of October, the sun was shining on us.
The average daily temperature in September is + 16 ° С, in October it is already + 10 ° С, and in November it is about + 4 ° С. It can even snow a little at the end of October, which is the end of the hiking season. November is considered a low season: the first tourists appear only at the end of the month if there is a lot of snow.
Hiking in September and October is good, as there are very few tourists and you can enjoy the beauty of the mountains alone. It is quite warm in the valley, sometimes even hot (but cool in the morning and evening), and at an altitude of 2500 meters it is better to have a windproof jacket, hat / cap, gloves and a scarf with you. Do not forget about sunglasses and sunscreen: even in October, your face can easily turn red.
The French resort of Chamonix begins its work at the end of November and ends already in mid-May. But, of course, in the spring the skiing area is greatly reduced. At the beginning of May, only the Grand Monte area is usually open, as it is the highest. The total length of trails in the valley is 115 km, in the whole of Mont Blanc - 410 km. Everyone will find a slope suitable for him here, but it will be especially interesting for advanced skiers and snowboarders: there are plenty of black and red slopes in Chamonix, and there are four fan parks in the resort.
Austria, Alps, Sölden resort
The Sölden resort guarantees snow from October to May. In October, November and May, it is unlikely that it will be possible to cover all 144 km of tracks, but it will definitely be possible to ride two glaciers - Rettenbach and Tiefenbach. In addition, Sölden always hosts the first of the season Alpine Skiing World Cup in Sölden on track 31 in October, so there will be plenty to do. But at the height of the season, the resort is even more interesting: the extensive skiing area allows you to create many routes, train in the snow park, as well as go down the tracks 15, 10, 9 and 8 km long.
Switzerland, Alps, resort of Zermatt
Zermatt is famous for its location: it sits at the foot of one of the most picturesque peaks in the world - the Matterhorn. The air in this village is very clean, since cars have been banned from entering it since 1947. In addition, Zermatt receives less rainfall per year than any other place in Switzerland, which greatly contributes to the preservation of the slopes in good condition. You can ride here all year round: in winter there are 200 km of trails, in summer - 21 km. During the high season, well-trained hikers can descend a 25 km long slope. And from a height of 3899 m, which can be reached by a lift, a beautiful view opens up.
Italy, Dolomites, Val Gardena
Val Gardena is located in the heart of the Dolomites. There are 175 km of trails in the valley, mostly of medium difficulty. For lovers of long distances, there is a wonderful 10.5 km long slope, although there is only one for the entire valley. Every year Val Gardena brings together the best alpine skiers of the planet: on the slope of Saslong they compete for medals of the World Cup stage. The valley is a favorite destination for freeriders, where off-piste lovers are offered special guided tours. Freestylers can spend time in two snowparks. The resort is open from December to April, but does not guarantee that all lifts will be operational by the end of the season.
Finland, Rukatunturi, Ruka resort
The Ruka resort usually welcomes everyone from October to May, but there are seasons when some of the lifts are open until early June. According to Ruki's management, the secret is in good weather and high-tech equipment. But you can't find long slopes here: the maximum length is 1300 m. There are 34 slopes in Ruka in total, on Friday most of them are open for night skiing. The advantage of Ruka, in addition to the long season, is undoubtedly the long operating time of the lifts: they close here at 19:00 (in the Alps, for example, at 17:00).
Andorra, Pyrenees, Grandvalira
Grandvalira opens the season at the very end of November and ends at the end of March. The most interesting thing in the valley is, of course, in the high season. You can explore new tracks every day: there are 118 of them, and the total length of the slopes is 192 km. There are two snow parks and a freestyle school in the valley. In addition, there are four freeride routes in Grandvalira. The resort offers plenty of after-ski activities: dog sledding through the forest, exciting snowmobile rides, and an overnight stay in a real igloo.
USA, Colorado, Vail Ski Resort
Vail Ski Resort is the largest ski resort in the United States with three ski areas: Vail Village, Lionshead and Golden Peak. The valley will be especially popular with freestylers: there are three large fan parks (in the USA they are called terrain parks). But lovers of traditional skiing will also have something to do. The ski area is huge - 2140 hectares. Vale Ski Resort has 193 slopes, most of which are for advanced skiers and snowboarders. The resort is open from late November to late April.
Argentina, Las Lenas resort
When the season ends in Europe and the United States, preparations for the arrival of tourists are in full swing in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Argentinean resort of Las Lenhas, for example, you can ski from June to September. It is called a paradise for freeriders: there are about 250 off-piste routes. In order to ski on them without the risk of being caught by the ski patrol, you need to sign a document confirming that you understand the danger of being off the pistes. The area of Las Lenas is impressive - 17,500 hectares. But there are not very many ordinary slopes here - only 29, and most of them are perfect for beginners. Trick lovers can practice in the snow park.
Ski seasons at the most popular resorts: table
Photo: thinkstockphotos.com, flickr.com
We examined the ski resorts with the longest skiing season, and at the same time compared prices, infrastructure and additional activities.
Caucasus
Some of the best in Russia. Trails of varying difficulty are ideal for both beginners and experienced professionals. The skiing season starts at the beginning of October and lasts until the end of May. The trails located above the Gora-Bashi slope operate almost all year round.
Ski resort "Elbrus"
Season: It is best to come to the resorts of Elbrus and Elbrus in the spring. The March sun warms up so that you can sunbathe on the slopes. From January to May, the air temperature ranges from -5 to +8 degrees.
Ski resort "Cheget" - the season lasts until the end of May
In the most beautiful place of the Elbrus region, Cheget is located - one of the most comfortable ski resorts in the country and a mecca for fans of extreme skiing. The Cheget tracks are considered the most difficult not only in Russia, but also in Europe: its steep slopes are covered with crevices and rocky ledges.
Ski resort "Cheget"
Season: from early October to late May. Above the Gara-Bashi slope, if the weather is favorable, you can ride all year round.
Trails: 17 slopes and 4 lifts
What, besides the tracks: skating rink, horseback riding, tubing, disco
Artificial snow: No
A cafe: several cafes and a restaurant
Hotel: there is a hotel
Instructor services (price): 1500 rub / hour
Lift cost: day pass 1000 rubles, one-time rise 600 rubles (children under 7 years old 50% discount)
Car parking: RUB 100 / day
Address: Kabardino-Balkaria, Terskol
Ten early resorts
1. Ski resort Hand is located near the Arctic Circle in Finland. The seasons of winter sports here begin almost from the onset of autumn. Recently, the opening of the winter season at the Lapland resort begins in October. This season is slated to launch on October 14th. Until the very beginning of summer, the resort will operate at full capacity, which will take almost 250 calendar days. On Fridays, it is allowed to be on the ski slope until 11pm. True, the height difference here is only 201 meters, so the resort is more suitable for calm skiers and snowboarders.
2. Levy, Finland, popular with Russian tourists and the Finnish Levi, perhaps the largest among the resorts in Finland. Levi is located beyond the Arctic Circle. The opening of the winter season here begins in mid-October. There are already 26 ski lifts starting to operate here, about half of all ski slopes in the resort become accessible. The resort has two gondola lifts. A distinctive feature of this resort is the presence of "black" slopes. There are also facilities for children. There are four children's slopes and a special training lift.
3. Resort Hafjell, located in the Gunbrandsdalen Valley, is one of the largest resorts in Norway. The opening of this resort is due on November 19th. The resort offers the services of thirty slopes and fifteen lifts. The difference in height reaches 835 meters. So the Hafjell resort is a great choice for tourists. There is dense snow cover and lighted trails. This is the largest skiing area in Norway at night.
4. For connoisseurs of the Norwegian resort Galhoppigen you should arrange for hotel reservations in the near future. The resort is located in the eastern part of the country. The mountain slopes are already covered with snow. Everyone is waiting for its opening by the end of October. Those who like to ski on the plain will be able to visit the resort even earlier. The difference in height here reaches 350 meters.
5. Norwegian Quitfjell waiting for tourists by the end of October, if you specify, then the 29th. The resort will run until April. The resort is included in the list of the Olympic region and therefore will appeal to any athlete. Downhill competitions are held in Kvitfjell every year. The resort has another advantage: the ski pass purchased there can be used in neighboring resorts. Such as Skeikampene, Hafjele, Golo and Shusjoene.
6. In Norwegian Trysile opening is scheduled for October 29th. But this is subject to favorable weather conditions, which do not fail yet. The resort has good snow cover. True, fans of night skiing have nothing to do here until December 20. The season opens only from this date. The resort has trails for athletes of all levels.
7. Already on November 4, it is planned to open the slopes at the resort Hemsedal located in the Scandinavian Alps. The resort offers a wide range of activities: horse and dog riding, rock climbing. When choosing a hotel in this resort, it is worth considering that local hotels will give discounts on accommodation, ski pass and rental if you arrive in the first week after opening. Therefore, this is a good holiday option.
8. Oppdal not very popular with Russian tourists. And the resort opens only in mid-November. But this is a place worth visiting. The trails are divided into three ski areas, between them you can ride absolutely free. Skiba-s for hotel guests is also offered free of charge. True, in the winter season, only drag and chair lifts work here.
9. Austrian Sölden plans to open the new season in advance. Snow will be here by mid-November. The descent height reaches 3000 meters. In addition, those arriving at the beginning of the month will pay a minimum amount for a hotel room. The season is expected to start at the end of October. There is a glacier next to the slopes, where you can ski almost all year round.
10. In a French resort Tignes it snows early. The opening of the resort is scheduled for November 27. True, skiing here begins a half month earlier. The resort has many slopes of varying degrees of difficulty, so it is suitable for any athlete.
