The famous Sochi ski resort. Sochi ski resorts
10 August
There are four ski resorts in Sochi. These are Rosa Khutor, Gornaya Karusel, Gazprom and Alpika Service, although the latter is currently under reconstruction. Each of the remaining in the ranks offers a choice of tracks of various difficulty levels, from the easiest for beginners to extreme tracks for professionals.
Rosa Khutor resort
One of the most popular ski resorts Sochi. For the 2014 Olympics, the complex was completely reconstructed, and today it is the most modern ski resort in the country. A total of 39 tracks of various difficulty levels are presented on the slope, with a total length of 94 km. The difference in height is 1534 meters. 26 lifts of various types are used for lifting to a height. Thanks to modern artificial snow equipment, the skiing and snowboarding season starts in November and lasts until May.
In the summer, the resort "Rosa Khutor" offers visitors five hiking trails and three bike trails. Also at an altitude of 1350 meters above the water level there is a rope complex "Panda Park". There are three routes to choose from, one of which is at a height of 23 meters.
Route scheme.
Official site.
Features and prices
- SKI-Pass in high season(day): Adults 2 650 RUB, Children 1 300 RUB
- Hire of skis, poles and boots (day): Adults 1 400 RUB, Children 750 RUB
Gorki gorod resort
Consists of a sports and tourist complex "Gornaya Karusel", modern hotels and a complex of apartments, shops, restaurants and other infrastructure. In fact, it is an independent and independent city that allows you to enjoy active holidays with comfort and coziness. For visitors are presented 30 winter ski slopes with a total length of 30 km. Some of the tracks are illuminated, which allows skiing in the evening. Snow cannons guarantee snow until May, and 11 cable cars help skiers climb to their starting altitude. The complex has children's schools with professional instructors.
In summer, the only mountain bike trail in Krasnaya Polyana opens for tourists, and rope complexes work. It is proposed to visit the vicinity of Sochi National park on ATVs.
Route scheme.
Official site
Features and prices
- SKI-Passes in high season (day): Adults RUB 1 900, Children RUB 1,300
- Rent - skis, poles and boots (day): Adults 1 200 RUB, Children 900 RUB
Resort "Gazprom"
Most respectable resort Krasnaya Polyana, which includes the Laura complex, located on the Psekhako ridge. Its distinctive feature from the neighboring ski resorts is the gentle slope, which allows you to enjoy your ski runs on the high-speed tracks. By the way, the Russian national ski and biathlon team is based here.
The complex has 7 "green" and "blue" ski slopes for beginners, which are ideal for learning, including children. Eight "black" tracks for professionals and 8 tracks from easy to difficult for the whole family. You can move around the complex using 14 cable cars, one of which is the longest ring road in the world.
On the territory of the resort, the public and cultural center "Galaxy" operates all year round, where there is an ice arena, a water park, a cinema, a bowling alley and a billiard club. In summer, horseback riding, hiking trails and downhill slopes on cheesecakes are offered.
Route scheme.
Official site
Features and prices
- SKI Passes in high season (day): Adults RUB 1 600, Children RUB 950
- Rent - skis, poles and boots (day): Adults RUB 1 800, Children RUB 900
Sochi ski resorts are located in Krasnaya Polyana, on the slopes of the Caucasus. All of them are located near the sea, as well as international airport... There is a pleasant mountain-sea climate and an easy road to the slopes, so the resorts are very convenient for tourists. Many meet New Year in one of the ski resorts in Sochi.
The Olympic Games 2014 were held in Krasnaya Polyana. As a result, there are new high-quality tracks and lifts, well-developed infrastructure, a lot of daily housing and hotels, and a wide range of related entertainment.
Below you can see a map of ski resorts that is relevant for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
When does the ski season begin in Sochi
Since the climate here is mild, the skiing season opens in December and lasts until mid-April (sometimes until May). It is always warm in Krasnaya Polyana: in the region of 0 ... + 5 degrees. But the resort has a lot of snow. The height of the snow cover is kept at the level of 2-4 meters, and sometimes reaches 8.
Now we will tell you what ski resorts there are in Sochi.
Rosa Khutor
The most popular in Krasnaya Polyana. Suitable for families with children, experienced skiers and freeriders.
Trails. About 40 tracks of all difficulty levels. The total length of the slopes is over 100 kilometers. It was here that alpine skiers competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics. The slopes allow you to practice both regular skiing and freestyle. If you don't have a lot of riding skills, there are instructors services.
Lifts. There are 29 cable cars to choose from.
Lift pass. The price for one day ranges from 1700 to 3100 rubles, depending on the season - for example, prices increase on New Year's holidays.
Leisure. On Rosa Khutor you can not only ski, but also relax in other, very diverse ways. There is an art studio, a spa center, a yoga and massage center, a kids club, and numerous restaurants. You can also ride ATVs and snowmobiles, arrange a helicopter flight, go mountaineering or go horseback riding.
Where to stay... Choose accommodation in Rosa Khutor.
Krasnaya Polyana (former Gorki Gorod)
It can hardly be called the largest ski resort in Russia, but in Krasnaya Polyana it is the largest: it simultaneously accepts up to 10 thousand vacationers. This ski complex was previously known as Gorki Gorod and Gornaya Karusel, and since 2019 has been called Krasnaya Polyana.
Trails. There are slopes of different difficulty levels, most of them are quite short. There are 32 tracks in total, and their total length is 30 kilometers.
In general, the resort is suitable for beginners and advanced skiers who enjoy winding and steep slopes. For advanced riders, there are so-called circuses - areas between peaks.
Lifts. On the slopes, there are 13 cable cars (gondola, chair, drag).
How much does the ski pass cost? In high season it will cost 2,100 rubles per day.
Leisure. Everything is standard, but exciting: spas, fitness centers, cinema, water park, bowling, restaurants and cafes.
Where to stay... Choose housing in Krasnaya Polyana.
Gazprom Laura
At first it was a ski resort, and for the Olympics it was supplemented with the Laura ski and biathlon complex.
Trails. There are 23 slopes with a total length of about 20 kilometers. Compared to Rosa Khutor, everything is more compact here. Generally, the descents are easy and suitable for beginners. If you like leisurely skiing, this is the place for you. However, for experienced skiers, 3 tracks have been created - according to reviews, they are very impressive.
Lifts. The ski area offers 13 cable cars, one of which stretches for 5 kilometers and is one of the longest in the world.
Lift pass. The prices for lifts in the high ski season are 2500 rubles per day.
Other ways to relax. After climbing the mountains, you can relax in the pool or spa. The resort operates a trade Entertainment Center"Galaxy", where there are not only shops, but also a water park, bowling center, skating rink, billiard club, cinema and restaurants. If you want to relax actively, visit the climbing wall, ride horses or ATVs.
Where to stay. Accommodation in Adler can be booked at any time.
Gazprom Alpika
This is one of the first ski resorts in Sochi. It was undergoing reconstruction, which began in 2010. Recently, this is again one of the places where people go downhill skiing in Sochi.
Trails. This is a resort for professional skiers and those who have mastered freeriding well. It is not suitable for beginners, because there are 5 challenging tracks with a total length of 7.5 kilometers.
Lifts. There are 5 cable cars.
Lift pass. It will cost 2500 rubles per day.
Additional rest. You can arrange a helicopter flight, go snowmobiling, and taste the waters from mineral springs. Of course, there are also cafes and restaurants here.
Where to stay. You can choose accommodation in Esto-Sadok - it is very close.
Single ski pass
From the 2019-2020 season, a single ski pass will operate at all four ski resorts in Sochi. With its help it will be possible to use any track of any resort.
In a broad sense, the ski resort in Sochi is called Krasnaya Polyana, although there are no ski complexes in the village of Krasnaya Polyana itself, they start from the village of Esto-Sadok, next to which Gazprom and Gornaya Karusel are located, and end with Alpika and the most the extreme resort "Rosa Khutor".
In general, a lot has already been done for the development of skiing for the Olympics, which is natural, but even now the complexes continue to develop rapidly and compete with each other, so every year you see something new: new cable cars are being built, new tracks, hotels, all kinds of entertainment.
Cannons are now everywhere, because you cannot always count on Mother Nature. The official season lasts as long as possible from December to April and even May, but in fact we will definitely ride in February and March.
Where to go skiing in Sochi
On every visit we try to run through all the places in order to see and experience all the innovations. Actually, only 3 complexes where there are mountain slopes in Sochi are now working.
Alpika-service, the very first Krasnaya Polyana resort, is now under reconstruction. Expansion and construction are underway there, so while everything is closed, we are waiting for something grandiose. While they are selling Gazprom's ski passes and delivering them by cable car to Gazprom's routes. In general, everything seems to be heading towards unification with "Rose".
We consider Gazprom (also called Laura by the name of the river and the ski and biathlon complex) the best so far, with many European resorts he could compete, and on modern tracks, and on lifts, and on infrastructure, as always, loses only service. Complex website http://polyanaski.ru/
There is artificial lighting and snowmaking on the trails, so everything is usually fine with snow there, although the resort is located quite low.
The complex is open from 9 am to 5 pm. on weekdays and until 11 pm on Friday, weekends and holidays. There are 14 cable cars: gondolas, chairlifts and drag lifts. We did not see any special queues here.
Now there are 15 tracks of varying difficulty, but they will still open. There are excellent, gentle slopes for beginners, there are excellent "black" ones, but they are open only when the snow cover is sure.
It is very good to study on the "green" Gazprom tracks, all our novice friends and especially children got up on skis there. In general, everything here is focused on family holiday: wide slopes, non-ski entertainment such as snow tubing, go-karting, a large entertainment center "Galaxy" (cinema, skating rink, mini water park, club, etc.). The prices, I note, are not low, especially for restaurants, etc.
"Mountain carousel"
The most beautiful places here, although the resort itself is not as promoted and fashionable, and the infrastructure is not as rich as in "Rose" and "Gazprom". But it is a calmer, more democratic place. But, most likely, everything will change soon, development here is proceeding at a rapid pace, because "Gornaya Karusel" is part of the grandiose project Gorki-Gorod: modern hotels, shopping centers, water park, etc.
Recently in the "Karusel" they made evening skiing, and earlier the tracks were open only until 5 pm, there are also cannons. There are not many trails so far, only 25 km from the "green" (the training courses are very good) to the "black" ones. The complex for freeriding is very popular, i.e. off-piste skiing, which, by the way, is prohibited. A total of 13 lifts, gondola and chair.
The atmosphere here is, I repeat, quite democratic, you can easily find an inexpensive and tasty snack, for example, what else to look for at Gazprom and Rose.
"Rosa Khutor"
The most fashionable resort where you can go skiing, mostly youth, quite modern and developing. True, here, too, we encountered a boorish service, but it is clear that the level is growing. "Rose", in fact, has already gone beyond the ski complex, it exists on its own, without geographic reference to any settlement, and already, as it were, has become such a point, because there is absolutely all the infrastructure, including children's and family entertainment, and you can easily spend up to a week there, without going anywhere at all.
There are cannons, so everything is in order with the snow, there was no lighting, but we have already done the evening skiing. 18 lifts of all types: gondola, chair, drag, conveyor, there are small queues at them.
The ski area is huge, there are about 30 tracks from green to red and black, but some are closed. Here is the most spectacular ski lift in Polyana "Olympia", passing over the abyss, and even the most high point skiing - 2320 m.
View from Olympia
Infrastructure "Roses": shops, fashion boutiques, cafes, restaurants of any cuisine, hairdressers, skating rink, karaoke. Accommodation: from apartments to luxurious Radisson. Everything is expensive.
In summer, the trails are used for mountain biking, hiking and horse riding.
How to get there
Used to be the most in a convenient way there was "Swallow", but now their routes have been greatly cut, now nothing goes from the airport, we have to look for options.
If we go to Rosa or Gazprom, we get off at the Rosa Khutor station, i.e. the final, and if in "Karusel" - you can still get off in Esto-Sadok and get to the complex on the free Karuseli bus.
Train schedule
Alternatively - a taxi, from the Address will cost 1200-1500 rubles, or buses (from the center of Sochi, Adler and the airport).
Residence
In general, an expensive resort is probably the most expensive in Russia, and ski resorts are traditionally even more expensive than beach ones. Although there are not only 5-star hotels, there are enough 2-3 * accommodation, apartments, and even the private sector, but the prices still, let's say, do not always correspond to the quality of service.
The cheapest accommodation option is Adler private sector, but you have to regularly travel to the mountains, so this is only suitable for the variant with a car.
Text: Alice Poe
After the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, the ski resorts of Krasnaya Polyana have changed. Now they are in no way inferior to their counterparts in the European Alps: professional tracks, modern equipment, fitness centers, restaurants and decent rooms - whatever your heart desires. ParkSeason talks about three main ski resorts to start your mountain exploration with Krasnodar Territory.
"Rosa Khutor"
Rosa Khutor is perhaps the most popular ski resort in Krasnaya Polyana. The slopes are equipped with 23 lifts. Some slopes are designed for freestyle, others for piste skiing. It is convenient for athletes of any level to ride here, as there are tracks of varying degrees of difficulty. The total length of the slopes is 77 km. Those who do not know how to ski or snowboard can hire a personal trainer, or enroll in the Egorka school with group lessons.
Resting here is not a cheap pleasure. On the territory there are as many as 14 places to stay - chalets for large companies, apartments, as well as hotels of the highest category. During the season, the cheapest room will cost 4,000 rubles, and renting a house in the mountains for 15 people with service is 100 thousand rubles a day. All objects were built specifically for the Sochi Olympics, which took place here in 2014.
The resort boasts a spa, yoga and massage center, art studio, kids club and numerous restaurants. In addition to skiing, you can entertain yourself with helicopter flights, riding ATVs and snowmobiles, winter fishing, horseback riding, mountaineering and other outdoor activities.
"Gorki Gorod"
Gorki Gorod is considered the largest ski resort in Krasnaya Polyana and can accommodate up to 10 thousand vacationers at a time. It grew out of the Gornaya Karusel ski complex, which was opened here more than 15 years ago. During the 2014 Olympics, a media village was located in Gorki Gorod, where sports journalists from all over the world lived and worked.
The resort is located on several levels, the highest point of descent is at the peak of the Black Pyramid mountain of the Aibga ridge - it is 2340 meters above sea level. For skiing, there are 30 kilometers of ski slopes of various difficulty levels, including illuminated slopes for those who like to ski in the evening and slopes with artificial snow in case of bad weather. There are 11 cable cars for the ascent. You can learn to ski in three instructor schools; there is a separate ski club for children.
Accommodation is available in 11 hotels and apartment complexes. The cheapest accommodation will be in the Gorki Gorod apartments at the level of 540 meters, the minimum room rate will be 2220 rubles per day. If there is no need for savings, then you can stay in the five-star hotel "Rixos Krasnaya Polyana Sochi" with a panoramic view of the mountains and the price per room from 6400 rubles. The resort has spa and fitness centers, a water park, a cinema, billiards, bowling and the Gorky Gorod Mall.
Gorki Gorod also sells ready-made thematic programs for recreation - for example, wellness or corporate trips.
Gazprom-Laura
Gazprom's year-round resort opened in Krasnaya Polyana eight years ago, and by 2014 it was replenished with the Laura ski and biathlon complex. During the Olympics, biathlon and cross-country skiing competitions were held here, and after the games, the complex turned into a permanent training ground for professional athletes.
There are 13 cable cars here, one of which, the 5-kilometer 3S, is one of the longest in the world. The slopes are divided into different levels of difficulty, seven slopes are illuminated. In addition, there is a system for creating artificial snow on all tracks, so unexpected warming will not spoil the rest.
The resort has three hotel complexes: five-star "Grand Hotel Polyana" (there are rooms, but there are separate villas), four-star "Peak Hotel" and high-mountainous "Polyana 1389 Hotel and Spa". The cost of living starts from 2750 rubles ("Peak Hotel"), but the trip will be much more profitable if you track Special offers on the site and buy ready-made vacation tours with meals included, excursions and a ski pass.
You can relax after skiing in the local spa, swimming pool or Galaktika shopping and entertainment center, where, in addition to shops, there is a water park, an ice rink, a bowling alley, a billiard club, a cinema, restaurants and a scientific and educational center for children.
Fans of outdoor activities can visit the climbing wall, ride horses or ATVs, go go-karting or rent a segway. There are hobby clubs for children.
As soon as winter comes, many people have a question: how and where to spend the weekend? Someone might say that in winter there is no interesting entertainment... But if you have visited a ski resort at least once, then you probably already know that you can also deal with frosty days. active sports, you can enjoy ice skating, skiing, etc. Love for winter sports should be instilled in both adults and children. It is enough just to spend a day or two in interesting place... Modern ski resorts in the city of Sochi are at your service.
An overview of the most interesting, most popular ski resorts in Sochi
Meet with the best places, which have already conquered fans of cross-country and downhill skiing, skating, snowboarding. Even those who love to ride snowmobiles and cheesecakes will find entertainment to their liking. Ski resorts the cities of Sochi are considered a paradise for those who adore leisure... They literally beckon to themselves. There is for everyone here The best way pastime.
Sochi resorts are glad to meet everyone who is eager to have a good rest, who loves extreme sports, who just wants to be in nature away from noisy and gas-polluted megacities. All winter sports are represented here. It is not for nothing that Sochi is called the pearl city of the Krasnodar Territory. If you look into history, you can find out that during the USSR, Sochi was considered a symbol of prosperity and prosperity.
Today, the presented resort offers tourists a number of invaluable opportunities - active recreation for professional athletes, amateur skiers. Resort recreation areas abound with all kinds of entertainment, rich cultural programs, exciting excursions around historical sites, attractions, etc. Among all the ski resorts in Sochi, Krasnaya Polyana stands out.
It is worth noting that this is the only resort in the world that is so close to the sea. Successful geographic location allows vacationers to enjoy an unusual mixed climate - mountain-sea. The presence of the airport nearby is an additional plus, since getting to the ski resorts of Sochi is really simple and easy, all the tracks and roads are well equipped. Getting to the resort is easy:
- By plane. An international airport is located about forty kilometers from Krasnaya Polyana. The communication is fine.
- By train. Many trains reach Adler, Sochi and even the ski resort.
- By car, bus. This kind transport without problems gets along convenient routes from Adler, Sochi. You can use the services of a private taxi or public transport.
If you want to enjoy skiing, better place you will not find. According to the guests of Krasnaya Polyana, here truly dizzying entertainment awaits every extreme. One has to think that these ski resorts are a real adrenaline rush.
History of ski resorts in Sochi
Many are interested in when and how they appeared skiing in Sochi. This sport came to us from the West, in the "dashing" 90s. This sport was and remains an elite one. In 1992, the Alpika-Service organization built the first ski lift. The idea found a response in the hearts of many extreme lovers. Skiers began to come to Krasnaya Polyana. At the very beginning of its foundation, this resort was far from the Swiss or Austrian resorts. But already in 2007 the situation changed radically.
If it had not been for the decision to hold the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, this place would have remained a semblance of a ski resort. Then an incredibly many different possibilities opened before the "Krasnodar pearl". The tracks were improved, new lifts were built. The sports infrastructure has moved to a different level. Not only hotels appeared, but also luxury ones entertainment complexes... Interestingly, even after the end of the 2014 Winter Olympics, the resort is still developing, and this development is proceeding at a rather active pace.
Description of resorts
If we are talking about the Krasnaya Polyana ski resort, then it should be noted that there are two villages and four complexes. Interestingly, the village, after which the resort was named, is located farthest. Esto-Sadok is closer. Behind it, one can immediately see the slopes of the mountains on which such famous sports complexes as Gazprom, Rosa Khutora, Gornaya Karusel, Alpika-Service are located. All entertainment stretches over 11 kilometers.
Dissatisfied guests of the resort often complain about what the complex could do for everyone single subscription... But this has its own plus. So sports complexes can fight for their tourists, offering them more opportunities for successful skiing and entertainment options. So, as noted earlier, the ski resort includes 2 sports complex, each of which has its own characteristics. Ski resorts:
- Alpika-Service is one of the oldest ski resorts presented in Krasnodar Territory... When the Olympic Games were held here, the emphasis was on freestyle and bobsleigh competitions. It is important to note that the stages of the Russian Cup in winter sports are held in this place every year. The total length of 15 skiing trails is 25 kilometers. Experts note that it is here that there is almost the largest drop in the world, which is 1698 meters. The double-chairlift pleases with special convenience cable car... There are five lifts. In addition to skiing, it offers helicopter flights, snowmobiling, horseback riding, you can visit mineral springs. Mountain peaks know how to surprise guests. In addition, there are many cafes, restaurants and snack bars here.
- Rosa Khutor is the largest ski resort in Russia on an Olympic scale. Many winter sports enthusiasts note that it is Rosa Khutor that is in the greatest demand. Everything you need is here modern equipment, conditions for freeriding, there are different tracks for trained athletes and for amateurs. As additional entertainment presented ice rink, bars, restaurants, night club, souvenir shops, fashion shops, spas, hairdressers, etc.
- Gazprom is a large and at the same time the youngest family-type mountain tourist complex. Its second name is Laura (this is the name of the local river). This complex is more suitable for beginners, so there are many “green” slopes, which are notable for their gentleness. In total, there are 16 tracks, with a total length of 15 km. The environment of additional entertainment is represented by a social and cultural center called "Galaxy", where you can visit a bowling center, a water park, a cinema, an ice arena, bars, restaurants. It should be noted that thanks to its diverse, highly developed infrastructure, Gazprom has become incredibly popular among tourists.
- Gornaya Karusel is the first spacious complex chosen by both professionals and beginners in winter views sports. If you have an average level of training, then the Mountain Carousel is unlikely to be of interest to you. Freeride lovers will certainly be delighted with a special area for them. All nine tracks are internationally recognized. Their length is 12 meters. There are 28 lifts. Interestingly, in the Mountain Carousel, snow lies until the first summer days... This is the main attraction. Guests of the resort can choose from different excursions to the Olympic Park, the "Russian hills" (a complex of trampolines). Festivities of a mass character, fairs, and show programs are often held here.
Many athletes try to visit all sports centers, and only then they choose the one that they liked more than others.
Ski season in the ski resorts of Sochi
Before going to Krasnaya Polyana, you should find out that local climate differs in sufficient softness, this is due to high temperatures, close to the sea. Therefore, it is important to understand that ski season here is not so long. It lasts from December to April. Average daily temperatures range from 0 to 5 degrees. The resort is covered with wet heavy snow. Of course, this moment complicates the off-piste descent. Freeride proponents often talk about this. In some places, the height of the snow cover reaches eight meters, while on average it is about two to four meters.
Residence
It is not difficult to find suitable housing in two villages, in existing complexes. Tourists can choose from a variety of hotels, hotels, private cottages. If you decide to stay in Krasnaya Polyana, where all the entertainment infrastructure is concentrated, then be prepared for the fact that you will have to get to the mountain slopes. The road will take no more than 20 minutes. The second settlement, Esto-Sadok, is located closer to the slopes and can be reached on foot. There are also new hotels here (their construction was timed to coincide with the Olympics), but the infrastructure is poorer.
The separate town "Gorki Gorod" is of particular interest. It is located in the area of the Gornaya Karusel complex. Here you will find restaurants, shops, cafes and cinemas. There is even a water park. There are also good living conditions directly in the Gazprom and Rosa Khutor complexes.
