Have you ever thought about coming to Russia for a ski tour? If you have, read this carefully.

Why is skiing in Russia so attractive? It is almost wild.

If you are sick and tired of posh European ski resorts which attract thousands of skiers from around the world, if you want to struggle with the mountain and be prepared to deprive yourself of any comfort this is the right place to come.

This first article is on the North Caucasus opportunities. Articles on the Urals, North and Far East ones will follow.

RUSSIA’S NORTH CAUCASUS The Krasnodar Territory

The most popular Russian ski resort is Krasnaya Polyana (near the city of Sochi). It lies on the Southern side of the Main Caucasus Ridge 42 kilometers away from the Russian Black Sea coast. This favorable position accounts for its mild climate. The average winter temperature is slightly below zero. Moist air easily turns into snow here. That’s why this place always enjoys its abundance.

Light and slick snow promises fantastic skiing. Especially forest and powder free-ride.

Apparently, the Russian President – who positions himself as a heavy skier – made Krasnaya Polyana so popular. His residence Bocharov Ruchey is not far away. People say he is frequent here. The resort is growing fast; the prices follow suit. It is best looked after in Russia and enjoys good promotion in the media. You may have heard that Sochi is holding a large-scale PR campaign to win the 2014 Winter Olympics bid. To cut the long story short, Krasnaya Polyana does its best to meet European ski resort standards. However, there is still a long way to go.

The four-level ski lift system brings you up to 2228 meters. The lowest point to reach is 540 meters. The ski resort offers a variety of pistes from blue (540-790 meters and 790-1144 meters), red and black ones (1144-1500 meters and 1500-2228 meters) to off-piste. All pistes except for the 1500-2228 meters are groomed. The season starts in November and lasts till June. Heli-ski is possible.

Most hotels are situated on a lawn in the valley and a trip to the ski lift will take you up to 15 minutes.

How to get there? A 2-hour flight from Moscow to the Adler airport near Sochi. Then an-hour drive up in the mountains by taxi. If you take an early flight you’ll have the chance of skiing right on arrival.

The Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria

The Elbrus region is famous for Elbrus proper and Cheget which is further down the Baksan Gorge.

Firstly, about Cheget. It is 3700 meters high; the elevation change is 1000 meters. There is a very old three-level ski lift system originally built in the 1960s. It includes a one-seater and a double-seater chairlifts at the first level and a one-seater chairlift at the second one. A greasy rope tow will drag you up through the third level and make your outfit dirty. In high season you are likely to experience 20-minute long queues there. This mountain is not groomed at all. Forget Europe.

Forget snowcats. They don’t live here. It is hard to identify where the piste goes and where it does not. The notorious Cheget bumpy slopes have gained a sort of reputation among Russian skiers. The slopes are steep and mainly of black and red categories. Obstacles are waiting for you everywhere – fallen trees, huge rocks and frozen waterfalls as well as decayed rope tow installations make the landscape surprisingly picturesque. When speeding down the slope be prepared to jump over an old steel-wire rope or a broken chair. Free-ride is something special. If you are here to experience the Cheget powder, walk up the mountain and dive into the avalanche-hazard circus. This is a pure skiers’ mountain. Absolutely wild. A rare snowboarder feels comfortable here.

I bet you’ve got the idea. Wanna test yourself, your skiing skills and physical condition? Come here. The scenery is absolutely fantastic! Glacier-covered peaks, white snow and utter silence (except for the squeaky lift) will hardly leave you indifferent.

If you board you should conquer Elbrus. This Europe’s highest mountain (5642 meters) with the elevation change of up to 2000 meters has two funiculars and a lift. Additionally, if you want to get higher pay some 100 rubles to the snowcat driver. Here you are. Elbrus stands a bit to the side of the Main Caucasus Ridge so it offers a marvelous view of the ridge. It is a nice place to start skiing and perfect your boarding techniques. In summer local enthusiasts set up a summer camp up there.

But be patient! Long queues are everywhere. You know who is to blame? Right, as usual - snowboarders. Since the lift systems are absolutely imperfect (see above) and snowboard boots are flexible boarders manage to outrun skiers and jump the queue. Actually, there are two queues. One of ordinary people, the other of those with privileges granted by the ski lift guys. Make friends with them. Heli-ski is also possible. No, I’ll put it like this – heli-ski is strongly recommended.

Most hotels are located on the so called Cheget lawn 2100 meters above the sea level. It was formed by a deadly avalanche in the 1970s. Accommodation is much cheaper than in Krasnaya Polyana. There are nice three- and four-star modern hotels next to the ski lift as well as ones built in the Soviet times. Stay there to experience it all!

How to get there? A 2-hour flight from Moscow to the Minerlanye Vody airport. Then a 3-and-a-half-hour drive by a minivan or a taxi. Every taxi driver knows the way. Just name your hotel.

The Republic of Karachayevo-Cherkess

The village of Dombai lies 1600 meters above the sea level. This is a unique place. It has gained a reputation of the Pearl of the Caucasus. The Dombai landscapes are fascinating. Wide narrowish slopes with nice green fir trees let your forget about all problems and enjoy your life. It can even compensate for minor drawback such as insufficient pistes, long queues and ramshackle infrastructure.

An interesting fact! In 1942-1944 the headquarters of the German alpine troops were deployed in the occupied Dombai.

Dombai cannot boast a lot of extreme pistes. Most of them are wide, narrow and of a blue category. But if you are an advanced skier you will like speeding right through the Dombai forest. Unforgettable! The ski resort is not that far from Elbrus helicopterwise. Spend one day flying over it. Heli-skiing goes without saying.

The highest point is 3002 meters, the lowest is 1630 meters. The elevation change is 1382 meters. A total length of trails makes up to 20 kilometers.

The ski resort has 4 chairlifts, 6 rope tows and a funicular lift.

How to get there? A 2-hour flight from Moscow to the Minerlanye Vody airport. Then a 4-hour drive by a minivan or a taxi.

More info on Russia's skiing opportunities in:
- Skiing in The Urals, part 1
- Skiing in The Urals, part 2
- Skiing in Russia's North

Artiom Ganin

See his other articles