9 best ski resorts in Russia

*Review of the best according to the editors. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective, not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to purchase. You should consult with a specialist before buying.

Russian ski resorts are not much inferior to European areas for outdoor activities and winter sports. Our experts evaluated the quality of slopes, prices for hotels and skipass, and found out where are the best places for tourists in the mountain areas.

Rating participants were selected according to the following parameters:

1. The development of infrastructure;
2. convenience of location;
3. types of tracks;
4. price level;
5. tourist reviews;
6. opening period.

The most popular ski resorts are in Sochi. They were built for the Olympics in 2014. A lot of people want to rest in Krasnaya Polyana. We must take into account that it is not possible to spend time here on the budget.

To save money, we advise you to book hotels in advance. Tours to Siberia and the Urals is more profitable to buy through agencies.

Ranking of the best ski resorts in Russia

Best expensive ski resorts in Russia

The first nomination includes ski resorts, the average price of which starts from 20 thousand rubles (1 day).

Elbrus, Kabardino-Balkaria

Rating: 5.0

Opening the rating is a resort with unique beauty spots. Incredible nature and majestic mountains amaze imagination. Tourists flock here every year to enjoy the beauty of the views and the fresh air. Getting here by plane to the airport in Mineralnye Vody.

Guests note a lot of cafes with national dishes. The hotel is advised to book in advance, during the peak season all hotels are busy. To a small minus we attributed the lack of entertainment at night. stores do not work after 10 pm. However, this drawback is almost completely covered by the free narsan, spas and swimming pools. A day of rest will cost the tourist about 25-30 thousand rubles.

Advantages

• Good food in the cafe;
• picturesque places;
• The purest air;
• healing mineral springs.

Disadvantages

• little entertainment for young people at night;
• the huge number of people in the peak season.

Rosa Khutor, Krasnaya Polyana

Rating: 4.9

Krasnaya Polyana complex rightfully takes second place among other ski resorts. The place is notable for its unique climate, which creates optimal conditions for freeride. you can always go down to the sea and palm trees to enjoy the warm spring air. Enjoys a lot of options for hotels. If you want you can check into a 5-star hotel. There are 20 elevators of different types in Rosa Khutor. There are 35 trails as many as 77 km long.

It is easy to get here by plane from Moscow to Sochi. Open Resort from January to April. Skipass costs about 7-10 thousand rubles for 5 days, and a set of skis – 1400-1900 rubles for 1 day. Due to high prices for accommodation, tourists will spend about 38-39 thousand rubles for a day. It is this factor did not allow us to put the resort on the first place in the rating.

Advantages

• beautiful views;
• cleanliness and well-groomed;
• Modern infrastructure;
• Convenient schedule of public transport;
• A wide variety of trails and elevators.

Disadvantages

• high prices.

Sheregesh, Kemerovo region

Rating: 4.8

Sheregesh complex was opened back in 1981. The number of tourists a year is about 980 thousand people. Trails run along the Zelenaya mountain. At its foot there are more than 50 hotels and inns. There are 19 different types of elevators. Tourists choose the resort for a large amount of snow and the opportunity to ski off-piste.

Judging by the reviews, this place has a gorgeous panorama, there is all the necessary infrastructure. This is a great option for an active vacation. Spichenkovo airport in Novokuznetsk is a 3-hour drive from the complex. For a day will have to pay about 25-26 thousand rubles.

Advantages

• Healthy active rest;
• positive atmosphere;
• gorgeous panorama;
• a good choice of trails;
• a lot of snow.

Disadvantages

• very cold in the mountains;
• expensive in cafes and hotels.

Abazkovo, Bashkiria

Rating: 4.7

Next in the rating is one of the most visited places, which is located 60 km from Magnitogorsk. A modern ski resort works from December till April. There are 13 trails with a total length of 18 km, snowmobiling and skating rink.

Tourists choose the resort for the presence of a professional biathlon piste, a winter fan park, a good location and the affordable cost of ski passes. We also noted the developed infrastructure of the complex, water park, zoo and bowling. You won’t be bored in Abazokovo. The disadvantages for guests include a small parking lot and slow chairlifts. A day of rest at the resort will cost about 22-24 thousand rubles.

Advantages

• A huge amount of entertainment;
• easy to get to;
• fresh air;
• beautiful scenery.

Disadvantages

• slowly working elevator;
• little parking space.

Khibiny, Kirovsk, Murmansk region

Rating: 4.6

Next place in the rating belongs to a resort on the Kola Peninsula. The snow here never melts, so the season starts in the fall and ends in the summer. Tourists find the most comfortable time from March to May. In December you can watch the polar night, when the mountain slopes light up with a magical glow.

To come to Kirovk, you first need to fly to Murmansk. Among the pluses are lighted slopes, the possibility of renting a helicopter, the presence of bars, cafes, swimming pools, baths. You’ll have to pay about 20 thousand rubles for a day.

Advantages

• More than 50 km of tracks;
• 5-6 hours from Moscow;
• A lot of entertainment;
• Mountain view from each room.

Disadvantages

• unpredictable weather.

Russia’s best mid-priced ski resorts

In the second category we have included complexes, the average price per day in which is less than 20,000 rubles.

Dombai, Karachaevo-Cherkessia

Rating: 4.9

The location of the resort is very popular. It is located on the territory of the reserve and impresses by the majestic nature. You do not need to bring your own skis, you can rent them inexpensively. There are 14 different slopes in the complex. Season starts in the middle of November. Ski rental costs 500 rubles, a ride on the cable car – 200 rubles.

Judging by the reviews, there are no queues at the elevators. The lodges have all the necessary amenities and modern renovations. Local cuisine deserves special praise. It takes only 2 hours to get to the mountain area by plane from Moscow to Mineralnye Vody. One of the most accessible ski resorts costs about 13-15 thousand a day.

Advantages

• You can get there from the capital very quickly;
• reasonable prices;
• gorgeous views;
• rooms with conveniences;
• delicious cuisine;
• different kinds of trails.

Disadvantages

• no serious disadvantages.

Zavyalikha, Chelyabinsk region

Rating: 4.8

Every year the slopes of Zavyalikha are literally filled with fluffy snow. 10 ski slopes are located on the border of Europe and Asia. They differ in types and levels of difficulty. The season starts in the middle of November and lasts till April. Nearby is a nature park with horseback riding, hiking, and rock climbing. The cost of a ski pass for an adult 200-300 rubles per hour.

Beginner skiers can use the services of experienced masters. Private lessons cost 170 rubles per hour (in a group). One can get here by plane to Ufa, then by train to Vyazovaya station and by regular bus. Judging by the reviews, there are a lot of people here on holidays.

Advantages

• beautiful views;
• long trails of varying difficulty;
• great elevators;
• nature park with entertainment.

Flaws

• large queues on holidays;
• long commute.

Bobrovy Log, Krasnoyarsk

Rating: 4.7

Next in the ranking is a large ski resort with 14 pistes and a training slope. Eight of them are certified by FIS technicians. Chairlifts take guests to mountain peaks. It takes 5-7 minutes to get there. Snowboarding and skiing training centers are open for all doers.

Rental of ski equipment, equipment is provided for visitors. Passes can be bought at a discounted price. Operating Spa complex “Kolodets” with a sauna, bathhouse, lounge and hydromassage. Bars, cafes and a restaurant complex are open in the area.

Advantages

• there are beginner’s slopes
• convenient location;
• picturesque places;
• Plenty of cafes and entertainment.

Disadvantages

• Sometimes it can be very crowded (not enough places in the cafe).

Belokurikha, Altai

Rating: 4.6

In the Smolensk region of the Altai Territory there is a complex that combines a ski resort and a therapeutic balneological center. It is more convenient to get there via Barnaul. Open season from November to April. Tourists choose this place for its sunny and windless weather, fresh air, high-service health resorts. Skiing competitions are often held here. About 5000 people relax in the complex at the same time.

There are reviews of poor preparation of the slopes, slow elevators, lack of infrastructure near the mountains. Prices in Belokurikha are moderate. Rent a snowboard costs 250 rubles per hour, a pass for all the elevators – the same amount.

Advantages

• clean resort area;
• a lot of attractions;
• beautiful nature;
• there is a sanatorium;
• optimal weather.

Disadvantages

• lots of people
• There are few heating points and stores near the mountains;
• slow elevator;
• mixed reviews about the quality of the slopes.