Ski resorts are becoming more and more popular every year in Russia. Especially this year, during the Coronavirus era, when travel to many overseas resorts has become less affordable.
A trip to a ski resort in winter is not only about sports. Some ski resorts have something to do for ordinary tourists as well. (For example, in Krasnaya Polyana.) There are restaurants and night clubs. Popular artist concerts are often held at these venues during vacation days.
The period from about December 29 to January 10 is the days of the New Year and Christmas holidays, school holidays in Russia. We recommend booking hotels and buying tickets in advance if you plan to visit Russia (ski resorts) on these days.
Among the most popular ski resorts in Russia are usually called: Krasnaya Polyana, Arkhyz, Dombay, Khibiny, Mount Belaya, Sheregesh.
Krasnaya Polyana
There are several ski resorts there, not far from Sochi, in the mountains, near the village of Krasnaya Polyana: Krasnaya Polyana, Rosa Khutor, GAZPROM. The resort has many hotels of different levels of comfort. (The best places in the best hotels are ranked first, so we recommend booking them in advance.)
Sochi Airport (Adler) is located at a distance of about 40 kilometers. You can get there both by public transport (bus, electric train) and by taxi. Taxis can also be ordered in advance.
You can buy tickets to Sochi here.
Links to proven hotel booking services.
"Casino Sochi" is located near the ski resorts "Krasnaya Polyana" (gambling zone in the village of Krasnaya Polyana). Fans of gambling from all over Russia come here. There are also restaurants on the territory of the casino, and concerts of famous artists are held here.
The Sheregesh ski resort
The Sheregesh ski resort is located in the Kemerovo region, at a distance of 160 kilometers from the city of Novokuznetsk. The nearest town is Tashtagol. The resort has 15 slopes and more than 20 lifts.
Despite the fact that there are quite a few hotels and cottages near the ski resort, it is better to book your accommodation in advance for the winter holidays.
The nearest airport, Spichenkovo airport, is located near the city of Novokuznetsk.
Buses from Novokuznetsk and Novosibirsk to Tashtagol usually call at Sheregesh.
You can also book a transfer in advance (including a minibus).
The Dombai ski resort
The Dombai ski resort (Dombai glade) is located on the territory of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains.
There are many options for trails of varying degrees of difficulty, which are suitable for both experienced and novice skiers. Ski lifts are also available.
Lermontov Mineralnye Vody International Airport (MRV) is located about 200 kilometers from the Dombayskaya Polyana ski resort.
Ski resorts in Kirovsk
There are also ski resorts in the small mountain range of the Khibiny, in northwestern Russia, in the Murmansk region near the city of Kirovsk.
There are two popular resorts near the city of Kirovsk (Murmansk region).
The Bigwood ski resort is located on the slopes of the Aykuayvenchorr mountain. (Only 1.3 kilometers from the center of Kirovsk.)
The Kukisvumchorr ski complex is the second most popular in the Khibiny. It is located on the slopes of Mount Kukisvumchorr.
The nearest airport, Khibiny airport, is located at a distance of about 35 kilometers, near the city of Apatity. (Here you can order a transfer from the Khibiny airport.)
If you are planning to go on a ski weekend or ski vacation, we recommend that you prepare in advance. Moreover, you can find air tickets, order a transfer from the airport to a ski resort, book accommodation and buy a ski pass in advance, online.
There are ski resorts near big cities, in the Moscow region and the Leningrad region. But the weather in these regions is not guaranteed to be suitable for skiing, even in winter.
Moscow
There are more than 10 ski resorts in the Moscow region. Among the most popular are usually called: "Volen", "Yakhroma", "Stepanovo", "Sorochany", "Spas-Kamenka", ski club Leonid Tyagachev, ski club Guy Severin, ski club "Olympus". (The nearest are located at a distance of 40-50 kilometers from Moscow.
There is also an indoor, year-round ski center "SnezhKom" near Moscow.
Learn more about Moscow.
St. Petersburg
The territory surrounding St. Petersburg belongs to the Leningrad Region. There are several ski centers in the Leningrad region, not far from St. Petersburg. These are (for example) ski resorts Igora, Okhta Park, Zolotaya Dolina.