In Russia, the areas of beach recreation are the Krasnodar Territory and the Kaliningrad Region.
The Krasnodar Territory attracts with affordable prices, warm sea, beaches with pebbles or sand, gentle sun, bright landscapes, healing mineral springs, fresh clean and warm air.
The Krasnodar Territory is washed by the waters of two seas – the Black and Azov. The territories in the north are occupied by plains covered with steppes, in the south – by mountains with huge forests.
The climate of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus varies from temperate continental (on the territory from Anapa to Tuapse) to subtropical (on the territory from Tuapse to Adler). The first type of climate is characterized by clear, dry, hot summers and relatively cold winters with strong winds. The second is subtropical with wet summers and warm winters.
The main resorts of Krasnodar Krai are Yeysk, Anapa, Gelendzhik, Sochi, Tuapse and Adler. In total, there are about 25 resort towns and villages on the Black Sea and Azov coasts. The beaches at the resorts are sandy and pebbly. There are many possibilities for accommodation – from houses with no amenities to four-star hotels.
According to TOP-MEDICAL-SCHOOLS, the Krasnodar Territory is also famous for its natural and cultural monuments. Among natural monuments, mud volcanoes, waterfalls, numerous rocks of bizarre shapes, mineral water outlets, and gorges attract attention. Each boarding house, hotel and recreation center offers a large number of excursions to the most interesting places in the region.
The Kaliningrad region occupies a part of the southern coast of the Baltic Sea and is separated from the main territory of Russia by land borders of foreign states. Tourism is one of the most promising sectors of the region’s economy.
Rest in the Kaliningrad region has a number of advantages – a mild climate, healthy air, golden sandy beaches stretching along the coast for 30 km, monuments of national and world history, a developed entertainment infrastructure… There are many cafes and restaurants, they brew excellent beer and tasty food.
Sea beaches in Zelenogradsk, Sokolniki, Svetlogorsk, on the Curonian Spit and in the Baltiysk region enjoy the greatest success. The main health resorts of the region are located in Svetlogorsk. Once a small seaside town, it became the center of a large resort and gained immense popularity.
The Curonian Spit and Sokolniki are best for relaxing alone. The Curonian Spit is a wonderful creation of nature, which has no analogues in the Baltic region. On a narrow strip separating the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon, a national park was created, striking with its many-sided dune relief, greenery of forests, white sandy beaches. In three villages located on the territory of the Russian part of the spit – Lesnoy, Rybachy and Morskoy – you can stay for rest both in private mansions, in camp sites or in rest houses. Opportunities for recreation are very diverse – these are beach, educational, water, walking, fishing, scientific tourism.
Climatic features and the presence of local healing mineral waters and peat mud create opportunities for the treatment of patients with cardiovascular diseases, disorders of the nervous system, musculoskeletal system and some other diseases.
The main ski regions of Russia are the Khibiny, the Urals and the Caucasus.
Ski tourism and snowboarding in the Khibiny mountains have a relatively short history. Holidays in the Khibiny are attractive for many reasons: mild winter, the duration of snow cover (from mid-November to mid-May), stable situation in the region, reasonable prices, good transport links.
The Khibiny Mountains have gentle convex slopes and flat plateau-like peaks. The mountain ranges are dissected by deep gorges and valleys, along the bottom of which, squeezed by sheer rocky walls, streams and rivers run. On the slopes there are glacial cirques resembling huge bowls. The height of the Khibiny Mountains does not exceed 1200 m. The center of skiing is the city of Kirovsk. For skiing, the slopes of three mountains are mainly used – the northern and southern slopes of the Aikuaivenchorr mountain range (1010 m) and the slope of Kukisvumchorr mountain (1141 m). For beginners, Sparrow Mountain near the city of Apatity is a good place for skiing. Ski lifts are located on the Aikuaivenchorr and Kukisvumchorr mountains. There are many trails of varying difficulty. On the northern slope of Aikuaivenchorr, the slopes are varied in steepness and relief. The total length of the trails is 30 km. There are 28 tracks in total, of which 3 are green, 10 are blue, 10 are red and 5 are black. Most of the trails are 1.5-2 km long and the elevation difference is 450-600 m. There is a chair lift and 5 drag lifts. For beginners there is a ski school. In addition to the main ski slopes, there is a mogul track, freestyle jumps, 70 and 90-meter jump jumps, a ski stadium, and an ice rink. The southern slope of Aikuaivenchorra is the most modern ski base in the Khibiny. The trails are about 3 km long, the elevation difference is 550 m. The slope of Kukisvumchorra is more sporty and extreme. The highest point in this area is 890 m, the elevation difference is 520 m. There are three drag lifts. The main advantage of this route is low prices for equipment rental, housing and meals.
The disadvantage of all trails is poor lighting.
In the Khibiny, conditions have been created for fans of extreme skiing. This is a climb up the mountain – on foot or delivery by helicopter, accompanied by an experienced instructor, and then descending along untouched virgin snow.
The main area of skiing in the Urals is its southern part. The resorts of Adzhigardak, Zavyalikha, Abzakovo and Metallurg-Magnitogorsk are located here, offering first-class conditions for skiing.
A distinctive feature of the Adzhigirdak resort is its mild climate. It is located near the city of Asha in an amazingly beautiful area, among picturesque forests. The slopes of the peak of the same name, the maximum height of which is 734 m, have been turned into excellent tracks. For full-fledged skiing, 10 slopes are equipped with a length of 500 to 2,500 m; of which 4 are green, 3 are blue and 3 are red. The elevation difference is 350 m. There are seven drag lifts. New equipment can be purchased at the base, and rentals are also available. The season runs from December to the end of March. Everything you need for a comfortable stay is provided in cozy alpine houses with all amenities.
The Zavyalikha resort is located near the mountain of the same name. The height of Mount Zavyalikhi is 860 m, it rises 430 m above the surrounding area. There are 7 slopes for skiing, including 1 green, 1 blue, 4 red and 1 black. The relief of the slopes is slightly unfortunate – at the beginning the slope has a sufficient slope, about 500 meters, but the roll-out is too long and gentle. The minimum length of the descent is 900 m, the maximum length is 3000 m. There are 3 lifts. On the territory of the complex there is an equipment shop, as well as a rental office. The development of the resort does not stand still. Trails are being built, the mountain is being equipped with equipment, exploration and planning of the southern slope is underway, the construction of a snow park is planned. The plans include 40 slopes of various difficulty levels and 12 lifts. The construction of a snowmaking system is already underway. The season runs from December to the end of April.
Abzakovo is located 60 km from Magnitogorsk. This is one of the most beautiful corners of the Southern Urals and a real ski kingdom. The health and sports complex “Abzakovo” has ski slopes of all categories, including slalom and giant slalom tracks, an artificial snowmaking system, an indoor water park, a mini zoo, evening skiing, all types of accommodation, and offers the services of professional instructors. The tracks are located in the spurs of the ancient Ural Mountains, the maximum height of which in this area is 820 m. The length of the slopes varies from 170 to 2780 m. There are 13 slopes in total, of which 6 are green, 4 are blue, 3 are red. There are five lifts. At the foot of the slopes there is a guarded parking lot, a left-luggage office, a medical center, a sports equipment store, a newsstand. For those who want to relax and have a bite, there is a cafe, a bar and barbecue houses. The skiing season lasts from mid-November to the end of April. Abzakovo annually hosts competitions in snowboarding, slalom and other sports.
Metallurg-Magnitogorsk is a new ski center on Lake Bannoe. Crystal clear lake, unique aroma of the air, beautiful mountains create excellent conditions for relaxation and treatment. The center opened in 2003, so it does not yet have its own accommodation options, and tourists live in the nearest rest houses and sanatoriums. The first high-speed gondola lift in Russia operates here. The ascent in an eight-seater cabin to the top of the mountain takes about 6 minutes. So far, 3 tracks are used for skiing: 2 green and 1 red. In the future, it is planned to open 6 more routes. The maximum height difference on the existing slopes is 450 m. They are equipped with an artificial snowmaking system.
Opportunities for skiing are also created on the mountains Yezhovaya and Egoza. The ski complex on Mount Ezhovaya is located 100 km from Yekaterinburg on one of the peaks of the so-called Merry Mountains. On the territory of the Merry Mountains, next to the complex, there is the Visimsky Reserve. Proximity to the city, convenient access, high level of service have made this dynamically developing center popular in the Middle Urals. The height of the mountain is 556 m. On its slopes there are 5 pistes with a length of more than 1000 m and a drop of about 270 m, and 7 lifts. Mount Egoza (height 607 m) is located 150 km from Yekaterinburg. There are no accommodation options at the foot of the mountain, only cafes, rentals and ski lifts. There are 3 pistes with a length of 1450, 1350 and 1800 m. There is also a special children’s piste with a length of 250 m. The slopes are serviced by two lifts with specific tow bars, which can be rented from the organizers of skiing.
The mountain system of the Caucasus Mountains stretches for 1100 km between the Black and Caspian Seas.
The Elbrus region is the highest part of the Caucasus Range. This area is one of the three largest ski resorts in Russia. The unique opportunities of the Baksay Valley are a mecca for skiers from many countries of the world. Here you can find a lot of interesting things: skiing from the mountain with a snowcat, snowboarding, extreme skiing, heli-skiing. The ski season here starts in November and lasts until April. In the Alpine zone, snow lies until May-June.
For skiing, the slopes of Elbrus (height 5643 m) and Cheget (height 3700 m) are used. The slopes of Cheget are considered among the most difficult in the world’s ski resorts; in Russia they serve as a standard of complexity. This resort is known as a venue for all-Russian and international competitions in alpine skiing. There are 15 pistes on Cheget, mostly blue, red and black, and are famous for their steepness and unevenness. The maximum height difference is 1140 m. Mount Elbrus is the highest point Russia and Europe – consists of two peaks of an extinct volcano: the eastern, 5621 meters high, and the western, 5642 meters high. The highest and most accessible point for skiing is “Shelter 11” – 4200 meters. On the slopes of Elbrus there are 6 slopes with a height difference of up to 2000 m.
Dombai famous for its magnificent landscapes, trout lakes and narzan spring. This resort is located at the foot of the Main Caucasian Range in the Dombai Valley, which is part of the Teberdinsky State Reserve. In winter, the thickness of the snow cover in this area reaches two meters, and in some years even much more. The average temperature in the period from December to February in the Dombai glade is -5 o C, on sunny days in February the air temperature over the dazzling snowy slopes can reach +15-18 o C, which allows you to sunbathe and ski at the same time. Snow in the valleys falls in October-November, the snow cover sets in November, and melts around mid-April. Best time for skiing: December-April. Dombai is located at an altitude of 1600 m above sea level. The mountains in this area reach heights of 3000 – 4000 m. 18 tracks of varying difficulty have been laid. There are 12 lifts: 5 chairlifts, pendulum-cable and 6 drag-towing.
Krasnaya Polyana is a young but dynamically developing ski resort. The microclimate of Krasnaya Polyana is distinguished by two important factors for good skiing: mild winters and heavy snowfalls. The average temperature in January-February at the foot of the slopes fluctuates around 0 oC. The snow cover in the lower part of the slopes (at an altitude of 550-600 m) is usually established by the second decade of January, and by March it reaches a thickness of 2 m or more. The duration of the skiing season depends on the height and varies from three months (from January to March) on the first stage of the chair lift to six (from November to early June) – on the fourth stage. The resort is located at an altitude of 550 m above sea level and is surrounded by mountains up to 3000 m high. The trails are suitable for both professionals and beginners. Most of the tracks are red and blue with a height difference of up to 960 m. There are 5 drag chair lifts and four successively arranged cable cars with double chairs. For true fans of extreme skiing, special programs are offered that are valid until mid-July: descent along the wooded rough slopes, heli-skiing and ski extreme. Sochi, boat trips on a yacht.
The shortcomings of the resort include quite frequent thaws, the likelihood of rain, in the spring (April-May) damp and heavy snow.
The Tsei Gorge is the pearl of the North Caucasus, located on the territory of North Ossetia. The gorge is formed by two ridges: Kalperovsky and Tseysky, located in a horseshoe shape, which is why the area is sometimes called the Tseyskaya Horseshoe Mountains. The lowest part of the Tsei Gorge is located at an altitude of 1300 m above sea level, the highest point – Mount Wilpata – has a height of 4646 m above sea level. Snow in Tsey falls quite early. Already in late October or early November, in the upper reaches of the gorge, the slopes are covered with snow, which sometimes remains until the end of winter. Sometimes it falls even at the end of September and does not melt anymore.
Most of the winter (3.5 – 4.5 months) is dry, crystalline snow. Snow melting begins in the first decade of April, at the same time avalanches and rockfalls descend. The length of the main route is 2.4 km, the height difference is 500 m. There is a new chairlift. The non-extremity of the ski slope and the absence of thousands of parties are many times compensated by the silence, magnificent nature and relatively low prices of the resort.
