Where to ski: 10 inexpensive destinations

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

In Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria and other European countries there are steep slides where you can have fun and not be left with an empty wallet.

1. Elbrus region, Russia

• Lift pass: from 1 600 rubles per day.
• Equipment rental: 500 rubles per day.
• Accommodation for one person: from per night.
• Flight of one person from Moscow and back: from.
• Visa: need not.

The Sochi ski resorts may not be inferior to the European ones in terms of service, but they also cost accordingly. Therefore, skiers who want to save money go to the Elbrus region - to the highest point in Europe. Elbrus itself can only be conquered by climbers, the highest altitude for skiers is Gara-Bashi (3,780 m above sea level).

Two ski resorts - "Cheget" and "Elbrus Azau" - offer slopes that are suitable for both beginners and pros. Novice skiers should choose "Elbrus Azau": the slopes there are less steep. But "Cheget" is a challenge to extremists. The difference in elevation there is 1,000 meters, and the tracks are less well maintained.

If you want to save as much as possible, you need to be prepared for the level of service a la Soviet Union. For example, a night at a camp site remote from the ski complex will cost about 400 rubles. But if you expect to live next to the highway, you will have to part with at least 1,500 rubles.

2. Dombay, Russia

• Lift pass: from 1300 rubles per day.
• Equipment rental: from 500 rubles per day.
• Accommodation for one person: from per night.
• Flight of one person from Moscow and back: from.
• Visa: need not.

Another Russian ski resort - Dombay - has been actively developing lately. A completely new cable car complex was recently opened there. It is still inferior in quality of services to neighboring Krasnaya Polyana, but it costs significantly less. 20 km of slopes and an impressive height - 1,630 - 3,012 m - will appeal to fans of steep descents and clean mountain air.

And for those who are already bored with detour routes, a special service is available: for a fee, tourists are taken to the top of the “wild” slope by helicopter, and then picked up on it.

3. Siberia, Russia

• Lift pass: from 1,200 rubles per day.
• Equipment rental: from 700 rubles per day.
• Accommodation for one person: from per night.
• Flight of one person from Moscow and back: from.
• Visa: need not.

Siberian ski slopes are not as popular as the Caucasus, but they can also offer tourists a lot of interesting things. For example, the Sheregesh ski complex near the town of Tashtagol, Kemerovo region. The steepness of the slopes in this direction is not great, but those who want to quickly and inexpensively learn how to ski, and only then go to conquer the Caucasus, can safely go there.

But you shouldn't think that Sheregesh is a paddock for amateurs. The slopes of this resort with elevation differences up to 680 m have received and still host all-Russian and Siberian competitions in alpine skiing.

4. Carpathians, Ukraine

• Lift pass: from 1,300 rubles per day.
• Equipment rental: from 150 rubles per day.
• Accommodation for one person: from per night.
• Flight of one person from Moscow and back: from.
• Visa: need not.

Ukrainian ski resorts in the Carpathians are not inferior to Russian ones in terms of cheapness and offer tourists a huge choice: there are more than 50 ski resorts in this direction for every taste and budget.

Ukraine is actively developing the construction of more and more resorts, wishing to participate in the competition for the Winter Olympics - 2022, and seeks to show its mountain tourism from its best side. The most popular local bases are Bukovel, Slavskoe and Dragobrat. The first is the most developed and most expensive, the second is for those who like to save money, and the third is the highest, so you can ride there even until May.

5. Caucasus, Georgia

• Lift pass: from 1,200 rubles per day.
• Equipment rental: from 750 rubles per day.
• Accommodation for one person: from per night.
• Flight of one person from Moscow and back: from.
• Visa: need not.

A new and modern ski resort Gudauri has recently opened in Georgia. The difference in altitude on it is 1,000 meters, the average length of the tracks is 2-3 km, and the longest slope is 7 km.

By the way, this resort may appeal not only to lovers of skiing down the slope, but also to fans of quiet skiing in the picturesque valleys. The creators of the ski complex tried to make it not inferior to European counterparts in terms of comfort and safety, so beginners and families with children can safely go there.

Another large Georgian resort - Bakuriani - has established itself since Soviet times. It cannot boast of the novelty of Gudauri, but it still attracts its loyal fans.

6. Uludag, Turkey

• Lift pass: from 1 600 rubles per day.
• Equipment rental: from 700 rubles per day.
• Accommodation for one person: from per night (all inclusive).
• Flight of one person from Moscow and back: from.
• Visa: need not.

Turkey is not only a beach holiday. In winter, she offers skiing in the mountains with elevation differences from 2,000 to 3,000 m. One of the most popular ski resorts in the country is Uludag, which is suitable for a wide range of skiers.

Even in winter, Turkey does not part with the usual all-inclusive format, so every large hotel in the mountains has its own ski lifts and makes package offers, which include accommodation, meals and skiing. The traditionally high quality of service, combined with the relative cheapness, allows Turkey to attract many Russians even in the cold season.

7. Rhodope, Bulgaria

• Lift pass: from 2 240 rubles per day.
• Equipment rental: from 1 100 rubles per day.
• Accommodation for one person: from per night.
• Flight of one person from Moscow and back: from.
• Visa: Bulgarian (2 668 rubles) or Schengen (2 668 rubles).

In Bulgaria, winters are warm and the mountains are low. But its cool tracks are suitable for beginners and family lovers. In winter, the mountains are comfortable –5 ° С. Although the level of service on the Bulgarian tracks does not match the elite Alpine resorts, the price of rest there is much less.

One of the largest ski resorts in Bulgaria - "Pamporovo" - is located in the Rhodope Mountains. For little money, they will not only provide ski equipment, but also teach skiing from the slopes. And the ski season starts in December.

8. Krkonose, Czech Republic

• Lift pass: from 2,500 rubles per day.
• Equipment rental: from 1,360 rubles per day.
• Accommodation for one person: from per night.
• Flight of one person from Moscow and back: from.
• Visa: Schengen (2 668 rubles).

Democratic prices for holidays in the Czech Republic have long attracted Russians. The visiting card of the country is still excursion, not mountain tourism. But this fact also has its advantages. After all, both types of recreation in the Czech Republic can be combined: see the fabulous winter Prague and go skiing. The mountains in the country are not high: the largest Snezhka reaches 1,602 m above sea level.

The Krkonose National Park has a whole array of ski resorts, the most popular of which are Spindleruv Mlýn, Rokytnice nad Jizerou and Pec pod Sněžkou. Another plus of the Czech Republic: among all the Schengen countries, it is perhaps one of the most friendly towards Russian-speaking tourists, so the language barrier will not be a problem.

9. Low Tatras, Slovakia

• Lift pass: from 2 360 rubles per day.
• Equipment rental: from 1 599 rubles per day.
• Accommodation for one person: from per night.
• Flight of one person from Moscow and back: from.
• Visa: (2 668 rubles).

Ski resorts in Slovakia are world-class pistes. The best of them - "Jasna" in the Low Tatras - regularly hosts international and national skiing competitions. It has 57 km of slopes, which are divided into several categories, so that both beginners and professionals will find the slope suitable for themselves. The height difference ranges from 400 to almost 900 m.

Therefore, prices in Slovak resorts are not the lowest. But the very stay in the country and the flight will be inexpensive. Near "Yasna" there is an airport - Poprad-Tatry, which receives mainly charter flights.

10. Lapland, Finland

• Lift pass: from 1,500 rubles per day.
• Equipment rental: from 1 100 rubles per day.
• Accommodation for one person: from per night.
• Flight of one person from Moscow and back: from.
• Visa: Schengen (2 668 rubles).

Finland is not the cheapest country. However, the cost of living there is partly offset by inexpensive air and train tickets, especially for residents of St. Petersburg. Finland in 2017 was recognized as the safest country in the world by The Travel & Tourism

Competitiveness Report 2017, so it is suitable for those who value quality, comfort and do not like to worry.

For those wishing to save money, the Pello resort is suitable. It is not as popular as Luosto, but the ski pass there costs not 35 euros, but 20. The slopes in both directions are long, but not too steep. And to diversify your vacation, in Finland you can ride a dog or reindeer sled.