Arkhyz - a ski resort that opened in 2013. The infrastructure here was built from scratch, including ski lifts, hotels, pistes, which is why you can be sure that the complex is modern. At the moment, the place is considered the most beautiful and popular in the North Caucasus.
When is the best time to go – skiing season
Arkhyz Park is open all year round. The winter season begins at the end of November and lasts until April.
The climate in this area is quite mild. The weather is mostly sunny. The mountain range protects the territory from cold northern winds. The lowest temperature is 6 degrees below zero. The first snow covers the mountain peaks in early November. Snow cover lasts almost the entire season and begins to melt only at the end of March.
It is best to come to Arkhyz for the New Year holidays. After all, it is at this time that, in addition to skiing on snow-capped peaks, tourists can attend various events and festivals that take place annually at the resort.
Tourist hits
Arkhyz is surrounded on all sides by outstanding natural attractions. First of all, these are beautiful mountain lakes and waterfalls. The most accessible are the Sofia Lakes, which are famous for the rich turquoise color of their water. Three reservoirs are located nearby at an altitude of 2800 meters. This is a real natural miracle! There can be snow in the mountains even in summer, so the best time for hiking is from mid-July to early September.
Foothills of Arkhyz
No less picturesque are the Dukka lakes, located at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level. They are located below Sofia, so the ice cover does not last so long. The complex includes Lake Seven Colors and three Dukki lakes. On a sunny day, the water in Lake Seven Colors shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow - hence the name. It is especially beautiful in these places in the summer, when rhododendrons bloom on the banks.
Near the village of Arkhyz there is a tiny “Lake of Love”. It is very popular among tourists because it has a characteristic heart shape. The lake is nestled on the Morg-Syrty plateau. A legend is associated with it, dedicated to the story of the unhappy love of the young man Karabek and the girl Altynkyz. It so happened that the heroine’s heart turned into a mountain lake. It is still full of love and capable of giving it to people. It is for this reason that lovers often come to the shore.
Not far from the resort is the Teberdinsky Biosphere Reserve. There are about two hundred lakes on its territory! The cascade of Baduk Lakes, consisting of three reservoirs, is very beautiful. The reserve boasts three dozen fast mountain rivers. Many of them have rapids and waterfalls. Among the largest, the Alibek and Khuty waterfalls should be noted. There is a zoo in the village of Teberda.
Zoo in the Teberda Biosphere Reserve
Of the man-made attractions, Fr. Nobody knows when and who created the huge rock icon. It was discovered in the late 90s, and since then it has become a place of pilgrimage for tourists. Alanian temples built in the 9th century are of great interest. Near Arkhyz there is an astrophysical observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It is the largest facility of its kind in Russia. Excursions are organized to the observatory. At night you can admire the stars through a telescope.
Who should choose the Arkhyz ski resort in the Caucasus
The holiday will be of interest to absolutely all winter sports lovers. In addition to the usual snowboarding and skiing, visitors to the resort can get an unforgettable experience riding an ATV or snowmobile.
The Caucasian resort of Arkhyz has a ski stadium and well-equipped areas for freestyle and freeride. There is a huge ice skating rink on the territory. Athletes of any age can skate.
Married couples arriving on vacation with children have the opportunity to leave the child in the children's center with a teacher.
You won't be bored in summer either. Guests of the resort will be delighted with a walk in the forest and an excursion to the Church Glade, where the remains of temples have been preserved. No less interesting will be horseback riding and a trip to the crystal lakes.
Tourists who are tired of excursions and sports can relax and unwind in the spa, real Russian baths and saunas. In the evening, go shopping, buy memorable gifts in souvenir shops and have a tasty snack in any of your favorite cafes or restaurants.
Boarding house Allur
Allur is a resort hotel located in the village of Arkhyz near the river. Guests can take advantage of the services of comfortable houses, a cafe-bar, Internet access, a Russian bath, billiards, an outdoor heated swimming pool and free parking.
The ski lift is located 500 meters from the boarding house. At the base there is a room where you can dry and store ski equipment. Please note that the hotel room rate includes an extended breakfast and access to the pool.
How to get to the resort
You can get to the ski center from anywhere in Russia using one of the modes of transport:
- Airplane.
The nearest international airport is located in Mineralnye Vody. The distance from it to the resort is 220 km. You can overcome it by taxi or shuttle bus. In winter, minibuses depart at intervals of 7-10 minutes.
- Train.
Direct trains from Moscow and transit trains from St. Petersburg run to Nevinnomyssk station. Upon arrival, it is most convenient to get to the capital of Karachay-Cherkessia. Travel time is 1-1.5 hours. You can get from Cherkessk to your holiday destination by minibus.
- Personal car
Residents of the Central part of Russia should move along the M29 highway, towards the station. Zelenchukskaya.
Alpine skiing in Bulgaria
Ski resorts in Bulgaria are becoming more and more popular. There are several reasons: they are relatively cheap, and there is practically no language barrier in the country.
Ski resorts in Bulgaria
| Bansko | A young base with high-quality slopes and good infrastructure. Stable snow cover persists from November to June |
| Borovets | The oldest ski resort in the country, which has twice hosted the Alpine International Cup |
| Pamporovo | The ski season is short, from December to April. The resort is also a balneological resort - there are several treatment centers here |
| Vitosha | High mountain ski resort located in a national park. Snow stays here for five months |
Arkhyz trails
The ski area at the Arkhyz ski resort is divided into 2 sections: the slopes of the Southern slope are laid on the Abishir-Akhub ridge, the Northern slope runs along the Arkasara ridge. 4 tracks received FIS certificate. Lighting has been installed on slopes Nos. 8 and 10.
Skiers are transported to the start by 4 cable cars: the Milky Way gondola, the Sputnik 4-seater chairlift, the Lunar Express chairlift with cabins for 6 people equipped with a protective dome from the rain, and the Northern Lights chairlift. cable car, with a 10-seater cabin.
The youngest and youngest skiers are transported to the Arkhyzenok children's area by a modern belt lift - Sunkid.
Length and elevation changes
The total length of the trails is 35 km, of which 11 km are laid along the Northern slope, the rest - on the Southern slope. The longest descent - 4369 m - is laid on the slope of the Arkasara ridge. The elevation difference at the ski resort is 312 m. The upper station is located at an altitude of 2240 m. There is an observation deck next to it, which offers an amazing view of the ski center and the surrounding area.
Trail map
There are 8 slopes available on the Southern slopes:
- 2 green trails, one of them is isolated (No. 10) and is ideal for training;
- 4 blue. The longest descent No. 2, 3084 m long, starts from the shore of an artificial lake and passes through a picturesque forest;
- red descent No. 4 has a length of 1710 m. It begins with a rather difficult steep section, lasting until the fork to route No. 12. The rest of the section has less sharp, but rather peculiar turns;
- 1 black No. 14, 1460 m long, suitable only for experienced skiers.
There are 6 trails open on the Northern slope:
- training - green, located between the upper and intermediate stations. From here you have a beautiful view of the mountains;
- 1 blue. The longest one in the entire resort is suitable for lovers of leisurely skiing, without much extreme;
- 3 red – medium difficulty level. Route No. 5 has a branch that takes the skier to the blue slope No. 3 or to the more difficult black route;
- black descent No. 7 begins with a difficult section with a steep angle. Only sufficiently trained athletes can master it.
Most of the routes are intertwined, which creates additional convenience for skiers.
Arkhyz Royal Resort & Spa Hotel
The presented hotel was opened in 2022 and is located in the very center of the Romantic village, right next to the cable cars and the service center. There is direct access to the ski slopes in the ski-in area.
Guests can rent one of 87 rooms. Each of them is decorated in a modern interior, equipped with new furniture and appliances. There is access to the Internet. Bathrooms with toiletries.
Every vacationer can visit a restaurant, a lobby bar, a fitness room, a children's center, a conference room, a tour desk, rental equipment for skiers and snowboarders, and parking. The pride of the hotel is the presence of a multi-disciplinary Thermal spa complex, which has a spacious swimming pool - here you will forget about fatigue and tension.
Prices
A distinctive feature of the ski center are fairly reasonable prices for accommodation and all types of services.
Ski passes/lifts
Passage through station turnstiles is only possible with an electronic pass. It is issued individually for each visitor. It contains personal data and the number of paid days of using the lifts. Personal identification at the Checkpoint occurs using the photo on the card, so transferring the card to another owner is regarded as a violation of the rules.
Prices for ski passes in rubles.
| Name | Winter season (01.12-29.12; 09.01-17.03) | Season "New Year" (30.12-08.01) | Spring season | |||
| Adult | Children's | Adult | Children's | Adult | Children's | |
| Trial (valid for 2.5 hours after activation) | 900,0 | 450,0 | 900,0 | 450,0 | 900,0 | 450,0 |
| 1 rise | 800,0 | 400,0 | 800,0 | 400,0 | 800,0 | 400,0 |
| Day | 1800,0 | 900,0 | 2200,0 | 1100,0 | 1400,0 | 700,0 |
| Ski pass for 5 days | 8200,0 | 4100,0 | 10150,0 | 5050,0 | 6350,0 | 3150,0 |
| Evening skiing | 900,0 | 450,0 | 900,0 | 450,0 | — | — |
Athletes over 65 years of age receive a 10% discount when purchasing any ski pass.
Children under 5 years old, disabled people of group I and pensioners over 75 years old use the services of the ski lifts free of charge. You can find out more about the cost of ski lifts at the Arkhyz ski resort here.
Ski and snowboard rental
There are 2 rental points in the village of Lunnaya Polyana and the village of Romantik. They form a single network, so the prices are the same. The rental cost depends on the category of equipment and season.
- The price of a complete ski set for an adult is 1100-1800 rubles/day. The VIP set will cost more: 2200-2700 rubles. in a day.
- Snowboard + boots cost 1150-1850 rubles. per day of use.
- The price of a children's ski kit varies from 800 to 1300 rubles/day.
Be sure to check the cost of equipment rental at the Arkhyz ski resort before planning your trip.
Nutrition
In all hotels you can order full meals or limit yourself to breakfast only. Meals are paid separately. The cost of full board at the resort starts from 600 rubles per person, but on average it is better to count on 1000-1200 rubles. If you choose only breakfast, its price will be 150-300 rubles, depending on the hotel and the menu offered.
In numerous cafes in the village you can enjoy traditional Caucasian cuisine. Photo: pixabay.com
In numerous cafes in the village you can have a hearty meal for 300-400 rubles, but within the ski resort the prices for food will be higher: here you will have to pay 500-700 rubles for the same set of dishes.
Reviews
A friendly group went to Arkhyz to go skiing. The resort did not disappoint us: the area is well-groomed, the slopes are quite wide and maintained in excellent condition. We belong to the category of beginner skiers, but we also managed to ski on the red-marked slopes. Most likely, professionals will be a little bored on the slopes of Arkhyz.
Modern lifts caused great delight. In just 6 minutes, we found ourselves at an altitude of over 2 km. I really liked the nature.
The only negative is that there are few hotels on the territory of the ski center. If you are a little late with your reservation, you will have to live in the village and its surroundings.
Finance
When going to any resort, first of all you should take care of a sufficient amount of cash and bank cards. This is the most profitable approach, as it ensures the safety of your funds.
How much money should you take?
In my opinion, everything here is simple to the point of banality - we are on vacation in Russia, which means we take rubles . The only thing you need to take care of is sufficient cash. Cards are not accepted for payment everywhere, although it will be difficult without them.
Bank cards
Whether the hotel will accept your card – check on the hotel booking website. I use a Tinkoff Black card. Never let me down yet. Withdrawing cash from any ATM is interest-free. Very convenient and profitable.
Ski resorts in Andorra
There are two main resort areas in Andorra, each including several villages:
1. Grandvalira is a large base in the Pyrenees, which unites the villages of Pas de la Casa, El Tartera, Canillo, Encama, Soldeu, Grau Rocha. Pas de la Casa is located literally on the French border at an altitude of 2050 meters. Democratic Encamp is a great place for those who are on a small budget but want to get into alpine skiing. The length of the tracks is 193 kilometers. Modern, hospitable Soldeu and neighboring El Tarter offer a sufficient choice of hotels.
2. Vallnord (Vallnord) – these are the resorts of Pal, Ordino, Arinsal. Pal and Arinsal are connected by a lift with a capacity of 50 people. The length of the tracks is about 32 kilometers.
Equipment rental
In addition to standard equipment rental options for adults and children, Arkhyz also has a VIP option. You can take the equipment on security: leave money or documents (passport or driver’s license with PTS).
You can rent complete sets of equipment for adults and children. Photo: pixabay.com
| Set of skis+boots+poles/snowboard+boots for 1 day | 1200 rub. for adults750 rub. for children2000 rub. — VIPDeposit: 19,000 rubles. for adults, 13,000 rub. for children, 50,000 rub. — VIP |
| Set of skis+boots+poles/snowboard+boots for 3 days | 3000 rub. for adults2100 rub. for children5400 rub. — VIPDeposit: 19,000 rubles. for adults, 13,000 rub. for children, 50,000 rub. — VIP |
| Set of skis+boots+poles/snowboard+boots for 6 days | 5400 rub. for adults3900 rub. for children 10,200 rub. — VIPDeposit: 19,000 rubles. for adults, 13,000 rub. for children, 50,000 rub. — VIP |
| A set of skis+boots+poles/snowboard+boots for each subsequent day after 6 days | 1600 rub. for adults550 rub. for children1600 rub. — VIPDeposit: 19,000 rubles. for adults, 13,000 rub. for children, 50,000 rub. — VIP |
| Set of skis+boots+poles/snowboard+boots for evening skiing | 700 rub. for adults450 rub. for children1000 rub. — VIPDeposit: 19,000 rubles. for adults, 13,000 rub. for children, 50,000 rub. — VIP |
| Snowboard | 800 rub. for adults500 rub. for childrenDeposit: 12,000 rub. |
| Snowboard Boots | 450 rub. for adults300 rub. for childrenDeposit: 6000 rub. for adults, 5000 rub. for children |
| Skiing | 800 rub. for adults500 rub. for children1700 rub. — VIPDeposit: 12,000 rubles. for adults, 5000 rub. for children, 35,000 rub. — VIP |
| Ski boots | 450 rub. for adults and VIP300 rub. for childrenDeposit: 7000 rub. for adults, 5000 rub. for children, 15,000 rub. — VIP |
| Ski poles | 250 rub. for adults and VIP150 rub. for childrenDeposit: 1000 rub. |
| Helmet | 300 rub. for adults and VIP200 rub. for childrenDeposit: 6000 rub. |
| Ski goggles | 300 rub. for adults and VIP200 rub. for childrenDeposit: 3000 rub. |
| Tubing | 300 rub. in 2 hours. Deposit: 3000 rub. |
| Skates | 250 rub. in 2 hours. Deposit: 2000 rub. |
| Support for learning to ride “Penguin” | 250 rub. in 2 hours. Deposit: 4000 rub. |
