Aimed at the development of the republics of the North Caucasus. The history of its creation reflects the basic principles of organizing the construction and functioning of the latest tourist facilities: planning at all stages and using only the latest technologies, including in the field of engineering protection.

Introduction

Natural conditions

According to its climatic characteristics, Arkhyz surpasses most of foreign and domestic mountain resorts: there is no sweltering heat and searing frosts - the average annual temperature is + 5 ° С, the average temperature in July is +15 ° С, in January - + 5.5 ° С. For comparison : in the resort of Krasnaya Polyana, the average annual air temperature is twice as high due to the hotter, up to + 35 ° C, summer, although in winter frosts are frequent down to -10 ° C. Winter in the valleys of Arkhyz lasts about four months, starting, as in most famous alpine resorts , in the second half of November and ending in March. Autumn and spring are short, colorful, mostly dry, with little rains in early May and November. Summer is long and very sunny.

Arkhyz - mountainous region of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic with a total area of \u200b\u200babout 40 thousand hectares, belongs to the northern slopes of the Main Caucasian Range. The Arkhyz Valley is located between 1440 m and 3790 m above sea level. The highest points are the Pshish and Sofia mountains. The valley has 60 glaciers, more than 70 mountain lakes and 12 waterfalls. The main waterway is the Bolshoi Zelenchuk River, which is about 170 km long.

Thanks to these climatic features, as well as the considerable length of daylight hours (from 6 am to 7 pm) and the unique nature, Arkhyz was recognized as an attractive investment site for creating an international-class resort for a comfortable family vacation. The positioning of the future resort as a family resort, that is, intended for skiers of any level of professionalism and for training beginners, became decisive when choosing a future construction site: these are wide valleys of the Arkhyz and Phiya mountain rivers (Zelenchuk district) with soft slopes and smooth elevations. Note that there are three resorts for beginner skiers in Russia - the Elbrus region, Solnechnaya Dolina in the South Urals and Rosa Khutor in Krasnaya Polyana.

Ski cluster

In 2010, after the creation of the state corporation "Resorts of the North Caucasus" (KSK), the territory of the Arkhyz gorge was included in the North Caucasian tourism cluster, and after evaluating the work carried out on the basis of the principles of public-private partnership (in 2009, the construction of the Romantik village began), became its pilot site. According to the project, by 2025, seven special economic zones will be created in the region and seven new world-class ski resorts will be built: Lagonaki (Krasnodar Territory and the Republic of Adygea), Arkhyz (Karachay-Cherkessia), Elbrus-Bezengi (Kabardino-Balkaria), Mamison ( North Ossetia, Alania), Matlas (Dagestan), Tsori and Armkhi (Ingushetia), as well as beach resorts on the Caspian Sea coast (Dagestan).

The Caucasus is still a popular tourist destination - the slopes of Elbrus and Dombai have been deservedly loved for decades. However, the new project will radically change the scale and quality of recreation at the ski resorts of Russia: ski lovers, whose number is estimated at 5-10 million people a year, will be able to choose a vacation spot from thousands of kilometers of well-equipped slopes with 250 lifts and use the services of a hotel cluster at 167 thousand places. For comparison: annually more than 400 ski resorts located in the French Alps (6 thousand km of equipped slopes and over 4 thousand funiculars and lifts) receive about 15 million people, of which about 50 thousand are Russians.

The first stage of the Arkhyz resort creation required the solution of a significant number of problems associated with the undeveloped territory. In 2008, the Sinara group, the investor and operator of the project, signed an investment distribution agreement with the government of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, according to which the government assumed obligations for the construction of the main supply infrastructure - road construction, electricity, gas and water supply, construction of treatment facilities. Within the framework of the project, Sinara Group was building its own recreational infrastructure. The French consortium Gorimpex Sarl, Dianeige, BDO MG Hotels & Tourisme won the tender for the development of a master plan for the integrated development of a ski complex with a service system (they also own the completed project of the Krasnaya Polyana resort near Sochi).


To enlarge, click on the image

Resort project

In accordance with the general plan, a modern all-season tourist and recreational center (VTRC), which allows combining winter and summer types of tourism with comfortable rest, will include four tourist villages with 30 thousand accommodation places. Three villages will be located in the valley of the Arkhyz River - this is the already functioning "Romantic", "Moon Valley" and Dukka; another settlement - Phia - will appear in the valley of the river of the same name.

It is planned to connect tourist villages with a single system of ski slopes and cable cars, which will allow vacationers to move freely between settlements and sports themed spaces - tracks, ice rinks, jumps, a ski stadium, areas for snowboarding, freestyle and freeride, rafting trails. The design of the villages is based on the ski in - ski out principle, which ensures the most comfortable outdoor activities: it will be possible to ski to most of the tourist infrastructure.

The resort is supposed to create 264 ski slopes of varying complexity with 69 lifts and a total capacity of 140 thousand people per hour

The total length of the projected tracks of the Arkhyz resort will be about 1,100 km, which is more than twice the length of the tracks of the French "Three Valleys" (the famous ski resorts of Courchevel, Valtarens and Meribel). It is assumed that after the resort reaches its design capacity, the tourist flow to Arkhyz will exceed 500 thousand people a year - this is approximately twice as many as the number of guests who visited Krasnaya Polyana resorts this Olympic year.

The first stage of the Arkhyz VTEC, the Romantic settlement, has been receiving tourists since 2013. The resort is located on a 20-hectare site in a valley between the Abishir-Akhuba and Gabulu mountain ranges, on the left bank of the Arkhyz river. The project of the resort village was developed from an environmental standpoint, and this made it possible to preserve the natural landscapes and the unique nature of the gorge as much as possible when creating infrastructure and building a complex of buildings designed in a single style - an administrative center, a restaurant and hotels (hotels "Romantic-1" 4 * and "Romantic 2 "3 *, total housing stock - 105 rooms).

The resort has four ski slopes with a total length of 7.3 km with the necessary technical and service base: two of the simplest level of difficulty ("green"), one simple ("blue") and one track of an average level of difficulty ("red"), received in 2013 certificate of the International Ski Federation (FIS), which allows holding international competitions in alpine skiing on it.

In winter 2013/14, 35,000 tourists visited Arkhyz-1650, 98,000 ski passes were sold. For comparison: the largest domestic ski resort "Rosa Khutor" with nine lifts and 72 km of slopes in the Olympic winter 2013/14 received more than 100 thousand guests, and a year earlier - 73 thousand.

After the end of the 2013/14 winter season, a summer vacation program, Arkhyz Park, began to operate on the territory of the Arkhyz resort. In addition to the hotels, a tent city for 200 places equipped for comfortable living was opened, horseback riding and jeep riding, walking accompanied by experienced guides, bus excursions to local natural and cultural attractions - ancient Alanian temples were organized. For tourists, a mountain rope park, several outdoor pools, a summer cinema, as well as paintball and volleyball clubs were created. Both cable cars operated in an excursion mode, bringing tourists to a panoramic observation deck at an altitude of 2200 meters. During the summer season, the resort received over 40 thousand guests.

The infrastructure of the first stage of the all-season recreation center "Arkhyz" is expanding every year: this winter there will be tubing trails, a new chairlift will start working; In the summer, the construction of trails and lifts began on the northern, more snowy slope of the valley, which will increase the skiing area to 14.5 km. And in the near future, six more hotels, a spa center, and a restaurant complex will be added to the facilities listed above.

Natural hazards and engineering solutions

The territory of Karachay-Cherkessia is exposed to a wide range of dangerous natural phenomena of a cyclical nature: flooding of a flood and storm, mudflows and landslides.

The area of \u200b\u200bthe Arkhyz resort is no exception - in the upper reaches of the Arkhyz river, mudflows are predicted annually, in spring there are often powerful floods, and for the southern slope of the Abishir-Akhuba ridge and the slopes of the valleys of all tributaries of the Ptysh river, where it is planned to build new tourist villages of the Arkhyz resort , characterized by high avalanche activity

Another problem is the complex, water-saturated clay soils of the Arkhyz river valley. Such soils are mobile, moreover, they strongly and unevenly change their volumes during freezing / thawing, which can lead to uneven settlement of the foundations of buildings and structures and their destruction.

The described risks, as well as the need to minimize anthropogenic impact on natural landscapes, required the use of a wide range of engineering protection solutions. At the stage of construction of the main supply infrastructure, traditional technologies were used - strengthening with a sand-gravel mixture of soft soils when laying the Arkhyz-Dukka road leading to the resort and using especially strong grades of asphalt to cover it, as well as the construction of a 2-km protective dam when laying the Zelenchuk- Arkhyz-Dukka - and more modern engineering solutions.

In particular, an interesting engineering solution was applied when laying a high-voltage power line Zelenchukskaya-Lunnaya Polyana near the village of Nizhnyaya Yermolovka: the wires were mounted on guy wires fixed on different sides of the gorge.

As a result, the protected forest was preserved, and the cables cutting to a depth of one and a half meters reliably strengthened the slopes

The specificity of the ski resort has also led to special attention to some types of risks.

Firstly, these are the risks that arise during the use of lifts. To ensure safety to compensate for the mobility of water-saturated soils, pile foundations were used for all supports and structures. And for the installation of the lower station of the gondola-type cable car, the specialists of the Gorimpex group developed a new technology, which made it possible to prepare a pile concrete foundation of the structure during daylight hours and erect a completely assembled 70-ton structure on it. The foundation of the upper station was poured with concrete from a helicopter due to the difficulties with laying roads on the above soils.

Secondly, these are the risks that arise while riding. Safety depends, in particular, on the height of the snow cover, which must be at least 1.5 meters. However, due to climate warming, the height of the snow cover in the Arkhyz valley is much less - 5–26 cm. Therefore, last season, as part of the test operation, four mobile systems of artificial snowmaking were used, which provided the necessary amount of snow for the “blue” track and the foot of the slope near the lift ... And this summer, the installation of 93 stationary snow-generating structures from Demaclenko began. Their work will enable the operation of the slopes to begin even at relatively high daytime temperatures and will extend the 2014/15 winter season by at least a month.

At the current stage of the development of the resort, great importance is attached. According to Yu. B. Starkov, General Director of Arkhyz-1650 LLC, stable snow cover in the village of Arkhyz (1500 m) forms by mid-December and melts by mid-March. On the mountain slopes of the resort, this period stretches from October to May, depending on the exposure and altitudes. The average height of snow cover during the winter season increases with rise: from 70-80 cm for 1500-2000 m and up to 200 cm for 2500-3000 meters. Although these data vary greatly depending on the type of winter in terms of snowfall, the area of \u200b\u200bthe complex located above 2200 m is subject to the greatest avalanche danger.

Since by now the construction of the resort's cable cars has reached this height, special attention has been paid to the creation of maps of natural risks for the territory of the complex. This work is carried out by experienced European experts, participants in the projects of avalanche protection of ski resorts in the Olympic Sochi. On the basis of their conclusions, the main directions of protection of the developed territories will be determined. At the moment, to protect the systems of artificial snowmaking and lighting of trails on the southern slope of the Abishir-Akhuba ridge, snow-retaining structures are being installed at elevations of 2250–2490 m above sea level.

Perspectives

The construction of the all-season mountain resort of Arkhyz is still far from completion, but already now we can say with confidence that its implementation is going well. The experience gained during the preparation for the Sochi Olympics, affecting all stages of creating a modern ski resort - from competent investment placement and design to the use of the latest technologies for laying communications, erecting buildings and structures for recreational infrastructure in conditions of natural risks, allows the participants of the Arkhyz project to act dynamic and efficient. Thanks to this, the current "Arkhyz-1650" is an attractive vacation spot and at the same time a unique construction site of a new type.

Both of these circumstances have a beneficial effect on the investment climate and labor market of Karachay-Cherkessia - construction and maintenance work is carried out by contractors registered in the republic, and only local residents work at the resort itself. Currently, in order to increase the tourist flow to the ski resort, projects are being considered for creating an airport in the village of Zelenchukskaya and laying a modern Cherkessk-Adler highway. Each of these projects can have a significant stimulating effect on the economy of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic as a whole. From this point of view, it can be said that the initial goal of the implementation of the project “All-season tourist and recreational center“ Arkhyz ”, namely, the transformation of the subsidized region of Russia into a self-sufficient and sustainable development, is quite achievable, and reaching the full capacity of the resort will become an important milestone on the way the economic situation both in Karachay-Cherkessia and throughout the North Caucasus.

Such a wide variety of landscapes, as in Russia, is rare in the world, and this feature is an excellent opportunity for the development of ski tourism, for the creation of trails of all types within one country. This is not to say that this opportunity is not being used. In Russia now you can count more than 300 equipped ski resorts and centers.

But the bases at the disposal of Russian alpine skiing fans are quite different from each other. The variety depends on the number and length of trails, their steepness and surface conditions, the number and type of lifts, technical equipment and service infrastructure, on which the quality of the trails themselves directly depends. The infrastructure includes evening lighting, systems of artificial snowmaking, leveling and compaction of snow. The availability of equipment repair points, medical assistance, food, entertainment increases the overall quality level of the ski center.

But a large number of tracks is not always a sign of a high class. Sometimes a couple of natural, well-snow-covered slopes, not equipped with any lifting mechanisms, cause more positive emotions for skiers than hills, cut by many "bald", hummocky or icy slopes. That is why Russia still has a fairly large number of "semi-wild" slopes, which have a single snowcat as a technique or are not equipped at all. These can be bases of an almost flat nature, which are popular with local residents (in the European part of the country) or located in the steep mountains of the Urals or Altai, for experienced extreme skiers, lovers of long journeys for the thrill. A general description of ski resorts of various quality levels is given in table 1.

Table 1
Classification of Russian ski resorts by quality and price criteria


Evaluation of the price category of a particular base depends on the completeness of the base with equipment and personnel, which is reflected in the final prices for the use of lifts. Prices, in turn, depend on the type of lift (chairlifts, drag lifts, etc.), as well as the steepness and length of the descent. But often prices are simply set at the level of local market averages, regardless of whether the base corresponds to the chosen price level. The organizers are guided by the occupancy of the slopes, and therefore skiing on weekdays is usually cheaper than on weekends and holidays. More "advanced" bases offer various options for combining payment, depending on the family composition and the duration of the ride.

As for service options, mid-level ski resorts always offer basic equipment rental, instructor services, a first-aid post, an insulated locker room, parking, and food points. Bases of a higher class offer almost exactly the same range of services, only the main thing - responsibility - is added to their declaration: that is, the guards really guard the cars in the parking lot, the staff on the track advises the skiers and helps in using the lifts, and also controls their smooth operation. If the base is located far from settlements, options for direct accommodation on its territory in small hotels or chalets are offered.

The most frequent negative feedback on the work of Russian ski resorts is the discrepancy between the prices of the service provided. Almost all economy-class ski resorts, as well as many mid-level centers, often overestimate their real capabilities - the quality of the infrastructure, the number of existing slopes and lifts do not correspond to the declared ones, the ski track may be shorter and worse in quality, the equipment breaks down, electricity, which causes difficulties with reading trips on ski pass cards and much more. At the same time, the staff is most often not prepared to solve the problems that have arisen.

But it seems that the patience of Russian vacationers is limitless. Despite the unsatisfactory conditions, most ski resorts (especially on weekends) are packed to overflowing with skiers, which creates meter lines for the lifts and contributes to the replenishment of the number of disgruntled visitors. Not everyone, having confidently mastered skiing or snowboarding, can go “freeride” the expanses of the Altai mountains or go for a drive abroad, to French and Swiss resorts. However, the number of ski centers continues to grow gradually, and those slopes whose potential is not being used sufficiently will be expanded or they are planned for reconstruction.

So, by the 2012 season, the first stage of reconstruction of the Orekhov Kamen base, which is located near the city of Bratsk, in the Irkutsk Region, should be completed: it is planned to commission a cable car there. The second stage of the reconstruction involves the construction of three ski slopes, a biathlon track, a skating rink, starting houses and an overpass.

Also the famous ski center "Sobolinaya Mountain" near Baikalsk (Irkutsk region) is undergoing reconstruction. Now the maximum attendance of the center is 3 thousand people a day, but it is reached only on some weekends of the winter season. The organizers see the reason for the weak filling in the lack of infrastructure. Therefore, it is planned to build new extended ski slopes, an observation deck, picnic areas, a children's center, a cottage village, a hotel complex (in total, for 160 places). In 2012, it is planned to create the third stage of the artificial snowmaking system, for which 3 to 6 snow cannons will be purchased, as well as the construction of an entertainment center. It is assumed that from 2017 in the winter seasons on the renovated resort, in the construction of which more than 1.3 billion rubles will be invested. in two stages, 5 thousand tourists will come daily.

The Olympic Park base in Ufa is also being set up. In 2013 Ufa will host the International Winter Games. In particular, the Olympic Park will host alpine skiing competitions, in particular, alpine slalom and cross-country skiing on a special track. The construction of a new building for a children's and youth sports school for alpine skiing with an area of \u200b\u200babout 3 thousand square meters has already begun. One of the main goals of the reconstruction is to equip new ski slopes and expand the existing ones. In addition, a new ski slope will appear in the area of \u200b\u200ban unfinished 120-meter springboard.

Until 2016, a program for the development of the Sheregesh complex (Kemerovo region) has been developed. As part of this program, new lifts will be built, hotels and catering points will open. In addition, the construction of new entertainment facilities is planned on the territory of the ski resort.

The tourist zone "Turquoise Katun", located in Altai, is being improved. The project provides for the construction of a wide-ranging entertainment complex, which includes the construction of a ski complex with ski lifts, ski and toboggan slopes, observation platforms and cafes, as well as a ski school. The total cost of the Turquoise Katun project is over 15 billion rubles. It was planned that the center will receive the first tourists by 2012, and in the future the tourist complex will be able to be visited by up to 95 thousand people.

As for new construction, the most ambitious projects are planned in the Caucasus regions. The press is widely discussing grandiose plans for the construction of a number of international-class ski resorts in the southern republics of Kabardino-Balkaria, Adygea, Dagestan, Karachay-Cherkessia, North Ossetia, Ingushetia and Chechnya. All these new centers will be included in the tourism cluster, the development of which is managed by a specially created company OJSC "Resorts of the North Caucasus" (KSK). The cost of creating the first five resorts is estimated at 451.44 billion rubles. (about 15 billion dollars), of which 60 billion rubles. allocates the budget of the Russian Federation for the creation of infrastructure and engineering networks. The construction will be carried out by the Rizzani de Eccher holding from Italy.

True, the initiators of the construction faced opposition from Russian ecologists, who call on the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to remind the Russian authorities that the territories selected for the construction of ski resorts are classified as specially protected natural areas. In particular, activists argue that if Russia does not abandon plans to build a ski resort on the Lagonaki plateau, then in 2013 the World Heritage Committee will send a special commission to Russia for verification. In turn, representatives of the "Resorts of the North Caucasus" declare that construction is going on with the approval of all authorized organizations.

table 2
List of ski complexes and resorts under construction and projected in Russia, by region




Source. Monitoring ABARUS Market Research.

To date, KSK has signed agreements with investors totaling more than $ 18 billion: among large investors, in particular, the French bank Caisse des Depots et Consignations and Nafta Moskva, but there is a queue of investors wishing to participate in this large-scale project continues to grow. Thus, in June 2012, the Chinese conglomerates China Oceanwide Holdings Group and Dalian Wanda Group confirmed their plans to invest about $ 3 billion in the development of North Caucasian resorts.
There are also less pompous projects in Russia. The construction of new ski resorts is planned in various parts of the country. Information about the most famous projects is shown in Table 2.

/ Prospects for the construction of ski centers in the Urals
The Ural region has begun to create conditions for active winter recreation on a large scale. Several skiing centers are being designed and built here.

The picturesque nature, numerous spurs of the Ural mountains, the intersection of the main transport routes make the area very attractive for vacationers, and therefore for investors. Investing in the construction of ski resorts is a tempting but expensive direction in investment activities. Nevertheless, the idea of \u200b\u200bcreating modern ski centers here that are not inferior in quality to foreign ones is gradually being implemented, mainly thanks to Moscow companies.

Chelyabinsk region

It seems that the Chelyabinsk region is seriously going to claim the title of "Ural Courchevel". In the near future, it is planned to build 5 large complexes here. Investors from Italy, who decided to invest about 100 million euros in the modernization of the Miass "Sun Valley", are interested in other projects in this area. In particular, they were attracted by the possibility of building a full-fledged ski complex in Zlatoust.

Experience has shown that there is a demand for services in this area, and considerable. In the Chelyabinsk region, there are about 20 skiers. But, oddly enough, there are not enough resorts with a decent level of service and high quality tracks. Even the regional championship in alpine skiing is held on the territory of the neighboring republic - in Bashkiria.

For the Chelyabinsk region, the new resorts would be a good economic help. The development of tourism infrastructure in the field of active recreation could breathe new life into economically depressed cities. A decision was made to build five large European-class ski centers in Kuse, Ashe, Satke, Zlatoust and on Zyuratkul.

The complexes being designed and under construction are primarily intended for tourists from the Chelyabinsk, Orenburg, Sverdlovsk regions, and, of course, from Bashkiria. In addition, if prices and service meet the needs of the audience, the Chelyabinsk region will receive an influx of tourists, enticing tourists from the expensive resorts of the Caucasus, the Carpathians and the Tien Shan. By the way, this year the Chelyabinsk Region for the first time in its history was awarded the "Silver Crown" for its contribution to the development of inbound tourism in Russia.

« "(City of Kusa)

Location

In the South Urals, the city of Kusa, located 180 kilometers west of Chelyabinsk, was the first to feel revival. In 2007, a long-term construction was finally completed here - the Kusa-Zlatoust road was opened. The road significantly reduces the distance between cities. So, from Yekaterinburg to Kusa the distance is now 300 km.

The location of the complex is unique. It is being built at the junction of two parts of the world, practically in the center of the country, which is reflected in the name. The center of the ski resort is Mount Kopanets, which is located 4 kilometers from the regional center. The area is picturesque, nearby there is a tributary of the Ufa River named the Ai River.

The Kusinsky district attracted investors, since, although it is small, it is the most densely populated among the districts of the Chelyabinsk region. Its borders are invaded by the western section of the Taganai National Natural Park, from where it is planned to lure some tourists in the summer, since the complex will be designed for year-round operation. In the summer season, the resort will pay off from the profits from the rise of people to the top of the mountain on which the restaurant will be located. In addition, a beach area will be equipped, rafting on the Ai River will be organized, and some of the trails will be re-prepared for mountain bikes.

Project

The project of a ski center with a large-scale name provides for the construction of a system of ski and ski slopes with chair lifts - in the end there should be 12 of them, a hotel with 450 beds, a cottage village, a sports and fitness center with a swimming pool, technical services. It is planned to complete the construction of 4-5 routes by the beginning of the operation of the first launch complex.

Scheme of trails of the center of active recreation "Eurasia"

The project began in 2003, thanks to the efforts of a Moscow construction company. Ski slopes were cut on the northern and southern slopes of Mount Kopanets. Highest point is 610 meters above sea level, and the bottom 310 meters. The project of the complex provides for the creation of slopes of varying degrees of difficulty, designed for children, and for "average" skiers, and for very experienced professionals. The steepness of the slopes ranges from 8 to 32 degrees. The volume of investments in the creation of the tourist and sports recreation complex "Eurasia" will amount to about 60 million dollars. It is assumed that the implementation of the project will create about two thousand direct and indirect jobs, the center is expected to pay off within four years.

The uniqueness of the project is that it is being implemented completely from scratch. Although such centers are usually characterized by the practice of emerging on the basis of existing infrastructure.

When will they open?

According to the most recent information, it is planned to open a new ski complex in the Kusinsky district already in the 2010-2011 season. At present, the cable car is ready, the construction of a rental building is nearing completion, a gas boiler room has been launched, equipment has been installed in the building of the restaurant's kitchen-cafe. It is noteworthy, but the decision to open it stalled due to the eternal Russian problem - the quality of the access roads to the GLC.

Fresh photos from the construction of the complex by Alexander Gotovtsev.

And this is how the slopes looked in winter 2009-2010

"Two valleys" (Asha)

Location

New ski resort « Two valleys»Is planned to be erected on Mount Adjigardak, which is located a few kilometers from the city of Asha. Mountain Ajigardak is a well-known place among skiers - on its southern slope there is an operating GLC. But it is no secret that the existing ski resorts in the southern Urals are practically not developing, and the demands of the skiers for the level of service and quality of the slopes are growing every year. Therefore, on the neighboring slope, it was decided to build a new modern ski center called "Two Valleys".

SLC project "Two valleys"

The project of the new ski center in Ashe envisages cutting of 22 slopes. They will be equipped not only with a system of snow cannons, which will help to extend the season in winters with little snow, but also with a lighting system, which will allow fans of night skiing to practice here. The total length of the tracks will be about 65 kilometers, the height difference is 450 meters. As for the lifts, the project envisages the installation of ten tow-towers and chair structures. Hotels with a capacity of about six thousand people will be built at the foot of the mountain.


SLC project "Two valleys"

In addition, the project, which took four years to develop, involves the creation of a ski stadium with a shooting range for biathlon competitions, as well as a snowboard and tubing training ground. The construction of the resort requires an investment of 80 million euros. An agreement has already been reached with Mosstroyeconombank, which is ready to provide funds for the creation of the resort.

When will they open?

The timing of the start of construction has not yet been officially announced. But the project for the construction of the ski complex "Two Valleys" has already been approved by the town planning council. At the meeting of the working group under the Government of Russia during the presentation of the Comprehensive Investment Plan for the modernization of the city of Asha in the Chelyabinsk Region, the main emphasis was also placed on the construction and operation of the two valleys ski complex. This project has already received approval from all possible commissions. In case Asha successfully joins the City Modernization Program, the city will receive an investor represented by Vnesheconombank, as well as budget funds will be allocated for co-financing.

GLC in Satka

The unnamed project is still in development. They started talking about him more than 6 years ago. The district administration sees the development of ski tourism as an excellent opportunity to diversify the district's economy, which has been relying on the mining industry for so many years. A special complex project for the construction of a tourist and recreational center on the territory of Satka was presented at the VIII International Investment Forum "Sochi-2009". It is designed for the future until 2020 and is expected to provide employment in the field of tourism for about five thousand people! But only healthy skepticism casts doubt on the fact that five thousand local unemployed with their mentality and level of education have a desire to provide a European level of service at the new ski center ...

By the way, at the Sochi forum, the Satka region received a grant for the development of tourist facilities. But there are no serious investors yet. The construction of the ski area is estimated at $ 70 million. After the development of the project, things did not get off the ground. This area is attractive for the construction of a skiing center because of the uniqueness of its natural appearance, the presence of a sufficient number of slopes of various textures, large elevation differences, a huge number of attractions: Zyuratkul is located here, and the Porogi listed in the list of specially protected zones of the world, and Ignatievskaya caves, and the very first dam. It remains to find sources of funding.

GLC in Zlatoust

Location

The 70-kilometer Urenga ridge passing through Zlatoust, according to the authors of the project, can be an excellent place to create a new resort. The protected area still retains all the beauty of the wild. We can only hope for the respectful attitude of the builders to the unique area. The steepest slope of Urenga, the eastern one, overgrown with spruce forest, was chosen by the authors of the project for the construction of a new center.

Project

The project involves the construction of a ski resort in Zlatoust with an integrated Olympic training center for skiers. The slope of Urenga can accommodate up to 15 ski slopes. In addition, it is planned to create several tracks for downhill and slalom. The height difference allows this, here it is about 550 meters. Lifts, European-class hotels, service complex - all of the highest level. In summer, the territory of the SLC is supposed to be used for training athletes and cyclists.

When will they open?

According to the official statement of the Committee for Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Zlatoust administration, "now all the technical issues of the project are being worked out, so it is still quite difficult to name the amount of investments and the date of the start of construction."

"Key" in Zyuratkul

The project of construction of a tourist complex on grief Key near Zyuratkul is still only in the plans. The volume of investments that the developers are targeting is $ 100 million. It was planned to use these funds to build nine mountain trails with a total length of more than 30 kilometers and a vertical drop of 540 meters, install seven lifts, build an observation deck on the top of the mountain, a cottage village, a hotel for 500 beds and a VIP-class hotel. The main problem faced by the project developers is that Klyuchevaya Mountain is located in a protected area, and therefore construction activities are prohibited here.


Mountain Key

Sverdlovsk region

"White Mountain" (settlement Uralets)

A very ambitious project is being implemented in the Sverdlovsk Region. The construction of a new ski resort “Belaya Gora” continues here. The GLC is located 30 kilometers from Nizhny Tagil, near the village of Uralets. True, the financial crisis did not have the best effect on the pace of its construction: the funding, which was carried out from the regional budget, was significantly reduced, or to be precise, it stopped.

Project

The project involves the creation of a ski entertainment complex of the European level. It includes the construction of a sports and recreation complex, which assumes the presence of a 25-meter pool with 6 lanes with elements of a water park, a tennis court, a games room and a bath and recreation complex. New trails for skiers, a snow park with two lighted trails for snowboarding and freestyle, a biathlon trail and seven ski trails, ranging from 650 to 2300 meters, will be created. The plan provides for the construction of a multi-storey parking lot and a ski village for 980 places.

When will it be completed?

The first stage of the SLC has already been put into operation. These are 4 tracks equipped with chair and drag lifts, snow cannons and artificial lighting systems. The project of the second stage, which includes all of the above objects, is at the stage of "frozen" construction. For example, for the fifth year now, it is planned to commission a restaurant on the top of a mountain with a panoramic view.

Republic of Bashkortostan

"Mratkino"

In Bashkiria, the Beloretsk region was chosen for the construction of a new ski complex of international class. It will be built on Mount Mratkino under the auspices of the National Olympic Committee of Bashkiria. The basis of the Beloretsk ski center will be the already existing Mratkino ski resort.

The SLC project is not yet available, the documentation is under development. But it is known that Mount Mratkino will serve as its basis. Quite high and relief, the mountain allows you to place several tracks of varying degrees of difficulty: for both beginners and professionals. Its absolute height is 806 meters, the slope ranges from 12 to 70 percent with drops of up to 300 meters. In the near future, they promise to install two lifts and a snow-making system for the tracks. There are also plans to complete a hotel for 36 beds. Participation in the Federal Target Program "Development of Sports and Physical Culture in the Russian Federation for 2006-2015" is considered as a source of funding. If everything goes according to plan, then in a year Bashkiria will have the opportunity to host the World Cup in slalom snowboarding. In the meantime, Mount Mratkino is more popular with fans of "wild" skiing.


SLC "Mratkino" in winter

"Inzer" (Small Yamantau)

The idea of \u200b\u200ba mountain climatic health resort on Maly Yamantau Mountain near the village of Inzer seems to remain a project for a long time. The construction of a powerful ski complex on the territory of the South Ural Reserve has been repeatedly announced in the press: it was announced that a European resort will be built here, the project of which is being developed with the participation of the National Olympic Committee of Bashkiria.


The concept of the development of a ski resort in the area of \u200b\u200bthe village of Inzer

The authors of the project were inspired by the only mountain in Russia that meets European standards and can become the basis for a ski slope 6 kilometers long and a height difference of 650 meters! The developed transport infrastructure, the presence of a railway branch, a gas main, and power grids, coupled with really high mountains, make this area ideal for creating a GLC. It was planned to allocate about 2 thousand hectares of the South Ural State Natural Reserve for the new resort, on which a revolutionary new recreation complex would be located, including a helipad, ski and biathlon stadiums, and a golf course. In addition, a large-scale project, as conceived by the authors of the project, should be connected by a cable car with the Assy resort. According to eyewitnesses, on the mountain they began to cut the forest under the tracks, but now everything has stopped.

The fact is that the mountain on which it was planned to build the complex is located in a restricted area. Moreover, the territory is protected not only by huntsmen, but also by the military - the closed city of Mizhgirya is very close. In order to implement the project, it would be necessary to move the boundaries of the reserve - an issue that can only be resolved at the level of the country's government. Hunters say that bear dens and black grouse are located on the side of the mountain. And if ecologists can still be persuaded to "free up the territory" for the project while preserving the total area of \u200b\u200bthe reserve, and the departments involved in this matter are considering the issue of moving the boundaries of the reserve to the east, then the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation is unlikely to move.

The future of the Ural skiers: pros and cons

It is obvious that the Urals turned out to be a very attractive region for the development of winter tourism. But is it promising? The presence of rather high mountains with serious differences in the area where snow lies for half a year, clean air, picturesque nature, transport accessibility, it would seem, by themselves create very convenient conditions for organizing tourist centers with a ski slope here. Such a significant number of GLCs in a relatively small area, on the one hand, should have a positive effect on the level of service due to increased competition. On the other hand, it is highly likely that new centers will not be in demand on such a massive scale.

In the current situation, ski resorts can rely mainly on local holidaymakers. Obviously, it is possible to attract massively tourists only with the help of a developed infrastructure of additional entertainment and services, adequate prices and a high level of service. However, most projects freeze after the implementation of the main part: the opening of ski slopes, a service center and hotels.

The presence of additional types of entertainment is necessary for objective reasons. Do not discount those snowy days when winter really shows its temper: at temperatures below 25 degrees, vacationers should have an alternative activity. In addition, in recent years, winter has not pampered the region with snow, so artificial snowmaking systems at the GLC are not a luxury, but a necessity. It is also obvious that in order to increase the likelihood of a successful existence, such facilities should function as integrated tourist centers with a year-round program. Fortunately, there are plenty of natural and cultural attractions in the region.


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After the Winter Olympics in Sochi, the pilgrimage of skiers and snowboarders to the slopes of Krasnaya Polyana does not stop. This is not surprising - everyone wants to join sports history. Moreover, getting to Sochi is easy and inexpensive. But the ski spots of Russia Krasnaya Polyana are not limited. You can come to all the resorts that we will talk about without knowing how to ride: each one has equipment for rent and the opportunity to take ski lessons from first-class instructors.

Ski club Leonid Tyagachev, Moscow region


The ski club is located in the north of the Moscow region in the vicinity of Dmitrov, which is only 70 kilometers from Moscow. Therefore, sports recreation can be diversified with cultural walks along ancient Dmitrov and the First See.

Besides nine ski slopes of different lengths, with different height differences and all types of difficulty - from green to black - on the territory of the club there are trails for tubing, cheesecakes, cross-country skiing and an ice rink. The local black trail is unlikely to compete with the trail of the same category in the mountains, but as preparation for steeper descents it is fine. The slopes are open until midnight and are well lit. And after skiing, you don't have to go far - there is a hotel, residential cottages and a cafe on the territory of the club. When going on a trip, do not be lazy to study the calendar of exhibitions in local museums - there are plenty of options to please your inner connoisseur of beauty. And while you are wondering what kind of vacation will bring joy, we took care of your comfort and selected several sets for skiing.

Skiing


Snowboard


Ski resort "Prielbrusye", Kabardino-Balkaria


Blinding peaks of Elbrus, steep slopes for skiers and snowboarders from "beginner" to professional level - this is what the Prielbrusye ski resort is famous for with two ski areas - Elbrus-Azau and Cheget.

Elbrus-Azau is seven tracks of varying difficulty... But more often this zone is chosen by beginners and those who have only a couple of seasons behind them. Cheget is suitable only for the most advanced - there are some of the most difficult tracks not only in Russia, but throughout Europe. Only the cable cars remind you that you are in a ski resort, and not in the wild mountains. But it is the surface of untouched snow and pine forests that attract freeride and backcountry lovers here.

On the territory of "Prielbrusye" and nearby there is a huge number of hotels, each of which has a cafe or restaurant - you will not stay hungry. Think about which ski area is for you, because we have already thought about the equipment.

Skiing


Snowboard


Ski resort "Tsey", North Ossetia


A republic with a rich culture is incredibly hospitable and is famous not only for its amazingly delicious pies, but also for its ski resorts. "Tsey" is one of them.

Skating on seven ski slopes of varying degrees of difficulty (black, red and blue) can be diluted with climbing Kazbek, ice skating and cheesecakes. There are several hotels of different price ranges on the territory of the ski resort, and Vladikavkaz is only a hundred kilometers away, so it is easy to dilute skiing with city walks.

You can leave your snowboard at home on this trip (there are no problems with rentals), but you will have to find a place in your luggage for sportswear.

Skiing


Snowboard


Ski resort "Mountain Sobolinaya", Irkutsk region


The Sobolinaya Mountain resort near the city of Baikalsk offers skiers twelve tracks of all categories - from green to black, and many of them offer excellent views of the city. In addition to the ski slopes, the resort operates a rope park, one of the largest in Eastern Siberia. Do not be lazy to combine your trip with a visit to Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude - each of them is just a few hours away by car or train. There are hotels both in the resort and in the city. It remains to be insulated.

Skiing


Snowboard


Mountain air resort, Sakhalin


Going to Sakhalin and planning a ski vacation here, remember that the slopes are periodically closed due to weather conditions. And air traffic with the island can also be cut off at any time. But the impressions that Sakhalin will give are definitely worth getting to the island.

Fourteen tracks in red, green and black categories suitable for both beginners and experienced riders and skiers. Unlike all previous resorts, entertainment is poor here, so Mountain Air is for those who are primarily interested in skiing. A bonus - several cafes in the resort. Although what other bonuses are needed for those who climbed as far as snow and slopes? And this is enough here.

Skiing


Snowboard


Useful information:

  • The first CD in the Elbrus region was built in 1963 (on Cheget)
  • The first tourist centers of the Elbrus region "Elbrus" and "Terskol" were opened in the 1930s
  • "LeapRus" on Elbrus - the highest hotel in the world (3912 m)
The origin of the Elbrus ski resort

The construction and improvement of the resort began in the 60s, this push was preceded by many factors, including a massive love of sports, the development of skiing in the USSR, and the natural resources of the Elbrus region.

It was here, on the slopes of the Caucasus Mountains, in the Kabardino Balkarian Republic, that it was decided to build the first cable car in the USSR.

Construction of CD "" Cheget "

The best Soviet design engineers and builders were involved in the construction of the Cheget cable car.

The length of the first cable car is 1600 meters. The construction of the first stage of the cable car included several stages. Initially, 18 masts were installed, which are located at a certain distance relative to each other, taking into account the specifics of mountainous terrain and weather conditions. A cable is stretched between the supports on which the seats are fixed.

The lower station of the Cheget cable car is located at 2,100 meters above sea level, the upper - 2,750 meters.

In 1963, on February 19, the opening of the 1st rope complex "Cheget" took place on the Cheget glade, which served as the start of the development of the Elbrus region as a ski resort.

The construction of the second stage of the cable car on Cheget began, since 1966 both stages of the CD have already functioned. Now it was possible to ascend to a height of 3,000 meters above sea level. Both lines of the cable car are single-chaired.

The double-chairlift "Cheget 1" (level 2100-2750m) began operating in 1969.

Construction of CD "Elbrus"

In parallel with the construction and installation of a pair chairlift on Mount Cheget, construction of a CD in the Azau glade (Elbrus) is underway. The Pendulum cable car was built here, i.e. instead of open seats on stretched ropes, a funicular was fixed with a capacity of up to 20 people at a time.

In 1969, the 1st pendulum CD "Elbrus" was launched: Azau station - Krugozor station (level 2350-3000m).

In 1976, the second stage of the Elbrus 2 pendulum cable car was put into operation: Krugozor station - Mir station (level 3000-3500 m).

Construction of GD "Poma" (Elbrus)

The industry in the field of equipment for ski resorts does not stand still, it is also developing on a par with other areas. From new technologies, gondola lifts have already begun to appear, which have a modern look and functionality, which provide high carrying capacity. Gondolas are very convenient for tourists with equipment, because it is attached to the outside of the cabin and it is not necessary to bring boards and skis inside.

In 2006, on December 17, in the Azau glade, the long-awaited opening of the first stage of the Gondola Ropeway (GKD) took place - from Azau to Krugozor.

The manufacturers of gondolas are the French company "ROMA", which provide high-quality equipment to many ski resorts.

In 2009, the second stage - "Krugozor" - "Mir" began to operate.

At the moment, in the Elbrus region on the Azau-Elbrus, there are 2 cable cars: the Elbrus pendulum and the ROMA gondola.

Construction of recreation centers

In addition to the construction of ropeway complexes, in the Elbrus resort, construction of large tourist bases and boarding houses was carried out.

The first to open its doors at the resort was the Itkol boarding house - 1965, the second - the Cheget boarding house - 1974. New tour bases and accommodation facilities in the Elbrus region were built and opened annually.

The main large boarding houses were built in the 60s / 70s. Later, the period of construction of small private hotel complexes 3/4-storey began. Most of the hotel complexes were built in 2000-2003. As of 2003. in the Elbrus resort, a little more than 30 accommodation facilities were registered, including tourist camps, boarding houses, hotel complexes.

Today, the resort administration strives to improve all areas of customer service and maintains a high level of quality of services and hospitality.