For many, relaxation is not only lying on a deck chair, but also active pastime: excursions, sporting events. In winter, skiing, snowboarding and other snow activities come first; you just need to find a suitable ski resort. The Urals will be one of the first options, given the proximity and level of service. Every year the region is gaining popularity among lovers of skiing. This is partly due to the dynamic development of infrastructure on the slopes of the Ural Mountains. Even the President of the Russian Federation has visited the Ural ski resort more than once.
Rest all year round
The region is attractive for everyone, because the choice of places to stay and board, as well as the range of services here are slightly inferior to the exquisite Krasnaya Polyana near Sochi or to countries near and far abroad. It is worth noting that due to geographical features, the snow here lies at least six months, so the ski season begins in November and lasts until May. Often you can find reviews from those who conquered the slopes of the Ural Mountains in October.
Fans of simply beautiful mountains or unhurried walks are increasingly choosing this region in the summer months when the number of tourists is optimal and there are not as many people in the resort as in winter. During the warm season it will be interesting to try rafting on mountain rivers or visit the caves, of which there are a lot. In the evening, you can relax in the bathhouse or enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants. If you believe the local statistics, then the tourists who visit these picturesque places are becoming more and more from year to year.
List of Ural Resorts
What you need to know when choosing a domestic ski resort? The Urals is geographically located in 4 regions of Russia, these are: Perm Territory (Gubakha, Polazna, Takman), Sverdlovsk Region (Mill, Stork, Mount Belaya, Ezhovaya, Stozhok, Mount Warm, Mount Pilnaya, Flux, Uktus), Chelyabinsk Region (Minyar, Zavyalikha, Eurasia, Fidget, Sunny Valley, Ryder), Republic of Bashkortostan ("Mratkino", "Abzakovo", "Bannoe"). Depending on the location, the skiing season lasts from November-December to April-May.
We will focus on the most popular places for ski lovers: Abzakovo, Bannoe, Zavyalikha, Solnechnaya Dolina, Ryder, Adzhigardak, Eurasia and Gubakha. If we consider all the ski resorts of the Urals, the rating of the complexes described below will be the highest, which is confirmed by the reviews of skiers who visited them.
Abzakovo - Ural Switzerland
This is one of the most popular and rapidly developing Ural resorts. "Abzakovo" is located in the south of the Republic of Bashkortostan, near the city of Beloretsk. It is most convenient to get here from Magnitogorsk, where trains regularly go, and also planes fly from Moscow and St. Petersburg. On the slopes prepared 15 tracks with a total length of about 20 kilometers, the longest has a length of more than 3 km. The maximum height difference is 300 meters, the highest peak is located at an altitude of 819 meters above sea level.
The resort uses modern technology to align the tracks, there are about 20 snow cannons to maintain the tracks in perfect condition for skiing, if the weather is bad. Towels and chairlifts deliver them to the start of the slopes. Especially for children and beginners in skiing, there are two slides with a minimum difference in height. The presence of lighting allows you to ride at night. Nearby there is all the necessary infrastructure, namely: hotels, equipment rental, a first-aid post for first aid, a parking lot for vehicles, numerous cafes and shops. Note that the resort often hosts various international competitions, and for such days accommodation should be booked in advance. Fortunately, the choice of housing here is one of the largest. In general, those who are going on vacation to the ski resorts of the Urals have practically no problems with living.
"Bannoe" - resort by the lake
The Bannoe resort (the Metallurg-Magnitogorsk complex) is also a very popular holiday destination for ski lovers. The resort got its name because of its location next to Lake Yakty-Kul, better known by the people as Bannoe Lake. It is located 30 kilometers from the resort "Abzakovo". A feature of this resort is the presence of the most modern and high-speed Austrian ski lift, which consists of 64 cabins, each of which can simultaneously accommodate up to 8 people with equipment designed to help conquer the snowy Urals.
Bannoe is a ski resort with five ski runs of varying difficulty, the total length of which is almost 10 kilometers. The height difference is not more than 450 meters, but there is a separate track with a springboard, primarily of interest to snowboarders. There are 46 snow cannons on the slopes to maintain the snow cover necessary for comfortable riding. Apre-ski is also quite diverse, there are everything necessary not only for skiing, but also for entertainment. Often, skiers begin to ride in "Abzakovo", and then for several days move to the "Bannoye" to diversify their vacation. Such a tour is easy to combine, because the resorts are located nearby.
Zavyalikha - a young competitor to neighboring resorts
Another fast-growing resort in the Urals is Zavyalikha, opened in 2000. The resort is located in the Chelyabinsk region, not far from the town of Trekhgorny, which is a closed city. The nearest railway station is Vyazovaya, it is most convenient to get from Ufa or Chelyabinsk, the distance from them will be about 200 kilometers. If you take other ski resorts in the Urals, Zavyalikha is one of the youngest, but it is built up very quickly.
For skiing, 7 tracks were formed with a length of 16 kilometers, with a maximum height difference of 430 meters. At "Zavyalikha" installed new lifting equipment manufactured in Austria. The lifts are very roomy and move fast, so there are practically no queues on the slopes. The resort will be especially interesting for snowboarders, as it is here that the national team of Russia trains in this sport, as well as a competition for the Russian Cup, which attracts even more guests to the ski resort. The Urals expands the list of hosted sporting events annually. Such a rapid development and eventful program of events cause a lot of positive reviews about the resort.
"Sunny Valley" - a great solution for families with children
The resort "Sunny Valley" is another interesting place for lovers of skiing. It is located in the Chelyabinsk region, near the city of Miass, where there is a railway station. The main slopes are located on Mount Znamenaya, in the resort there are 11 tracks with a total length of 11 kilometers. All slopes are illuminated, therefore, like some other ski resorts in the Urals, the "Sunny Valley" allows you to ride at night.
A feature of this resort is the constant changes in the terrain, resulting in unusual springboards or counter-deviations. The difference in height is 230 meters, which is not bad for those who are just starting to ski. In the "Sunny Valley" there is also a children's ski club for the smallest, collecting a lot of positive reviews from satisfied parents. Also, various championships and competitions for the cup of the governor of the Chelyabinsk region are regularly held here.
"Ryder" - a center for training a new generation of skiers
Near the "Sunny Valley" is one of the newest ski resorts in the Ural Mountains - "Ryder", which began to receive its first guests in 2009. Over the past years, these slopes have become very popular due to modern equipment and a good location. From the city of Miass, in particular from the railway station, trolleybuses and minibuses go to the ski lifts.
A feature of this resort is the presence of artificial turf, special simulators, air bags, a snowboard park and other professional devices that will be of interest to experienced athletes in the first place. There is a separate training center for children to participate in competitions. It will be very difficult to get here just like that - you should first register and get a plastic card with access. This can be done both through the Internet and on the spot, however, the skiers themselves in their reviews advise to resolve the issue with a pass in advance.
"Adzhigardak" - a resort for a modest vacation
Adzhigardak is located on the western side of the Chelyabinsk region, near the city of Asha, which has a railway station. The resort has 10 pistes for skiing of varying difficulty, the vertical drop does not exceed 350 meters. The ski center has a ski school with instructors for adults and children. On the slopes there is a special snowboard park, there are tracks for night skiing. It is worth noting that artificial snow is practically not used. Due to the location, the snow on the slopes is the longest, if we take for comparison the other ski resorts of the Urals. Feedback from guests who often ski, suggests that the Ajigardaka slopes are not inferior in their complexity and surrounding beauty to the more popular resorts.
Eurasia is a newcomer with big plans
The Eurasia resort opened its doors to visitors at the end of 2011. It is located near Mount Kopanets, near the city of Zlatoust, where there is a railway station. So far, only two tracks with a total length of 1.6 kilometers are available for skiing, but in the near future they promise to open two more, including for children. The plans also include the construction of the first tubing track in the Urals. There are very few reviews about this resort, they mainly contain hopes for continued development, since the current choice of routes and entertainment is not enough for most.
Gubakha is a great option for a budget holiday at any time of the year
The resort is located in the Perm Territory, near the village of the same name Gubakhi. You can get here both by bus from Perm (about 200 kilometers to the north) and by train. For ski enthusiasts, there are 17 tracks of varying difficulty (including for children) with a total length of about 10 kilometers. One of five lifts will deliver to the start, the maximum height difference - 310 meters.
Gubakha will appeal to fans of freeriding and skating under the stars. In the reviews, many write that they like to go on the tracks in the evenings, when the slopes are empty. It is worth noting that skiing is only possible until April. In the summer months, the resort is also not empty: lovers of rafting along rivers and speleologists, as there are 25 caves nearby. For some reason, Gubakha is not too popular yet, but guests of the resort praise the unloaded slopes and lifts.
If you love skiing but donβt want to get lost in the crowd of skiers, choose a less popular ski resort. The Ural also offers the following places for skiing: Beloretsk, Balashikha, Egoza, Kachkanar, Ashatli, Ak-Yort and others.