At the junction of the Sayan Mountains, Altai and the Kuznetsk Alatau, in the Kemerovo region there is a mountain taiga region - Mountain Shoria. The height of this region is in the range of 500-1,600 m. Several mountains stand out against the background of other low peaks. The highest Patyn (1,630 m), it is pierced by caves in which, according to legend, the "bigfoot" lives; the smaller mountains are Kurgan, Mustag, Utuya, and the most picturesque is the city of Karitshal, which the locals nicknamed Zelenaya.
Mountain feature
Mount Green is the center of Mountain Shoria. At its foot is the village of Sheregesh, as well as the popular ski resort of the same name.
Translated from the local ancient dialect, "karitshal" means "the edge of the ridge," but it was no coincidence that they called the Green Mountain. Unlike the adjacent gray rocky peaks, shrubs and grasses grow in abundance on it, highlighting it against the background of other formations.
What is the height of Green Mountain (Sheregesh)? The peak reaches 1,270 m. Long weathering and erosion processes had a great influence on the region, which affected the formation of many caves inside it.
Climate
The climate of the region is sharply continental, the temperature drops are quite sharp. Winter is frosty, windless, with a stable snow cover. The first snow falls here in September. But it has only been established since November. Then the ski season begins, and Mount Zelenaya (Sheregesh) receives guests.
The average January temperatures are -13 ° ... -15 ° C. Since the end of March, sunny days are set, during this period it is already possible to take sunbaths. But the snow cover lasts even before the beginning of May, prolonging the resort period. Green Mountain (Sheregesh) - a place where short and moderately hot summers. The average temperatures of this season are + 19 ... + 22 ° . Precipitation in the form of rain falls predominantly in the summer.
Flora and fauna
The vegetation of the region is represented by coniferous taiga forests with a predominance of spruce, cedar and fir. Between forest plots there are glades, the height of the grass cover in which reaches 4 meters! At an altitude of 1,000 m, there are alpine meadows.
Green Mountain (Sheregesh) also has a diverse wildlife. There are favorable conditions for the living of large animals - reindeer, elk, roe deer and brown bear. A large number of birds are observed on the territory, and mountain rivers are full of fish. At the foot of the peak there are two national reserves - the Tashtagol reserve and the Shor national park. They were created with the aim of protecting fur animals (mink, ermine, sable). The Mountain Shoria region is often called the local Switzerland for its similarity in nature.
Resort creation
Green Mountain (Sheregesh) is quite popular among tourists. At its foot there is a ski complex, which was supposed to host the participants of the Spartakiad. It was built in 1981. The complex has been functioning all these years, but only since the 2000s. became a ski resort with modern equipment and slopes, which is actively developing now.
Relaxation
At the moment, the ski complex at the foot is called Sheregesh. Mount Green (see photo in the article) attracts a large number of outdoor enthusiasts. Over the year, their number reaches 980 thousand people. People are attracted here by the unique features of the area: a long season (7 months from November to March), the steepness of the slopes from 15 ° to 45 ° (both for beginners and professionals), a favorable calm climate, and stable thick snow cover. In addition, a high level of equipped tracks was noted by the International Alpine Skiing Association.
Currently, the complex consists of:
- ski slopes of different lengths from 700 m to 3,900 m, with a total length of 35 km;
- 17 lifts of various planning (tow, gondola and chair);
- there are off-piste lifts and descents;
It is also worth noting that the width of the tracks is from 50 to 200 m and elevations from 300 to 700 m.
Where to live?
The infrastructure of the region is well developed. Around the ski resort there are more than 50 hotels of various formats and levels. On the slopes of the mountain are hotel complexes, a little further, in the forest there are private cottages and chalets.
Room prices range from 400 rubles. Of course, the lower the price, the worse the service and room. Such a cost can be found in the hotel "Sugrob". Judging by the reviews of people, you can live here. The money spent on the number is fully justified by the conditions.
What hotels on Mount Zelenaya (Sheregesh) can I look for accommodation? Good ones are Telbes, Sibir, Russian Russkaya Izba, Olympus, and Teddy Bear.
A train from Novosibirsk “Winter Fairy Tale” is constantly supervising to Sheregesh, and the nearest airport is in Spichenkovo (200 km from the resort).