Ski holiday ideas in Russia

With the majority of its terrain covered with snow for more than half of the year, winter sports have long maintained a strong fascination for Russia.

The most famous region for skiing is the Caucasus Mountains, home to some of the most developed slopes in the country, but the volcanic descents of Kamchatka and Sakhalin offer an intriguing challenge.

With its extended season, Russia also allows guests to choose the time of their visit; offering a season lasting through November until May.

The Russian city of Sochi will also host the XXII Olympic Winter Games in February 2014, an event likely to precipitate a sharp increase in winter sports across the region.

Here travelbite.co.uk takes a look at some of the best locations for skiers of all abilities; suggesting the best resorts, best slopes and best prices – whatever the time of year.

Caucasus Mountains

Pinned between the Black and Caspian Seas, the majestic peaks of the Caucasus Mountains span the Russia's border with Georgia and Azerbaijan and are home to Europe's highest peak – Mt Elbrus.

Perhaps the most famous of the resort in the region, if not the whole of Russia, is Krasnaya Polyana. Located just 40 kilometres from the Black Sea, the region is surrounded on all sides by mountains, providing an effective shelter from the elements and creating a welcome ski climate.

There are a selection of well-maintained pistes in the region, spread across three valleys, along with quality apres-ski environments.

A kindergarten is on site to accommodate younger visitors, while horse riding, paragliding, hot-air balloon rides and mountain biking are also popular pursuits for locals and visitors alike.

The resort, which translates to Red Meadow, is also scheduled to host a number of events for the Sochi Winter Olympics; a process which is expected to lead to further expansion and development of facilities in the region.

The season lasts from December until May, with the Sochi Airport located close by, making the region the most accessible Russian ski location to the European market.

The Elbrus Region also offers a combination of beautiful mountains, pure air, remarkable landscapes and a developed infrastructure, all spread along the Baksan River.

Home to the highest mountain in Europe, the region has become a centre for mass tourism in Russia, seeing skiers tackle the 5,462 metre peak – with snow available all year round amid the highest routes.

The highest peak available to enthusiasts is Gara-Bashi (3,780 meters), which can be reached up a succession of six lifts. However, for those willing to push a little further, heli-ski is available up to 4,200 metres.

Alpine style climbing is also popular in the region, along with hang-gliding and a full range of mountain activities.

Ural Mountains

The Ural Mountains form the original border between Asia and Europe; with those able to conquer them rewarded with a view down across both continents.

While they do not have the towering summits of the Caucasus, they do have coniferous forests, fast flowing rivers and ravines gushing toward crystal lakes – a natural paradise.

Skiers will be drawn to the southern end of the range, where the season lasts from November to May.

Most of the peaks are less than 1,000 metres above sea level, but many provide extensive opportunity for winter sports.

For example, the Ezhovaya Mountain rises 550 metres above sea level and is supported with six rope pulls and a double seated chairlift. Facilities are also on hand for snowboarders, with a halfpipe on site, and night skiing possible under the floodlights.

Lying just 180 kilometres from the city of Ufa, the Zavyalikha Mountain is a favourite with snowboarders and freestylers. The varied terrain offers opportunity to experiment, with one blue, four red, two green, and one black slope also on site.

A baby trail, a 200-meter long half-pipe and a Big Air also provide further reasons to visit.

Bashkortostan

Situated next to the Urals, alongside the Volga River, Bashkortostan is home to a number of Russia's most famous ski resorts; with Abazkovo and Bannoye among the best.

Firstly, Abazkovo – considered by many to be the most state-of-the-art skiing destination in the country – is composed of a vast hotel resort which forms a small village. Included are a slalom and a giant slalom, with night skiing also on hand.

Just down the road, Bannoye offers a mountain skiing centre on the banks of the lake. Equipped with a high-speed gondola style cable life, a range of slopes are available, with a halfpipe and snow trench also a temptation for tricksters.

Chris O'Toole