Elbrus ski resort piste map. Ski resort "Elbrus"
Yes, this is not Krasnaya Polyana, but the prices here are more or less affordable. At least enough for food. At the beginning of December we visited the most popular ski resort in the Caucasus - Elbrus region. And what do you think, how were we received?
If you haven't booked a hotel in advance, then you won't have anywhere to park your car. Since the only parking area is a huge area made of a mixture of dirt and stone. A real porridge for those who like to mix things up. Okay, let's assume that you managed to anchor the car without drowning. All such troubles are covered by nature and breathtaking views.
Even if you've traveled a lot beautiful places looking for the drive of riding alpine skiing? The impression will be incomplete if you do not visit the Elbrus region. The ski area is Mount Cheget and Double-Headed Elbrus. This is the site Greater Caucasus extends from west to east between the source of the Kuban River and the valley of the Baksan River. We are in the Azau clearing.
How it all began?
The first ski route was laid by Vadim Gippenreiter in 1939. He is generally considered an athlete, but we’ll tell you a little secret! This is a photographer who, due to his special love for his profession, photographed nature from the most unusual angles. This craving for the unknown led him to Elbrus and turned into a hobby - skiing. It turned out so well that Gippenreiter became the USSR champion in alpine skiing, and then the coach of Zenit. This man holds the titles: the first slalom champion of the USSR and the country's first alpine skiing coach. Do you want to follow his path on Elbrus?
There are currently two cable car stations:
- "old" pendulum
- new gondola ride
Both cable cars run parallel to each other.
Cable car starts the climb from Azau station (2350 m) and rises to Krugozor station (3000 m), overlooking the Baksan Valley. The ascent takes 5 minutes.
At the dawn of perestroika in 1986, there was interest in skiing among the country's population. Previously, this was considered only the prerogative of athletes. The opening of the “Iron Curtain” contributed to the flow of information about holidays abroad, which became available to Soviet people. National Park in the Elbrus region formed as an alternative foreign resorts affordable option. In terms of beauty and descent routes, it is completely unrivaled. Nowadays, skiers are offered classic and high-speed slopes, snowboarding trails, paved slopes for beginners and piste skiing for relaxing fun.
Krugozor station (3000 m), overlooking the Baksan Valley.
Here you can go down or transfer to the next line.
You'll actually have to wait a few minutes. There are many people who want to get to the top.
Everywhere something is being built, something is rusting. The cafe does not fit into the shitty landscape at all.
Here a panorama of the Caucasus Range opens. Rise 5 minutes.
Higher. The cable car begins its ascent from the Mir station (3500 m) and rises to the Gara-Bashi station (3847 m). The station is the highest in Europe. There are chairlifts and gondola cable cars.
The old cable car ends its ascent at the Mir station.
In general, this is the main hangout place for skiers and snowboarders.
Those who don’t ski will admire the panorama of the Caucasus Mountains.
It seems like just a little more and you can reach the top.
Skiers here rush so fast that they almost knock down unwary pedestrians.
View of Elbrus.
Let's get closer.
Gara Bashi station is visible in the distance.
Top of Elbrus.
For extreme sports enthusiasts there is the Gippenreiter route. Many people want to repeat the route of our first skier, one might say the founder of the type of mountain tourism in Kabardino-Balkaria. This is a descent from the top of Elbrus to the “Shelter of Eleven”. The first skier completed it in 35 minutes. No one has yet been able to beat his record. Usually the descent now takes 3-4 hours.
By the way, Mount Cheget, located nearby, has become a happy guiding star in their careers for many athletes. The routes of the ski resort are not inferior to European complexes. Cheget hillocks of the second stage delight experienced skiers and beginners.
Everyone is already hot.
This is the territory for international competitions.
Infrastructure of the Elbrus region
- 35 km of ski slopes.
- 12 km of cable car.
The skiing season in the Elbrus region lasts from November to May. The glaciers are accessible all year round. It offers tourists hotels and individual cottages with many cafes and restaurants. There is the possibility of economical accommodation - renting rooms from local residents.
Routes for extreme sports in the Baksan Valley:
Heli-skiing. A helicopter delivers skiers to the slopes of Mount Elbrus or Cheget. They jump off the side because the equipment cannot land. The descent takes place along a natural route on which human feet have yet stepped.
Ski extreme. The case involves a special type of lightweight skis, on which the athlete first climbs the mountain himself, without a lift, and then descends.
Freeride. A type of skiing and snowboarding in completely unprepared terrain in the middle of nowhere. Driving on untouched snow is a lot of drive and an unprecedented adrenaline rush. But the dangerous descent is recommended only for experienced skiers. Virgin nature, despite its beauty, can be very cruel to those who violate it. While riding, you need to listen to your intuition in order to sense danger in time and be able to maneuver. Rescue operations in such an area are difficult.
Snowboarders have chosen the fields of the Mir station.
One of the options for passing the classic route is a route of category 2A, according to the degree of difficulty based on a 6-point system. Climbing from the Baksan valley along the southern slope of Elbrus. Beginner skiers are advised to take a guide who can help with acclimatization and psychological training. Some people need it to successfully complete the route. Difficulties arise when there is a sudden change in weather conditions. The classic route includes: ascent and descent to Bochek, descent from the Eastern peak to the Irik gorge, descent in the northern direction.
Downstairs you can buy souvenirs. The coolest things are probably woolen things.
The cafe serves khychin with herbal tea, but not everyone gets real tea.
The day passed quickly. On the way back I notice a monument. In memory of the fallen fellow countrymen who gave their lives during the war, a twenty-meter high monument, “The Mourning Highlander,” was erected. In the northern part of the Elbrus region of Kabardino-Balkaria, in the valley of the picturesque Gundelen River, there is the village of Kendelen, which until 1995 had the same name as the river.
In October 1942, the village was captured by Nazi troops, and only by 1943 was it liberated by Red Army soldiers.
If you want to snowboard or ski, do not depend on a visa, a planned vacation, and easily adapt to the weather, then the slopes of Elbrus are waiting for you!
Mount Elbrus is the most high peak not only in Russia, but also in Europe. U western peak height 5,642 m, at the eastern one - 5621 m. The maximum lift height on cable cars is 3780 m (Gara-Bashi). We can safely say that the “two-headed” giant Elbrus conquers athletes wide roads for skiers and snowboarders of any level, at almost any time of the year.
Elbrus region is a region of the Caucasus, covering the environs of Elbrus and the peaks of the ridge. In the Elbrus region you can try 2 main ski areas: Elbrus-Azau and Cheget. Ski slopes and the lifts are concentrated on the slopes of Elbrus themselves, and a little lower along the Baksan Gorge on Mount Cheget.
Cheget
The long and steep Cheget route earned the title of one of the most difficult in the second half of the 20th century. In February 1963, a winter sports competition was held on the slopes of Cheget, which became a good reason for the development winter sports in Russia.
The Cheget trails are recognized as one of the most difficult not only in Russia, but also in Europe. Cheget attracts advanced riders from year to year with its black trails and endless opportunities for freeride and backcountry. The cherished dreams of extreme freeriders come true on Cheget!
Still would! Whoever is attracted by untouched virgin soil, extremely complex combined options, slope of the route from 20° to 45°, routes through a pine forest - you will find all this on Cheget. There are no snowcats or groomed trails here - here the rider is left alone with the silence of the mountains, wildlife and endless slopes that you just want to conquer.
The height of Mount Cheget is 3700 m, the maximum ascent height is 3050 m. The height difference when skiing is 1140 m. There is snow on Cheget from November to May-June. The total length of the trails is about 20 km.
Prices for the ski lift on Cheget:
- daily subscription - 800 rubles;
- one-time excursion climb- 500 rubles.
Trails and slopes
Riding on Cheget is extreme, dangerous, and at the same time beautiful and unforgettable. This kind of pleasure is only available to professional riders who already have snowboarding running through their veins.
It’s better to ride Cheget in a group with all the necessary avalanche equipment (beeper, probe, shovel, walkie-talkie), after all. in Cheget you can encounter an avalanche, especially on northern slopes. It is safer to ski on the southern slopes of Cheget. Those routes are flatter and smoother.
Pay attention to the famous Cheget mounds (2nd stage). Skiing on such hills develops balance and improves control over the snowboard and skis. This The best way see if you really master the art of riding and are ready to take on more challenging trails.
The green trail for beginners is located at the very top (3070 m). The trail is equipped with a rope rope and its length is about 350 m. Below, from the Cheget-3 station, the red and black trails begin.
By the way, be careful, there are no markings on the tracks themselves, although they are visually easy to distinguish. If you are going to Cheget for the first time, it is better to study the layout of the routes and terrain in advance.
Directly from Elbrus you can drive to Cheget through the forest. This descent will appeal more to skiers than to snowboarders, because... There are gentle sections along the way. There is also a special scheme of freeride routes from Cheget.
Elbrus Azau
Ski resort Elbrus Azau has been welcoming riders from all over the world since 1969. Two peaks rising into the sky extinct volcano(western and eastern) are almost always covered with snow and ice, which allows all year round ride on some sections of the Elbrus slope.
The Elbrus Azau complex begins in the Azau clearing, located at the foot of the majestic Elbrus. There are 2 cable cars there, and both run parallel to each other:
- old pendulum;
- new gondola road;
- 3rd stage (under construction). It has a single-chair cable car, but it does not always work.
The cable car line goes like this: Azau (2300 m) - Krugozor (3000 m) - Mir (3500 m). Price for 1 day for an adult, depending on the month: 1000-1900 rubles. On most of the Elbrus Azau slopes, the skiing season lasts approximately from October to May. And at an altitude of more than 3780 m (from Gara-Bashi and above), skiing is possible all year round. So it’s easy to relax there with the whole family at any time of the year!
Trails and slopes
Skiing on the slopes of the Elbrus Azau resort will be more comfortable than on Cheget. because both beginners and experienced riders will find a descent there that suits their abilities.
Difficulty of the descent from the point “Priut-11” 4050 m to the “Azau glade” 2350 m: green - easy section, blue - more difficult, red - difficult section of the route, black - very difficult.
Elbrus Azau has 7 trails with a total length of about 11 km. In general, the Elbrus slope is one continuous track where skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels can ride. The length of the route from the “Bochki” shelter (Gara-Bashi station) to the Azau clearing is 6 km, from “Shelter-11” - 8-10 km.
The slopes of Elbrus are wide and gentle “blue” slopes with small elevation changes and short “red” sections.
There are also alpine shelters for guests of the ski resort. Tourists stop at these mini-hotels to catch their breath before climbing the peaks of the great Elbrus.
In general, many of the slopes of this mountain complex can be safely recommended to beginner riders who want to hone their skills, as well as to those who prefer quiet skiing without unnecessary risk.
How to get there?
You can get to the Elbrus region in several ways: car, bus, train, plane. The main thing is to know that the final destination is one of the villages of the Elbrus resort (Terskol, Baidaevo, Tegenekli, Elbrus and Neutrino). These villages are located along the main route leading to the Cheget and Elbrus ski resorts.
The Elbrus region is part of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic of Russia, the capital is the city of Nalchik. Below is a schematic map with settlements.
Nearest airports: Nalchik (130 km, Kabardino-Balkaria) and Mineralnye Vody (200 km, Stavropol Territory).
Nearest railway stations: Prokhladnaya (Prokhladny), Nalchik, Mineral water and Pyatigorsk.
From major cities Russia also has buses to the Elbrus region. Price from 3500 rub. one way.
Results
Tall mountains, clean air, snow-white snow, tracks for any skiing style and level of training you will find in the Elbrus region!
The ski resorts of Elbrus are notable for the fact that the ski season here lasts all year round, and the snow thickness is stable even in the summer.
Yes, skiing and snowboarding on the slopes of Elbrus is a little different from the comfortable resorts in Europe. Perhaps the infrastructure of the area is not so developed, but this is more than compensated by the freedom of movement along the slopes and the absence of huge queues. For a reasonable amount of money in the Elbrus region, you can spend a vacation with your family or company, skiing among the snow giants.
If you haven't already appreciated this Russian winter resort, don’t hesitate, he’s already waiting for you! And “Bike Center” will help you with what you need!
The Elbrus Azau ski complex is located in Kabardino-Balkaria, 150 km from the city of Nalchik. Climbing Elbrus is the dream of every climber; descending its snowy slopes is the dream of every skier. “Elbrus Azau” will help to implement it, the routes of which are laid on the southern slope famous volcano. In principle, you can ski on some slopes of Elbrus at any time of the year, but not all skiers have the qualifications to practice freeride and heli-skiing. The best option for them would be the well-groomed trails of the Elbrus Azau Group of Companies with convenient lifts and snowcats. The length of the longest route reaches 5 km, and the elevation difference is 1750 m - a good base for getting thrills. Combining routes allows you to significantly lengthen the descent and reach the Azau clearing at the foot of the volcano almost without stopping. Many sections of the routes are laid along wide and gentle slopes; in the smoothest places, high-mountain mini-hotels with a minimum range of services are organized. Climbers stop there when climbing to the top of Elbrus and skiers when descending from it. The resort infrastructure includes equipment and transport rental, snowmobile rides, cafes, bars and hotels.
When to come
Snow covers all the slopes of Elbrus by October, and it only leaves with the last spring month, and even then not everywhere - above 3800 m there is eternal winter and you can ride here all year round. True, it is difficult to climb to such a height; you will have to spend a lot of time and use snowcats or a helicopter. The weather on Elbrus is not easy; heavy snow can suddenly give way to sunny calm. The temperature can drop to -25, and at the maximum altitude available to guests of Elbrus Azau (4050 m) - to -40 degrees Celsius, but low humidity allows you to comfortably endure even severe frosts. On average, winter temperatures range from -10 to -15 degrees Celsius, and at the foot of the volcano the thermometer readings are sometimes lower than at altitude.
How to get there
The nearest airports are located in Mineralnye Vody (200 km) and Nalchik (150 km), by train you can get to Prokhladny (150 km), Nalchik, Min. Vod or Pyatigorsk (160 km). Next, by bus or minibus, get to Tyrnyauz, Elbrus village or the KBSU recreation center, then by taxi to Elbrus Azau. On personal car drive along the M-4 (“Don”) highway to Tereskol, then turn onto the A-158 highway leading to the Azau clearing.
Where to stay
In the Azau clearing there are more than a dozen hotels from economy class (Chiran-Azau, Alpina, Eltur) to luxury class (Scheherazade, AzauStar). At the height of the winter season, prices often rise, so it’s worth taking a closer look at the offers in hotels and the private sector in nearby villages - Terskol (2.5 km), Tegenekli (11 km) and Elbrus (13 km).
In the Elbrus region, ski areas are concentrated directly on Elbrus and on the slopes of Mount Cheget, located not far from Elbrus and famous for its extreme slopes, some of the most difficult in the world. The distance between ski areas is 4 km. 12 km of cable cars have been built in the Elbrus region, incl. a recently built gondola lift that can accommodate up to 500 people at a time.
Mount Elbrus - cable cars and routes Elbrus-Azau
Mountain Elbrus - highest point Russia and Europe are the two peaks of an extinct volcano. Eastern - 5621 meters above sea level, Western - 5642 meters. Skiing on certain sections of the slopes is possible all year round. The highest and most accessible point for skiing is “Shelter 11” - 4200 meters. Shelter 11 can be reached from the Mir station by snowcat. There are sections of the route accessible to beginner skiers. For beginner skiers, there is a 300-meter-long rope rope at the run-out of the slope. The total length of the trails is more than 35 km.
Cable cars of the Elbrus-Azau complex
First stage: Azau - Krugozor
The Elbrus-Azau ski complex originates in the Azau clearing, located at the foot of Elbrus, here are the points Catering, there is a ski equipment rental, coffee and tea vending machines. There are two cable car stations in the Azau clearing:
- old pendulum;
- new gondola road.
Both cable cars run parallel to each other. Currently, there are 2 stages at each cable car, the 3rd stage is under construction. On the 3rd stage there is also a single-chair cable car, which, however, does not always work. From the 2nd stage (Mir station) above, everyone climbs on snowcats; the ascent time to “Shelter-11” is approximately 20 minutes.
- Pendulum cableway "Elbrus 1"(2350-3000 m) departs from the Azau station and reaches the Stary Krugozor station. There are cafes and kebab shops at both stations. Travel time on the old pendulum road is 15 minutes.
- New cable car "Elbrus" gondola type was opened in December 2006. It connects the lower return station in the Azau clearing with the upper drive station “Old Krugozor” and is installed parallel to the existing pendulum cableway. This is the latest model of a gondola-type aerial cable car with detachable gondolas. The capacity of one gondola is 8 people. 58 gondolas operate simultaneously. The length of the route is 1740 m, the drop in road is 580 m. The travel time of the new gondola road is 5 minutes, the average speed is 6 m/s. The capacity of the cable car is up to 2,400 people per hour.
Second stage: Krugozor - World
The old Elbrus-2 pendulum cable car and the new Elbrus gondola-type cable car operate on this line.
- Pendulum cableway "Elbrus - 2" (3000 - 3500 m) starts from the Stary Krugozor station and goes to the Mir station. The length of the road is 1500 m. On the territory of the station there is a cozy cafe “Mir” and the Museum of the military glory of the defenders of Elbrus and the Caucasian passes during the Great Patriotic War.
- New gondola-type cable car "Elbrus" (3000 - 5000 m) was opened in April 2009. It is the latest model of aerial cable car with 8-seater gondolas produced by the French company ROMA - one of the world leaders in the field of cable cars. transport systems. The road connects two ski stations: “Stary Krugozor” and “Mir”. The length of the road is 1800 m, the capacity is 2400 people/hour. Travel time in one direction is 5 minutes 13 seconds.
Third stage: Mir - Gara-Bashi
The Elbrus chairlift operates on the 3rd stage.
- Chairlift "Elbrus" (3500 - 3850 m) starts from the Mir station and goes to the Gara-Bashi station. The single chair lift is quite old and does not work stably. From here, from an altitude of 3800 m, certified route No. 1 begins to the Azau clearing 2300 m.
Higher up, the Priyut 11 station (4200 m) can be reached by snowcats. All snowcats are private, so their prices fluctuate. Approximately, a distance of 18 km can be covered for 1000 rubles.
| Queues | Type of road | Height difference (m) | Throughput, people. / hour | Travel time (min) | Track length (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yoke in the Azau clearing 2300 m-2500 m | Yoke VL-400, “Mops” of the paddling pool in Azau | 200 | - | 5 | 500 |
| 1st stage Azau (2350m)-Stary Krugozor (3000m) |
Pendulum cableway "Elbrus-1" (20-seat cabins) |
650 | 100 people/hour | 12 | 1740 |
| Gondola cable car “POMA-1” (8-seater gondolas) |
580 | 2400 people/hour | 5 | ||
| 2nd stage Stary Krugozor (3000m) - Mir (3500m) |
Pendulum cableway "Elbrus-2" (20-seat cabins) |
500 | 100 people/hour | 12 | 1500 |
| Gondola cable car “POMA-2” (8-seater gondolas) |
514 | 2400 people/hour | 5 | 1800 | |
| 3rd stage Mir (3500m)-Gara-Bashi (3780m) |
Chairlift "Elbrus", 1-seater | 250 | 130 people/hour, on repair |
12 | 1500 |
| Gondola cable car | 374 | under construction | 5 |
Characteristics of the routes of the Elbrus-Azau complex
Red route "Old Horizon"
The route is located between the Mir and Stary Krugozor stations of the Elbrus cable car. There are two options for the descent, one of which merges with the Azau highway, and the other, parallel to the cable car, runs along a wide flat section to the Elephant Foreheads and then along a narrow cornice 4 meters wide to the Stary Kruzor station. The maximum width of the route is 90 m, the height difference is 500 m. The length of the descent is 1900 m. The average slope of the route is 25. Difficult terrain, rocky soil made of volcanic rocks, glacial base of the route.
Red route "Azau"
A gentle descent to the “Olga turn”, then a steep one - along a 50 m long chute with a slope of 35, at the end of the section the route turns left and along the cornice, past the high-mountain hotel, goes in a smooth arc to the left and reaches the straight finishing section under the cable car. Here you need to be careful, as there is a possibility of a collision with skiers starting from the top station of the ropeway VL-350. The length of the route is 2 km, the elevation difference is 650 m. The inclination angle is 50.
Blue track "Gara-Bashi"
The route is located between the Gara-Bashi and Mir stations of the Elbrus cable car and has access to the site from which the Old Horizon route begins. The maximum width of the route is 80 m, and the height difference is 300 m. The length is 1100 m with a maximum slope of 50. The slope relief is complex, the soil is rocky and rocky from volcanic rocks, basalt rocks. It is served by the Elbrus cable car with a length of 1130 m at a speed of 1.75 m/s. Having risen another 20 m from the highest station, you can get to the climbers’ training camp for climbing “Bochka”. Shelter 11 (4200 m) and Pastukhov Rocks (4800 m) can be reached by snowcat. True heroes reach the Col (5300 m) as a result of natural selection.
Training slope "Azau" (green track)
The route is located to the right of the ropeway VL-350 along a gentle chute. The route, 300 m long and with a height difference of 50 m, starts at an altitude of 2400 m above sea level. The average tilt angle is 15. The terrain is average, grassy cover on volcanic rocks, on the right side the route borders with a birch forest. The lift is a BKD VL-350 with a length of 300 m with a height difference of 50 m. A helicopter stands at the foot of Elbrus every day. It is also possible to fly to Dombay, ski there and return back. There is no lighting a large number of precipitation in the Elbrus region guarantees deep snow cover throughout ski season. There is a well-equipped rescue service. Most dangerous places on the route - stones, rocks, buildings are fenced with a catching net.
Mount Cheget: cable cars and trails
It was on Cheget (2100 - 3050 m) that the country's first cable car was built in 1963. The height of Mount Cheget is 3700 meters. The maximum lifting height is 3050 meters. The difference in skiing heights is 1140 meters. Cheget's slopes are considered one of the most difficult in the world's ski resorts. In Russia, Cheget serves as a standard for the difficulty of trails. On Mount Cheget there are 2 stages of the “Cheget” chairlift, a stage of the “Parnaya” double chairlift and a network of rope towing roads. The total length of the ski lifts is 4300 meters, the total length of the ski slopes is 20 km, and if we take into account the possibility of virgin skiing, then total area The ride will be about 100 km. Mount Cheget is located 1 km from the village of Terskol and 4 km from the Elbrus cable car complex.
First stage (2100-2750)
- Cable car "Cheget-1" departs from the lower station of Polyana Cheget and continues to the cafe station “Ai” (2750 m). Cafe station "Ai" has observation deck, offering magnificent views of the mountains. Height difference - 650 m.
- Chairlift "Parnaya" duplicates the KKD "Cheget-1" and also goes from the lower station of the Cheget glade and reaches the station of the cafe "Ai".
Second stage (2750-3000)
- Cable car "Cheget-2" departs from the cafe "Ai" and goes to the Cheget station. On the way, a picture opens up: on the right are the snow-white caps of Elbrus, on the left are the peaks of Donguzorun, Kogutai and Nakra sparkling with eternal snow.
Towing roads
- towing road VL-650- (2750 m - 3000 m) with a length of 650 meters, travel time 5 minutes;
- towing road VL-300- (3000 m - 3070 m) with a length of 300 meters, travel time 3 minutes.
It starts from the Azau clearing. This complex is one of the most popular Russian resorts for skiers and snowboarders.
The ski season on Elbrus lasts almost six months - from November to early May. This period of snow cover is achieved not only thanks to weather conditions, but also due to artificial snowmaking. In summer, the resort operates and offers trekking to guests.
The second ski complex in the Elbrus region is “Cheget”.
In 2018, the Elbrus resort took second place in the Russian ski holiday» national tourism award «National Geographic Traveler Awards». The winners were selected through a vote conducted by National Geographic Traveler magazine.
Prices at the Elbrus ski resort 2019
For vacationers at the resort, there are 3 groups of seasonal tariffs - “Winter”, “New Year” and “Summer”.
Ski passes are sold for a minimum of half a day - up to 8 days.
The cost is determined depending on the selected skiing stations. The price for adults (over 14 years old) also differs from child ticket(from 6 to 13 years):
- 1-2 lines (Azau station - Krugozor station - Mir station): sleep passes - from 1150 rubles for an adult and from 600 rubles for a child. Tourist tariff (1 ascent and 1 descent): in summer - 950 rubles for adults and 500 for children, in winter - 550 rubles for adults, 300 rubles for children. The price is only for one descent: in summer - 450 rubles for adults, 250 rubles for children, in winter - 500 for adults and 300 for children;
- 3rd line (st. “Mir” - st. “Gara-Bashi”): sleep passes - from 500 rubles for an adult and from 250 rubles for a child. Tourist tariff (1 ascent and 1 descent) in summer is 600 rubles for adults and 300 for children. The price for only one descent in summer is 300 rubles for adults, 150 rubles for children; winter tourist tariff: 200 rubles for an adult, 100 rubles for a child
- 1-2-3 turns (Azau station - Gara-Bashi station). The climbing tariff costs 1200 rubles and includes: 1 ascent and 1 descent from the station. "Azau" to the village. "Gara-Bashi". Climbing equipment is carried free of charge. Please note that this rate is non-refundable, discounts and benefits do not apply.
A ticket for tourist and mountaineering tariffs is valid for 7 days from the moment of the first passage through the turnstile.
Equipment rental at the resort
The ski resort provides equipment rental services: winter and summer, for beginners and advanced athletes. Prices can be found on the Elbrus resort website. Finding a rental point is not difficult - it is located in the Azau clearing, not far from the administration building and the climbing store.
Benefits when purchasing ski passes
- Can go for free children under 5 years old(to confirm, you must have with you the child’s birth certificate/passport or the passport of one of the parents, where the child will be listed in the “Children” section with a certified seal);
- citizens from 65 to 75 years old t receive a 10% discount if you have an identification document;
- persons over 75 years of age are free if you have an identification document;
- disabled people of group I and disabled children under 18 years of age They also do not pay for the ticket if they have an ITU certificate.
Benefits are only available for on-site purchases at the checkout.
Hotels in the Elbrus region
The infrastructure of the Elbrus ski resort is well developed. There are a large number of hotels of different categories here: from budget hostels to cozy chalets. But it is worth keeping in mind that in high season (winter) it is worth booking the property in advance.
Ski slopes of Elbrus
There are 12.21 km of trails open at the Elbrus resort:
- 5.1 km – Azau – Krugozor (the most difficult route),
- 5.11 km – Krugozor – Mir (medium difficulty),
- 2 km - Mir - Garabashi (the easiest route with minimal elevation difference).
According to international classification in the territory ski resort There are 4 types of trails, their color designation: “green” - easy, “blue” - medium”, “red” - difficult and “black” - very difficult.
Video: overview of the routes on Elbrus
Ski lifts on Elbrus: Azau - Krugozor - Mir - Garabashi
At the Elbrus ski resort there are 3 sections of gondola cable cars with 8-seater cabins. Opening hours: 09.00-17.00, after 16.00 they are no longer allowed to go up. On the third cable car, operating hours have been reduced by half an hour.
- Art. "Azau" - Art. "Horizon": The length of the first cable car is 1740 meters, the ascent begins at an altitude of 2350 meters relative to sea level, the trip takes 5 minutes. The final station offers a breathtaking view of the Baksan Valley.
- Art. "Krugozor" - Art. "World": 1800 meters long. The cable car runs at an altitude of 3000 - 3500 meters. This is the longest road in the complex; travel time is 6 minutes. Here a panorama of the Caucasus Range opens.
- Art. "Peace" - Art. "Gara-Bashi": the length is 1686 meters. The third lift of the Elbrus ski resort allows you to get above the clouds - to a level of 3847 meters. This is the highest ski station in Europe. After the climb you will find yourself at the Elbrus glaciers.
The capacity of the first two lifts is 2400 people per hour, the third – 1500.
Panorama from Azau station:
How to get to the Elbrus ski resort
The bus to Azau glade (Elbrus Group of Companies) runs all year round from Mineralnye Vody airport. Travel time is 3.5 hours, the trip must be booked at Elbrus-Trans.
You can get to the Elbrus resort from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Pyatigorsk, Nalchik, Essentuki and other cities bus tours(or with the help of a transfer), or by yourself by car.
There is an option to travel by train to Nalchik. From the Nalchik bus station you can take a minibus to the village of Terskol, located within walking distance from the ski resort. However, there are few flights to Terskol during the day, so it is worth considering the route through Tyrnyauz, from which it is easy and relatively inexpensive to get to Elbrus by taxi (distance - 30 km).
There are taxi services in Mineralnye Vody: Yandex. Taxi, Maxim, Taxi Lucky, Uber.
Detailed information about the main routes and bus schedules is available on the official website of the Elbrus ski resort.
Route by car from Mineralnye Vody to Elbrus Group of Companies:
Report about the Elbrus-Azau resort»
