Excursion lift on the cable car "Gorki Gorod. Open the left menu Gorki city Gorki city Opening hours of the slopes

Where are the good prices?
Where are the best views from?
How to dress?

This is a story about summer .

The specialists of the site have visited everywhere so that you can choose the best option for the tour.

There are 4 separate mountain resorts in Krasnaya Polyana

So, for you to understand, there are four ski resorts in Krasnaya Polyana and each has its own cable cars. These are (from left to right): Rosa Khutor, Alpika-Service, Gorki Gorod and below Gazprom. Tickets for the Rosa Khutor and Gorki Gorod complexes must be purchased separately, while Alpika-Service and Gazprom have teamed up and tickets can be purchased at will: both for 2 at once and separately. The resorts are located at some distance from each other. Here is a general diagram of all the lifts in Krasnaya Polyana.

Here they are on the map of the village

Which complex of Krasnaya Polyana to choose? We described the features of each and compared prices. Reading...

Rosa Khutor

Today, Rosa Khutor is the most visited summer object. The highest observation deck in Sochi is the city of Kamenny Pillar 2509 m, various additional activities on the mountain itself and the Olympic fame of the Rose attract many tourists from all over the country.

How to get there?

To get to Rosa Khutor, you need to get to high-speed train Swallow to the final station Rosa Khutor, from where the free bus of the resort will pick you up or you can walk (about 20 minutes) along the picturesque embankment of the mountain river Mzymta to the ski lifts. If you are traveling by bus, you need the bus terminus. If you have your own car, then it is better to leave the car in a paid parking lot. If you leave it on the road, then the evacuation can cost 7,000 rubles.

The cost of the Rosa Khutor cable cars depends on the height of the lift and the number of lifts. In the summer, the ascent is available on three lines of the main cable car, as well as riding on two more chairlifts.

(Click on diagram to enlarge)

Cost of ski lifts Rosa Khutor

890 rub. « Rosa Plateau». For 850 rubles, you can climb one line of the cable car up to a height of 1170 m, i.e. from Rose Valley to Rose Plateau. There is the Olympic Village and one of the viewing platforms. There is also a Berloga restaurant with excellent views of the surrounding mountains.

100 rub. « Rosa Plato after 19.00». From 19.00 to 23.00 you can climb one line of the cable car up to a height of 1170 m, i.e. from Rose Valley to Rose Plateau. There is the Olympic Village with many cafes and restaurants (Berloga, Pear), a cinema hall in Riderʼs Loudge.

1590 rub. « Path to the heights» . With this ticket you go up to Rosa Peak - the highest observation deck in Krasnaya Polyana, accessible directly from the ski lift - 2320 meters above sea level. Also included is the ride on the Edelweiss chairlift to the Mendelikha Waterfalls Park. And the Crocus cable car, which will take you to a height of 2460 m - this is by far the highest point that lifts have reached in Krasnaya Polyana. You will find yourself almost at the very top of the Kamenny Pillar mountain, 2509 m. But in order to get on this cable car, you will have to walk a little down the reverse side of the Aibga ridge. Those. for 1590 rubles. you can ride the three highest cable cars, walk along picturesque mountain paths, look at waterfalls and visit several observation platforms. To make everything clearer, study the Rosa Khutor summer map.

1790 rub. "Opening Day" This is a day pass. You can ride on all Rosa Khutor cable cars without restrictions all day long.

In addition, you can walk around the lower part of Rosa Khutor to your heart's content. There are cafes, shops and the ubiquitous McDonald's.

Opening hours: from 9.30 to 18.30 Specify information by phone: 8-800-5-000-555
Ticket information for official website Rosa Khutor.

You can also buy lift tickets online at online store Rosa Khutor. It's faster and you don't have to stand in line. You can get a ticket in a special terminal near the lift.

Gorki City

Gorki Gorod (former Gornaya Karusel) is also a very interesting excursion object for tourists. In Gorki Gorod there are at least 5 chic observation decks at different heights and a beautiful panoramic restaurant.

How to get there?

If you are traveling by bus or your car, then just get to Gorka Gorod and get off there. Parking in Gorki Gorod - the first half hour is free, then 200 rubles per hour (wow, right?). If you are traveling by Lastochka, you can get off at the penultimate railway station Esto-Sadok, and from there take a free resort bus or regular bus (30 rubles) to the cable car. Or get to the final station of the Rosa Khutor swallow and from there walk a little back to Gorka Gorod (about 15 minutes). We ourselves often choose the second option, because the Gorki Gorki bus does not always arrive, and walking is not difficult.

There are three lines of the gondola cable car that rise to a height of 2200 m. As well as two chairlift lines that will take you to the unique climatic zone of Circus-2 (Circus in this case means a type of mountainous relief in the form of a bowl surrounded by mountains).

In addition, the cable cars of the Eastern sector of the resort operate in the excursion mode, which take tourists to the Palikara waterfall (aka Pants) - the largest waterfall in Sochi and one of the highest in Europe. The difference is about 70 m. Trekking lovers can go to the waterfall on foot in two different ways.

Scheme of lifts Gorki Gorod

The cost of lifts Gorki Gorod (summer 2019)

490 rub. Ascent to the first stage of the cable car up to a height of 960 m. To be honest, there are no special views from there, so we recommend taking any ticket higher. In the evening (from 18 to 23.00) - 100 rub.
1090 rub. Ascent to a height of 1370 m above sea level. Here you can take a walk to the Polikarya waterfall, which offers a beautiful view of the mountains. What is nice, it is usually warm there and the wind does not blow, as at the top.

1290 rub. Ascent to a height of 2200 meters
1590 rub."Day in the mountains" is valid for all cable cars of the resort for one lift + 2 routes in the rope park
You can also buy tickets online at shop.gorkygorod.ru and then receive them at the terminal.

Gazprom

The mountain and tourist center "Gazprom" offers several different options for cable car excursions. Gazprom operates three types of cable cars: a chairlift, an 8-seat gondola, and a 3S gondola with huge cabins that can accommodate 30 people at once. What is convenient, you can start the tour immediately from the railway station Rosa Khutor, from where a large cable car of the 3S type starts.

How to get there?

If you decide to take the 3S cable car, then upon arrival at the Rosa Khutor railway station, right next to it, take the Cable Car to Gazprom. It's a little strange, but the railway station, although called Rosa Khutor, is located next to the lifts to Gazprom and Alpika-service, and Rosa Khutor still needs to be reached. Or you can walk across the bridge (15-20 min.) to another Gazprom cable car to go down to the railway station from there.

GTC Gazprom. You can climb Gazprom in two ways: from the railway station Rosa Khutor and from the OKC Galaktika .. And you can walk upstairs, just between the stations of these two cable cars. Gazprom is famous for its picturesque location and fir forests. The Psekhako plateau offers an extraordinary panorama of Urushten, Dzitaka, Pseashkho and many other famous peaks.

The maximum lifting height is not very high, “only” 1660 meters above sea level, but from the Psekhako plateau, on which the center is located, the most gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains open up. There are also several viewing platforms and various additional entertainment. For example, bike paths and bike rental, as well as karting at an altitude of 1500 meters.

The cost of lifts GTZ Gazprom

800 rub. Excursion tour “Laura. Shelter of Psekhako. You can take gondola A or A1 to 1435 meters, walk there and then take a chairlift ride. From the observation decks of the Gorny priyut-1 station, located on the Psekhako ridge, the guests of the resort can enjoy the panorama of Krasnaya Polyana with picturesque landscapes of the Aibginsky ridge, the peak of Mount Chugush and places of the historical route of the Great Silk Road.

1000 rub. Excursion tour “Laura. Shelter Fir». Climbing from Galaxy or A3 from Alpines with a visit to the ski and biathlon complex "Laura", located on the Psekhako ridge, will allow guests of the resort to see a unique sports facility, which hosted the competitions of the XXII Olympic Winter Games. Cableways A/A1 + A2 or A3.

Find out which ski resort in Krasnaya Polyana suits you best!

And now to the bottom! We are diving this time, one might say, on order. It turns out that there are still many skiers and snowboarders on our planet who have only a vague idea of the ski resorts of Krasnaya Polyana. With their underwater feat, the crew is going to shed the light of knowledge on this still little-studied phenomenon.

The article is very long, therefore, for convenience, I have made the content in the form of links. By clicking on the desired one, you will immediately be transferred to the required depth. When the air runs out and the head goes around, click on the floating up arrow in the lower right corner of the page. It will take you to the surface in no time.

All figures and facts are given at the time of writing, make allowances for this. I, in turn, will update all the information before each ski season.

Location of resorts Rosa Khutor, Gorki Gorod, Gazprom

All three resorts are located almost at the same distance (the difference is 1-2 km) from Sochi airport and Adler railway station.

Distances from Adler railway station to:

Gorki Gorod – 42 km
Gazprom — 44 km
Rosa Khutor – 45 km

From Sochi airport to resorts 3 km less.

The distance from Sochi railway station is about 70 km.

How to get to the ski resorts of Krasnaya Polyana

Altitude of ski resorts

Below everyone in the kindergarten (after all, they are only a couple of years old) is little Gazprom. The other two strong men - Rosa Khutor and Gorki Gorod (Gornaya Karusel) - are of the same height.

I hope that all three (and maybe four, if the Alpika Service resort recovers from the reconstruction initiated by Gazprom several years ago) will eventually grow up as mature and responsible people (resorts). And they will think not only about themselves, but also about us, those who cannot live without mountains and skiing. Well, that's me, dreaming about inexpensive ski passes, always open slopes and reasonable prices for catering.

Skiing is not provided at the lower lift stations at all resorts, since snow rarely lingers here. In order to get into the ski area, you need to climb the first stage of the lifts.

Skiing in the ski resorts of Krasnaya Polyana takes place between the following heights:

Gazprom - 770 - 1,660 m
Rosa Khutor - 940 - 2320 m
Gorki Gorod - 960 - 2375 m

In cases of serious avalanche danger on Rosa Khutor, the ascent for skiers and boarders is limited to 1600 m, that is, 700 meters are cut off from the mountain. On such days, all the advantage of this resort over Gazprom disappears. In addition, there are huge queues on the lifts and the crush on the slopes begins.

In the Gorki Gorod resort, in the event of an avalanche danger, something similar happens - some of the slopes and lifts are closed, but the scenarios are different, due to the nature of the resort.

Ski season length

Gazprom, due to its small heights, is on the sidelines in this category. Its slopes lose snow cover already at the end of March (rarely later), and the resort closes for winter skiing.

The rest of the resorts are open until the May holidays.

Gazprom: end of December - end of March
Rosa Khutor: late December - early May
Gorki Gorod: late December - early May

parking

All resorts have parking, but only in a couple of places you can leave the car for free - Rosa Stadium 940, Rosa Plateau and in the village of Esto-Sadok. True, it is not known whether these joys will survive until next season.

The cheapest parking at Gorki Gorod is 350 rubles / day, while at Gazprom - 400 rubles / day, at Rosa Khutor - 400 and 800 rubles. For those staying in the hotels of the Gorki Gorod resort - 100 rubles / day, for those who settled in Rosa Khutor - there are discounts (to be specified in each hotel), for "residents" of Gazprom - free of charge.

Rosa Khutor - parking lots

You can park your car at the resort in three places: the lower level of Rosa Dolina (560 m), Rosa Stadium 960 m and Rosa Plateau.

Rosa Valley

4 multi-level covered parking - 400 rubles / day
1 multi-level covered parking — 800 RUB/day

The latter is located next to the main ski lift of the Olympia resort, and therefore more expensive. From the rest you have to walk up to 15 minutes on foot.

There are benefits for those staying in the hotels of the Rosa Khutor resort. For example, for Tulip Inn Rosa Khutor guests, the cost of parking will be 200 rubles per day if paid at the hotel reception.

Rose Stadium 940

Ground free outdoor parking. It is located next to the lower station of the Wolf Rock lift. There is also a rental and several food outlets.

Rosa Plateau

Before entering the territory of Rosa Plateau, there are also free parking spaces, but from here it will take 15-20 minutes to go uphill to the ski lifts (Chalet and Reserved Forest). For guests staying at hotels of this level (see below), parking was free during the 2015/16 season.

Check the resort's website for changes to parking conditions.

Gorki Gorod - parking

Parking at the Gorki Gorod ski resort - Gorki Gorod level 960

The Gorki Gorod resort has huge parking areas, both ground and underground. Until 02/19/16, parking was free, now it is 350 rubles per day. For those staying in the hotels of the resort - 100 rubles per day. More about parking rules find out on the resort website.

You can also park your car for free on the streets of the village of Esto-Sadok, which is convenient, since the village borders on the territories of the Gorki Gorod resort. But park strictly according to the rules - Sochi (and Krasnaya Polyana is a district of the city of Sochi) is known for the rapid evacuation of improperly parked cars to fine parking lots. Evacuation will ease your wallet by 3500-4000 rubles.

Gazprom - parking

2 multi-level ground parking - 400 rubles / day. Free parking for hotel guests. Read more about parking conditions on the resort page.

Lifts

Most of the lifts are on Rosa Khutor, next comes Gazprom, closes the line of Gorki Gorod.But don't be fooled by Gazprom - although there are more ski lifts than in the Gorki Gorod resort, the height is lower by 700 meters, which means that skiing opportunities are reduced.

And if you look closely at the list of lifts (below), you can see that Gazprom has 3 yokes. They should not be taken into account - they are for beginners and work on almost flat slopes.

Check the resorts' websites for information on the operation of ski lifts and slopes.

The number and types of lifts in the ski resorts of Krasnaya Polyana:

Rosa Khutor

22 lifts:

5 gondola (8-seater)
8 chairlifts (4 and 6-seater)
5 rope tows
4 "carpets"

See details about lifts.

Gorki City

8 lifts:

3 gondola (8-seater)
5 chairlifts (4-seater)

Tracks

The situation with the slopes is similar to that with the lifts. While all the slopes and lifts are open, Rosa Khutor overtakes its neighbors in this category.

As soon as there is a threat of avalanches, the upper slopes of the Rosa Khutor resort are closed. On such days, the 77 kilometers of trails promised can be divided in half.

In order to make better use of your time and money at the Rosa Khutor resort, read the material.

For the average skier, the variety of trails at all three resorts will be enough to roll you out of your mind. There is a slight drawback to the trails at Gazprom - they are all wide at the beginning, very narrow towards the end. By the middle of the day, high hillocks quickly break up here, which not everyone can overcome comfortably. As a result, the speed of the riders slows down a lot, they often fall, and this leads to traffic jams and dangerous (health) situations.

There are almost no such problems on Rosa Khutor and Gorki Gorod.

Rosa Khutor

Trail map of the Rosa Khutor ski resort

The declared length of the tracks is 77 km.

Number of tracks:

Greens - 5
Blue - 18
Reds - 9
Black - 9

Mountain Carousel

The declared length of the tracks is 24 km.

Number of tracks:

Greens - 2
Blue - 10
Reds - 13
Black - 4

You can get acquainted with the characteristics of the ski slopes (height difference, length) of the ski resort.

Gazprom

Clicking on the image will open an interactive map of the resort.

The declared length of the tracks is 23 km

Number of tracks:

Greens - 3
Blue - 7
Reds - 10
Black - 3

Snowparks

Snowparks (for those who don't know yet) are where people fly. From trampolines. They also perform (or learn) various tricks, for example, rail sliding. As a rule, young people hang out in snowparks, where they measure the brightness of their clothes, number of revolutions and flight range.

Permanent parks exist only on Rosa Khutor, temporary parks are organized on Gorki Gorod and Rosa Khutor. There are no parks at Gazprom.

Rosa Khutor

The resort has 3 parks, two of them are permanent, one is open only in April. The park description page is located .

Gorki City

There is no permanent working park at the resort. It appears only in the spring - for a sports and entertainment camp. Quicksilver New Star Camp . Details are on the website of the park organizer.

Gazprom

There are no snow parks at the Gazprom ski resort.

Off-piste (freeride)

I will only express my point of view, since freeride is a matter of purely personal preferences and ideas.For a long time, Rosa Khutor was in the first place (in terms of off-piste skiing), then Gorki-Gorod followed, and I completely ignored Gazprom, believing that, with such childish heights (1660 m), a real freerider has nothing to do there.

But everything changed one day, when my clients (I also work as a guide-instructor) insisted on skiing on Gazprom. February was in the yard, I taught them to ski on the slopes, and I myself could not take my eyes off the forest expanses of the resort - there, untouched by anyone, lay soft and lush snowdrifts.

I looked and patiently waited for my friends to run out of steam and go to rest, and I could start plowing snow plots.

It seems that I was not the only one who thought that freeriders had nowhere to turn around at Gazprom. Because in two days of skiing, I noticed only a dozen people slowly plowing the fluffy snow. The rest of the lovers of virgin lands were pushing at other resorts.

By the way, on Rosa Khutor and Gorki Gorod, freshly fallen snow rolls in the first two or three hours after the start of the lifts. Then you have to walk for the pudder.

So my opinion is that all three resorts are equal in terms of opportunities for freeriding, but if it was January-February, and half a meter of snow fell the night before, then I would go to Gazprom without telling anyone. And ski passes are cheaper there.

Words of sanity: never ride off-piste alone. Even if you are ten meters from the track. Know that if something happens to you and you get even under a thin layer of snow and call for help, no one will hear you. Snow will drown out all your cries, it has such an insidious property. Believe me, you will be very offended, I had such an experience.

And, moreover, do not go far from the tracks in an unknown area. Even with friends. It is better to hire a guide for a couple of days, study the relief, understand the features of the place, and only then do the sorties yourself.

Ski pass price

You need to know that the cost of ski passes in the resorts of Krasnaya Polyana varies greatly and depends on the season and holidays. For example, on Rosa Khutor on New Year's holidays, an adult ski pass cost 2500 rubles, and starting from April 1 - 1200 rubles.

Rosa Khutor

The Rosa Khutor resort has the most expensive ski passes, because they have the most trails and lifts . In addition, he is the most Olympic, he was most involved in the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.

The cost of an adult ski pass in the season 2015/16: holidays - 2500 rubles; January - March (weekends / weekdays) - 2100/1950 rubles; April - May - 1300 rubles.

Gorki City

The cost of an adult ski pass in the season 2015/16: holidays - 2300 rubles; January - March - 1800 rubles; April - 1300 rubles, May - 1100 rubles (from April 4). See current prices for ski passes.

Gazprom

The cost of ski passes in the season 2015/16: holidays - 2000 rubles; weekends - 1650 rubles; weekdays - 1400 rubles. All lift rates are hidden under this link.

Small discounts can be obtained if you stay in hotels located in the territories of ski resorts. Specify when booking a hotel. Additional discounts (3%) were given at Rosa Khutor and for online purchases.

The most confusing system for selling ski passes is on site Rosa Khutor (the page is turned off with the end of the season). On the one hand, it is difficult to understand what's what, on the other hand, if you know where to click, you can save money.

In order to help people find these loopholes on the resort website, I wrote an article . Attention: the article was published at the beginning of the 2015-2016 season and will be updated at the beginning of the next season.

Ski and snowboard equipment rental

There should be no problems with equipment rental at any resort, there are enough points. And it's hard to single someone out. But still, two rentals (both at Rosa Khutor) deserve to be mentioned separately, but more on that below. In the meantime - a list of ski and snowboard rentals in the ski resorts of Krasnaya Polyana.

Prices are about the same everywhere, they ask for more money only for models of the “last” year. In the spring, when demand falls, the season of promotions and discounts begins. Be sure to check by phone.

Rosa Khutor – Rosa Dolina (560 m)

Rental Rosa Khutor in the Mzymta Dvor building
Rent Rosa Khutor, Kamenka st 1
Rent Rosa Khutor, in the building of the ice rink, Olimpiyskaya st., 35
Rental Rosa Khutor Mzymta square (under the Romanov bridge)
Rental Base 560 (freeride equipment), Kamenka st. 2
Extreme Ride Rental, Kamenka street 2
Ski Rent rental at the Park Inn ( vk )

More information about the rental of snowboard and ski equipment on the resort's website.

Rosa Khutor - Rosa Plateau (1170 m)

Rosa Khutor - Rosa Stadium (940 m)

Gorki Gorod – Nizhny Gorod (540 m)

Rental Gorki Gorod, Gorky Plaza East
Rental Gorki Gorod, Gorki Gorod 960
Rental Start at Marriott Hotel

Gorki-Gorod - Upper City (960 m)

Rent at Panorama Hotel, Gorki Gorod 960
Rent , Sberbank Gorki Gorod 960
Rental Start at Solis Sochi Hotel, Gorki Gorod 960
Rental Start at Rixos Hotel, Gorki Gorod 960

Gazprom

The lower station of the resort Alpika Service
The lower station of the resort Gazprom
In buildings A, B and C of the Grand Hotel Polyana
The main building of the hotel Polyana 1389 Hotel and Spa
Mountain shelter Psekhako
Mountain shelter Fir

We return to two rentals that stand apart.

The first one is at the Rose Valley level (560 m) - Base 560 . This is a kind of boutique for freeriders - equipment in it is only for off-piste skiing. From skis and snowboards to avalanche equipment. Here you can also buy a guide or order a ride from a helicopter (heli-skiing).

The second is rental. Rider's Test & Rent . In addition to the usual rental equipment, it has departments with the latest models of alpine skiing and snowboarding - for piste skiing, freeride, as well as sports skis (sports shop).

And if snowboards are represented only by the Burton brand, then the variety in skis is impressive - Atomic, Salomon, Stockli, Head, Fischer and other brands. Since the ski rental is organized by the Moscow Sport-Marathon store, for the owners of discount cards there was50% discount. Check out current rental promotions at

The system of lifts and ski slopes, as well as the entire infrastructure at the Gorki Gorod resort, was built for the 2014 Winter Olympics. After the Winter Olympics, the resort has not ceased to be popular, having been transformed into an all-season one. All objects of the resort "Gorki Gorod" are located on four levels: "Lower City" at an altitude of 540 meters above sea level, "Upper City" at an altitude of 960 meters, at an altitude of 1500 meters and 2200 meters - viewing platforms, ski slopes, eco-routes and restaurants .

Of the 13 cable car lifts, 9 operate in excursion mode in the summer. If you have planned a one-day trip to Gorki Gorod, then it is better to arrive early in the morning in order to have time to visit more attractions in the resort.

The Gorki Gorod resort is located in the village of Esto-Sadok in the valley of the Mzymta River, which is 40 kilometers from Sochi International Airport. You can get to the resort by bus, taxi or train "Lastochka". It is worth noting that carsharing is very popular in Sochi.

The main attraction of the resort in the summer season, of course, is the cable car. The cost of a walking ticket for the Gorki Gorod cable car in the summer of 2019:

one ascent/descent from 540 meters to 960 meters ("Upper City")
- adult - 300 rubles,
- children's - 200 rubles;
one ascent/descent from 540 meters to 2200 meters ("Panorama")
- adult - 1400 rubles,
- children's - 850 rubles.

Excursion lift on the cable car "Gorki Gorod" to the peak of the Black Pyramid passes with transfers at the stations. To get to the destination, it is necessary to make several transfers between gondola and chair lifts: K1 - K2 - K3 - K4 - K5. So, go! To the mountains!

Important! If you decide to visit the resorts of Krasnaya Polyana, then be sure to take warm clothes with you, because in the mountains the air temperature is lower than on the Black Sea coast. The temperature in the Alpine zone, at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level, does not rise above 15 ° C in summer.

Observation deck at an altitude of 960 meters - "Upper City"

The first K1 lift lifts from the "Lower City" from a height of 540 meters to 960 meters above sea level to the "Upper City". Gondola cabins, some with special mountings for mountain bikes. This was done because at the station "Upper City" there is a "Gorki bike park" with tracks of varying difficulty for downhill - downhill mountain biking. Also from the station "Upper City" you can take the cable car to the eco-route "Waterfall Polikarya", if you have purchased a walking ticket for all lifts.

At the station "Upper City" there is a large observation deck, many restaurants and cafes. This is a zone of a forest mountain belt, so it is worth stopping and taking a short walk around the station to enjoy the views and clean air.

Important! If you are a guest of one of the Upper City hotels, then the ascent to K1 will be free for you.

Observation deck at an altitude of 1460 meters

The second lift K2 is part of the main excursion route on the way to the top of the Aibga ridge. Already from the cabins of this lift, you can see the Pseashkho mountain range, which is located opposite the Aibga ridge, together they form the gorge of the Mzymta River. You can see the snow-covered peak in the center - Sakharny peak 3189 meters high, the peak to the left of the peak - Pseashkho Yuzhny 3251 meters high, and to the right of Sakharny peak - Kozhevnikov peak 3070 meters. And in front of these peaks is the Bzerpinsky cornice, which is a popular tourist walking route in the summer season.

The station is located at an altitude of 1460 meters above sea level. In just a few minutes from the zone of the forest mountain belt you find yourself in the subalpine zone. The landscape and the temperature of the surrounding air are changing. It is cooler here than at the Lower City and Upper City stations. In summer, the temperature in the subalpine zone does not rise above +24 °C. Not far from the station there is a rope park and an ecological route called "Relic Forest". A visit to the rope park is paid, and the entrance to the eco-route "Relic Forest" is free. If you have time, then you should definitely take a walk along the path of the eco-route among the majestic firs.

Observation deck at an altitude of 2200 meters - Black Pyramid peak

The third lift K3 lifts to a height of 2200 meters above sea level in the area of alpine meadows. Here, on the top of the Aibga ridge, the most colorful ecological route called "Alpine Meadows" is laid. The length of the route is 3 kilometers with a height difference of up to 150 meters, so it will take a lot of time to complete it. As a reward for determination, the tourist is waiting for stunning viewpoints on the eco-route along the mountain circus.

But at the upper station, not only the Alpine Meadows eco-route is interesting. On the chairlift K4 and K5 you can make a dizzying descent to the neighboring mountain circus, and no less exciting ascent to the foot of the Black Pyramid. A real attraction 150 meters high awaits tourists on the K4 cable car. After a short gentle ride, the chairs of the K4 rush almost vertically downwards, exciting emotions are provided for everyone, especially those who are sensitive to height. Before transferring to the last cable car, you can take a walk to the "Bear Falls" or to the "Valley of Rhododendrons".

The last ascent on the K5 cable car leads to the foot of the Black Pyramid - the highest peak of the Gorki Gorod resort. The height of the peak is 2375 meters above sea level. An excursion climbing route has been laid to the top of the Black Pyramid, which can be passed with insurance under the supervision of an instructor.

From the upper station of the K5 lift, amazing views of another mountain circus open up. And from here you can see the Mountain Olympic Village on Rosa Plateau, built at an altitude of 1170 meters above sea level in the Rosa Khutor resort.

There are four different ski resorts in Krasnaya Polyana, each with its own cable cars. These are (from left to right): Rosa Khutor, Alpika-Service, Gorki Gorod and below Gazprom. Tickets for each complex must be purchased separately and the resorts are located at some distance from each other. Here is a general diagram of all the lifts in Krasnaya Polyana. Alpika-Service is still under reconstruction, so there are three resorts at your service.

Click to enlarge

Here they are on the map of the village

Click to enlarge

Which complex of Krasnaya Polyana to choose?

Rosa Khutor

Today Rosa Khutor is the most visited summer facility. The highest observation deck in Sochi is Kamenny Pillar (2509 m), various additional activities on the mountain itself and Olympic fame attract many tourists from all over the country.

How to get there?

To get to Rosa Khutor, you need to take the Lastochka high-speed train to the Rosa Khutor terminal station, from where the free resort bus will pick you up or you can walk (about 20 minutes) along the picturesque embankment of the Mzymta mountain river to the ski lifts. If you are traveling by bus, you need the bus terminus. If you have your own car, then it is better to leave the car in a paid parking lot. If you leave it on the road, then the evacuation can cost 7,000 rubles.

Cost of ski lifts Rosa Khutor

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850 rub. "Rose Plateau". For 850 rubles, you can climb one line of the cable car up to a height of 1170 m, i.e. from Rose Valley to Rose Plateau. There is the Olympic Village and one of the viewing platforms. There is also a Berloga restaurant with excellent views of the surrounding mountains.

100 rub. "Rose Plateau after 19.00". From 19.00 to 23.00 you can climb one line of the cable car up to a height of 1170 m, i.e. from Rose Valley to Rose Plateau. There is the Olympic Village with many cafes and restaurants (Berloga, Pear), a cinema hall in Riderʼs Loudge.

1350 rub. "The Path to the Heights". With this ticket you go up to Rosa Peak - the highest observation deck in Krasnaya Polyana, accessible directly from the ski lift - 2320 meters above sea level. Also included is the Crocus chairlift, which will take you to a height of 2460 m - this is today the highest point reached by ski lifts in Krasnaya Polyana. You will find yourself almost at the very top of the Kamenny Pillar mountain, 2509 m. But in order to get on this cable car, you will have to walk a little down the reverse side of the Aibga ridge. Those. for 1300 rub. you can ride the two highest cable cars and walk a little along the picturesque mountain path. To make everything clearer, study the Rosa Khutor summer map.

1550 rub. "Opening Day" This is a day pass. You can ride on all Rosa Khutor cable cars without restrictions all day long.

Opening hours: from 9.30 to 18.30 Specify information by phone: 8-800-5-000-555.Ticket information for official website Rosa Khutor.You can also buy lift tickets online at online store Rosa Khutor. It's faster and you don't have to stand in line. You can get a ticket in a special terminal near the lift.

Gorki City

Gorki Gorod (former Gornaya Karusel) is also a very interesting excursion object for tourists. In Gorki Gorod there are at least 5 observation platforms at different heights and a beautiful panoramic restaurant.

How to get there?

If you are traveling by bus or your car, then just get to Gorka Gorod and get off there. Parking in Gorki Gorod - the first hour is free, then 100 rubles per hour and 500 rubles per day. If you are traveling by Lastochka, you can get off at the penultimate railway station Esto-Sadok, and from there take a free resort bus or regular bus (30 rubles) to the cable car. Or get to the final station of the Rosa Khutor swallow and from there walk a little back to Gorka Gorod (about 15 minutes). We ourselves often choose the second option, because the Gorki Gorki bus does not always arrive, and walking is not difficult.

In addition, since May 22, 2017, the cable cars of the Eastern sector of the resort have been launched in the excursion mode, which take tourists to the Palikara waterfall (aka Pants) - the largest waterfall in Sochi and one of the highest in Europe. The difference is about 70 m. Trekking lovers can go to the waterfall on foot.

Cost of lifts Gorki Gorod (summer 2016)

300 rub. Ascent to the first stage of the cable car up to a height of 960 m. To be honest, there are no special views from there, so we recommend taking any ticket higher. In the evening (from 18 to 23.00) - 100 rub. 800 rub. Ascent to a height of 1370 m above sea level. Here you can take a walk to the Polikorya waterfall, which offers a beautiful view of the mountains. What is nice, it is usually warm there and the wind does not blow, as at the top.

1300 rub. Ascent to a height of 2200 meters

1150 rub."Evening Peak" - climb to the peak to a mark of 2200 meters above sea level

1000 rub."Rope Park" is valid for 1 ascent from 540 m to 1460 m + 2 routes in the rope park

1500 rub."Day in the mountains" is valid for all cable cars of the resort for one lift + 2 routes in the rope park

3300 rub."Family" (2 adults + 2 children) is valid on all cable cars of the resort for one lift

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Gazprom

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How to get there?

"Gorki Gorod" (former Gornaya Karusel) after the Olympics launched a new ski area "Eastern Sector". At the moment, there are about 25 km of slopes, 4 gondola and 8 chair lifts.

The infrastructure of the resort is well developed. Many shops (including grocery stores), a large shopping and entertainment center, laundry, kindergartens and mountain schools.

How to get to the Mountain Carousel?

You can get there by your car. There is enough parking space next to the ski lift and in the courtyards of Gorka Gorod. There is also underground parking, which is conveniently located directly under the lift, although not always open. True, the cost of parking is 700 rubles. in a day.

What do we see upon arrival? Two levels of resort with hotels, shops and restaurants.

And then they actually built a whole city of hotels with a capacity of more than 3,000 rooms. True, the capacity of the lifts is less, but it is not a fact that such a quantity of housing will be filled.

At the moment, new shops, restaurants and cafes are constantly opening. And even has its own water park in the shopping center "Gorki Gorod Mall"

Lifts and slopes Gorki Gorod

In the 18/19 season, 13 lifts were in operation. The main lift is 3 lines of the main cable car, 8-seater gondolas that lift up to a height of 2200 m.

Three more chairlifts operate in Circus-2 and 3. "Circus-2" and "Circus-3" are ski areas that are located at an altitude of about 2000 m under the Black Pyramid, so this arrangement of tracks allows you to fully ride up to beginning of May. For reference: a "circus" is such a semicircular bowl between the tops, and not just a bunch of clowns.

Circus-2, by the way, is a great place to learn freeride due to its slight slopes. Only here the snow in powderday is quickly rolled out there.

Directly under Circus-2 there is a roll-out to the Eastern Sector ski area. In the upper part, there are rather difficult and steep red runs and a very pleasant forest, and below, green and blue runs are convenient for training.

In the 2015-2016 season, a test opening of another ski area "Circus-3" took place. It is about the same as the Circus-2, but so far only half and one lift is working.

In Gorki Gorod, of course, there are tracks for all categories of riders. But most of all it is suitable either for beginners or for already experienced riders. But the very golden mean, which is suitable for most lovers, is not presented as well as in the neighboring Rosa Khutor and Laura.

Finally, an artificial snow system has appeared and this has significantly improved the quality of skiing and extended the season.

Evening skiing

The slides also pleased the guests with evening skiing. The tracks of the second stage and chairs from 960 m are working. If you have already ridden Gazprom in the evening, then the differences will be as follows: the tracks are more difficult, that is, you can roll out well if you arrived in the evening. There are no queues because the gondola lift is in operation. The atmosphere is less romantic than at Gazprom, but more party-like.

Freeride in Gorki Gorod

Gorki Gorod is a favorite place for experienced freeriders. With good snowfalls, you can ride very cool off-piste, although Gorki is the most dangerous freeride compared to other complexes, because there are many difficult couloirs and rock climbs. And, unlike Rosa Khutor, there is no such easy access directly from the cable car. Beginners often go to the wrong place and then get back for many hours. But what freerider can resist untouched virgin soil?

With the launch of the new lifts, access to freeride routes has become easier, which has opened up new horizons for off-piste riders. However, do not forget that freeriding in Gorki Gorod is officially prohibited, to the extent that rescuers may refuse to help injured riders, which has already happened.

The Gorok policy regarding freeride is rather strange and controversial. On the one hand, the proud inscription “Freeride” is on the facade of the resort, on the other hand, the resort has been actively fighting against off-piste skiing in recent seasons, for which it has brought in strange, rough-and-tumble patrolmen, many of whom ride poorly, create dangerous situations and spoil the image of the resort. For this reason, once our favorite resort, we ourselves practically do not visit. We are waiting for positive changes, but we are waiting for them for now, riding on Rosa and Gazprom.

Snowboard camp and park

Circus-2 in Gorki is almost an ideal place for such events, but Gorki Gorod lost its main event - Quiksilver New Star Camp, which moved to Rosa Khutor a few years ago and all the action is now there. Gorki Gorod is trying to make alternative events, but so far not very successful. But let's hope things get better.

Food and recreation

Down in Gorki Gorod, new cafes and restaurants are constantly opening. What is important, next to the ski lift there is a supermarket "Perekrestok" in the shopping center "Gorki Mall" and next to "Agrokomleks". And in terms of food, Gorki Gorod is the most democratic and diverse resort in Krasnaya Polyana. There are many options, all different and with different prices.

For example, one of the best views of Krasnaya Polyana and Sochi opens from the panoramic restaurant at 2200 m. And in good weather and in good optics, you can even see the sea.

At the top of the second stage there is a cafe-restaurant "Sugrob", where you can sit well and tode with a view.

But nearby, on the observation deck, and a queue below, there are tents with sausages, sandwiches and tea, where the prices are quite adequate. And the view from all the viewing points of the resort is gorgeous.

Downstairs, at level 540, there is a decent canteen "Stove" and "Coals".

Summary

Well, seriously, Gorki Gorod is currently optimal for three categories of guests: these are beginners who will like Circus-2 and a training track on a chair; strong track riders who will run around the entire resort in a couple of days; and experienced freeriders who don’t really need trails.

For the bulk of the lower-middle-skating guests, the tracks of the third stage and the eastern sector are complicated or narrow. However, there is one very big plus - when there are queues at Rosa and Gazprom, there is usually no crush in Gorki and you can ride quite comfortably.

Text: Eugene Matalyga
Photo: Arina Melekhova, sochi360.ru, FunSochi.ru, Marina Korobkova, Lenya Dementiev.