The ski season has opened. Ski season in the Carpathians: how long and when is the best time to go
When does the ski season start in Dombai? Which months is better to go if you are an amateur hiking? We will tell you what the weather is in each of the seasons and when is the best time to go to rest.
Winter: ski season in Dombai
Spring in Dombai
In March, they are still actively skiing, and, according to tourists, this is one of the most favorable months for skiers: warm and powdery. In general, the snow begins to melt at the end of April, and at this time the ski season in Dombai ends. The real spring in Dombai comes in May, although at the beginning of this month you can sometimes even ride if a particularly snowy, prolonged winter has stood out.
The average daily temperature in March is +2 ... + 3 ° С, in April +8 ... + 9 ° С, in May +12 ... + 15 ° С. May is the rainiest and most volatile month of the year (up to 12 days), and if you decide to visit Dombay at this time, it is better to bring a raincoat.
(Photo © Artem Mishchenko / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC 2.0)
Summer: hiking and climbing season
Since Dombay is predominantly a winter resort, summer is a low season. There are quite a few people, mainly those who are engaged in mountaineering and trekking come, so the prices become quite affordable. However, due to the low tourist flow, some infrastructure facilities (cafes, restaurants, hotels, cable cars) are "resting".
Summer is the hiking season in Dombai. At this time, there is room for exploring the surrounding mountains, hiking possible on any route. At the beginning of summer, snow can still lie in many places (at height and in the shade), so July, August and September are more popular with mountain hikers, when it is comfortable to sleep in a tent at night.
In Dombai, it is usually sunny and dry in summer, although the weather is sometimes changeable. In June, the daytime temperature averages +18 ... + 19 ° С, in July and August around +21 ... + 22 ° С. However, when going to the mountains, remember that the closer to the top, the colder, but at the same time use sunscreen and cover exposed areas of the body - you can get seriously burned.
Autumn in Dombai
Autumn, namely October, is the most beautiful time: the monotony of green is diluted with bright autumn colors, and on the slope of Mussa-Achitara you can already find snow. However, the weather is getting a little worse, and we recommend that you carefully study the forecast before your trip. We were lucky, and almost all the time of our vacation in Dombai in early October, the sun was shining on us.
The average daily temperature in September is + 16 ° С, in October it is already + 10 ° С, and in November it is about + 4 ° С. It can even snow a little at the end of October, which is the end of the hiking season. November is considered dead season: The first tourists appear only at the end of the month if there is a lot of snow.
Hiking in September and October is good, as there are very few tourists and you can enjoy the beauty of the mountains alone. It is quite warm in the valley, sometimes even hot (but cool in the morning and evening), and at an altitude of 2500 meters it is better to have a windproof jacket, hat / cap, gloves and a scarf with you. Do not forget about sunglasses and sunscreen: even in October, your face can easily turn red.
We examined the ski resorts with the longest skiing season, and at the same time compared prices, infrastructure and additional activities.
Caucasus
Some of the best in Russia. Trails of varying difficulty are ideal for both beginners and experienced professionals. The skiing season starts at the beginning of October and lasts until the end of May. The trails located above the Gora-Bashi slope operate almost all year round.
Ski resort "Elbrus"
Season: It is best to come to the resorts of Elbrus and Elbrus in the spring. The March sun warms up so that you can sunbathe on the slopes. From January to May, the air temperature ranges from -5 to +8 degrees.
Ski resort "Cheget" - the season lasts until the end of May
V beautiful place Elbrus is located "Cheget" - one of the most comfortable ski resorts in the country and a mecca for fans of extreme skiing. The Cheget tracks are considered the most difficult not only in Russia, but also in Europe: its steep slopes are covered with crevices and rocky ledges.
Ski resort "Cheget"
Season: from early October to late May. Above the Gara-Bashi slope, if the weather is favorable, you can ski all year round.
Trails: 17 slopes and 4 lifts
What, besides the tracks: skating rink, horseback riding, tubing, disco
Artificial snow: No
Cafe: several cafes and a restaurant
Hotel: there is a hotel
Instructor services (price): 1500 rub / hour
Lift cost: day pass 1000 rubles, one-time rise 600 rubles (children under 7 years old 50% discount)
Car parking: RUB 100 / day
The address: Kabardino-Balkaria, Terskol
Skiing in November is cheaper and more comfortable than during the high season. Many stations only open in December, but those located on a glacier or on high altitude, ready to receive you in early November. November is a low season, which means that prices for hotels and ski passes will be lower, and there will be no queues for lifts and reception points at all. If you can't wait to get on your skis without waiting new year holidays, then we have prepared a list best resorts Europe with early snow.
1. Tignes in France
Tignes ski resort lies in the highlands, at the Grand Mott glacier, surrounded by mountains 3030-3600 meters high. Thanks to the glacier and the high altitude, snow falls in Tignes already in October. There are 20 kilometers of slopes on steep and wide slopes, of which two are blue (suitable even for beginners), two are red and one is black. The resort has schools for adults and children, where kids are put on snowboarding from 2.5 years old. There is a snow park with one of the largest and fastest half-pipes in the world and freeride tracks. In addition to bars, clubs and restaurants, in Tignes you can dive under the ice of the lake and jump from a badge.
Season opened on September 29
The price of a ski pass for 1 day: 33 euros for adults, 27 euros for children until 23 November, from 24 November to 21 December - 45 euros for adults and 36 euros for children.
Resort Website: tignes.net
2. Solden in Austria
Sölden is located in Tyrol's Ötztal valley, where 40 kilometers of excellent trails run between the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers. The slopes in Sölden are long, with a difference in height, most of them are of simple and medium difficulty. Experienced skiers prefer the Gaislachkogl fast track. For snowboarders there is a separate park with jumps, rails, fan boxes and a half pipe. In addition to skiing, snowboarding and mountaineering, the resort offers hiking, snowmobile rental, sledding and a bowling alley. Entertainment includes a cinema, swimming pools with saunas, skating rinks, clubs, restaurants and bars.
Season opening: November 15
Price of a ski pass for 1 day: 53 euros for adults, 30 euros for children.
Resort website: soelden.com
3. Zermatt in Switzerland
Photo: Dong liu / Shutterstock.com
Zermatt surrounded by mountain peaks Dufour (4 654 m) and Matterhorn (4 478 m), are among the ten best alpine resorts. The ski area is divided into 3 ski sectors with 200 kilometers of slopes of all difficulty levels; each sector has its own lift system. Most of the slopes are red and black, with sharp drops in altitude. In addition to the ski slopes in Zermatt there are trails for mogul, flat ski and tobogganing. On the Theodule glacier is the Gravity Park Zermatt - the largest snow park in Europe, with rails, kickers and a 200m super-pipe. After skiing, you can go to the pools with saunas and steam baths, tennis courts, discos and restaurants.
Season opened on October 27
Price of a ski pass for 1 day: 75 euros for adults, 38 euros for children.
Resort website: zermatt.ch
4. Val Thorens in France
Val Thorens, the highest ski resort Europe, located at an altitude of 2300-3300 meters. Out of 150 kilometers of trails, 77 kilometers are blue, 59 kilometers are red and 14 kilometers are black. In Val Thorens, there is a unique 500-meter Fun Slope with obstacles - tunnels, bridges and spirals, a snow park with jumps and a quarter-pipe, night skiing and cross-country skiing trails. The resort is very popular with freeride enthusiasts due to its huge virgin fields in the Thorens and Boucher glaciers. Val Thorens has a lot of entertainment: aquacubes with pools and jacuzzis, tennis courts, golf and basketball courts, restaurants and discos.
Season opening: November 17
Price of a ski pass for 1 day: 44 euros for adults and 35 euros for children.
Resort website: valthorens.com
5. Are (Åre) in Sweden
Åre is Sweden's largest ski resort, with 100 kilometers of pistes, a drop in elevation of 900 meters (374-1274 m) and 40 lifts, many of which are high-speed. The resort consists of four separate villages with a free shuttle bus between them. There are 5 black slopes in the resort, 39 red ones, 39 blue ones, and 12 green ones. Many tracks are well lit and open for night skiing. On green slopes, it is allowed to ride on flat and alpine skiing... All trails are open for snowboarders, and there is also a funpark and snowcross. Also in Ora you can jump with a parachute, fly a hang-glider, ride a dog sled and fish under the ice of Lake Oreshen.
Season opening: November 24
Price of a ski pass for 1 day: 45 euros for adults, 35 euros for children.
Resort website: skistar.com
6. Cervinia in Italy
Cervinia - a high mountain resort on the southern slope the most beautiful mountain Matterhorn (4478 m) with 146 kilometers of trails and 23 lifts. Vertical drop - 1438 meters (2050-3488 m). Most of the runs are red and blue. For experienced skiers, there are several black slopes, the most difficult of which is Bardoney. Cervinia's blue trails attract many tourists due to the fact that they run on almost all slopes, allowing beginners to ride throughout the resort. For freestylers and snowboarders, there is the Indian Park with rails and kickers, for karting enthusiasts - the On Ice kart track with two ice tracks. Cervinia is famous for its excellent restaurants, bars, nightclubs, bowling and swimming pool.
