Dombai is a ski resort. Description, location and reviews of tourists

In the heart of the majestic mountains of the gray Caucasus lies one of the oldest tourist and mountaineering centers of our country. This Dombai is a ski Eden, located in the protected area of Karachay-Cherkessia. Incredible in its beauty landscapes of the North Caucasus, the cleanest mountain air and amazing conditions for active recreation attract tourists from all corners of Russia, as well as near and far abroad.

The modern resort of Dombai is a unique center of mountaineering and alpine skiing, a venue for international competitions, significant events of the cultural and sporting life of the country.

Location of the resort

The Dombai glade is an intermontane basin at an altitude of 1620 meters above sea level - the place where Dombai is located. The ski resort is located in the basin of the Teberda mountain river, on the territory of the national Teberda Reserve. High-mountain valley comfortably nestled at the foot of the Main Caucasian Range, where the waters of the Dombai-Ulgen, Amanauz and Alibek rivers merge.

The glade is ringed with a chain of bizarre snow-capped peaks with an unusually poetic name - Dombai-Ulgen (in translation from Karachai - a killed bison), Sulahat - a sleeping girl, the striped Belalakaya rock, Juguturluchat (a place of dwelling tours), Peak Ine, sung by Vizbor the majestic Erzog.

Due to the mild climate and the favorable geographical position in Dombai, there is always fine weather: massive mountain slopes protect the resort from winds, and the sun illuminates the valley more than 320 days a year. Ample snowfalls and a steady snow cover determine a long ski season, lasting from November to May.

Dombai - mountain skiing Mecca of the North Caucasus

The sunny edge of legends and legends - the amazing Caucasus - has long attracted travelers, explorers and climbers. Since the 20-ies of the last century, the Dombay glade has been developed as a center for tourism and mountain skiing. Today Dombai is a ski resort, rapidly developing its capabilities and infrastructure. The skiing conditions here are close to the Alpine resorts: modern winter routes, more than 20 kilometers long, an extensive network of lifts, a high level of service, and the main advantage is the wild, untouched beauty of the surrounding mountains.

Mountain skiing resorts

The ski runs in Dombai originate at an altitude of over 3 thousand meters at the top of the monumental Mussa-Achitara ridge. The system of slopes of different levels of complexity and length is suitable for both beginners and skiers of alpine skiing. Trails, according to the accepted classification system, are conditionally divided into "green" (simple slopes for beginners), "blue" (medium level of complexity) and "red" - for self-confident pros.

The main ski area is laid at an altitude of 2600-3012 meters and is distinguished by an even calm relief. For children and very "green" beginners prepared the simplest gentle slopes, the so-called "Frogs", equipped with a drag lift.

For lovers to tickle their nerves and professional sportsmen, the steep slopes of the northern part of Moussa-Achitara and the gorge of Gonachkhir offer ample opportunities for freeriding. Heli-ski admirers expect dizzy skiing along pristine slopes from the peaks of Semenov-Bashi and the Alibek glacier, where the local helicopter drops the extreme. For skiing in the late hours at the resort provides night lighting trails.

System of lifts of Dombai

Dombai is a ski resort that serves several lift systems:

• Five lines of cable-chairlift, built in the 70-80 years of the XX century. In the main ski area, the fourth and fifth lines of the cable car are delivered. The fourth line leads to the so-called "Mussa Glade" at an altitude of 2.5 km. Hence, the fifth pair of cable cars brings tourists to the crest of the ridge.
• The eight-seater gondola lift.

• A new cable car complex , which includes six- and four-seater chairlifts, delivering skiers and snowboarders to a height of up to 3200 meters.
• Yugoslavian ropeway length of 1700 meters.
• The cable-pendulum road, which includes two trains with a capacity of up to 40 people, raises tourists and skiers to a height of 2,260 m.
• A network of tow-towing roads serving the training slopes.

Attractions in the resort

The main attraction of this region is the surrounding magnificence of the nature of the Teberda Reserve. Crystal mountain rivers and picturesque gorges of gorges, rapid waterfalls, cold beauty of high-mountain lakes - an amazing panorama of local places opens an observation deck on the summit of Mussa-Achitara. From here you can watch the distant Elbrus shining in the cloudy haze.

A remarkable place and original visiting card of Dombai is the original eight-seat hotel "Tarelka", made in the form of an alien ship.

On the way to Alikbek gorge there is a quiet and memorable place - the cemetery of the dead climbers. They come here to pay tribute to the memory and respect of those who died in the mountains while climbing or trying to save the lives of their comrades. On the path leading to the graves, there is a sign with words from Vysotsky's song: "There are no scarlet roses and mourning ribbons, and the stone that has given you peace is not like a monument ...".

Entertainment and excursions in Dombai

Dombai is a ski resort, where besides a fascinating variety of trails, the guests are offered a lot of opportunities for active and diverse recreation. You can admire the expanses of the snow-covered Caucasus by taking a walk on ATVs or in an exciting snowmobile safari. Admirers of thrill will not leave indifferent the opportunity to make a stunning descent in a special zorb, a volume transparent ball.

Special mention deserves exciting trips with an instructor on a paraglider, opening unforgettable views of mountain landscapes from a bird's eye view. Confident skiers can try their hand at speeddrifting - an extreme combination of a paraglider and mountain skis.

On the territory of the complex there is an ice skating rink, tobogganing, horse and hike excursions are organized along the picturesque corners of the Teberda Reserve.

Dombai in summer and autumn

Dombai is a mountain ski resort, which is worth a visit not only in winter. The delightful nature of this region offers great opportunities for recreation in the summer and autumn periods. When the snow cover comes down from the slopes of the Caucasian mountains, the Alpine meadows of the Dombai Valley blossom with a silky carpet of tender plants. The sight of travelers reveals the beauty of centuries-old fir forests, turquoise mountain lakes, millennia glaciers against a clear sunny sky.

In summer Dombai has a special low climate, favorable for long hiking tours. At this time of year popular mountain pastures are mountain biking and horseback riding, climbing to the tops of the Caucasus, trekking. In autumn, the nature of Teberda is ignited by a motley palette of golden-purple colors.

Dombai - ski resort: prices for lifting and rental of equipment

Prices for elevator services depend on the choice of lift system. Since the main complexes of cable-chairlifts belong to different owners, Dombay does not have a single tariff. A 50% discount applies to children and pensioners.

• The cost of a single lift along the old cable-chair road depends on the queue and varies from 150 to 250 rubles, the daily subscription will cost the tourist from 500 to 1000 rubles.
• The cost of a skipass for both lines of the new cable car complex will be 1600 rubles per day for an adult. A one-time rise at each turn is estimated at 500 rubles.
• Services of the pendulum cableway to alpine skiers and snowboarders will cost 200 rubles, tourists - 300 rubles per one lift.

The rental price of a set of equipment for skis and snowboard is about 400-450 rubles a day. On the territory of the complex, you can also purchase new equipment.

How to get there

There are several ways to get to the corner of Karachay-Cherkessia, where Dombai is located. The ski resort is located 230 kilometers from Mineralnye Vody Airport, and the easiest way to transfer is air travel. From the airport daily (during the ski season from December to March) a shuttle bus runs, delivering tourists to the center of the village. You can also take a taxi or rent a car.

If you get to the ski resort by train, you can choose the destination in Nevinnomyssk, Pyatigorsk, Nalchik or Mineralnye Vody. The journey takes from 24 to 38 hours on the way. From the station to Dombai, you can take a taxi, there are routes of regular buses.

From Moscow to the Dombai glade, direct flights of comfortable intercity buses run. Also, without transplants, you can get to the place of rest on your own, that is, on your own car.

The protected places of the majestic Caucasus all year round meet their guests with a unique nature, healing air and magnificence of high-mountain valleys. Dombai mountain skiing reviews of tourists are unanimously ranked among the most spectacular and beautiful resorts of our country.