Esto-Sadok (Estosadok) is the most popular and respectable ski center in Russia.
Yes! It is in Esto-Sadka that all the ski resorts of Krasnaya Polyana (Rosa Khutor, Gazprom and Krasnaya Polyana) are located, and not in Krasnaya Polyana itself, which is a village bordering Esto-Sadka and is located a few kilometers from the latter. Learn more about Krasnaya Polyana...
Esto-Sadok is a village that, like the village of Krasnaya Polyana, is part of the Krasnopolyansky settlement district of the Adler district of the municipal formation of the resort city of Sochi. Nevertheless, the whole region is called by the general phrase "Krasnaya Polyana", and for the general definition of the ski resorts of Sochi, such names are most often used as: "mountain resorts of Krasnaya Polyana" and "ski resorts of Krasnaya Polyana". But to visit the mountain resorts of Krasnaya Polyana, it is necessary to go to Esto-Sadok, and not to the village of Krasnaya Polyana itself.
Esto-Sadok is located in a mountainous area, on both banks of the Mzymta River.
The terrain is mostly mountainous with pronounced fluctuations in mountain heights. The average heights directly on the territory of the village are about 698 meters above sea level.
In the south, the Aibga ridge rises above the village with several peaks, including:
- the top is a Stone pillar, whose height is 2509 meters above sea level and which is part of the Rosa Khutor mountain resort;
- the top of the Black Pyramid, which has a height of 2375 meters above sea level and is part of the mountain resort Krasnaya Polyana.
To the north of Esto-Sadka, the border of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve passes and where the Laura slope of the Gazprom mountain resort is located on the Psekhako Plateau, among the peaks of the Caucasus Mountains and the fir forest of the ridge, at altitudes from 550 to 1660 meters from sea level.
One mountain resort of Esto-Sadka is located within easy walking distance from the other.
Esto-Sadok was founded in 1886 as the village of Estonsky (Estonka) by 36 Estonian families who initially settled in Krasnaya Polyana, and then founded the village on the lands that were deserted after the eviction of the Ubykhs and Sadzov.
On December 29, 1912, at a gathering of citizens, the village of Estonsky was renamed Esto-Sadok.
Esto-Sadka Ski resorts
In Esto-Sadka there are the first levels (the lower stations of the cable cars) and the second heights of all the ski resorts of Krasnaya Polyana:
- Rosa Khutor
- Krasnaya Polyana (formerly Gorki Gorod)
- Gazprom, consisting of two slopes - "Laura" and "Alpika".
It is more correct to call the ski resorts of Krasnaya Polyana "mountain resorts", since they are available to guests all year round-both in the winter season for skiing and snowboarding, and all year round for everyone.
Each of the mountain resorts is self-sufficient, it is a full-fledged ski complex and each of them has its own infrastructure: trails and areas for skiing, cable cars, accommodation facilities (hotels, apartments, chalets), as well as parks, hiking mountain trails, places for recreation, winter and summer entertainment and services.
The most visited and crowded mountain resort is Rosa Khutor - it is the most advertised. Nevertheless, the Krasnaya Polyana resort is not inferior in any way, and, perhaps, even more interesting (subjective opinion). Gazprom Resort is good for summer hiking and horseback riding, and all year round-for a relaxed holiday in the mountains.
The Rosa Khutor mountain resort is the most famous and is considered the most respectable in Russia.
The Rosa Khutor resort is located on the slopes (northern and southern) of the Aibga ridge and covers approximately 1820 hectares. All the resort facilities, including ski slopes and lifts, are located at various heights of the Aibga ridge: starting from the Mzymta River from 560 meters above sea level (Rosa Dolina) and reaching the peaks of the mountain range - "Rose Peak" and "Stone Pillar", located at 2320-2509 meters above sea level. Learn more about the Rosa Khutor mountain resort…
Krasnaya Polyana mountain resort is located in the foothills of the Main Caucasian Ridge, the Aibga ridge.
The total approximate area of the resort is 863.7 hectares. All the resort facilities, including ski slopes, ski lifts and entertainment, are located at various altitudes: starting from the Mzymta River (Polyana 540) from 540 meters above sea level and reaching the peaks of the mountain range - "Polyana 2200" and "Black Pyramid 2375", located at 2200-2375 meters above sea level. Learn more about the mountain resort Krasnaya Polyana…
The Gazprom Mountain Resort, which is officially called the Gazprom Mountain and Tourist Center, has about 800 hectares. and technically it consists of two zones-slopes:
- the "Laura" slope, located on the Psekhako plateau, among the peaks of the Caucasus Mountains and the fir forest of the ridge, at an altitude of 550 to 1660 meters from sea level;
- the "Alpika" slope, located on the slopes of the Aibga ridge at altitudes from 550 to 2256 meters above sea level. Learn more about the Gazprom Mountain Resort…
Embankments and objects in Esto-Sadka
Estosadok and all its main objects are concentrated along the Mzymta River, on a plot of about 7 kilometers, on which there are: pedestrian and carriageways, improved embankments, residential buildings and hotels, shops and salons, cafes and restaurants, two shopping centers with water parks, two casinos, museums, baths, spa complexes, as well as parks, recreation areas, playgrounds, fairs, concert venues and some entertainment.
The main transport thoroughfare of Esto-Sadka is Estonskaya Street and Olympic Records Street. There are bus stops along the streets. There are also two railway stations in Esto-Sadok: Esto-Sadok station and Rosa Khutor station. The Rosa Khutor station is closer to all the ski resorts of Krasnaya Polyana, it is also the final stop of the Lastochka electric trains coming from Sochi and Adler.
The territory of the Esto-Sadka can be conditionally divided according to the lower reaches (lower stations of cable cars) of mountain resorts:
- Polyana 540 of Krasnaya Polyana resort
- the area near the lower station of the Laura cable cars
- Rosa Dolina of the Rosa Khutor resort.
Glade 540
The main arteries of Polyana 540 are two streets: Gornaya Karusel Street, which runs along Estonskaya Street, and the embankment of the Mzymta River-it is also Vremena Goda Street or Vremena Goda embankment.
The embankment of the Seasons is the main pedestrian street of Polyana 540. The embankment is landscaped, has recreation areas and a path that is suitable for walking and jogging.
All the main infrastructure of Glade 540 is concentrated along these two streets and in the depth of the streets, that is, between them.
Herehotels and apartments, shops and salons, cafes and restaurants, pharmacies and Parking, the lower station of the cable cars of the mountain resort of Krasnaya Polyana, shopping and entertainment center "hills Mall" with a water Park and a major supermarket, Park seasons with a Seating area and a skate Park, children's playgrounds, a small adventure Park with climbing walls, places to stay, fair with children's carousel, the casino Sochi, Museum Friends and concert and entertainment venue "WOW arena". Learn more about Polyana 540…
Beyond the Clearing 540
On the opposite side of Estonskaya Street (from Glade 540), in Esto-Sadka there are also accommodation facilities, shops, cafes and restaurants, there are baths and ski equipment rental services.
At the address: 35 Estonskaya Street, there is the house-museum of A. H. Tammsaare - a cultural, historical and ethnographic museum dedicated to the classic of Estonian literature of the 20th century Anton Tammsaare (real name Hansen/Hansen).
A. H. Tammsaare was an outstanding Estonian novelist, playwright and author of the epic novel "Truth and Justice", which brought him European fame. He lived in Esto-Sadka from May to October 1912, being treated for tuberculosis, and was fascinated by this place.
On August 6, 1988, in memory of the classic of Estonian literature, a memorial museum was created and opened in the house where he lived, which still exists today. More about the Tammsaare House Museum…
Photo of Esto-Sadka further along Estonskaya Street, beyond Glade 540
Near the lower station Laura
The lower station of the Laura cable cars is located in the valley of the Laura River (a tributary of the Mzymta) at an altitude of 550 meters above sea level.
Near the lower station "Laura" there are:
- parking and public bus stops;
- the Galaktika entertainment Center, which is a whole complex that contains not only shopping areas, but also entertainment areas, including a water park with a panoramic outdoor pool, an ice rink, a cinema, a bowling alley, museums, catering and outdoor terraces;
- fair and park "Green Planet" with paths, figurines, lawns, a Playground and places to relax. In the center of the park there is a cafe "Loving Kysya" with tables under the open sky;
- Sovarium, which presents about 30 species of birds, among them: owl, marsh and eared owl, barn owl, owl and splyushka, as well as the imperial eagle, kite, etc.
On the territory of the Sovarium there are show programs with demonstration flights and feeding of birds, excursions about the history of interaction between birds and humans, stories about each individual represented in the Sovarium and interactive exercises for birds with the participation of guests;
- 5-star complex "Grand Hotel Polyana".
The complexhas rooms, wooden villas, bars and restaurants with seasonal cuisine, 9 conference halls, children's clubs, 2 indoor and 2 outdoor pools, tennis courts, sports grounds, gyms and a fight club.
Link to the villa Grand Polyana
Link to the Grand Hotel Polyana Villas
Link to the rooms of the "Grand Hotel Polyana"
Near the lower Laura station
The ruins of the Achipse fortress, which can be reached on foot via a mountain trail. The beginning of the ascent is from Berezovaya Street, where the Mzymta and Laura rivers meet.
For lifting, you need comfortable closed shoes. The ascent is possible in good weather; after rain, the trail is blurred and becomes slippery.
Achipse Fortress is an archaeological monument of the early Middle Ages (7-10 centuries). During the excavations, fragments of ceramic and glass dishes, as well as individual metal objects were found here.
After visiting the ruins of the Achipse fortress, you can walk to the observation deck, which offers panoramic views of the Esto-Sadok and the confluence of the Mzymta and Laura rivers.
The Pyramid complex, which is a reduced copy of the pyramid of Pharaoh Cheops in the ratio of 1:29. The pyramid was built in 1998 according to the rule of the golden section and is strictly oriented to the cardinal directions. The pyramid project belongs to the Moscow professor S. B. Proskuryakov.
Inside the pyramid there is a research complex "Pyramid" and research work is being conducted aimed at studying the positive effect of the pyramid shape effect on water, grains, various crops, the human body, etc.They say that the pyramid has medicinal properties. There are guided tours for tourists.
The pyramid is located at57 Berezovaya Street; on the territory of the Piramida Guest House
The Old Estonian road (Staroestonskaya road) along which you can walk or ride a bicycle to the village of Krasnaya Polyana. For the route along the old Estonian road, you need to go to Berezovaya Street.
The aviary complex "Laura" of the Caucasian Natural Biosphere Reserve, which is located near the Gazprom Laura mountain and tourist complex (there is a pointer to it when turning to Gazprom).
Here you can see various animals that are found in the surrounding forests. This is not a zoo, but a place where animals in trouble are brought. Here they are helped, treated and released into the wild; but there are animals that cannot survive in the wild, and they remain to live in enclosures where the conditions are as close to natural as possible. Animals under the supervision of specialists find their new home, many create families and raise offspring.
Bison, leopard, wolves, deer, roe deer, jackals, lynx: a total of 16 species of mammals and 15 species of birds live in the complex and perfectly coexist with each other.
Entrance to the complex is paid.
The site of the complex: kavkazzapoved.
Rosa Dolina
Rosa Dolina is part of the Esto-Sadka and is located at an altitude of 550-560 meters above sea level.
Rosa Dolina is located in a mountain gorge on both banks of the Mzymta River on a plot of just over 2 kilometers: from the lower station of the cable cars of the Gazprom mountain and tourist center of the Alpika slope to the My Russia ethnopark.
The entire Rosa Valley can be walked along the equipped embankments of the river, which is crossed by several bridges. Along the banks of the river there are bright buildings that contain: shops and salons, cafes and restaurants, hotels and apartments, fairs, there is also a casino, an ice rink, go-karts, playgrounds, a recreation area "mountain mini-beach", a sauna complex, a troll, an observation deck, a health trail and an Archeology museum.
In summer, you can go rafting on inflatable kayaks along the river along the embankments, and from Rosa Square you can go on one of the hiking and cycling tours along mountain routes.
Also in the Rosa Valley are: the lower station of the cable cars of the Rosa Khutor mountain resort and Rosa Hall is a multifunctional concert complex, which is a modern venue equipped with advanced equipment and meets international standards. More about Rosa Dolina…
Esto-Sadok is higher than the lower stations of the cable cars of mountain resorts
In addition to the lower level, the second levels (second heights) of the mountain resorts of Krasnaya Polyana also belong to the Esto-Sadk.
On the second heights there are: hotels, apartments and chalets, parking lots, places for walking and recreation, parks, ski slopes, lifts, ticket offices, shops, cafes and restaurants, various entertainment and services are also available.
The second level of the Rosa Khutor resort is Olympic Mountain Village (Rosa Plato), located at an altitude of 1170 meters above sea level. You can get to the height from the lower level by the gondola cable car "Olympia" or by car. All accommodation facilities at Rosa Khutor (first and second level) can be viewed and booked here
At the Gazprom resort, the second level is available on the Laura slope - this is the "Psekhako Mountain Shelter" (Green Glade), located at an altitude of 1440 meters above sea level. There is one resort hotel on Psekhako - the 4-star hotel and spa "Polyana 1389". You can get to the height of Psehako by the A/A1 gondola cable car, as well as by car.
The resort of Krasnaya Polyana is Polyana 960, which can be reached by the Krasnaya Polyana gondola cable car (K-1), as well as by car.
For everyone who stays in the accommodation facilities on the second levels of the resorts, free unlimited access is provided to the cable cars of a particular resort (depending on which resort you are staying at), which lift and lower guests to the lower levels of the resorts; transfers also run. That is, if you live in the Mountain Olympic Village of the Rosa Khutor resort, then you use the Olympia cable car for free; if on the Psehako of the Gazprom resort, then the A/A1 cable car; if in the Glade 960 of the Krasnaya Polyana resort, then, respectively, the K-1 cable car.
All accommodation facilities in Esto-Sadka (also on the first and second levels of mountain resorts) can be viewed and booked here
Esto-Sadok on the map
How to get to Esto-Sadok
The nearest airport to Esto-Sadok and, accordingly, to all the mountain resorts of Krasnaya Polyana (Esto-Sadka) is located in the city of Sochi (Adler), 43 kilometers from Estosadka. Flights to Sochi (Adler) →
The fastest and most convenient way to get from Sochi airport to Estosadka and any of the resorts of Krasnaya Polyana is a taxi. You can order a taxi / transfer in advance, even from home. At any time of the day, at the airport, a driver will be waiting for you with a sign where your first and last name will be written. To order a taxi is enough to inform your flight details.
If you come by car, you can leave it in Esto-Sadok and near the lower stations of the cable cars of the resorts. There are also parking spaces on the territory of the second heights of the resorts (parking is paid).
More information about how to get to Esto-Sadok and to all the mountain resorts of Krasnaya Polyana can be found here →
