Krasnaya Polyana (formerly Gorki Gorod) is a year-round mountain resort located in the foothills of the Main Caucasian Ridge, the Aibga Ridge, in Krasnaya Polyana (Esto-Sadok).
According to the infrastructure, Krasnaya Polyana is a full-fledged year-round family resort with everything you need, both for skiing and snowboarding, and for recreation without skiing.
The total approximate area of the resort is 863.7 hectares. All the resort facilities, including ski slopes and lifts, are located at various altitudes: starting from the Mzymta River (Glade 540) from 540 meters above sea level and reaching the peaks of the mountain range - "Polyana 2200" and "Black Pyramid 2375", located at 2200-2350 (2375) meters above sea level.
The total length of the ski slopes in the resort is about 30 kilometers from an altitude of +960 meters to +2340 meters.
The Krasnaya Polyana resort has trails of all levels of difficulty, ranging from easy (green) to very difficult (black) trails. This diversity provides an opportunity for training and skiing skiers and snowboarders of various skill levels. The resort also has educational and children's slopes, snow parks, a flight zone, freeride trails and trails with artificial snow and lighting, suitable for evening skiing.
All the tracks are marked, it's quite difficult to get lost.
To ensure comfortable access of guests to various heights and trails, in the resort of Krasnaya Polyana in winter there are gondola cable cars (closed cabins with seats, with a capacity of up to 8 people), chairlift (4-seater chairs), bugle types and a travolator along the children's educational slope. The total capacity of the lifts reaches 2400 people per hour.
The instructor services at the resort are located on the lower level of the cable cars "Polyana 540", the second level - "Polyana 960" and at the mark "Polyana 2200".
Ski equipment rental is possible at the following heights: Polyana 540 and Polyana 960.
The emergency rooms are located at Polyana 540, Glade 960 and Polyana 2200.
Ticket offices for the sale of ski passes and walking tickets are located on Polyana 540 and Polyana 960.
The children's training slope is located on Polyana 960.
Training slopes and simple (green) trails run: from the mark of +1130 meters to the Glade 960, at the height of the Polyana 2200 and in the Eastern sector of the resort - from the height of +1000 to + 900 meters.
Residential areas (hotels, apartments) and parking lots are located at heights: Polyana 540 and Polyana 960.
How to get to the slopes of the Krasnaya Polyana resort (lifts and by car)
In order to start skiing at the resort, you first need to climb to the mark "Polyana 960", located at an altitude of 840-960 meters above sea level and is the second height of the resort.
It is from this point that all the ascents begin directly to the tracks.
You can get to Polyana 960 from the lower cable car station located in Polyana 540, at an altitude of 540 meters above sea level, by climbing the Krasnaya Polyana gondola cable car (K-1).
The length of the K-1 lift is 1721 meters. The height difference is 436 meters. The time of ascent (descent) is 7 minutes.
The K-1 lift is available all year round for guests with walking tickets (lifting without skiing), and in the winter season also with ski passes. Learn more about the K-1 cable car…
If you come by car, you can leave it near the lower station of the cable cars at the Polyana 540 mark. There are also parking spaces on Glade 960 (parking is paid).
Having risen to the mark "Polyana 960", for skiing it is necessary to climb higher, already directly to the slopes, and to that ski area, depending on which track and from what height you go to start skiing.
Skiing areas in the Krasnaya Polyana resort
For the convenience of orientation in the resort of Krasnaya Polyana, there are three main skating zones:
- The central sector, which runs from the marks of Polyana 2200 andPolyana 1460 meters to the level of Polyana 960;
- The Eastern sector, which goes east from Glade 960 along the ridge (relative to the resort) and is located at altitudes from + 1500 meters to + 900 meters;
- the sector of the third stage of the cable car, which starts from the top of the Glade 2200. There are so-called alpine Circuses: Circus-1, Circus-2 and Circus-3 resorts.
The circus is a mountain valley, which, because of the massive rock walls and peaks surrounding it, resembles an amphitheater.
Circus-1 is the height itself and the proximity to the height of "Polyana 2200".
Circus-2 is a zone from Polyana 2200 in the eastern direction to the Black Pyramid mark at an altitude of 2300-2350 meters above sea level. Under the Circus-2 there is a rollout to the ski area of the Eastern Sector.
Circus-3 is a zone to the east of the mark of 2350 meters.
All zones (sectors) are connected by lifts and ski slopes.
Trails of the Krasnaya Polyana resort
For convenience, we will describe all the tracks by riding zones (sectors).
Central sector
This is probably the main and most visited ski area in the resort. It is in this sector that evening skiing is possible.
The central sector runs from the Glade 2200 mark down to the marks of 1460 meters, 1130 meters and to the Glade 960.
There are four lifts and trails of all levels of difficulty.
The gondola cable car "Relict Forest" (K-2), which lifts guests from the territory of the resort "Polyana 960" to the mark "1460 meters". The length of the lift is 1394 meters. The height difference is 500 meters. The time of ascent (descent) is about 6 minutes. Learn more about the K-2 lift…
From the mark of 1460 meters, trails of all levels of difficulty descend down, which, as they descend, turn into one another and lead to the Glade 960:
- the route of medium difficulty (blue) "Krasnaya Polyana". The length of the route is 1177 meters with a height difference of 440 meters;
- the track of medium difficulty "Relict forest". The length of the route is 1875 meters with a height difference of 453 meters;
- the track of medium difficulty "Shoulder", which connects the Relict Forest and Krasnaya Polyana tracks. The length of the route is 180 meters with a height difference of 30 meters;
- the route of medium complexity "Transit", which runs from the lower reaches of the red routes Ozernaya and Zapadnaya, and as it descends, it connects the routes Krasnaya Polyana, Relict Forest and Zvezdnaya. The length of the route is 1,373 meters with a height difference of 340 meters;
- the track of medium difficulty "Star". The length of the route is 392 meters with a height difference of 100 meters;
- complex (red) route "Ozernaya", which connects the Krasnaya Polyana highway with the blue Transit highway and the black-Brief;
- a very difficult track (black) "Brief", which leads from the lower reaches of the red tracks Ozernaya and Zapadnaya to the mark of +1130 meters to the easy Training track. The length of the route is 704 meters with a height difference of 290 meters;
- a very difficult route "Steep", on which you can drive instead of part of the section of the route Relict forest. The length of the route is 905 meters with a height difference of 367 meters;
- a very difficult route "Can", which connects the blue routes Krasnaya Polyana, Shoulder and Transit. The length of the route is 381 meters with a height difference of 180 meters;
- a simple (green) "Training" track, the length of which is 1283 meters with a height difference of 210 meters.
Along the route there is a chairlift "Snow Star" (K-8), which takes guests from the Polyana 960 mark to the +1130 meter mark in 9.5 minutes. The length of the lift is 1013 meters with a height difference of 207 meters.
In the lower reaches of the training route, the K-9 rope lift runs, with a length of about 300 meters.
On Glade 960, near the husky center, there is a children's training slope. There is a conveyor lift - travolator on the slope.
From the mark "Polyana 1460" you can take the gondola cable car "Vershina" (K-3) to climb to the top of "Polyana 2200".
The length of the lift is 1508 meters. The height difference is 706 meters. The time of ascent (descent) is 7 minutes. Learn more about the K-3 cable car…
On the Glade 2200 there is a simple track "The First Snow", which is also a training slope and leads to the Circus-2 zone.
Near the route "The First snow" there is a rope lift "The First snow".
From the Glade 2200 there is a complex route "Panorama", which leads down from the Circus-1 - along the Central sector of skiing and finishes at the mark "Glade 1460".
The length of the Panorama route is 2541 meters with a height difference of 740 meters.
During the descent along the Panorama highway, parts of the sections of the highway can be driven along the difficult "String" and very difficult - "Snow".
The length of the String route is 216 meters with a height difference of 70 meters.
The length of the Snezhnaya track is 650 meters with a height difference of 185 meters.
Almost at the very bottom of the Panorama highway, you can go to the complex "Western" highway, which leads to the black Brief highway and the blue Transit highway. The length of the route is 919 meters with a height difference of 292 meters.
Eastern Sector
The eastern sector (the eastern ski area) is located east of Glade 960, at elevations from + 1500 to + 900 meters.
In this zone there are trails of all levels of difficulty and lifts.
You can get to the Eastern vector from Glade 960 in three minutes by the gondola cable car "Eastern Forest" (K-10). The length of the lift is 662 meters with a height difference of 45 meters.
The routes of the Eastern Sector are made according to the principle of the routes of the Central Sector, where the routes pass one into another and, thus, the entire zone is a serpentine.
There are four lifts in the Eastern zone:
-chair "Freeride" (K-11), which from the upper station of the Vostochny Les cable car lifts guests to the level of +1500 meters in 8 minutes.
The length of the lift is 872 meters with a height difference of 465 meters;
- the chairlift "Start of the champion" (K-12), which runs along the training track "Start of the champion" and from the mark of +900 meters in 5 minutes lifts guests to the upper station of the Vostochny Les cable car to the mark of +1000 meters.
The length of the lift is 530 meters with a height difference of 102 meters;
-tow K-14, which runs along the green route "Fanpark";
-chair "Polikar Waterfall" (K-13), which lifts guests from the level of +900 meters to the level of +1370 meters in 5 minutes.
The length of the lift is 1327 meters with a height difference of 464 meters.
Routes of the Eastern sector:
- a simple track "Start of the champion", which leads from the Vostochny Forest cable car station from a height of +1000 meters to the bottom of the Start of the Champion lift to a height of + 900 meters. The length of the route is 645 meters with a height difference of 100 meters;
- a simple track "Fanpark", which leads from the lower part of the Polykarya Waterfall lift to the level of + 900 meters;
- a complex track "Eastern Forest", which leads from the upper station of the Freeride lift to the upper station of the Polikarya Waterfall lift and the red Orient Express highway. The length of the route is 398 meters with a height difference of 95 meters;
- a complex route "Orient Express", which leads from the top station of the Freeride lift to the blue Serpentine highway and black Deja Vu. The length of the route is 1115 meters with a height difference of 570 meters;
- the track of medium difficulty "Polikarya", which leads from the upper station of the Polikarya Waterfall lift to the green Fanpark track. The length of the route is 2152 meters with a height difference of 460 meters;
- the Serpentine highway of medium difficulty, which leads from the lower reaches of the red Orient Express highway to the blue Polikar highway and then to the green Fanpark highway. The length of the route is 525 meters with a height difference of 148 meters;
- the route of medium complexity "Vostochny Traverse", which leads from the red route of the Orient Express to the blue highway Dam and the upper station of the Vostochny Forest cable car. The length of the route is 887 meters with a height difference of 230 meters;
- the highway of medium complexity "Dam", which connects the Eastern and Central sectors of the Krasnaya Polyana resort. It leads from the blue highway East Traverse to the blue highway of the Central Sector-Relict Forest. The length of the route is 529 meters with a height difference of 93 meters;
- a very difficult route "Powder", which runs from the red route of the Orient Express to the upper station of the Vostochny Les cable car. The length of the route is 501 meters with a height difference of 250 meters;
- a very difficult route "Fir", which leads from the blue Polykarya highway to the blue Serpentine highway. The length of the route is 502 meters with a height difference of 240 meters;
- a very difficult route "Deja Vu", which leads from the lower reaches of the red route of the Orient Express to the green route Fanpark.
Sector from the Clearing 2200
From Glade 2200, the lifts and tracks of Circus-2 and Circus-3 go in an easterly direction.
Circus-2
The track of medium complexity "Circus-2", the length of which is 595 meters with a height difference of 106 meters. The track leads to the mark of + 2050 meters.
A chairlift "Aibga" (K-4) runs from the green highway "First Snow" from the Glade 2200 to the mark of +2050 meters in the Circus-2. The length of the lift is 466 meters with a height difference of 108 meters.
From the mark of + 2050 meters to a height of +2300 meters (to the top of the Black Pyramid), the chairlift "Black Pyramid" (K-5) runs. The length of the lift is 668 meters with a height difference of 235 meters.
From the mark of +2300 meters along the Circus-2 there are tracks:
- a medium-difficulty track "Black Pyramid", which leads from the mark of +2300 meters to the mark of +2050 meters. The length of the route is 975 meters with a height difference of 231 meters;
- a complex track "Aibga", which leads from the mark of +2300 meters and turns into the Black Pyramid track. The length of the route is 240 meters with a height difference of 231 meters.
From the Circus-2, the mark of 2050 meters, down - to the Eastern Sector goes the complex route "Vostochnaya". The length of the route is 2,123 meters with a height difference of 580 meters.
The Eastern highway turns into the routes of the Eastern Sector:
- a complex "Zigzag", which leads to the upper station of the Freeride lift at + 1500 meters;
- a very difficult "Unexpected", which, in turn, as you descend, turns into a very difficult" Freeride " route, which ends at the place where the blue Eastern Transit highway turns into the blue Dam highway.
The length of the Freeride route is 598 meters with a height difference of 325 meters.
Circus-3
In the Circus-3 zone, a complex track "Circus-3" runs from the mark of +2300 meters. The length of the route is 390 meters with a height difference of 139 meters.
In Circus-3, new trails and lifts are being built, which can open at any time. We recommend that you check about the routes and their opening on the official website of the Krasnaya Polyana resort (the Kazan website is at the end of this article).
P.S. The trails at the Krasnaya Polyana resort are arranged in such a way that they pass into one another, therefore, when riding, you can easily combine the trails, thereby choosing the skiing routes that are suitable for you-for your skills and abilities, as well as the desired length of the descent. You can combine green and blue tracks; blue and red; red and blue; black and red, etc.
Evening skiing
For skiing under the starry sky (evening), about 5 kilometers of trails are available, located at an altitude of +1460 to +960 meters: blue trails-Krasnaya Polyana, Relict Forest, Star and green Training trails, which are equipped with artificial snowmaking and lighting systems.
Evening skiing is possible in the winter season with a sufficient amount of snow, daily from 18: 30 to 22: 00 hours.
During the evening skiing, you can also use the cable car (K-9). The training area of the rope lift is as wide as possible and is suitable for beginners.
In the evening, guests canrent ski equipment, classes with instructors, as well as a variety of food and recreation points on Glade 960.
Freeride trails
The Krasnaya Polyana resort has 9 official freeride trails (they are also black trails), located in the Eastern and Central Sectors of the resort.
Freeride tracks in the Eastern Sector: Freeride, Fir, Powder, Deja Vu and Unexpected.
Freeride trails in the Central Sector: Mogul, Snow, Brief and Steep.
Access to the ski pass freeride trails is free (free of charge).
Snowparks
The resort has two snow parks-one at an altitude of + 2050 meters in the Circus-2, and the second at an altitude of +960 meters in the evening skiing area.
The snowpark is a platform for skiing skiers and snowboarders, equipped with special figures for performing tricks.
The snowpark in the Circus-2 is designed for beginners and advanced riders. It includes several lines for different levels of riding:
- a line for beginners (pussiline): straight slide box 5 m., wide rail 4 m., springboard (roll) span 1-2 m., springboard (roll) span 2-3 m.;
- line for intermediate and advanced riders: quarter pipe, round spine, inclined rail 6 m., double kink rail 8 m., springboard with a span of 5-6 m., rainbow rail 6 m.
The opening hours of the snow parks depend on the operation of the cable cars and the weather. The entrance to the parks is free for everyone using ski passes.
Flight zone
The race zone is a 150-meter-long sports track equipped with professional timing, where riders and athletes can test their skating skills and compete with each other by measuring the time of each descent.
The flight zone at the Krasnaya Polyana resort is suitable for an average level of skiing on "parallel skis" and for practicing downhill skills in giant slalom.
In the flight zone of the resort, you can measure your riding speed using SPEED TEST.
The race-zone is located in the Central Sector of the resort:
- from December to March-between the height of 1460 meters and the Glade 960, on the blue Transit highway. You can go down to the flight zone on the blue highway "Krasnaya Polyana" or on the red highway "Ozernaya",
- from March to May, the race-zone operates at an altitude of 2,050 meters in the mountain valley of Circus-2.
Purchase of tokens:
- on Polyana 540 - at the rental office or in the service of instructors opposite the cable car,
- on the Polyana 960 - at the ticket office of the cable car, at the rental office opposite the Novotel Congress or at the instructor service opposite the cable car.
The cost of the 1st descent is 100 rubles. To measure the speed at the start of the track, you need to lower the token into a special token receiver to activate the time counter. You can start the descent after the timing becomes active. The result of the trip will be displayed immediately after the descent along the highway.
Map-scheme of trails and lifts of the Krasnaya Polyana mountain resort
Time for skiing in the Krasnaya Polyana resort
The best time to visit the mountain resort of Krasnaya Polyana as a ski resort is from December to April. Sometimes the season starts in November and ends in May (June). But there are also rains at the height of the season, then the snow lies only on the upper marks of the slopes.
The opening and closing dates of the ski season are determined by the administration of the Krasnaya Polyana resort, depending on weather conditions and snow cover. The administration can also determine the dates and deadlines for routine maintenance. Information about determining the start and end dates of the ski season is posted on the official website of the resort.
Attention! During the season, lifts and trails (one or another, or all) may be closed due to weather conditions. We recommend that you check the information before riding on the official website in real time.
Ski passes of Krasnaya Polyana resort
There are ski passes from midday and evening to multi-day and seasonal.
There are adult and children's ski passes. Children's tickets are available for children from 7 to 14 years old inclusive. Children up to and including 6 years old are provided with a free pass.
There are also:
- training ski passes, which are valid only in the training areas when buying a lesson at the instructor school of the resort;
- fast tracks - the passage to the boarding on the cable cars of the resort is out of turn.
You can purchase a single ski pass, according to which skiers and snowboarders get the right to ride, as well as use the infrastructure and services of all ski resorts of Krasnaya Polyana (Esto-Sadka): Rosa Khutor, Gazprom MTC (Alpika and Laura slopes) and Krasnaya Polyana. A single ski pass can be purchased at the ticket offices of the ski complexes.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding directly, year-round walking tickets are available at the Krasnaya Polyana resort (visiting without skiing). Depending on the season, the variations of walking tickets may vary.
The cost of ski passes and walking tours varies from season to season.
Ski passes and walking tickets can be purchased at the ticket offices and terminals of the lower cable car station on Polyana 540, on Polyana 960, as well as online on the resort's website. !!! When buying online, the prices for walking tickets, ski passes and some entertainment are lower than when buying at ticket offices or terminals.
We recommend checking all possible combinations of ski passes and walking tickets and their cost, as well as other information about the Krasnaya Polyana resort, on the official website of the resort.
Website of the mountain resort Krasnaya Polyana: krasnayapolyanaresort.
Practical information
The nearest airport to the resort of Krasnaya Polyana and, accordingly, to all the ski resorts of Esto-Sadok (Krasnaya Polyana) 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 the resort of Krasnaya Polyana (Esto-Sadok) is by 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 arrive by car, you can leave it near the lower station of the cable cars of the Krasnaya Polyana resort (Polyana 540). There are also parking spaces on the territory of Polyana 960 (parking is paid).
More information about how to get to all the ski resorts of Krasnaya Polyana (Esto-Sadok), including the mountain resort of Krasnaya Polyana, can be found here →
All possible year-round accommodation facilities (hotels, apartments, chalets) in the Krasnaya Polyana resort are located in two places: on the lower level - "Polyana 540" and on the second level of the resort - "Polyana 960".
All accommodation facilities in Esto-Sadok, including at the Krasnaya Polyana resort (Polyana 540 and Polyana 960), can be viewed and booked here
