Rest on Dombai in winter is an opportunity for freeride and speedride for the brave, all types of tracks in terms of difficulty and master classes for beginners. Here not only skiing, there are conditions for snowboarding. Large companies are happy to choose among several types of lifts to climb to the very top of Mount Mussa-Achitara, from where you can admire the mountain range.
The weather in winter is snowy and sunny, there are no strong temperature changes. The trails are regularly processed by snow groomers, the simple ones are illuminated in the evenings. The temperature usually does not drop below -10. There is a lot of snow, so tours to Dombai in winter are popular with well-known professionals who, for little money, can fully improve their skills.
All winter holidays are actively and colorfully celebrated on Dombai. Each hotel and restaurant celebrates New Year in its own way, striving to outstrip its neighbors. Fireworks, an original culinary menu, and snowmobiling or horseback riding are great fun. On February 23, fans of extreme heli-skiing and heli-boarding - entertainment for real men - come to Dombay.
Dombay is one of the oldest winter resorts, located in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, at an altitude of 1650 m above sea level. The resort has gained its fame all over the world thanks to the unique, varied landscape tracks, original unspoiled nature, beautiful views and clean air. Dombay is an excellent place for rest during the winter holidays, every tourist is welcome here and any guest will be greeted with Caucasian hospitality.
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Ski paradise
First of all, Dombay is a ski resort, here everything is provided for an excellent pastime in the winter, excellent tracks, instructors, shops with special equipment. For the convenience of tourists, all slopes are conventionally divided into three categories:
- green slopes - for those who are just getting acquainted with ski equipment, almost without a slope;
- blue - with uneven terrain, for more advanced athletes;
- red - slopes with a steep descent, for extreme skiers.
More than 80% of the mountain slopes in Dombai are suitable for skiing, professional instructors and qualified medical assistance are on duty almost everywhere. The best place, vacationers and professional athletes, consider the southwestern part of Mount Mussa Achitara. The trails at the top are flat, marked in green (3200 m above sea level), and below there are sharp drops in the relief, only real pros ride here.
In winter, the ski slopes open at 6 am and close at 10 am. Sports equipment rental is paid, prices are determined immediately before the start of the season. The approximate cost of renting a snowboard is 300 rubles / hour, skis 150-200 rubles / hour.
Cable cars
From 2004-2088, a new lift road was being built in Dombai, but the old chair lift is still functioning. But a larger flow of tourists is received by the modern "cable car", which consists of three stages:
- gondola "Dombai-1" for 8 seats, length 1810 m. Equipped with special ski pockets, comfortable chairs and automatic doors. It is located at an altitude of 1600-2280 m. The ascent time is 6 minutes.
- a six-seater chairlift with a length of 2182 m. It is located at an altitude of 2280-3000 m. The ascent time is 8 min.
- 4-seater chairlift with a length of 660 m. It is located at an altitude of 3000-3170 m. The ascent time is 5 min.
Approximate prices for lifts for 2018:
- the first stage - 500-60 rubles / person;
- first + second stage - 900 rubles / person;
- first + second + third stage - 1100 rubles / person;
Dombay attractions
Here you will not see museums, historical monuments, palaces, the main beauty of this resort is its nature. Of course, in winter it is not always possible to see all the "beauty" of Dombai sights, it also happens that snow does not allow cars to pass along the road above the village. And it is there, in the mountains, amazing, ancient places untouched by civilization are hidden:
- The gorge of the Amanauz river (translated as an evil mouth);
- Crystal-clear high-mountainous Azgek lakes in the Teberda forest park There is a small museum and a zoo on the territory of the reserve itself .;
- Alibek glacier.
True, in summer these places look more impressive, immersed in greenery and filled with the sounds of wildlife, but even in winter they amaze “seasoned” tourists with their beauty.
Where to stay
Dombay every year receives more and more tourists, the hotel business is developing rapidly here. Moreover, both new recreation centers are being built, and old ones are being reconstructed. The winter season is in full swing, so if you want to rent a room for a vacation at a low price, you will have to use the “early booking” service in advance. For example, if you order a ticket at a travel agency in the summer, it can cost from 10 thousand rubles per person (7 days), with the beginning of winter, exactly the same tour will already cost 15-17 thousand rubles. Families with children need to look for hotels with a playground and babysitting services so that they can leave their child under supervision, and enjoy the beauty of Dombai themselves.
If you want to save money, go on a savage vacation. There are a lot of good houses for rent in the village for companies from 4 people. The cost of renting one day in the private sector can cost from 4000 rubles. for everyone.
| Name | Address / official site | Price for the season 2017-2018. |
| Hotel Dombai Palace | pos. Dombay, md. Fir Cape, st. Alanskaya 5, dombaipalace.ru | from 3000 rub. per person without meals |
| Hotel "Snow Leopard" | pos. Dombay, per. Spring, 1, snezhny-bars-dombay.ru | from 1500 rub. per person without meals |
| Hotel "Metelitsa" | Dombay, st. Karachaevskaya, metelitsa-dombay.ru | from 1250 rub. per person without meals |
| Guest house "Pikhtovy Mys" | Dombay, md. Fir Cape 10 | from 1100 rub. per person without meals |
| Guest house "Ice Cherry" | Dombay, gas station district | from 2000 rub. per person |
| Hotel "Zvezdny" | Dombay, Karachaevskaya str. 14 | from 2500 rub. per person (including breakfast) |
| Guest house "Dombay the Place" | Alanskaya Street 2, Dombay, Russia | from 1300 rub. per person without meals |
What tourists say
The opinions of vacationers vary, but still everyone who has visited this place wants to come back here again. Tourists note their disadvantages of the Dombai resort:
- relatively poorly developed service;
- low level of safety on ski slopes, no signs, fencing nets;
- many buildings under construction that do not create an aesthetic appearance;
- turn to the cable car.
The positive aspects of rest include.
Tips for those who decide to visit the popular mountain resort in the winter. How to optimize your vacation and not waste extra time and money.
Winter forest road, Dombay You must immediately understand what you want from your vacation. For those who have gathered ride from the mountains on any devices in the form of skis, snowboards or sledges, one option is preferable. For the rest who do not take risks and just want admire the surrounding nature and enjoy the fresh mountain air of another.
Dombay is an opportunity to visit altitudes of more than 2000 m without high physical exertion If you are going to Dombay for the first time or were, but for a long time, then for you my recommendations.
Alpine skiing in Dombai, an affordable kind of not only sport, but also recreation How to get there
All the ways to the mountain resort go through Teberda, and I wrote about them in my previous essay - "Rest in the Teberda Mountains". The nearest airport is in the city Mineral water... From there you can drive along one of the most beautiful roads in Russia through the pass Gum-Bashi... Railway stations nearby are located in Nevinnomysk, Cherkessk and Kislovodsk.
Interactive map of Dombai hotels (click "+" to enlarge)
Dombay the opportunity to get aesthetic pleasure from the splendor of Nature, combining with active rest Dombay ski
For beginners and experienced skiers and snowboarders, Dombay provides a lot of opportunities. Several levels of cable cars. New8-seater gondola type, an old pendulum with two cars with a capacity of 35 people and several queues chair-lift roads for 2 and 6 people.
Chairlift in Dombai, the intersection of two cable cars There are several training ski slopes equipped drag lifts.
Drag lift in Dombai 2500 m. Every corner is full of signs rental of ski equipment... Average price per day of ski or snowboard rental in the amount of 450-500 rub.
Ski rental in Dombai next to the "splash" Ascent on a drag lift RUB 30
The sun shines brightly over the Caucasus mountains, sunglasses are needed in the mountains The new cable car rises to the 3rd stage after RUB 500, the old pendulum for RUB 400chair lifts are 250 rubles for the rise. Discounts for children under 10 years old.
FROM dogs the cable car is not allowed.
Many people think that it is best to start skating better in the so-called "Paddling pool"... This is the final section (rollout) of a large ski trail, which is located directly in the village.
Roll-out from the ski slope, aka "paddling pool" But there is one small nuance, it lies precisely in the word "many". In the early morning, you can still somehow slide down there, but closer to lunchtime there are so many children on sledges that practically a "heap of small" is created at the end of the descent. And those who want to practice the initial skills of a skier have to squeeze through a dense crowd of frolicking children and their parents. By the way, today this is the only place in Dombai where children can ride sleds and turntables.
"Glade of tusovok" (Dombay 2500) 
Hotel "Plate" - a visiting card of the Dombay slopes 
Ski slope at 2300 m Therefore, the most optimal option. is to climb 4 stage cable car where there are several training tracks varying degrees of inclination and difficulty. Practice there, and at the end of the day he will go down on the same cable car ( free descent) or if you already feel confident in your skills, then on the main track.
Peaks for experienced skiers Experienced skiers slide down from the very beginning of the ski slope at the top of the mountain during the day Mussa-Achitara (3200 meters above sea level) to the fourth stage (2500 meters) or to the third stage (2265 meters). Then they ascend on a chair lift to the summit again.
Training trails for 4 lines with a view of the summit 
In Dombai, wherever there are slopes are present instructorsoffering their training services alpine skiing and snowboarding, both in groups and individually. The cost of classes with an instructor is 1500 rub per hour, during the holidays and New Year's holidays rises to 2000 rubles. (Price for the season “2017-2018”). They are engaged both with adults and with children, quite toddlers, who then dashingly rush on short skis along the snowy slopes. They also fall dashingly, bouncing like balls rolling down, get up, shake themselves off and run again. Parents often ride with children, this is a complete family holiday in the fresh mountain air.
There is plenty of room to rest, eat and recover at different altitudes Dombay winter rest
If someone came to Dombay in winter and is not going to ride on the snowy slopes due to subjective or objective circumstances, then there is something to do for such tourists.
Mussa-Achitara
Naturally, you should climb Mount Mussa-Achitara by cable car. At least the fourth stage observation deck.
The upper glades are quite free, a strong competitor has appeared near Sochi 
The entire Dombai Valley is visible from the site of the third stage. And already from the fourth, in good weather, the surrounding mountains Dombay are perfectly visible. And already from the very top horizon, a panorama of the Main Caucasian ridge opens from a distant peak Guandra (in the east) to Kara-Kaya (in the West). A shining dome rises like a regal tent Elbrus... Here you seem to be observing a huge relief map: in front of you is a complex interweaving of mountain ranges, alternating with deep gorges, melting snow and glaciers sparkling in the sun. Be sure to take with you sunglasses.
Flying saucer seen from afar The famous business card of Dombai Flying saucer moved from the 3rd stage to the 4th. To be photographed against its background is the "honorable duty" of every tourist.
Alibek Valley
One of the popular routes of Dombai is trekking to the Alibek valley... You start your journey by entering the Alibek dark coniferous mossy forest. (This is a nature reserve area, so cook right away 100 rub for entry)
Huge fir and ate height 40, and sometimes 50-60 m. These mighty trees are at least 400-500 years old. They grew even then, when here, in the upper reaches Amanauza, Gonchakhira and Teberdalived alans... Scientists have established that these relict heroes reach their physiological maturity only after a thousand years of age.
When you step into the thick Alibek forest and listen to the silence that reigns among the ancient giants, it seems that you are in the pristine kingdom of nature.
Walk along a forest road among majestic giants This land holds many remnants ancient cultures... In the local area, during archaeological research, traces of ancient farmers were found. They grew bread in the mountains, at an altitude of one and a half thousand meters above sea level.
In preparation for construction in the village of Dombay, excavations were carried out, which revealed to scientists bronze and iron objects belonging to the Alans. Between the hostel "Sunny Valley" and alpcamp in the last century, a burial was discovered with a typically deformed, elongated Alan skull (the Alans had a custom to swaddle babies' heads).
Snowy forest road And during the construction of the camp site, a bronze helmet and chains were found in the slope.
Winter forest gallery To the alpine camp from Dombai glade 6 km. Here you go through a great clearing Uzun-tala (long meadow). Views of the peaks from here Sulakhat, Jochalvat, Erzog - in the west and Dombai-Yolgen, Small Dombai-Yolgen, Chukhchur pass, Dzhuguturlu-chat - in the east. In the southern part of the valley there is a glade, from which the Alibek glacier is clearly visible.
Ship forest as in Shishkin's paintings Descending very low into the valley, the Alibek Glacier is most accessible in the area. When retreating, the glacier exposes the so-called "Lamb's foreheads", the area of \u200b\u200bwhich is increasing every year. This glacier is considered one of the largest.
As a result, we can say that if you came to Dombai in winter without intending to ride from the mountains, then a couple of days will be enough for you to keep yourself occupied. Many tourists, both in winter and in summer, arriving in these regions, stop at Teberda, and from there they visit Dombay and the surrounding area. This will be more rational in terms of the cost of living and the distribution of time, since Teberda has many attractions.
Dombai streets, new hotels are being built 
Mount Horizon and Mount Semenov-Bashi, Dombay 
DEP 162 utility workers keep Dombay in order 
Closest to Dombai and Teberda thermal springs are in the city Cherkessk, on the outskirts of the city to the side Kavminvod, to the right of the track.
Accommodation option in Teberda Having visited the very center of the Western Caucasus mountains - Teberda and Dombai, you will receive invigorating exercises for a long time, gain new strength and impressions. And whoever you are: a tourist, a skier or just a person who wants to spend their vacation in the mountains, do not forget - nature must be protected, especially the one that this mountainous region gives us.
Ski slope at 2500 m