Garabashi height. Ski resorts of the Elbrus region: Elbrus Azau and Cheget

The highest altitudes in Europe, long slopes for descents of various degrees of difficulty, a pleasant climate, snowy winters, comfortable temperatures and a lot of sun - these are the factors for which the mountains of the North Caucasus are so loved.

The Elbrus region attracts many lovers of skiing and freeride, from professionals to beginners. If the Elbrus Azau resort is perfect for the latter, then professionals should pay attention to Cheget.

We have studied all the features of the infrastructure and slopes of the resorts so that you can prepare and make an informed choice, as well as update the prices for the 2016/2017 ski season.

By plane

From distant places it is convenient to fly to this ski resort by plane. Tickets must be taken to Mineralnye Vody airports (you can set aside half a day for) or Nalchik ().

Airport Mineralnye Vody: direct flights from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Yekaterinburg, Lipetsk, Norilsk, Simferopol, etc. From other cities, a flight with a transfer in Moscow is possible.
Travel time from Moscow: 2 hours
6,000 - 9,000 rubles

Nalchik Airport: direct flights from Moscow. From other cities, a flight with a transfer in Moscow is possible.
Travel time from Moscow: 2 hours
Average round-trip ticket price: from 11 000 rubles

Specify the exact price of air tickets for the dates you need:

By train

If trains are closer to you, then in addition to Nalchik and Mineralnye Vody, you can go to Prokhladny or Pyatigorsk.

There are trains from many major Russian cities to Mineralnye Vody and Pyatigorsk.
Travel time from Moscow: 1 day

To the slopes of Elbrus and Cheget by bus/car

From these large cities, excellent bus traffic is organized to the Cheget and Elbrus-Azau highways. In addition to relatively cheap regular buses that will take you in 2.5-3.5 hours, there are also minibuses and regular taxis, which will be somewhat more expensive, but without reference to the traffic schedule. It is better to bargain with taxi drivers. At the peak of the season, the price is so high that you can persuade the driver to 2/3 of the originally announced price.

The distance to the slopes from Nalchik is 130 km. A little further from Mineralnye Vody - 180 km.

When driving by car, you need to get to the post of the city of Baksan, and then keep heading for the villages of Tyrnyauz and Elbrus, behind which the resort area will be located.

Villages of the resort area

In total, there are 6 villages in the resort area, which stretch along the Baksan Gorge for 16 km, but have a developed infrastructure for tourism 3. From the villages to the ski lifts, they get by taxi.

ski season

The skiing season is from October almost to May, and the slopes above Garabashi are in acceptable condition all year round. The most pleasant time is February, March, April. In March, the weather is so good that you can see sunbathers on the slopes.

• Buying a ski pass for the entire stay on vacation you save money;
• Don't wait in line to buy a one-time ski pass.

A small clarification: if you want to use the drag lift, then the general ski pass does not apply to it. You will need to buy a single ticket.

There are two main ski areas in the Elbrus region: Elbrus Azau and Cheget. We will tell you more about them.

Elbrus - Azau

You need to start your acquaintance with alpine skiing from the Elbrus slope in the first stage.

A day or two is definitely needed to get used to the climate. If you immediately rise to the maximum height, you can easily catch altitude sickness.

Manifestations of the disease are not pleasant: fatigue, shortness of breath, headache, heart palpitations, flatulence, nausea, up to vomiting. Therefore, do not deny your body the period of adaptation and get used to the height gradually.

A beautiful official video about the 2015/16 season on Elbrus:

Prices for ski passes for cable cars of the Elbrus-Azau slope

There are three lifts on the slopes of Elbrus-Azau - the first, second and third stages. The price of the ski pass depends on the number of days for which the ski pass is purchased, the dates (holidays are more expensive), and the lifts used. Below is information from the official website of the resort at prices for the season 2018/2019:

In addition to the actual cost, they will also charge you 100 rubles for a plastic card ski pass, and will refund the amount after the card is returned.

The first turn is the lowest point for skiing, the third is the highest. The higher you are going to climb and the longer the slopes available to you, the more expensive the ski pass will cost.

Below we will analyze which lifts go where and how these queues differ from each other.

Cableways

There are as many as 7 of them on the slope of Elbrus, one of which is still under construction. The length of the roads is divided into 3 parts - 2 transfers.

First of all goes from the station "Azau" to the "Old Outlook". You can go up on the new Roma-1 gondola cable car in 5 minutes, or use the Elbrus-1 pendulum cable car, which will take you in 12 minutes. The length of the tracks in the first case is 1740, in the second - 1900 meters, passing at an altitude of up to 3000 meters above sea level.

Second stage goes from the Staryy Krugozor station to the Mir station, lifting you to a height of three and a half thousand meters in 7 minutes on Roma-2 or 12 minutes on Elbrus-2. During this time you will cover a distance of 1800 meters.

Third line will take you to a height of 3780 meters in 15 minutes on the Elbrus chairlift. The gondola cable car duplicating this kilometer-long lift is not yet ready for commissioning.

You can climb even higher - to "Shelter-11", using a snowcat or snowmobile. The ascent will take about 20 minutes and will cost from 400 rubles.

The drag road goes along the Azau glade for 5 minutes and raises it from the mark of 2300 meters to 2500.

Elbrus-Azau tracks

There are 7 tracks on the slopes of Elbrus, which are more suitable for beginners and amateurs than the tracks of Cheget. Although in fact the tracks are not separated from each other in any way and represent a wide common strip for skiing.

• From "Priyut-11" to "Gara-Bashi" there is a wide gentle slope, suitable for teaching beginners when they get used to the highlands.
• From "Gara-Bashi" to the station "Mir" the height difference will be 280 meters. Gently sloping and wide, the track is quite steep and has been assigned an average degree of difficulty. The right is narrower and steeper than the left.
• From the "Mir" to the "Staryy krugozor" the height difference is 500 meters. The beginning of this section is only for the most experienced. A little lower the descent will be within the power of an amateur who is firmly on skis.
• From the "Krugozor" to the Azau glade, the difference is 650 meters. Narrow and steep at first, the trail gradually widens to medium difficulty.

Here on this video you can clearly see the descent from the Mir Station to the Azau glade, 4.5 km:

The total length of the slope from the Garabashi point to Azau is 6815 meters, with a track width of 60 to 80 meters, which meets international standards for skiing.

Garabashi Gorge, Terskol Gorge, Observatory and Semifinal, as well as several smaller life-threatening trails, are used by freeriding fans.

Despite a serious rescue service and the presence of guides who can warn about the dangers and features of a particular route, accidents sometimes occur.

People die due to negligence, avalanches or falling into cracks twenty meters deep outside the areas of rolled tracks.

Cheget

The slopes of Mount Cheget are definitely not for beginners.

Ski pass on Cheget

If you have already bought a ski pass for the slopes of Elbrus, you will have to buy it separately for Cheget. There are only two options for sale: excursion for 500 rubles and for the whole day for 800.

Cheget cable cars

There are only three cable cars and two queues on Cheget. You can get from the Cheget glade to the Ai cafe on the Cheget-1 chairlift or the double chairlift. The climb of 1600 meters in the first case will take you 11 minutes, in the second - 17. During this time you will rise from a height of 2700 to a height of 2750 meters above sea level.

Chair "Cheget-2" of the second stage raises to a height of 3000 meters in 6 minutes. In these minutes, 900 meters of the mountain slope will fly under you.

Tracks of Cheget

In total, there are 15 tracks on Cheget, with a total length of 20 km. The height difference from the top to the bottom is 950 meters.

Roughness, steep slopes, pine forest attract freeriders. Snowboarders prefer the southern slope - it is wider, although it retains the steepness of the slope.

There is nothing for beginners to do here. Unless there is a small piece of an easy track 350 meters long at the very top - above the station "Cheget 3", which can only be reached by yoke. Everything else is marked as a high level of difficulty - for professionals and freeride descents. An additional risk is created by the likelihood of avalanches and rocks.

Video of freeriders on Cheget:

Housing

Boarding houses and hotels

The easiest option to rent a hotel is to choose and book it on the official website of the resort: http://prielbrusie-ski.ru/view/accommodation/ or in a specialized housing aggregator in the Elbrus region - nedoma.ru

Or use hotel aggregators (Booking, Ostrovok, Oktogo) - there you can find true reviews and take advantage of aggregator bonuses.

Private sector

If you prefer apartment conditions, then it is better to stay in Terskol - this village is the closest to the ski lifts. The cost is from 500 rubles per person per day. The farther from the ski slopes, the cheaper the housing. Consider options in Baidaevo, Tegenekli, Elbrus, Neutrino. The latter is located at a distance of 16-18 kilometers from Cheget and Azau.

Accompanying services

rental

The resort has about a dozen shops where you can buy special equipment for sports or mountaineering. But such a purchase is not always justified. Therefore, it is easier and cheaper to contact rental offices. All rentals are carried out in the same stores or at special rental points in the Azau and Cheget valleys. Sometimes this service is provided in hotels for residents.

Rent per day is considered. A deposit and/or document is required for equipment or equipment.

You can take a set at once: skis + sticks + boots or snowboard + boots. A child costs 600 rubles, an adult 900 rubles - on the first day. In subsequent or if you pay for several days at once - it's cheaper, on January holidays it's more expensive. Also available for rent are glasses, helmets, jackets, overalls, tents, sleds, waterproof trousers and many other things that beginners don’t even think of.

Rental locations often provide repair services for damaged equipment.

Shops with sports equipment

• Terskol: "Alpindustriya", "Tourist Equipment", "Elbrus Navigator", "Open World"
• Glade Azau: "Vertical"

Pharmacies

• At the station of the cable car "Azau"
• In the boarding house "Cheget" and the hotel "Snow Leopard" on the glade Cheget
• In the post office building in Terskol
• In the village of Tyrnauz

ATMs

• In the village of Terskol - "Eurokommerz" and "Sberbank of Russia" in the hotel "Elbrussia", the Caucasian Development Bank at the tourist center "Terskol"
• Polyana Cheget - "Sberbank of Russia" in the boarding house "Cheget"

Personal instructor

For those who want to study with an instructor, you need to keep in mind that you need to sign up in advance. Their work is in high demand. Approximately one hour of individual lessons costs 1000 rubles.

There are instructors teaching children.

You can catch such an important person near the lifts or directly during the briefing in the clearings.

Each coach has his own approach. It will be better if you observe his work for a while from the side, and then make a decision to hire or not.

If this is your first time skiing, don't skimp on beginner advice. They can not only bring you pleasure, but also keep you healthy.

Transfer

You can order cars of different classes and different capacities, up to minibuses and trucks. They will come to you at the time specified by you and take you where you need to go. Possible meeting at the airport or railway station.

Connection

At the ski resorts of the Caucasus, the communication of mobile operators Megafon, MTS and Beeline works best. Do not forget that you will be in the roaming zone. Incoming calls are charged, outgoing calls are charged. Check the cost of services with your telecom operator.

Use walkie-talkies to communicate with friends on the slopes.

Wi-Fi and internet cafe

There is a cafe for access to the network in the boarding house "Cheget" on the glade of the same name. Another one in Terskol. Wi-Fi is provided by many hotels and boarding houses.

Sights and entertainment of Elbrus region

There is one on our website, including one near Elbrus - it will help you plan your visit.

You can diversify your leisure time in the Elbrus region by visiting such places:

• National Park "Prielbrusye"
• Valley of Narzanov
• Chegem waterfalls
• Waterfall "Girl's Braids"
• Bezengi Glacier
• Blue Lake

You can also play paintball in Terskol, learn helibiking - mountain biking, ride horses of the famous Karachay breed, visit a nightclub, a disco bar, a sauna, of which there are plenty right on the glades of Cheget and Azau. Many hotels organize billiard tournaments.

In Kabardino-Balkaria it is customary to say that how a magnet attracts people from all over the world , and not in vain, because everyone who has ever visited these wonderful places will definitely want to come back here again and again.

Mount Cheget- the most accessible observation point with a magnificent view of Elbrus. The view on the south side is no less fascinating - stunning views of the Main Caucasian Range: Mount Donguz-Orun, the Seven Glacier, Nakru, the peaks of the Small and Big Kogutai.

Cheget is a favorite place for skiers and snowboarders, and especially freeride enthusiasts - here is expanse for off-piste skiing. If in winter Cheget is captivated by snow-covered slopes and rocks with crystal clear white snow, then in spring and summer it is covered with greenery and beautiful mountain flowers. In the warm season, trekking and cycling around Cheget are popular.

Peak of Mount Cheget in the center. Photo from Elbrus.

Glade "Azau"- this is the starting point to the slopes of Elbrus. The Azau glade is located right at the foot of the mountain in the Baksan valley. Here are the first lines of lifts, many different cafes where you can eat delicious food and stock up on calories before a difficult climb or long skiing. There are also hotels and ski equipment rentals. Here, the only roll-out along the highway goes to the Azau glade.

In the glade Azau.

Station "Staryi Krugozor"- the first station on the slope of Elbrus after the first stage of the pendulum cable car starting from the Azau glade. Here, most often, you can observe enthusiastic people who found themselves on Elbrus for the first time, who frantically take pictures of everything around. It is here that the peaks of Elbrus are shown and become visible, since in the valley, due to the steep drop in heights, they cannot be seen behind the rocky volcanic spurs. From the Stary Krugozor station you can ski or snowboard along the picturesque and uncomplicated slope down into the valley to the Azau, but you can sit on the second line and climb even higher to the Mir station.

Stariy Krugozor station and view of Azau.

Station "Mir" opens up new heights and new experiences. The views around are more and more amazing, and at the tops of Elbrus you can look at the details of the rocks that seem so close. At this station, as well as at others, you can have a bite to eat and warm up in a cafe.

Mir station.

Station "Gara-Bashi" is the final point that can be reached by chairlift, you can climb Elbrus higher only on foot or on a snowcat.

Shelter "Bochki" is located a little higher from the Gara-Bashi station. This is the first shelter where climbers can stay and acclimatize before climbing the Elbrus peaks. "Barrels" are more than a dozen trailers-change houses, most of which are barrel-shaped, which is why they got their name. The barrels are symbolically painted in the tricolor of the colors of the Russian flag. In each "barrel" there are sleeping places, gas stoves, electricity.

Upper station of the cable car Gara-Bashi and "barrels".

"Shelter of the Eleven"(Shelter 11) is a mountain shelter for climbers on the slope of Elbrus. The first three-story building was built back in 1938, but in 1998 it completely burned down due to non-violation of fire safety regulations. Now climbers are accepted by a shelter built a little lower, and the old one is to be reconstructed in its original place from scratch. "Shelter of Eleven" is closely connected with many stories of climbing Elbrus and is literally a cult place.

The famous Shelter of Eleven.

Shelter "Station EG 5300"- a hut built on the saddle of Elbrus. Station EG 5300 was built using technology using modern materials by enthusiastic climbers. The orange hut in the form of an aerodynamic dome, assembled from triangular honeycombs, was intended not for living, but for rescuing climbers in distress on Elbrus in bad weather. Thus it was planned to save hundreds of human lives. But despite all the efforts of the developers of the Station EG 5300 shelter, the hut was nevertheless destroyed, unable to withstand the load of hurricane winds on the Elbrus saddle. In the near future, it is planned to resume the project of the EG 5300 station and reconstruct the hut on Elbrus, taking into account the shortcomings and errors made during the development and construction of the first station.

Station EG-5300.

"Ice Base"- a starting point for experienced climbers on a more difficult route to the "Shelter of Eleven" through the Garabashi glacier. You can get to the "Ice Base" along the mountain road winding along the South-Eastern slope of Elbrus from the village of Terskol passing through the Ukrainian observatory, the 105th picket and the Maiden's Spit waterfall between the Garabashi and Terskol glaciers.

Ice base. View of Elbrus.

Ukrainian observatory on the spur of Elbrus, Mount Terskol. Despite the fact that the branch of the Ukrainian observatory remained Ukrainian after the collapse of the USSR, Russian astronomers still work on it. The observatory on Elbrus has one of the largest telescopes in the post-Soviet space with a main mirror diameter of 6 meters. As far as we know, private visits to the observatory are not welcome.

Observatory.

Baksan Gorge- one of the most famous not only in Kabardino-Balkaria, but throughout the Central Caucasus. According to statistics, purely travelers who come here annually are two to three times more than the total population of Kabardino-Balkaria. There are two reasons for this popularity. Firstly, the Baksan Gorge is the road to the foot of Elbrus and Cheget. Secondly, this is an incredibly beautiful and unusual place.

Baksan Gorge.

National Park "Prielbrusye" includes the mid-mountain and high-mountain region of the Caucasus from 1400 to 5642 meters above sea level, which includes the Main Caucasian Range and Elbrus itself. The Elbrus National Park was formed to preserve the unique flora and fauna. In the Elbrus region, hundreds of animals and plants are protected, many of which are unique and are found only in the vicinity of Elbrus.

Elbrus.

• Based on materials from the site: pro-planet.ru

• 24 March, 2015

Mount Elbrus is the highest point in Europe, and the Elbrus region has always attracted many tourists. But the Elbrus region is especially attractive for skiers. Some slopes of the mountains are covered with snow all year round, which allows not to close the ski season. In addition to skiing, tourists will find many interesting entertainments here. The most popular slopes of the Elbrus region are Elbrus (Azau) and Cheget. Both resorts are located near the village of Terskol in Kabardino-Balkaria.

Slopes and stations of Elbrus

Since then, the popularity of Cheget has not fallen not only in the country, but also in the world, although its tracks are still considered one of the most difficult tracks in the world. Trails on Azau are much easier and more comfortable.

However, the lifts here are still the same - the old Soviet ones, in other words, slow, uncomfortable and unreliable. If you need comfort and smooth slopes, Cheget is not for you. Ratraks do not touch these slopes, here you are alone with the natural relief of the Elbrus region.

Cheget is a Mecca for experienced riders. Many dream of experiencing its untouched virgin soil, slopes of rough terrain, slopes from 20 to 45 degrees.

The highest point of the trails is 3050 meters, with a mountain height of 3700 meters. The lower station is located at an altitude of 2100 m. The total length of the tracks is 20 km. The ski season lasts from November to May.

Tracks and cable cars of Cheget

The tracks of Cheget are beautiful and dangerous. Only experienced skiers can ski here. If you go away from the lifts, then you can ride only in a group, with a full set of avalanche equipment. Avalanches are frequent here, especially on the northern slopes. The southern slopes are more gentle and even. Often the tracks are closed due to high. The mountain rescue service is constantly on duty.

The famous Cheget hillocks deserve special attention, skiing on which develops control over skis and a sense of balance. The mounds are located on the second stage, incl. under the cable car.

There are 11 slopes on Cheget, they are different in their complexity. Ratraki pass through them very rarely. Let's study the slopes of the resort and start from the top of Cheget:

Section 3070 meters - Station "Cheget-3" (3000 m)

At the top of Cheget, the easiest green track originates, the height is 3000-3070 meters. Its length is only 300 meters. It is good for beginners to ride here to hone their skills. You can climb to the top using the "Mops" type. From the top, the majestic Elbrus opens in all its glory.

Section "Cheget-3" (3000 m) - "Cheget-2" (2750 m).

From the station "Cheget-3" more difficult routes of red and blue color begin. The site is served by a single-seat cable car. Near the lower station of this section is the famous cafe "Ay", where Yuri Vzibor liked to stop and the film "Breakfast with a View of Elbrus" was filmed. The observation platform at the cafe offers a beautiful view of the two-headed peak of Elbrus, the Donguzorun, Nakra and Kogutai mountains.

Section "Cheget-2" (2750m) - Polyana Cheget (2100m)

This track is also quite steep, but marked in blue. In the Cheget glade, life is in full swing, there are many cafes, restaurants, and shops. The site is served by single-seat and double-seat cable cars. Once again, we note that these are old and worn-out lifts that break down quite often.

The northern slopes of Cheget are more suitable for extreme lovers. The most famous descent among the common people was named "Dollar" for its curves, this is a real test even for an experienced skier. The southern slope is flatter and wider - for lovers of measured driving and snowboarders, but it also has a difficult terrain.

Cheget lift prices

The cost of a subscription for a day is 800 rubles. Excursion rise - 500 rubles for 1 time. There are no multi-day ski passes.

How to get to Cheget

1. By plane to Mineralnye Vody or Nalchik, then transfer to a regular bus to Terskol.
2. By train to Mineralnye Vody, Nalchik, Pyatigorsk or Prokhladny, after transferring to a regular bus or taxi to Terskol.
3. Ordering a group taxi from Mineralnye Vody, Prokhladny, Nalchik.

Accommodation

You can explore the slopes of Cheget for more than one day, so the best option would be to rent a room in a local hotel. There are many of them on Cheget. You can stay in the hotel of the same name at the foot of the mountain, or you can rent a room in Terskol. But the hotels on the Cheget glade are more attractive for tourists, because the ski lifts are no more than 5 minutes walk away.

Our advice: Before setting foot on the tracks of Cheget for the first time, carefully study the slopes and the schemes of the tracks, the tracks do not have markings, but you will determine in which zone you are on the ground. It is better to start riding with an instructor, guide or in a group, because. there is a great danger of getting lost. It is better not to leave the rolled places. On Cheget there is a high probability of injury, so follow the safety rules.

If you have ever visited the Elbrus region, do not hesitate - you will want to return there again and again. And each time will be full of impressions and emotions.

The universal slopes of "Elbrus-Azau" are suitable for both professionals and amateur beginners, as they are attractive in their width and are ahead of Cheget slopes in terms of comfort.
Elbrus visually looks like a "single track" and is suitable for tourists of any class.

Every year, the resort hosts the "opening of the season", approximately in the middle / end of November: the time when enough snow has already fallen and the tracks are prepared for skiing. But it all depends on the presence of snow; skating may be allowed and possible both earlier and later.

Skiing on the ski slope of Mount Elbrus is a great opportunity to learn new types of winter sports and conquer the peaks of Elbrus, improving your skills.

Plan-scheme of lifts and routes of the Elbrus-Azau Group of Companies

Characteristics of the tracks of the Elbrus-Azau Group of Companies

The slopes of Mount Elbrus are predominantly "blue slopes" with a transition in some places to "red slopes". There are stops, grids and signs on the routes, but there are not so many of them. And of course, for safety reasons, you do not need to go beyond the fence system.

In general, Elbrus-Azau Group of Companies has 7 tracks. The total length of the slopes is approximately 11 kilometers. The set of routes (in length) from the station. Gara-Bashi to Azau is 6 kilometers, from the station. "Shelter-11" - about 10 kilometers, it all depends on which route option you choose.

The slopes of "Elbrus-Azau" are divided into tracks of varying difficulty:

• "Green track" for beginners, is considered the easiest section. Equipped with tow bar.
• "Blue track" is more complex than "green", but also easier than "red".
• "Red Route"- this is a difficult section, suitable for people with special skiing training.
• "Black track"- the most difficult to pass and requires not only special training, but also special equipment.

As in any ski resort, on the slopes of the 1st and 2nd stage there are places for recreation - cafes, canteens, chebureks for a snack, tea houses. There are equipment rental points, medical points, toilets.

Also on Elbrus there are small hotels, climbers call them shelters. Basically, groups stop here who are going to climb Elbrus. "Shelters" are equipped with bedrooms, there is a dining room, equipped with water, gas, electricity.

Characteristics of the cableways of the Elbrus-Azau Group of Companies

The ski complex "Elbrus-Azau" includes four lines of cable cars. Let's look at them in detail.

First zone

Glade "Azau" (2 thousand 350 m) / "Old Outlook" (3 thousand 000 m); cable cars on this section - 2:

• pendulum road (MKD) - "Elbrus-1"
• gondola road (GKD) - "POMA-1"

Description. The track is mixed - "red" with a transition to "blue". The "red" slope is characterized by steep slopes and a small width, while the "blue" slope is flat and sweeping.

• The throughput of the MKD "Elbrus1" = 100 people / hour (the rise takes 12 minutes) cabins for 20 people.
• The capacity of the GKD "POMA-1" = 2,400 people / hour (lift takes 5 minutes) cabins for 8 people.

Second zone

Stary Krugozor (3,000 m) / Mir (3,500 m); cable cars on this section - 2:

• pendulum road (MKD) - "Elbrus-2"
• gondola road (GKD) - "POMA-2"

Description. The track is mixed - "black" with a transition to "blue". The "black" track is characterized by high steepness of descents and turns, while the "blue" track is flat and sweeping, which makes it much easier to ride towards the end of the track.

• The throughput of the MKD "Elbrus2" = 100 people / hour (the rise takes 12 minutes) cabins for 20 people.
• Throughput capacity of the POMA-2 GKD = 2,400 people / hour (lift takes 5 minutes) cabins for 8 people.

Third zone

"Mir" (3 thousand 500 m) / "Gara-Bashi" (shelter "Barrels") (3 thousand 780 m); cable cars on this section - 1:

• OKD - 1-but chairlift - does not operate regularly (alternative lift on a snowcat)

Description. The “blue” track with drops is more gentle and sweeping up to the “Bochki” shelter, but at the same time it is steep. After the shelter, the route of the track is narrower and much steeper than the previous section.

• Capacity of 1 chairlift = 130 people/hour (lift takes 12 minutes).

Fourth zone

"Gara-Bashi" (shelter "Barrels") (3 thousand 780 m) / "Shelter-11" (4 thousand 100 m); there are no cable cars in this section, it is possible to climb up to the mark of 4,100m on snowcats or on foot.

Description. The track is mixed "red" in some places "black" extreme.

Historical summary of the formation of the Elbrus-Azau Group of Companies

The history of the creation of the Elbrus-Azau Group of Companies began in 1969. It was during this period that the 1st stage of the KKD was built and put into operation. It was a real breakthrough in the field of arranging ski resorts. The first "Azau" is located at an altitude of 2200 m above sea level, the second station "Krugozor" is located at a level of 3000 m.

The place for the construction of the ski-entertainment complex was not chosen by chance - Elbrus is the most majestic mountain in Europe and Russia. The peak of the mountain is mostly covered with snow and covered under ice all year round, this is a great opportunity to conquer the slopes of Elbrus at any time of the year.

The height of Elbrus is 5642 meters above sea level. But guests of the ski resort can climb for skiing only up to the mark of 3 thousand 780 meters, called Gara-Bashi.

The Azau settlement serves as the beginning of the Elbrus-Azau SC. There are 2 landing stations of the CD here: a pendulum (trailer) and gondolas (booths). MKD and GKD operate in parallel and each road has 2 lines. The third stage does not work regularly and is single-seat.

Those who wish to climb even higher, to the station "Shelter-11" at a height of 4,100 m, can make a trip up on snowcats. The journey is about 20 minutes.

In the Elbrus region, the skiing areas are concentrated directly on Elbrus and on the slopes of Mount Cheget, located not far from Elbrus and famous for its extreme tracks, one of the most difficult in the world. Distance between ski areas - 4 km. In the Elbrus region, 12 km of cable cars were built, incl. a newly built gondola-type lift, accommodating up to 500 people at the same time.

Mount Elbrus - cable cars and slopes Elbrus-Azau

Mount Elbrus - the highest point in Russia and Europe - is the two peaks of an extinct volcano. Eastern - 5621 meters above sea level, Western - 5642 meters. Skiing on certain sections of the slopes is possible all year round. The highest and most accessible point for skiing "Shelter 11" is 4200 meters. Shelter 11 can be reached from the Mir station on a snowcat. There are sections of the track available for beginner skiers. For beginner skiers, there is a 300-meter yoke at the exit of the slope. The total length of the tracks is more than 35 km.

Cableways of the Elbrus-Azau complex

First stage: Azau - Krugozor

The Elbrus-Azau ski complex originates in the Azau glade, located at the foot of Elbrus, there are catering points, ski equipment rental, coffee and tea vending machines. There are two cable car stations on the Azau glade:

• old pendulum;
• new gondola.

Both cable cars run parallel to each other. Currently, there are 2 lines at each cable car, the 3rd line is under construction. On the 3rd stage there is also a single-seat cable car, which, however, does not always work. From the 2nd stage (Mir station), everyone rises higher on snowcats, the ascent time to Shelter-11 is about 20 minutes.

• Pendulum cable car "Elbrus 1"(2350-3000 m) departs from the station "Azau" and reaches the station "Staryi krugozor". Both stations have cafes and barns. The travel time of the old pendulum road is 15 minutes.
• New cable car "Elbrus" gondola type was opened in December 2006. It connects the lower return station on the Azau glade with the upper drive station "Staryi Krugozor" and is installed parallel to the already existing pendulum cable car. This is the latest model of gondola-type cable car with detachable gondolas. The capacity of one gondola is 8 people. 58 gondolas operate at the same time. The length of the route is 1740 m, the difference of the road is 580 m. The travel time of the new gondola road is 5 minutes, the average speed is 6 m/s. The capacity of the cable car is up to 2400 people per hour.

Second stage: Krugozor - Mir

The old pendulum cable car "Elbrus-2" and the new cable car "Elbrus" of the gondola type operate on this line.

• Pendulum cable car "Elbrus - 2" (3000 - 3500 m) starts from the station "Staryi Krugozor" and goes to the station "Mir". The length of the road is 1500 m. On the territory of the station there is a cozy cafe "Mir" and the Museum of military glory of the defenders of Elbrus and the Caucasian passes during the Great Patriotic War.
• New cable car "Elbrus" gondola type (3000 - 5000 m) was opened in April 2009. It is the latest model of a cable car with 8-seater gondolas produced by the French company ROMA - one of the world leaders in the field of cable transport systems. The road connects two ski stations: Stary Krugozor and Mir. The length of the road is 1800 m, the capacity is 2400 people per hour. Travel time in one direction - 5 minutes 13 seconds.

Third stage: Mir - Gara-Bashi

On the 3rd stage, the Elbrus chairlift operates.

• Cableway "Elbrus" (3500 - 3850 m) starts from the Mir station and goes to the Gara-Bashi station. The single-seat lift is quite old, it does not work stably. From here, from a height of 3800 m, the certified route No. 1 begins to the Azau glade 2300 m.

Above, to the station "Shelter 11" (4200 m) can be reached by snow groomers. All snow groomers are private, so their cost fluctuates. Approximately, a distance of 18 km can be covered for 1000 rubles.

Characteristics of the tracks of the Elbrus-Azau complex

Red route "Old horizon"

The route is located between the stations "Mir" and "Staryi krugozor" of the Elbrus cable car. Two options for the descent, one of which merges with the Azau highway, and the other runs parallel to the cable car along a wide flat section to the Elephant foreheads and then along a narrow cornice 4 meters wide goes to the Staryy Krugozor station. The maximum width of the route is 90 m, the height difference is 500 m. The length of the descent is 1900 m.

Red route "Azau"

A gentle descent to the “Olga turn”, then a steep one - along a chute 50 m long with a slope of 35, at the end of the section the route turns left and along the cornice, past the high-mountain hotel, in a smooth arc goes to the left and goes to a straight finish section under the cable car. Care must be taken here, as a collision with skiers starting from the upper station of the VL-350 tow ropeway is possible. The length of the route is 2 km, the height difference is 650 m. The angle of inclination is 50.

Blue track "Gara-Bashi"

The route is located between the stations "Gara-Bashi" and "Mir" of the cable car "Elbrus" and has an exit to the site from which the route "Staryi krugozor" begins. The maximum width of the route is 80 m, and the height difference is 300 m. The length is 1100 m with a maximum slope of 50. The slope relief is complex, the ground is rocky and stony of volcanic rocks, basalt rocks. It is served by the Elbrus chairlift, 1130 m long, at a speed of 1.75 m/s. Having risen another 20 m from the highest station, you can get to the climbers' training camp for the ascent to the Bochka. Priyut 11 (4200 m) and Pastukhov Rocks (4800 m) can be reached by snowcat. As a result of natural selection, true heroes get to the Saddle (5300 m).

Training slope "Azau" (green track)

The route is located to the right of the ropeway VL-350 along a gentle chute. The track is 300 m long and with a height difference of 50 m starts at an altitude of 2400 m above sea level. The average angle of inclination is 15 . The relief is medium, grassy cover on volcanic rocks, on the right side of the route it borders on a birch forest. Lift - BKD VL-350 with a length of 300 m with a height difference of 50 m. A helicopter stands daily at the foot of Elbrus. It is also possible to fly to Dombay, ride there and return back. There is no lighting, a large amount of precipitation in the Elbrus region guarantees deep snow cover throughout the ski season. There is a well-equipped lifeguard service. The most dangerous places on the track are stones, rocks, buildings are fenced with a catching net.

Mount Cheget: cable cars and slopes

It was on Cheget (2100 - 3050 m) in 1963 that the country's first cable car was built. The height of Mount Cheget is 3700 meters. The maximum lifting height is 3050 meters. Altitude difference skiing - 1140 meters. The tracks of Cheget are considered one of the most difficult in the world ski resorts. In Russia, Cheget serves as a standard for the complexity of the slopes. On Mount Cheget, there are 2 lines of the Cheget chairlift, a line of the paired chairlift "Parnaya" and a network of drag and tow roads. The total length of the lifts is 4300 meters, the total length of the ski slopes is 20 km, and if we take into account the possibility of virgin skiing, then the total ski area will be about 100 km. Mount Cheget is located 1 km from the village of Terskol and 4 km from the Elbrus cable car complex.

First phase (2100-2750)

• Cableway "Cheget-1" departs from the lower station of Polyana Cheget and continues to the station of the cafe "Ay" (2750 m). The cafe station "Ay" has an observation deck with a magnificent view of the mountains. Elevation difference - 650 m.
• Steam chair road "Steam" duplicates KKD "Cheget-1" and also goes from the lower station of the Cheget glade and reaches the station of the cafe "Ai".

Second stage (2750-3000)

• Cableway "Cheget-2" departs from the cafe "Ay" and goes to the station Cheget. On the way, a picture opens up: on the right are the snow-white caps of Elbrus, on the left - the peaks of Donguzorun, Kogutai and Nakra sparkling with eternal snow.

Towing roads

• towing road VL-650- (2750 m - 3000 m) with a length of 650 meters, travel time 5 minutes;
• towing road VL-300- (3000 m - 3070 m) 300 meters long, travel time 3 min.