In the heart of the majestic mountains of the gray Caucasus lies one of the oldest tourist and mountaineering centers of our country. This is Dombay - skiing Eden, located in a protected corner of Karachay-Cherkessia. The incredible beauty of the landscapes of the North Caucasus, the purest mountain air and amazing conditions for outdoor activities attract tourists from all over Russia, as well as near and far abroad.
The modern Dombai resort is a unique center of mountaineering and skiing, a venue for international competitions, significant events in the cultural and sports life of the country.
Resort location
Dombay glade - intermountain basin at an altitude of 1620 meters above sea level - the place where Dombay is located. The ski resort is located in the basin of the Teberda mountain stream, on the territory of the Teberdinsky National Reserve. high valleynestled comfortably at the foot of the Main Caucasian Range, where the waters of the Dombay-Ulgen, Amanauz and Alibek rivers merge.
The glade is ringed by a chain of bizarre snow-capped peaks with an unusually poetic name - Dombay-Ulgen (translated from Karachai - a killed bison), Sulakhat - a sleeping girl, the striped rock of Belalakaya, Dzhuguturlyuchat (the habitat of tours), Peak Ine, sung by Vizbor majestic Erzog.
Due to the mild climate and favorable geographical position in Dombai, the weather is always beautiful: massive mountain slopes protect the resort from the winds, and the sun illuminates the valley for more than 320 days a year. Plentiful snowfalls and a stable snow cover determine the long ski season, lasting from November to May.
Dombay - the ski Mecca of the North Caucasus
The sunny land of tales and legends - the amazing Caucasus - has long attracted travelers, explorers and climbers. Since the 20s of the last century, Dombai Polyana has been developing as a center for tourism and skiing. Today, Dombay is a ski resort that is rapidly developing its capabilities and infrastructure. Skiing conditions here are close to alpine resorts: modern winter slopes, more than 20 kilometers long, an extensive network of lifts, a high level of service, and the main advantage is the wild, untouched beauty of the surrounding mountains.
Ski slopes of the resort
Ski slopes in Dombai originate at an altitude of more than 3 thousand meters at the topmonumental ridge Mussa-Achitara. The system of slopes of various levels of difficulty and length is suitable for both beginners and ski experts. The tracks, according to the accepted classification system, are conditionally divided into "green" (simple slopes for beginners), "blue" (medium difficulty) and "red" - for self-confident pros.
The main skiing area is laid at an altitude of 2600-3012 meters and is distinguished by a flat, calm relief. For children and completely “green” beginners, the simplest gentle slopes, the so-called “paddling pools”, equipped with a drag lift are prepared.
For those who like to tickle their nerves and professional athletes, the steep slopes of the northern part of Moussa-Achitara and the Gonachkhir gorge offer ample opportunities for freeriding. Fans of heli-skiing are in for a dizzying ride on untouched slopes from the peaks of Semenov-Bashi and the Alibek glacier, where extreme sportsmen are thrown by a local helicopter. For skiing in the late hours, the resort provides night lighting of the slopes.
Dombai lift system
Dombai is a ski complex served by several lift systems:
- Five lines of the chairlift, built back in the 70-80s of the XX century. The fourth and fifth stages of the cable car are delivered to the main ski area. The fourth line leads to the so-called "Moussa glade" at an altitude of 2.5 km. From here, the fifth double-seat cable car delivers tourists to the crest of the ridge.
- Eight-seater gondola lift.
- The new cable car complex, which includes six- and four-seater chairs, delivering skiers and snowboarders to a height of up to 3200 meters.
- Yugoslav cable car with a length of 1700 meters.
- Cable-pendulum road, including two trailers with a capacity of up to 40 people, raising sightseers and skiers to a height of 2260 m.
- A network of towing roads serving training slopes.
Sights of the resort
The main attraction of this region is the surrounding natural splendor of the Teberdinsky Reserve. Crystal mountain rivers and picturesque gorges, rushing waterfalls, cold beauty of alpine lakes - the observation deck on top of Moussa-Achitara opens up an amazing panorama of these places. From here you can observe distant Elbrus shining in a cloudy haze.
A noteworthy place and a kind of hallmark of Dombay is the original eight-bed hotel Plate, made in the form of an alien ship.
On the way to the Alikbek gorge there is a quiet and memorable place - the cemetery of the dead climbers. People come here to pay tribute to the memory and respect to those who died in the mountains while climbing or trying to save the lives of their comrades. On the path leading to the graves, there is a sign with the words from Vysotsky's song: "There are no scarlet roses and mourning ribbons, and the stone that gave you peace does not look like a monument …".
Entertainment and excursionsDombaya
Dombay is a ski resort where, in addition to an exciting variety of slopes, guests are offered a lot of opportunities for active and diverse recreation. You can admire the expanses of the snow-covered Caucasus by taking a quad bike ride or an exciting snowmobile safari. Fans of thrills will not be indifferent to the opportunity to make a stunning descent in a special zorb, a voluminous transparent ball.
Special mention deserves fascinating trips with an instructor on a paraglider, opening up unforgettable views of mountain landscapes from a bird's eye view. Confident skiers can try their hand at speedriding, an extreme combination of paragliding and alpine skiing.
The complex has an ice skating rink, sledge rental, horse and foot excursions to the picturesque corners of the Teberdinsky Reserve are organized.
Dombai in summer and autumn
Reserved Dombai is a ski resort worth visiting not only in winter. The delightful nature of this region offers excellent opportunities for recreation in summer and autumn. When the snow cover comes off the slopes of the Caucasus Mountains, the alpine meadows of the Dombai Valley bloom with a silky carpet of delicate plants. The beauty of centuries-old fir forests, turquoise mountain lakes, millennial glaciers against the backdrop of a clear sunny sky opens up before the eyes of travelers.
In summer, Dombay has a special cool climate, favorable for long walking tours. At that timeMountain biking and horseback riding, climbing the peaks of the Caucasus, and trekking are popular tourist attractions. In autumn, the nature of Teberda lights up with a colorful palette of golden-purple colors.
Dombai - ski resort: prices for lifting and equipment rental
Prices for lift services depend on the choice of lift system. Since the main complexes of chairlifts belong to different owners, there is no single tariff in Dombai. For children and pensioners there is a 50% discount.
- The cost of a single lift along the old chairlift depends on the queue and varies from 150 to 250 rubles, a daily pass will cost a tourist from 500 to 1000 rubles.
- The cost of a ski pass for both stages of the new cable car complex will be 1600 rubles per day for an adult. A single lift on each line is estimated at 500 rubles.
- The services of the pendulum cable car for skiers and snowboarders will cost 200 rubles, for tourists - 300 rubles per lift.
The cost of renting a set of equipment for skis and snowboards is approximately 400-450 rubles per day. On the territory of the complex, you can also purchase new equipment.
How to get there
There are several ways to get to the corner of Karachay-Cherkessia, where Dombay is located. The ski resort is located 230 kilometers from Mineralnye Vody Airport, and the easiest way to transfer is by air. From the airport daily (during the ski season from December to March) runs a bus that deliverstourists to the center of the village. You can also take a taxi or rent a car.
If you get to the ski complex by train, you can choose the stations in Nevinnomysk, Pyatigorsk, Nalchik or Mineralnye Vody as your destination. The road will take from 24 to 38 hours on the way. From the station to Dombay you can take a taxi, there are regular bus routes.
From Moscow to Dombai Polyana, there are direct flights of comfortable intercity buses. Also, without transfers, you can get to the place of rest on your own, that is, on your own car.
The protected places of the majestic Caucasus welcome their guests all year round with their unique nature, salubrious air and magnificence of high mountain valleys. Dombay ski reviews of tourists unanimously rank among the most impressive and beautiful resorts in our country.
