Krasnaya Polyana

The Winter Olympics mountain cluster at the foot of the Greater Caucasus, where resorts such as Rosa Khutor and Gorki Gorod run into one another; ski in winter, and in summer ride the gondola up Rosa Peak for views of the snow-capped Caucasus.

Krasnaya Polyana lies in the Mzymta River valley in the Adlersky District of Sochi, Russia, at about 550 m above sea level and around 40 km from Adler airport; it hosted the snow events of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. The valley is flanked by the Pseashkho ridge to the north and the Aibga ridge to the south, and four major resorts line the river: Gazprom (Laura/Alpika) near the old village, Gorki Gorod and Gornaya Karusel in Esto-Sadok, and the largest, Rosa Khutor, further upstream, with numerous lifts carrying visitors above 2,000 m. The seasons are distinct: December to April is ski season, with reliable snow for skiers of all levels; June–September is the best time for alpine meadows, waterfall hikes and gondola viewpoints, and off-road tours run to Lake Kardyvach; in spring and autumn some lifts close for maintenance. The Olympic legacy includes the RusSki Gorki Jumping Center, the Sanki Sliding Center and the Laura Biathlon Center, which visitors can tour, with bobsleigh rides on offer. Getting there: the Lastochka electric train from Adler or Sochi takes about 1 hour to Rosa Khutor station, or take bus 105 or another bus, or a taxi, along the new highway in about 40 minutes. Allow 2–4 days, or a week for skiers. Temperatures in the mountains swing widely, so bring a jacket even in summer; lift and ski-pass prices are higher in peak season, and rooms should be booked ahead for holidays.

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