Ski resorts in Crimea

The opinion that Crimea is attractive only in the spring-summer season is a mistake. The beautiful subtropical climate of the peninsula makes it a popular holiday destination at any time of the year. In addition to the Cote d'Azur, clear sea and picturesque nature, winter vacations in the mountains are also able to deliver a lot of positive emotions and vivid impressions for all guests of the Crimea.

Throughout the year, Crimea pleases its guests with a mild climate. And in winter, the peninsula has many warm sunny days. The temperature rarely drops below zero, usually at night. During the day, the average December air temperature is +2 - + 8 ° С, and in the south of the peninsula the temperature can reach + 15 ° С.

The most “winter” and coldest month in Crimea is February. During this period, cold winds blow from the sea, fog swirls above the ground, sometimes there are snowfalls.

By the end of February, spring arrives on the peninsula and the first spring flowers appear in the gardens, and buds on the trees. Already in March, Crimea is completely covered with flowers and flowering trees, the aroma of which fills the spring air.

Despite the relatively warm Crimean winter, snow in the mountains lies almost until mid-spring. In this regard, in the cold season, you can visit a ski resort in the Crimea, where you can have a great time. Experienced skiers recommend planning skiing in February, as the snow that has fallen is no longer so loose that provides maximum comfort on the slopes.

In total, there are 2 ski resorts on the peninsula, and for a small Crimea this is a lot.

The largest and most popular is located on Mount Ai-Petri - it includes everything you need for an active winter pastime. The height of the mountain plain is 1200 m above sea level, there are several slopes on which tracks of various lengths and complexity are located.

On Ai-Petri there are only 6 tracks. The smallest of them is “Paddling”, a little more than 100 m long. There is a ski lift for children on this site, where qualified instructors train young skiers.

The longest descent is called "27th kilometer", its length is more than 1000 meters, with a height difference of 170 meters.

In Ai-Petri snowpark you can rent not only skiing, but also sledges, snowboards - all at an affordable price. You can get to the top of the plateau with the help of a cable bridge leading from the village of Miskhor, as well as another 9 ski lifts. An unforgettable and amazing view of the coast opens from the observation deck of the Miskhor Ai-Petri cable car.

The operating mode of the elevator lifts is from early in the morning until 6 p.m., since skating in the dark is dangerous to life. To get to the long snow slopes, you can use a snowmobile rental service. An outfit of the Ministry of Emergencies is regularly on duty at the resort, small restaurants and cafes work. If desired, you can visit the local ski club.

The second most popular ski resort in Crimea is located on the Angarsky Pass mountain range, at an altitude of 752 meters above sea level. This is the highest point of the route "Simferopol - Alushta". The area near the Crimean Angara River, flowing between the mountains of Demerdzhi and Chatyr-Dag, has become a favorite resort for vacationers. Especially the Angarsk pass is popular in winter among skiing enthusiasts.

On the Angarsk pass there are slopes with large elevations (about 700 m), skiing on which is a source of adrenaline for athletes. The coolest place for descents is considered Gorge Cold Couloir, which is located on the famous high-altitude tract of the Chatyr-Dag plateau.

On the slope of Chatyr-Dag there are tracks of various difficulty levels and lengths, so both beginners and skiing professionals can spend time actively. At special points on the top of the plateau you can rent various items of equipment: sledges, skiing, snowboarding. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts will also find great descents in the winter forest.

Taking into account that the ski resorts on the peninsula are officially absent, there are conditions for active winter recreation. On the peaks of Ai-Petri, Chatyr-Dag and the Angarsk pass, winter holidays in the mountains are organized at a good level. Of the positive aspects, the following should be noted:

• availability of essential infrastructure near skiing spots;
• various routes in length and complexity;
• reasonable prices;
• the possibility of renting equipment;
• the presence of small slopes for children, the services of instructors;
• picturesque landscapes around.

Compared to the Caucasus, Transcarpathian and Sochi ski resorts, unfortunately, the winter resorts of Crimea have some drawbacks. The same situation with similar resorts in other regions and neighboring countries - the peninsula is significantly inferior in scale ski routes. The lack of equipment and machinery also negatively affects the resort’s customer turnover.It also happens that on snowy days, the serpentine road leading to the tops of the mountains completely closes or limits the passage on it. This is due to the difficult road and weather conditions, the risk of avalanche convergence.

Perhaps the ski resorts in Crimea have not yet reached the highest level, but winter vacations in the mountains open up maximum options for a pleasant pastime.

You can look at the Crimean ski resort "Ai-Petri" further.