One day in the red meadow. Budget adventure: how to save money on vacation in Krasnaya Polyana Good place Krasnaya Polyana

For those who are going to Krasnaya Polyana for the first time: which resort to choose, where is it better in Krasnaya Polyana, Estosadok (Gorki-gorod resort) or Rosa Khutor? What is the difference between resorts, prices in different villages, where it is more convenient to relax in the summer, where it is more profitable to stay in the winter. Maps of Krasnaya Polyana, Rosa Khutor and Estosadok, ski slopes and cable cars

Keywords: Independent trip to Krasnaya Polyana, which resort to choose, Rosa Khutor or Gorki Gorod, Krasnaya Polyana or Gazprom, Rosa Plateau.

I remember before visiting Krasnaya Polyana (the one near Sochi), I tried to quickly find out where it is best to stay, so that "it was close to everything and not very expensive" :) And, I remember, I was very surprised when my friends , who recently returned from the designated resort, could not really explain to us where "that very magical place" is. They told something about the village of Krasnaya Polyana, about some kind of "Zadok" and about Rosa Khutor. Frankly, I didn’t understand much and went to Google to look for the truth. Either I somehow didn’t feel very well, or the Google stars shone dimly, but I couldn’t hear a specific answer. I found out one thing: Krasnaya Polyana is not the same thing as Rosa Khutor, but at the same time, "it's all together" is called Krasnaya Polyana. Have I confused you? It happens :) Let's quickly figure out what's what ...

Krasnaya Polyana. Resorts

In short, Krasnaya Polyana is a resort that includes, in fact, the village of the same name Krasnaya Polyana, the village of Esto-Sadok (the Gorki-Gorod resort), the resort village of Rosa Khutor and the small mountain and tourist center Gazprom-Laura. Unfortunately, I am not fond of skiing, and even more so of downhill skiing, so my review will be in a "general tourist" style: what I saw - I will tell you what I liked - I will advise :)

And now briefly in order. But for starters, it would be nice to have a general idea of \u200b\u200bhow the villages and resorts are located. I found the simplest map, corrected and finalized something:

The village of Krasnaya Polyana.

This is the largest village of the resort, it all started from there. But! Now this is the most remote settlement from the "tourist center" and tourists stay here only if all the free hotel rooms in Estosadok, Gazprom and Rosa Khutor have already been sold out. Well, or if the budget of the trip is initially very limited and you have to save on the convenience of living. The biggest minus- remoteness from ski lifts and in general from entertainment venues and complexes: you will have to get to the nearest cable car by public transport or your own car, but remember about parking in high season!

Estosadok or "Gorki Gorod"

Picture can be enlarged

Estosadok is also an old village, initially much smaller than Krasnaya Polyana, but in recent years it has been turned into the largest resort "Gorki Gorod". It is located almost close to the GTZ "Gazprom Laura" and Rosa Khutor, within walking distance. Here is, in fact, the mountain and tourist center "Gorki Gorod", a modern gondola lift and several areas for skiing: from training and green slopes for beginners, to black slopes and off-piste skiing. For those who prefer summer holidays, there are very good mountain bike trails, mountain hiking trails and parks for active recreation.

There is something to do in Estosadok for the “ordinary vacationer” who is not directly related to active views: there is a rather large shopping and entertainment center with a cinema, SPA centers, there are a lot of cafes and restaurants around, including cafes with stunning views of the mountain peaks, yes and just enough scenic footpaths for casual walks. Moreover, the most "elite" Rosa Khutor can be reached even on foot.

Resort Gorki The city is located on two levels: the Lower City (altitude 540 meters above sea level) and the Upper City (mark 960). This is how the whole resort looks from a height:

All the main entertainment, cafes and other establishments are located below, the Upper Town is more of an "aristocratic nest", a quieter and more secluded place in the evenings, even during the winter season. Probably, from the point of view of a mountain-skiing resort, the Upper Town is more convenient: it takes very little time to get to simple slopes, and difficult ones are much closer and faster than from the lowest point. And there are practically no queues for the lift.

In the Lower City there are a five-star hotel "Sochi Marriott Krasnaya Polyana", a four-star hotel "Gorki Plaza" and "Apartments Gorki Gorod 540" with a total capacity of 2000 rooms. In addition, there are many small hotels, apartments and townhouses. The Upper City boasts "Rixos Krasnaya Polyana Sochi", "Gorki Hotel (ex. Solis Sochi Hotel)", "Gorki Hotel Suites (ex. Solis Sochi Suites)", "Dolina 960", "Gorki Panorama", "Gorki Art" , "Gorki Grand" and "Apartments Gorki Gorod 960"

GTZ "Gazprom Laura"

A separate part of the resort, a kind of "city within a city", and "behind a high fence". As far as I know, this complex was built with the money of Gazprom (the name speaks for itself) for the recreation of the company's employees and their families. Outwardly, Gazprom looks like a guarded cottage settlement, the territory of which can only be entered if you live there or by invitation. Quite a quiet, cozy and very clean place for lovers of a somewhat isolated holiday, especially for families. The Laura ski resort itself, I quote the site Riderhelp.ru:

is considered the most mountainous and family complex in Krasnaya Polyana. There are gondola, chair and tow lifts. Probably the best conditions for "photographing with skis against the background of the mountains" and learning to ski.

The name and isolation do not make Gazprom an absolutely closed resort, you can book accommodation in one of the hotel complexes or rent a townhouse and enjoy all the benefits and disadvantages of the resort. Well, if we consider the disadvantage that for a walk "in civilization", among the noisy tourist people, you will need to walk 500 meters on foot (of course, you can also take a bus in a couple of minutes) to the Rosa Khutor resort.

Resort Rosa Khutor

This is the most glamorous and hyped part of Krasnaya Polyana. However, Rosa Khutor positions itself as a separate resort that is not part of Krasnaya Polyana (KP), so those who are going to visit KP for the first time often do not even suspect that Rosa Khutor and Krasnaya Polyana are in the same place and that it is possible and necessary to come not only to go skiing in winter (this is what RH is known for), but also in the warm season you can have a wonderful and interesting rest here.

Picture can be enlarged

By the way, the name "Rosa Khutor" has nothing to do with a beautiful flower: there was once a small farm here, consisting of only one house and the Estonian Rooz family lived here. That's it:)

As I said earlier, RX is the most glamorous, which means the most expensive resort. Rather, it refers to the part of the RH called "Rose Valley", located at an altitude of 560 meters above sea level. This is the part you see in the picture. Here are world-famous hotels, the most expensive restaurants and no less expensive boutiques. A wide promenade, recreation areas, and, of course, a ski center. According to many tourists, this is the best ski resort in Russia. with excellent trails of different levels.

Again, as in Gorki Gorod, there is a peculiarity here: at an altitude of 1140 meters there is a former Olympic Village, now called Rosa Plateau. Unlike the Upper City of the Gorki-Gorod resort, the mountainous part of the RH is more democratic than the lower glamorous Valley. There are inexpensive hostels here that are affordable even for students. And the prices in cafes and shops are a little lower. But in order to have fun and plunge into the tourist glamour, you will have to go down to the Valley. But for true connoisseurs of rides and relaxation in a cheerful company, there is no better place in all of Krasnaya Polyana.

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Compare prices in 30 hotel booking systems and find the best deal

Here's a little tutorial for beginners. Now it will be a little easier for you to orient yourself and decide on the "place of deployment" during your vacation in Krasnaya Polyana. Our choice fell on a townhouse in Estosadok, right in front of the main ski lift Gorki-Gorod. You can read our small reports about the trip to Krasnaya Polyana (in spring) in our blog. And all useful links, tips and reviews are collected on the page

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Russia today is a holiday in Sochi, and in particular a holiday in the mountain resort of Krasnaya Polyana.

In winter, there is a special excitement in Krasnaya Polyana due to the presence of a large number of ski and snowboard slopes of different difficulty levels. Winter sports enthusiasts come here from all over the country. Equipment can be rented here, so you don't have to bring everything with you. True, the prices for rental and ski passes "bite", according to many tourists.

Buying after a walk a simple sandwich and a glass of mulled wine in one of the cafes will cost you more than 500 rubles, dinner or lunch (without alcohol) - an average of about 2000 rubles. from a person.

There are plenty of hotels here for every taste and budget (well, almost for everyone). During the New Year holiday season, prices soar 3-5 times per room. The cheapest accommodation options can be found in the off-season. But in the off-season in the mountains, in my opinion, there is nothing to do for more than two days, and therefore such prices for accommodation are offered. In general, the best time to visit Krasnaya Polyana is winter and summer (in Sochi it is from May to September inclusive).

Of the best hotels in Krasnaya Polyana, I can recommend Mariott and Grand Hotel Polyana. These are excellent five-star complexes. Everything is decent, but again expensive.

Grand Hotel Polyana is an amazing hotel, you can live in it without going anywhere else, as there are enough entertainment and restaurants inside the hotel.

Mariott is also a great option for living with outdoor and indoor pools, a SPA area and a beautiful view from the window.

One of my favorite restaurants with a local flavor is the Chalet restaurant. Unlike many newfangled restaurants that open and close every year, this establishment has been around for a long time and pleases with its delicious food and attentive service. At your choice of delicious hot dishes, meat, fish, good wine.

Of the fashionable places that are currently popular, I can recommend Red Fox, a solid place with a beautiful stylish interior, such a lounge for evening relaxation.

Things are not going well with the nightlife in Polyana. There are few options for where to go at night. This is a couple of bars and one large nightclub (SkyCklub) of a very mediocre level. In my opinion, it's better to go to a bar and listen to music there. If you already really want to dance in a nightclub, I warn you that it’s better not to go there sober, because the audience, service and bartenders, if you are sober, can plunge you into a slight fright.

Now about walks and places for rest.

One of the stops is Gorki Gorod, built before the 2014 Olympics, a mini-town, a beautiful enough place for your tourist route.

If you are going to the Glade on the Swallow, then the final stop is Rosa Khutor.

This is one of my favorite places to walk in Krasnaya Polyana. In winter it is especially wonderful here. In addition, various concerts and interesting events often take place on Rosa Khutor Square.

The resort has several lifts that will take you to different levels of altitude.

The phrase “Krasnaya Polyana” ski resort has already become quite famous. What to see in summer? For some reason, it seemed to me that this is a rather boring place, where in the summer season you can see all its sights in 1 day.

But as it turned out, it was a mistake! Not without reason, besides the "mountain skiing", Krasnaya Polyana got one more name: "all-season" resort. And it is true.

It should be recalled that now the name "Krasnaya Polyana", as a rule, is understood as a complex of mountain towns that are located in the valley of the Mzymta River. This is the village itself,.

There are detailed articles about the first and last on my website, and you can follow the links to read about the huge number of attractions in these cities.

But the rest of the resorts undeservedly remained in the shadows. But that's just for now. And it is with great pleasure that I fill this gap.

A bit of history

The settlement of Esto-Sadok was founded in 1886 by the families of Estonians who came to these deserted lands by that time. Initially, the village was called Estonka, and in 1912 it was renamed Esto-Sadok (sometimes spelled together: Estosadok).

As a result, they combined the historical belonging to the founders of this place and a huge number of gardens. Indeed, the land of these places was all decorated with flowering gardens of fruit trees.

Over the years of its existence, the town has gradually expanded. And in the years of preparation for the Sochi Olympics in 2014, new buildings began to appear in it at an accelerated pace. In a surprisingly short time, luxurious hotels and inns, bars, cafes and restaurants, baths and spas, shops and other interesting places were built here.

This previously small town - Esto-Sadok - is located in the Adler district and now unites three resorts at once: Gorki-Gorod, Gazprom and Rosa Khutor. True, sometimes the last of them, after all, is allocated to a separate area.

Former Estonian gardens can offer their guests numerous entertainments for spending any kind of, but always exciting and educational, holiday. There are a huge number of places where you can go in winter and summer, with children or an adult company.

Estosadok and its museums

The pride of the inhabitants of the town, and there are now about a thousand of them, is the Esto-Sadok bridge. It was built according to the latest technology, in a slightly extraordinary manner. In the dark, it is illuminated by night lights. The lights of the bridge look very beautiful surrounded by multi-colored iridescent water!

And, of course, according to tradition, all the wishes you said out loud or in a whisper on this bridge will come true. And the newlyweds, on the way from the registry office, as a sign of eternal love and a nascent strong family, pass through the bridge and leave a padlock on it, the key to which is thrown into the river.

Located at 35 Estonska Street, the Anton Hansen Tammsaare Museum is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 17:00.

Here, visitors will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the customs, traditions and way of life of the Estonians, the founders of this settlement in the Russian Caucasus. Among the exhibits of the museum: kitchen utensils, musical instruments, national clothes, handicrafts. Coordinates: 43.68617, 40.25327.

An amazing building - the research complex "Pyramid" was built of wood. Not a single nail was used in its construction. The building is an exact copy of the pyramid of Cheops reduced by 29 times and, indeed, is the original attraction of the village of Esto-Sadok.

The Krasnopolyanskaya pyramid was erected according to the project of the local professor Proskuryakov, who thus studied the influence of the pyramid on a person, climate, water or food. For those who wish, excursions are conducted, fascinating lectures with remarkable facts are read, and films are also shown.

This attraction attracts to the hotel complex with the same name:. It is very popular among holidaymakers. Probably, living next to a pyramid built according to the principle of the Golden Section is very healthy for the body. 😀

Structure coordinates: 43.68338, 40.2724

To be honest, it is not clear why the professor decided to build such a small model: after all, the construction of other objects is carried out here on a grand scale. In addition, there are gigantic (compared to this) analogues of Russian pyramids in, on, and in other places.

Holiday with Gazprom

Climbing the mountains

The easiest way to get to the top of the mountains is to sit in the cable car. And now, in just a few minutes, you are surrounded by magical mountain slopes. This is really magic: I could not understand how green trees, flowers and huge snowdrifts are combined here.

We arrived at the Gazprom cable car lift on May 9th. It happened by chance: the day before, there was information on the Internet that in honor of the holiday there would be big discounts on ski passes (tickets), and a varied entertainment program was also planned.

Last year, the rise was generally free. And this year - 300 rubles, although the usual one costs much more: from 600 and more.

We set off from the lower cable car station. The funicular cabin easily and very beautifully took us to the next level.

The views around were just amazing. Beneath us is a soft fluffy and green forest, around the boundless open spaces. And above all this - silence!

And just approaching the stop of the funicular, we began to hear the sounds of music, very unusual: melodies of the war years were played, such well-known victory songs sounded. Good reminder! But we almost forgot that today is Victory Day.

And here we are at the next mountain level. Here the holiday is fully felt, even despite the cloudy cool weather and low hanging clouds.

Right here in the mountains stood military equipment. For some reason, my first thought was: how did they get such colossus up here? Also in the lift cabin? 😆

Huge cars of the war years were viewed with pleasure by both adults and children.

Next to each exhibit was a sign that explained in detail what it was called, what shells it was loaded with, and how far it fired.

The music of the war years was playing, the field kitchen was working. A bunch of animators in military uniforms cheered and entertained people everywhere. It was fun, the holiday was a success!

There was an open chairlift nearby. Well, how not to ride: after all, its cost was also included in our holiday reduced ticket.

We gladly sat down on chairs and went on our way. Below us is an abyss and snowdrifts, on the sides are snow-capped mountain peaks, in which small clouds hide so unusually.

We breathe the magical fresh frosty spring air. Beauty, and more!

The euphoria of flight and freedom passed very quickly. It was very unexpected and it was not part of our plans that, in general, on a warm May day in Sochi, we could freeze very much. 🙄

The open chairs of the lift, the cold wind from which you can’t hide, the leaden clouds and ... a very long and slow cable car route, from which it is impossible to get off, did their job.

Having reached the bottom point, we had already stopped admiring the surrounding beauties, but we wanted only one thing: to warm up! And nature heard our prayers! How changeable the weather can be in the mountains!

Suddenly, the clouds somehow disperse, the sky acquires a pleasant blue color and sometimes the sun appears. How cool it is when it - so warm and May - warms our stiff bodies! 😀

And now we can again greet travelers passing by,

and also admire the snow-capped mountains, clouds and the funicular cabins slowly moving in the distance.

And even at the end of the victory lap we did on the open chairlift, we smile cheerfully at the frozen photographer who works all day on the snowy lawn.

Those tourists who, in a special way, already missed winter in May, are happy to climb out of the fences and walk through the snowdrifts, and some even play snowballs!

"Warm up, warm up, warm up!" — it is with this thought that we jump off the chair of the cable car. “Well, at least we jumped off ourselves, and we didn’t have to scrape off our frozen bodies,” we joke, in order to somehow warm ourselves. Moreover, the sun again disappeared behind leaden and some very snowy clouds.

We run to the closed cabins of the funicular. There, of course, there is no heating, but there should not be a piercing wind either.

On the descent, we were advised to go to another cable car: Alpika-Service. It is considered one of the longest cable cars, moreover, it has an important status: it was built on Krasnaya Polyana!

But we have no time to talk about the merits and titles of this lift. We only note that the cabins here are a little larger.

We quickly jump inside, the doors close behind us. And all around is silence and warmth! What happiness to regain the ability to enjoy the world around us! And as it turns out, not enough is needed for this! 😆

So I want this happiness to last as long as possible! There is incredible beauty around and, having warmed up, we can enjoy the surrounding views. How long, how short, but our cabin swims up to its lower stop. You can already see the village of Rosa Khutor with its elegant multi-colored houses, the stormy mountain river Mzymta.

People and machines are getting bigger and bigger. And now we are on the embankment. It is much warmer here than it was above, the sun is shining, and the clouds do not seem so wintery and cold. We are happy to take pictures against the backdrop of beauty.

Walking along the beautiful embankment, we visited other sights of the village of Esto-Sadok along the way. And there is something to see!

True, our thoughts were more puzzled by the solution of another problem. Of course, we were warned that the cable car stations, on which we went up and on which we returned, are located in different places. But once in a completely unfamiliar place, we had a feeling of complete loss. We definitely needed to return to the starting point.

The fact is that we arrived here by car and left it in a multi-storey paid parking lot near the Galaktika complex and the starting station of the cable car. Therefore, we had to rescue our vehicle. Thanks to the kind people who suggested the right direction, and then my intuition did not disappoint. 🙂

Here it is - the long-awaited turn and in the distance you can see the familiar parking lot and the Galaxy Center.

By the way, everything is fine with parking at Gazprom. The car can be left without problems and not very expensive. For 3 hours we paid 200 rubles. And here is a map of the lower part of the Gazprom resort.

In general, the Gazprom ski resort includes several cable cars. One of them is the longest and most powerful cable car in the world in Krasnaya Polyana (Sochi) with a length of 6200 meters. Incredibly, only 5 pillars support it! It was on it that we descended back from the mountains.

Walking through the galaxy and beyond

The Gazprom Mountain Tourist Center is equipped with a huge number of facilities suitable for both sports and recreation.

The social and cultural complex "Galaktika", unique in its size and format, is located at an altitude of 540 meters above sea level. It occupies a shopping center of about 50,000 square meters and can accommodate more than 4,000 people at the same time.

The Galaktika shopping center offers a water park with all kinds of slides, water cannons and pools,

an ice arena, a bowling alley, several cinema halls, a children's interactive club, restaurants, a conference hall, trading floors, a night club and, which is very pleasing, a huge parking lot.

A wonderful place to stay opened next to the "Galaktika" in the summer of 2017. Green Planet Park is a huge green figures of animals and characters from everyone's favorite fairy tales. Surrounded by high mountains, flowers, fir alleys and the nearby river Achipse, they look amazing!

Entrance to the park is free for everyone, and entertainment programs await guests on Saturdays.

A huge stadium for cross-country skiing and biathlon competitions called "Laura" was built at an altitude of 1400 meters. Currently, it is one of the most spacious and comfortable stadiums in the world.

On its territory there is a Krasnopolyansky husky center. Visitors will be able to ride a dog sled, meet and take pictures with blue-eyed fluffy handsome dogs.

At an altitude of 1435 meters there is a mountain shelter "Psekhako". Here you can rent a bike, a snowboard on wheels, a summer sled or a scooter - whatever you like.

A little higher is a modern karting track. Ten cars with a capacity of 6 to 9 horsepower can reach speeds of up to 80 km per hour. Of course, all extreme trips here take place only under the supervision of an experienced instructor and after careful instruction.

And in Psekhako there is the Residence (in a simple way, a dacha) of the former Russian President D.A. Medvedev.

It's also interesting in Gorki-Gorod

GLC Gorki Gorod is also not far behind. There are also lifts built here. It is interesting that this resort has appropriated (or deserved?) the right to have the "Main Cable Car".

Having risen with the help of a funicular to a height of 1370 meters, you can admire the largest waterfall in Sochi:.

You can get to this amazing waterfall on foot. At the same time, it is most convenient to start the walking route from the point Gorki-Gorod-960.

At around 960 meters there is another unique structure that will help answer the question: what to do in Krasnaya Polyana in the summer? It's called Gorky Bike Park.

This is a whole complex of facilities for those who are fond of mountain biking. More than 7 km of downhill mountain bike trails are designed with the latest technology. This is great! Even if you just watch how others ride, it takes your breath away from the adrenaline rush.

Shopping and entertainment center Gorki-Gorod Mall - this is the name of the largest shopping center in the entire Krasnaya Polyana. It includes about 70 shops of various kinds, a Perekrestok supermarket, a nightclub, a bowling alley, a cinema, as well as restaurants and eateries. There is something to do for both adults and children. Coordinates: 43.6836, 40.26285.

One floor, almost all of it is occupied by playgrounds for kids. A children's cafe with a cheerful name "Cartoon", a complex of game stimulators where everyone can feel like a real hero of virtual reality: fly a starship, ride a bike and be a member of other super adventures.

If you forgot something at home or didn’t take it into account when planning your trip, don’t worry! The children's store has everything you need for your child: clothes, toys, and more, and more, and more. And in the FunCity family entertainment center, various contests are constantly held where you can win prizes: a funny toy or a cell phone, or maybe something else, very interesting!

And on the third floor of the shopping center in Krasnaya Polyana is the Mountain Beach water park. Yes, yes, I was not mistaken - on the top floor of the building there is an eco-water park Mountain Beach with an original glass roof where you can swim. And the reviews of vacationers say that this is a great place for a fun pastime.

Indeed, thanks to the greenhouse effect, artificial heating, a transparent roof and all sorts of funny bells and whistles, it is quite possible to imagine that you are somewhere on the seashore under the scorching sun.

We choose - there or here ?!

Gorki-Gorod is a good place for your rest. Here you will be offered everything you need, of course, depending on the amount of money in your wallet. If everything is in order with this, then there really are many interesting places where to go and where to take a walk. Restaurants, casinos, shops - everything is at your service.

Before a trip to Krasnaya Polyana, tourists are often interested in where to go to Krasnaya Polyana in the summer, where it is better to stay, share their impressions, discuss: what is better to choose or Gorki-Gorod.

I still think that everything depends on the amount in your pocket, but, first of all, on your goal. If you are attracted to skiing and other outdoor activities, and any “Spartan” conditions will suit you just to spend the night and go back to the mountains in the morning, then this is one story. If you are used to comfort and are looking for where to relax, where to sunbathe in Krasnaya Polyana in the summer, what you can visit in the village on your own, then it's another matter.

By the way, keep in mind that winter prices for holidays are several times higher than summer ones. Therefore, if you want to explore the sights of Krasnaya Polyana as fully as possible, visit all its resorts, then it is best and most budgetary to do this in the summer.

Here you can rent or book. Each hotel has an expensive restaurant and a snack bar where you can eat inexpensively. Of course, not only the person living in it, but also anyone can go to a cafe or restaurant of any hotel. So everything is in your hands!

And, as it seems to me, you will like the rest in ANY of the resorts of Krasnaya Polyana! Especially since they are very close to each other. 😆

I stayed in two places, one might say, extreme points: directly in the village itself and in (more precisely, in the Olympic village on Rosa Plateau).

In the first place, I rented apartments, which were called:. This small cottage is located on the outskirts of the city, so the silence in the name is true! The only one that created a little noise is the Beshenka River, which flows very close to the house. 🙂

The view from the window of my room was just magical! White weightless clouds floated almost at the level of the roofs of neighboring houses. And surrounded by mountains, you feel somehow especially sublime!

If you book this property, please be aware that the minimum stay is 2 nights.

And next time we are very conveniently located in, which is also located in Krasnaya Polyana. The building is surrounded by fantastic mountains.

We had a spacious apartment with a living room, 2 bedrooms and 2 toilets.

It was very comfortable to live in such mansions together! And the price for all this "wealth" was more than acceptable. 😆 A beautiful view from the balcony, and fresh mountain air every morning inspired us to new journeys.

And in Rosa Khutor, I lived in the complex of cottage houses "Rosa Village" ().

The object is located at an altitude of 1170 meters above sea level. This is such a gorgeous view from my window.

You can read more about this location in.

You can see the location of the various attractions of Krasnaya Polyana on the map (press "+" to zoom in or "-" to zoom out).

I was in Krasnaya Polyana from May 9 to 12, 2017, and to Rosa Khutor - June 23-29, 2017. Other sights of the Krasnodar Territory (in particular, cities and Krasnaya Polyana), where I managed to visit, are on this map.

Find out where it is better for you to live in Krasnaya Polyana!

The ski resorts of Krasnaya Polyana can satisfy any request. Let's figure it out.

Bathyscaphe site is submerging again! I'm going to explore the geographical points of residence around the ski resorts of Krasnaya Polyana.

By the way, any article can be printed. To do this, click the “printer” icon in the upper right corner of the post. Before printing, the text can be easily edited - select only the necessary information, drown the rest, as usual on my ship. Very comfortably.

Now let's figure it out: where is it better to live and ride in Krasnaya Polyana. Let's start with the point farthest from the ski resorts.

# Sochi — Krasnaya Polyana

Sochi Center. Photo: Dmitry Zolotov Source: airgorod.ru

pros

The main advantage of living in the center of Sochi is its cultural life - promenades, theaters, concerts. The second is the sea (if it is in the first place for you, and culture is on the side, then it is better to settle in Adler, this is closer to Krasnaya Polyana, about it below). Even in Sochi it is warm in winter, it almost never happens below +10. In such weather, it is wonderful to sit on the open veranda for a long time with a large cup of coffee and peer into the sea horizon. Cozy caffeine here is also a whole sea.

The trip from Sochi to Krasnaya Polyana by train Martin will bring a lot of pleasure, delivers to everyone - the first 30 minutes you will be accompanied by an endless view of the sea, the rest of the way will pass among the Caucasus mountains.

Minuses

Hotels and rented apartments in the central part of the city will not be cheap even in winter - there is always a demand for them. Settling in other parts of the city does not make sense, there you will not feel the aura of Sochi.

The center of Sochi is the most distant point (from our review) from Krasnaya Polyana - 2 hours by bus or 1 hour 40 minutes by train.

Not so long ago, Russian Railways made a decision that was understandable only to them and set an unbearable price for the Sochi-Rosa Khutor trip - about 434 rubles one way. As a result, trains run not half-empty, but empty.

This is a must go for those who are not crazy about skiing/snowboarding and do not plan to ride every day. Or families in which not everyone skis. While dad and son are “plowing” the Krasnaya Polyana snowdrifts, mom and daughter can taste hot drinks and puff pastries at Willy Hood and Bread Girls or immerse themselves in the atmosphere of pleasant waste at the MoreMall shopping center.

Choose housing only in the center - Gorky, Navaginskaya, Ostrovsky, Vorovsky, Roz streets are parallel streets of the same length. Navaginskaya is the central (pedestrian) street of the city, it connects the railway station and the Seaport (15-20 minutes at a leisurely pace).

Settle here and you can quickly get to the sea, the station, cultural events and culinary establishments.

Prices

Accommodation in hotels from 2,000 — 2,500 rubles/double room. How much will it cost to rent a 1-2-room apartment
Bus №105 Sochi - Rosa Khutor (departs from the station) - 2 hours on the way, 170 rubles
Taxi - about 2000 rubles. By the way, this year Uber offers 25% off 25 rides in Sochi. Code Sochi25.
Train Swallow Sochi - Rosa Khutor - 1 hour 40 minutes. Price last year - 434 rub. (specify)
Food for any wallet - from 250 rubles. for lunch (canteen Seli-Poeli)

# Adler — Krasnaya Polyana

pros

It is still warm in Adler and there is a sea. The ski resorts are already closer - 40 minutes by train or about an hour by bus. Housing prices are the most affordable of our review. Lots of inexpensive eateries and cafes. It is convenient to come and go - the airport and train station are located here.

It is worth warning that certain people are often taken to Krasnaya Polyana, for the sake of which block the main road. So you have to go along the old road, and it takes more time. Keep this in mind when leaving home and do not be late.

Minuses

Cultural life (as in Sochi) is no longer felt here - inexpensive housing is located in a resort town empty in winter (highlighted on the map). If you settle in the center of Adler (on the other side of the station), then getting to Krasnaya Polyana by public transport will be inconvenient - one bus runs (and winds a lot) through the center №135 .

The resorts of Krasnaya Polyana are still far away - 1 hour by bus and 40 minutes by Lastochka.

Those who want to save as much as possible settle in Adler. And you can save a lot here, everything will be envy on how much you are ready to shrink in terms of comfort - Avito prices start at 300 rubles / room / day.

Rent accommodation closer to the train station if you plan to use the train. Or along Lenin street(highlighted on the map) - the already known bus number 105 goes there.

Prices

Private sector - from 300 rubles. per room, hotels - from 500 rubles / room (prices may vary, check).
Bus number 105 Sochi - Rosa Khutor - about 100 rubles.
Train Adler Station - Rosa Khutor - about 350 rubles. (specify).
Taxi — 1200-1600/car (check availability of winter tires and trunk for ski equipment).
Meals - 200-300 rubles for a full meal. Look for one of the eight canteens of the Seli-Poeli chain. She, like McDonald's, is famous for its stable quality and reasonable price. Opening hours 06.00 – 21.00

# Village of Krasnaya Polyana

Where to live and ski in Krasnaya Polyana - Peak Hotel

Do not confuse Krasnaya Polyana village And ski resorts in Krasnaya Polyana- These are different geographical points located at a considerable distance from each other.

Krasnaya Polyana - Gorki-Gorod - 5 km.
Krasnaya Polyana - GTZ "Gazprom" - 7.5 km.
Krasnaya Polyana - Rosa Khutor railway station - 7.5 km.
Krasnaya Polyana - Rosa Khutor - 8.8 km.

Before the arrival of the Winter Olympics and the construction of new ski resorts, most of the guests lived (and walked) in the village. When new highways and railway lines were laid, it turned out that the roads bypassed the settlement.

Since that moment, a huge part of the tourist flow also went by. Together with him, a significant part of the nightlife has moved to the ski resorts (Rosa Khutor, Gornaya Karusel and the GTZ Gazprom).

pros

Prices for hotels in Krasnaya Polyana have fallen, but it's good for us! And the nightlife here has not died down, as expected, but on the contrary, it is reviving. The village has a huge selection, and private houses, many, several themed bath complexes, large supermarkets.

Thanks to the weak ruble, they are now not empty. There are ski shops and rentals.

People who decided to connect life with the mountains began to move here for permanent residence. They create the unique atmosphere of this place. Highly recommend.

Minuses

The ski resorts are 5-9 kilometers away - far on foot. Buses are full of tourists from Adler and Sochi in the morning, especially on weekends. If you take a taxi every day, you can go broke, although Uber lowered prices a little, fixing them at the level of 250 rubles.

Come to Krasnaya Polyana with a large company of 5-10 people - you can rent a whole house, it will turn out cheaper, and you can eat at home - with proper planning - a benefit.

Often the transfer is already included in the price, check.

At first, you can go crazy with the Russian scale - from scratch they really rebuilt a city (with architecture for an amateur).

Ski resort Gorki Gorod

Minuses

Accommodation is mostly more expensive than in Krasnaya Polyana, and Adler is several times cheaper.

Distance from the railway station Rosa Khutor - you have to take a taxi or take a bus.

On foot - 15-30 minutes, depending on the distance of your hotel.

Here everyone will find something for themselves. Housing for every taste - and expensive Marriott, and inexpensive Pyramid, and hostels, and private houses for large companies. A huge selection of entertainment venues for any wallet thickness.

Prices

On holidays - from 2500 rubles per person, on other days - from 1500 rubles. (at the end of the article - useful links).

Meals - from 400 rubles / lunch, for example, in the dining room of the Chalet.

# Gorki-gorod 960

Interactive map Gorki-Gorod 960 m. To go click on the map.

Gorki-Gorod 960 m - part of the ski resort Gorki-Gorod (Gornaya Karusel), which is located at an altitude of 960 meters. Here we get acquainted with the first (of three) places ski in/ski out(the other two are Rosa Plato and Polyana 1389) — you can ski/snowboard directly to the hotel. This is a huge plus for Krasnaya Polyana.

The fact is that at the lower levels of the Krasnaya Polyana resorts, snow is extremely rare and people can go down to the hotels only on lifts.

pros

Transfer to the hotel (ski in/ski out). You will be the first on the slopes - while people are climbing on the first line of lifts, you are already sitting in the cabins of the second line.

Developed infrastructure - children's rooms, cafes, restaurants, spas, clubs, billiard room. Night skiing is organized here, right under your windows. The use of the lift to the lower level is free of charge.

Minuses

Living is expensive - from 8,000 rubles. per room, and if we talk about holidays, then multiply by two. True, in April the outflow of skiers begins and various discounts are offered.

In order to get to the lower level (Gorki-Gorod 540 m.), each time you have to use a lift or taxi (500-600 rubles).

For lovers of quality service (who can afford it). For those who like to ride a lot. Come here by private car - you will be completely independent of the operation of the lifts and the need to use a taxi.

Prices

pros

Ski in/Ski out relative (you may not get to the door of the hotel), but there is. Free buses take guests to the ski lifts.

Here is the highest point of accommodation in hotels in Krasnaya Polyana (1389 m).

Everything you need to relax is in one place - you don't have to leave the territory of the complex.

# Rosa Dolina (560 m.) - resort Rosa Khutor

pros

A beautiful embankment of the Mzymta River (it is not found in other resorts) and “Petersburg” architecture. All lifts and infrastructure are within walking distance. If you do not get attached to the holidays, then rooms can be found relatively inexpensive - from 2,500 rubles per person. In April, the cost drops to 1,500 rubles per person. The resort has

We spent one day in Krasnaya Polyana. Just a day. Although we stayed there overnight, the next morning the journey continued, and we left for Adygea. Initially, they took a day to Krasnaya Polyana, because they had no idea what could be done here longer. Tourists and travelers travel from Sochi to Krasnaya Polyana mainly in one day (with excursions or on their own), and for many this is enough. We didn't have enough. I hope that my article will answer at least some of your questions about Krasnaya Polyana - what to do and what to see, where to stay, where to eat cheaply and, of course, how many days to go.
I'll start with what they themselves failed at - how many days. For an overview acquaintance, a car traveler will have enough daylight hours, for a deeper one - at least three. Rest in Krasnaya Polyana involves, in my opinion, at least five days. The bigger, the better. One thing is for sure - it's worth the trip! Firstly, it is incredibly beautiful here - mountains, mountain rivers, waterfalls, snow in summer, flowering rhododendrons, intoxicating air. Secondly, it is interesting here - there is something to see, to plunge into the atmosphere of a ski resort, to see the Olympic fashionable Rosa Khutor and Gorki Gorod, or even to explore new, much less well-known natural places and attractions.

On that day, we left until we dropped. By evening, Sophie had already climbed onto her father's neck, or rather, her shoulders, because she could not walk from fatigue. I don't remember how I moved. But, knowing myself, I can assume that I kept only on the inspiration and delight that the mountains of the Caucasus and the healing aura of these places breathed into us.

Krasnaya Polyana (district), in addition to Krasnaya Polyana itself, includes several settlements - the village of Esto-Sadok (including the ski resorts Rosa Khutor, Gorki Gorod, Gazprom), the villages of Medoveevka, Kepsha and Chvizhepse. I told you a little about Chvizhepse (Bear Corner) in an article about. So you can imagine the uniqueness of these places (Sochi National Park!)

Krasnaya Polyana is part of Greater Sochi, its mountainous part. This is a mountain climatic resort, a place where everything heals - air, climate, sun.

Krasnaya Polyana is interesting not only for those who are fond of skiing. This is an attractive place for tourists, travelers, vacationers. And it's attractive all year round. And what grace is here for romantics, lovers of beautiful landscapes, photographers and amateur photographers! Awesome place! A rather expensive ski resort for recreation, but quite an accessible place to visit, where even in the absence of serious money you can spend an unforgettable time. I mean both a sightseeing tourist trip and an independent trip for a few days. Independent, of course, - in the first place.
Krasnaya Polyana made an indelible impression on us. With pleasure and curiosity we looked at Esta-Sadok, Gorki Gorod, walked along the embankment of the Mzymta River in Roza Dolina and the Cultural and Ethnographic Center "My Russia". Beautiful, aesthetic, well-groomed, unusual.

But the main entertainment in Krasnaya Polyana is cable cars and lifts. Most of all, we were shocked, of course, by the mountains and landscapes that can be seen "at arm's length". Even now I can't calmly look at the photos taken on the "Mountain Carousel". About the mountains and, possibly, the center "My Russia" I will make separate posts. I can not "bury" a huge number of cool photos. :)

Now closer to the point. To the report. If we decompose all the events of that day in chronological order, then everything happened like this:

Road from Sochi to Krasnaya Polyana
check-in at the hotel "Paradise house",
Gorki City, climbing into the mountains on the lift "Mountain Carousel",
walk along Rosa Khutor,
center "My Russia"
dinner at "Pelmennaya" in the "Siberia" pavilion,
return for the night to the hotel "Paradise house".

Road from Sochi to Krasnaya Polyana

Absolutely easy, high-quality, very picturesque road leads us from the sea to the mountains.

The day was hot. In the sun + 34 + 35 ° C, which is indicated by an electronic scoreboard above the track.

Tunnels, bridges, interchanges - everything is modern, interesting, cool.

In parallel with us, an electric train is rapidly rushing to Krasnaya Polyana.

You turn your head in all directions. Everything is healthy and beautiful!

The stella is installed on the historical site where the peace treaty was signed, which put an end to the Caucasian War.

The inscription on the pyramid stone: "Here on May 21, 1864, the long-term Caucasian War ended with a parade of Russian troops. 1878 - the foundation of the village of Krasnaya Polyana, 1897 - 1899 - the construction of the Adler - Krasnaya Polyana road ...". And so on - the main milestones in the development of the village.

On one of the faces there are lines from a poem by M.Yu. Lermontov "Caucasus". How do they resonate with my soul?

"Although I am fate at the dawn of my days,
O southern mountains, cut off from you,
To remember them forever, you have to be there once:
Like the sweet song of my homeland,
I love the Caucasus...

Having looked around the surroundings from the platform near the stele, we drove on.

Krasnaya Polyana... Highway A148 runs through the entire village - Defenders of the Caucasus Street. On both sides of it are numerous hotels, as well as shops, gas stations and more. It is quite convenient, when arriving to Krasnaya Polyana, to stop here, in the village itself. Yes, you have to go to the sights, this place is only suitable for spending the night, but, firstly, it’s not far to go, and, secondly, accommodation here is much cheaper than in Esto-Sadok and its mountain resorts.

Paradise House Hotel

The street where the hotel stands, the gate of the hotel.

The hotel building is in the form of a chalet.

Our bungalow is on the far right on the first floor.

View from the window.

On the threshold of the room.

We checked into the hotel and immediately left it - we went to see Krasnaya Polyana.

Past the Rosneft gas station,

past cafes and hotels,

marveling at the beauty of the wooded mountains, various incomprehensible structures

and cable car cabins flying over the cars

we got to Gorka Gorod.

Gorki Gorod, "Mountain carousel"

Resort Gorki The city is located in the village of Esto-Sadok. He is the first on the way from the village of Krasnaya Polyana to the Rosa Khutor resort. We decided to start watching Krasnaya Polyana from here.

We drive into the territory, we go to the underground parking.

Parking fee: the first hour - free of charge, the second and subsequent - 50 rubles per hour.

Entrance to parking.

We parked, we go to the cash desks of the "Mountain Carousel". A huge incomprehensible price introduces into a stupor. So we just asked at the box office how much it costs to ride the cable car. If I'm not confused, we pay 1,100 rubles each. per person to climb to a height of 2375 (the Black Pyramid peak is the highest point of the descent). Thought it would be more expensive. Sonya rode for free.

Opening hours of the cable cars of the resort "Gorki Gorod" in the summer.

We're going to land. Since I am thinking of making a separate post about Gorki Gorod and, in particular, about cable car riding, I will show everything very briefly here in the report.
"Mountain Carousel" - part of the resort "Gorki Gorod", which is located at different levels: at an altitude of 540 m - "Lower City", 960 m - "Upper City", 1,500 m and 2,200 m - cable cars . 2375 m. - "Black Pyramid" peak. The "Lower" and "Upper" levels are connected by a road and a cable car. There is a serious infrastructure, hotels, restaurants, cafes...

To climb to a height of 2,375 meters, we had to pass five sections of the cable car. Three are in booths, two are in chairs.
First plot. We sit down in the Lower City - a mark of 540 m. We go in a booth. Visibility due to thick scratched glass is not very good. And noticed - all the booths are different. There are also with good glasses, there is an excellent overview.

The first transfer is in the Upper City, at an altitude of 960 meters.

Full delight! The soul freezes from the surrounding views.

Arriving at a height of 1460 m..

The final push is very powerful and the most picturesque

to the Black Pyramid.

It seems that mountains, snow and flowers can be touched by hand - they are so close.

We are at altitude 2375.

And, to which edge of the mountain you don’t come, magnificent views open up. You can look at the mountains forever.

And then ... a downpour poured.

Not only did we forget the prepared package with warm sweaters in the car, but without warm clothes it is very cold at such a height. It’s not just that the snow doesn’t melt here even when it’s hot below. So the freezing rain covered us. Everyone was urgently forced to load onto the cable car. We rode in a closed cabin, and downpour whipped down our bare legs. It was something...

and admire the crazy beauty of the mountains and the Rhododendron Valley.

I tried to absorb all this beauty with every cell, remember, enjoy. The cable car operator showed us mountain goats and goats walking in the mountains, told stories about them.

Well, then the test of beauty and cold ended, and we drove on ...

We walked around Gorki Gorod for a bit. The architecture is unique, of course. But it's curious to see, curious... The atmosphere of the resort has a relaxing effect. Hunting to drive a bullshit, sit in a street cafe under an umbrella, do not rush anywhere ... But for this you need to come here to relax for a few days.

And we went to Rosa Khutor. We spent a lot of time on the "Mountain Carousel". I had to hurry up.

Rosa Khutor

We arrived at Rosa Khutor at half past six.

They didn’t bother with parking -

parked the car along the road - like everyone else.

We went to the embankment approximately in its middle. The mountain river is noisy... :) Pretty!

Rose Valley - a cozy corner in the style of alpine villages. Europe, Christmas trees! The eye rejoices. :)

Diagram of the Rose Valley.

City Hall building. In front of it is the central square of the resort.

Alley of Olympic Stars.

McDonald's, ticket offices for the Rosa Khutor cable car - the most popular cable car in Krasnaya Polyana. We flew with her. Two cable cars in one day - too much. But McDuck visited. The most economical snack option in Rosa Khutor, again, a free toilet.