SOCHI

You may already have become acquainted with Sochi through the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. The 2014 Olympics really put Sochi on the world map and greatly emphasized why Sochi is a world-class ski destination. Sochi has even more beautiful, untouched and breathtaking scenery as well as fantastic freeride experiences to offer in addition to what we could see from the commercial side. After the international spotlight was turned off after 2014 Winter Olympics, Sochi has become the primary ski destination for the Russians while the international audience has been limited. Only a handful of international ski and snowboard enthusiasts have ventured there. Of course, the beautiful and rough terrain in the mountains have always been there, but it is the design and logistics of the new ski system that have made it possible to utilize large areas in the mountain and the system pave the way for unique freeride experiences. The ski system, which is the catalyst for phenomenal skiing, was designed, amongst others, by the Norwegian Geir Ødegård Olsen. Despite eventual prejudice against Russia, Sochi is the top 10 of the world’s best ski destinations. If you join us, you would find out that the Russians are very hospitable and appreciate your visit. Sochi is located out by the Black sea at the foot of the Caucasus mountains with Europe’s highest mountain Elbrus. Sochi does not exactly seem like a place for a ski-vacation, when you meet the subtropical climate, palm trees and a beach promenade, but if we drive up the Mzymta river ending in Krasna Polyana, we could see the Caucasus mountains opens majestic. This city makes the starting point of no less than four ski systems (Rosa Khutor, Alpika, Gorky Gorod and Gazprom). The first three are most interesting for us and the last, Gazprom is apparently Putin’s own resort. He can keep it, since it is not particularly interesting from a freeride point of view.    What makes Krasna Polyana to a phenomenal ski destination is the Black Sea which sends a lot of humidity over the mountains. The area is known for much rainfall, and because of the altitude it falls as snow which construct the perfect framework for a freeride paradise. It may be raining down the valley, but a new landscape reveal itself when you move a couple of hundred meters up with the gondola – a beautiful untouched scenery with lots of fresh powder. The mountains in the area are situated on the Aibga mountain ridge, which can best be best be described as the opposite of most of the alpine destinations you already know. The terrain in Sochi is characterized as relatively steep, it is especially steep and sharp at the mountain and then flattens out further down the valley. This interesting hilly terrain with beautiful forest sets the framework for a unique freeride experience and lots of challenges for the ambitious freerider. So, if you are ready to try something completely different then there are lots of big and fantastic experiences awaiting. There are very few ski resorts in the world that can compete with such steep and hilly terrain with a beautiful forest combined with such good accessibility. We are looking forward to sharing this beautiful and unique adventure with you!