An alternative to Krasnaya Polyana in winter is the oldest Russian ski resort Dombay. How to relax and what to see, what is the weather in winter, what are the prices in the 2020-2021 season? We answer these questions and provide tips and feedback from tourists.
Dombay is primarily a winter resort; at this time of the year, the bulk of tourists come here. And although the service cannot be called European (for example, everything is much more civilized in Krasnaya Polyana), Dombay attracts in winter with its originality, various routes and simply stunning peaks of the snow-covered Main Caucasian ridge.
Weather
Winter in Dombai is amazing: mild, snowy, many sunny days, thaws often occur. The average temperature in the Dombai glade is -5 ° С. The ski season starts at December... Year after year is not necessary: according to reviews of tourists, some begin to ride at the end of November and finish in May. Snow usually falls a lot, up to 2 m, and it lasts until the beginning april (at low altitudes) and until early May at altitudes. The velvet skiing season is February and March.
Attractions, excursions and entertainment in Dombai
On Dombai in winter, excursions, hiking and entertainment are somewhat limited due to the snow: you no longer go to the waterfalls and you will not climb to the glacier. Nevertheless, there is plenty of entertainment here: you can ride snowmobiles, sledges, skiing, snowboarding. Freeride and heli-skiing is practiced. Almost every hotel offers some kind of leisure activities, for example, billiards, sauna, bowling. The village has a sauna, karaoke and discos, as well as many cafes and restaurants where you can relax in the evening with a glass of hot mulled wine or mountain herbal tea with honey.
If we talk about the sights of Dombai in winter, then the most important thing to see is the Main Caucasian ridge. We advise you to climb to the top of Mount Mussa-Achitara by cable car and admire the views. Tourists often "hang out" in the Party Glade (the so-called "Dombay Vegas"), which is between queues 4 and 5: there are high-rise cafes and panoramic restaurants.
You can go winter tourism, but it's better not to risk it. There is an opportunity to paraglide and ride horses.
Prices for holidays in Dombai in winter 2020-2021
At Dombai, the prices seemed to us quite low: cheaper than in Krasnaya Polyana, but more expensive than in Arkhyz. You can eat in a cafe for about 500 rubles per person. The most popular food - khychins - cost from 120 rubles (very tasty and satisfying, we recommend it to everyone!), On average the first courses cost from 150 rubles, the second (pilaf, lagman, Karachai meat, fried trout, etc.) - 200- 250 rubles. Mountain tea (0.5 l) - 150 rubles.
The prices in shops are like in a small provincial town: something at an affordable price, but something overpriced, for example, wine, beer, dairy products, mineral water, fruits and vegetables are more expensive than in supermarkets in large cities. The shops sell delicious pastries (cakes, khychins, lavash).
We wrote in more detail about the prices in our report on the trip to Dombai - including equipment rental and lifts.
Private sector in Dombai. Prices and Tips
The main advice for those who are going to relax in Dombai in the winter of 2020-2021, especially during the New Year holidays - book hotels and the private sector in advance... So you will save a lot, because by the New Year, prices skyrocket. We recommend looking for hotels on the services Roomguru.ru or Hotellook.ru - we book accommodation there when we travel.
A striking example: in the off-season, a day in a guest house costs about 1000-1600 rubles, at the beginning of the season, prices already start from 2000 rubles per room, on New Year's and holidays in the same guest house - from 8500 rubles! And this is the cheapest room in the whole village during the holidays.
We wrote in detail about the prices for the private sector and hotels in Dombai in a separate article.
Reviews of tourists about Dombai are contradictory, but everyone agrees that it is worth coming here at least once for the sake of nature.
Tourists are advised not to forget sunscreen even in winter. Despite the significant disadvantages, many, having visited Dombai, come again.
