Mount Cheget Elbrus region where it is located. Ski resort Elbrus region. Elbrus and Cheget. Entertainment and attractions of the Elbrus region

The Elbrus region is not just a ski region. This is a special world in which it is very easy to become “one of our own”. You just need to take a deep breath of this fresh frosty air, turn your head in amazement at the surrounding peaks, slap your friend on the shoulder, saying Gagarin’s “Let’s go!”, and forever forget the gray everyday life, dull high-rise buildings and eternal traffic jams. They say that you return from this land of snow and pistes a new person, which you readily believe. Dizzying heights, crazy dangerous slopes, damn exciting descents and adrenaline pumping 24 hours a day - that’s what the Elbrus region is all about.

And, at the same time, this, one of the best ski regions in Russia, is still “tagging behind” modernization. Don't let this buzzword make you smirk: yes, the skating here is incredible, especially for the pros. And no, most of the infrastructure is not even a B, a C minus. The Elbrus region needs to be developed. Fortunately, at the very least, they do it, but it is still worth being prepared for meager entertainment and Soviet service when planning a trip.

How to get to Elbrus region

The fastest and most convenient way to get to the Elbrus region is by plane. The nearest major airports are in Nalchik (130 km) and Mineralnye Vody (200 km). However, it is worth choosing the latter, since there are an order of magnitude fewer flights flying to Nalchik, for the most part these are on UTair airlines. Mineralnye Vody Airport is much more developed: during the season it receives a dozen planes from many large cities in Russia. And the cost of tickets here is traditionally lower.

From airports, skiers usually travel by private taxi, minibus or “ski” bus, which operate only in the winter season. Directions: to Tyrnyauz, the village of Elbrus and the KBSU recreation center. From Nalchik the journey will take from 2 to 2.5 hours, from Mineralnye Vody it takes an hour longer. The cost of travel from MinVod is from 300 RUB by bus, from 650 RUB by minibus transfer. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Search for air tickets to the city of Mineralnye Vody (the nearest airport to the Elbrus region)

By train

The nearest railway stations to the Elbrus region are located in the city of Prokhladny (150 km), Nalchik, Mineralnye Vody and Pyatigorsk (160 km). The last two points receive more trains, so it will be easier to find tickets here. The fare depends on the dates and the desired level of comfort: a seat in a SV carriage from Moscow will not cost much less than the cost of a flight, but for a reserved seat you will have to pay about 2900 RUB one way. Further from the railway station you can order a transfer, a private taxi or take a bus.

By bus

Every winter, travel agencies organize ski buses from Moscow and St. Petersburg directly to the elephants of the Elbrus region. The journey will take at least 17 hours from the capital, ticket price starts from 3800 RUB.

By car

Despite the seeming remoteness of the resort, getting here by personal car is not the worst option. Firstly, it’s enough to pack your ski equipment once and forget about it until you reach the slopes. Secondly, the journey 1600 km from Moscow will seem comfortable for the most part: the M-4 Don highway contributes to this. Mountain areas closer to Elbrus may cause inconvenience, but having your own car will make skiers mobile - they will be able to ski on all slopes and save on housing by staying away from the ski lift. From Moscow the route will pass through Rostov-on-Don, Mineralnye Vody, Baksan and Tyrnyauz.

Regions of the Elbrus region

Elbrus region is not just a village, it is an entire ski region, which includes two ski areas (Elbrus and Cheget) and several villages: Azau Glade, Cheget Glade, Terskol, Baidaevo, Tegenekli and Elbrus.

Glade Azau is a “tidbit” for ski fans. This small village is located directly at the foot of Elbrus, and when they talk about skiing “from the doorstep” of the hotel, this is about it. Moreover, Azau is the highest inhabited point of the entire Elbrus region (2300 m); the asphalt road from civilization ends here. And right there is the main place for sports and recreation, as well as the start of the Elbrus Azau cable cars and the Puma gondola. In addition: hotels, tourist centers, cafes, kebab shops, equipment rental points, etc.

Glade Azau is a “tidbit” for ski fans.

Polyana Cheget is an analogue of Azau, but not at the foot of Elbrus, but at the foot of the mountain of the same name as the village. There are also a lot of cafes and hotels where fans of freeride and virgin lands often stay. The main advantage of this place: its convenient location to both stations of the Cheget cable cars, from which skiers are literally a couple of minutes walk away.

Terskol is located approximately in the middle between these glades, so for those who want to explore the entire Elbrus region, this is an ideal option. Cheget is about 1 km from here (or half an hour walk along a path through a pine forest), Azau is 4 km or 5 minutes by car or hotel transfer. Local hotels and tourist centers offer slightly lower prices for accommodation, but in terms of infrastructure development, they are even better here.

Baidaevo stands behind Terskol and the turn to Cheget, on the left bank of the Baksan River. This small village is the ancestral settlement of the Baidaev family; no more than 70 people live here all year round, so the atmosphere of the village is extremely calm and quiet. It is 4 km from here to the Cheget glade, and 8 km to Azau.

A significant advantage is that Baidaevo is not an avalanche-prone area, you can feel safe here. And the prices for accommodation, frankly speaking, are lower.

Next comes Tegenekli, where comfortable hotels and tourist centers have been being built in full swing lately. For those who value the convenience of rooms and quality of service, Tegenekli is a good option. Well, for those who want to start every morning with an invigorating descent from the mountain, it’s worth looking further - it’s 13 km to Azau, about 9 km to Cheget. Local hotels will organize transfers for their guests, but you will still have to adjust to the departure time and pack your uniform into the gazelle cabin every day. But it is on the territory of Tegenekli that the famous Mountaineering and Hunting Museum named after. Vladimir Vysotsky is an ardent fan of the Elbrus region.

Finally, the village of Elbrus is the most remote and, perhaps, the most inconspicuous among all the villages of the Elbrus region. It is large enough, dull and far from the slopes to be preferred to other villages in the region. But the local sanatoriums and hotels, located towards the exit towards the mountains, are some of the most comfortable and picturesque.

Transport of the Elbrus region

There is no public transport between all the villages of the Elbrus region, but most hotels organize transfers for their guests. As a rule, guests heading to the slope are collected at the reception desk every morning and taken, if desired, to the lower station of Cheget or Elbrus. Of course, they take you back the same way. Taxi services are also popular - within 10-15 km you can arrange a trip for 200-250 RUB.

It’s better, of course, to live directly next to the ski lifts, in one of the clearings, or to have your own car. However, it is worth keeping in mind that entry to Azau is closed in winter; the car will have to be left in a paid parking lot at the entrance to the village.

Resort guests with personal cars will have to pay for parking; Azau hotels do not have their own parking lots.

Alpine skiing in the Elbrus region

The Elbrus region is the most beautiful region of the Caucasus, covering the environs of Elbrus and many peaks of the Main Range. There are two main ski areas: Elbrus-Azau and Cheget. In total, this gives skiers 12 km of cable cars and 35 km of pistes, as well as year-round skiing on selected sections of the slopes. But it is important to understand that most of the local trails are wild areas of the mountains, full of bumps and cliffs. Therefore, in the Elbrus region, every season a “harvest” of injured skiers is removed. In a word, you need to adequately assess your strength when going to this area.

Elbrus-Azau

As you know, the height of Elbrus is 5642 m, but the highest point accessible to skiers is Gara-Bashi (3780 m above sea level). Despite its heights, the ski area here is suitable for both beginners and pros. For the former, at the foot of the giant there is a rope yoke that serves the gentle slope. Well, confident “averages” and pros will find two lift stations useful - the “old” pendulum and the new gondola lift. Both start from the Azau clearing and run parallel to each other. From the 2nd stage (Mir station), those who wish to go up on snowcats, to Shelter-11, it’s about 20 minutes.

In general, the slopes of Elbrus are wide and gentle blue slopes, with small elevation changes and short red sections. The length of the longest route at the Stary Krugozor resort is 2.5 km with a height difference of 650 m. Some sections of it are quite accessible even to beginners. And in general, the slopes of Elbrus are less demanding on the professionalism of skiers than Cheget. Beginners will find it relatively comfortable here, as will families with children. Well, boarders will enjoy the interesting fields rich in snowy terrain under the second stage of the pendulum (from the Mir station). Fans of freeride and backcountry can be advised to join groups with guides.

You can get to Gara-Bashi from the Mir station by snowcat, sometimes the snowcat can take skiers even higher than the Shelter of Eleven, about 4800 m above sea level. Target? Cut the snow with an edge even in summer - this is where the year-round ski area is located.

Cost of the Azau - Krugozor - Mir lift: from 1550/800 RUB per day per adult/child, 1900/1000 RUB - in high season and 800/450 RUB for 1 “tourist” lift without skis. The cable car Elbrus - Azau costs 1400 RUB for 1 day, 1600 RUB on weekends, 600/700 RUB for excursionists.

At the Shelter of Eleven there are often winds of storm and even hurricane force. In winter, with low temperatures and deep snow, this makes climbing to the top very difficult.

Cheget

The slopes of Che (or Cheget, 3700 m) are the patrimony of professionals; they are rightfully considered one of the best in the country. And it is here that one of the most difficult slopes in the world’s ski resorts is located, which only experienced skiers can handle.

Cheget is also known as a venue for all-Russian and international competitions. However, there are areas for “new” athletes here too. Although, frankly speaking, the concept of a “well-groomed track” worn out to the point of “corduroy” is unfamiliar to local riders. Cheget is the pristine silence of the mountains and wild nature. Elevation difference - 1000 m.

Hotels in the Elbrus region

There are a lot of hotels, tourist centers and sanatoriums in the Elbrus region, but during the season, for example on New Year's, it is easy to be left without housing if you do not take care of booking in advance. The best hotels, as well as those located closest to the ski lift, despite high prices (from 3000 RUB per night), are selling like hot cakes.

The main thing to start with when choosing a hotel is the area. The glades of Azau and Cheget are the most expensive; for the most part, skiers who spare no expense for the ideal location to the slopes stay here. Families with children prefer Terskol or Elbrus - the first for its relatively good location and developed infrastructure, and the second for its excellent sanatoriums with a lot of additional services. You can live on a budget and quite comfortably in Baidaevo or Tegenekli, but be prepared to travel 15-20 minutes by car to the highways every day. The most economical option is to rent an apartment from private owners, of which there is a large selection in Terskol. But in this case, tourists will be deprived of the pleasant bonuses of almost all Elbrus hotels - ski storage, rental points and spacious space for drying things.

It’s worth knowing: in Cheget the high season lasts from the second half of January to the end of March. And on Elbrus - from October to the end of May. This factor directly affects the cost of accommodation.

What to bring

At the lower stations of the Cheget and Elbrus lifts, as well as in the center of the Azau and Cheget clearings, spontaneous markets are scattered every day, where you can even find the devil bald. Naturally. The most popular souvenirs are hand-knitted items made from goat and sheep fluff (very warm and pleasant). Moreover, it is extremely easy to determine by eye whether a product was made by the hands of a local craftswoman or by a machine - the latter are always worse. You can update almost your entire wardrobe: from socks and hats to sweaters, underpants and lace shawls. In addition to these, buy national felt hats and boots, chuni, hats made of goat and lamb skins, and the image will be completed.

Having exhausted the topic of fashion shopping, you should pay attention to aurochs horns, horse horseshoes and all kinds of embossed and ceramic products. Finally, stock up on provisions for future use - dried lamb, smoked cheese, halva, amazing honey or herbs.

Cafes and restaurants in the Elbrus region

In the “Courchevel” sense, there is no apres-ski in the Elbrus region - there are a dozen cafes and bars on the slopes, and the same number in the villages. But skiers don’t complain: that’s not what they come to Elbrus for. And yet, earthly food is important to skiers who are tired of conquering the slopes, which is why in the Elbrus region Caucasian cuisine is held in such esteem - hearty, hot, meaty. The best snack is the famous Khychin, the drink is mulled wine (from 80-100 RUB). Average check for lunch: 300-600 RUB.

There are also a couple of iconic places that are worth visiting just for the history. For example, cafe “Ai” on Mount Cheget at an altitude of 2750 m. Just imagine: on the right is Elbrus, on the left are Kogutai, Donguz-Orun and Nakra-Tau, in the center are skiers sunbathing and sipping hot wine. Its rival is located on Elbrus, this cafe “Old Horizon” is another meeting place that should not be changed.

The best photos of the Elbrus region

Entertainment and attractions of the Elbrus region

The mountains, which evoke wild delight and some kind of animal feeling of admiration, are the main local attractions. It is simply impossible to take your eyes off them or go somewhere on a cultural “excursion”. Therefore, most of the excursions are of a natural nature, not counting a couple of museums, which only serve as a pleasant addition to a vacation in the mountains. The most visited is the Mountaineering and Hunting Museum named after. V. Vysotsky in Tegenekli. The exhibition is not rich, but touches to the depths of the soul - these are hunting trophies and mementos collected over 30 years and photographs of famous people who could not imagine life without Elbrus. Among them is Vladimir Semenovich, who starred here in the leading role of the sensational film “Vertical” in its time.

In Terskol there is another important collection - the Elbrus Defense Museum, the highest in the world (3500 m above sea level).

Exposition of the museum named after. Vysotsky is not rich, but touches to the depths of his soul - these are hunting trophies and mementos collected over 30 years and photographs of famous people who could not imagine life without Elbrus.

No less popular is the famous “Narzanov Polyana”, which is located near the village of Baidaevo. In fact, the sources of this healing water flow almost everywhere in the Elbrus region, but the most convenient one is located right here, three kilometers from Terskol. The clearing, located surrounded by a fluffy pine forest, is equipped with benches, gazebos, a cafe, two bathhouses and parking. The mineral springs of Narzan are rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium, so you should consult your doctor about using it for medicinal purposes.

Unfortunately, it won’t be possible to collect Narzan for future use - after a couple of hours it will develop a “rusty” sediment.

As an outdoor excursion, we can recommend a trip to the Aushiger thermal hot springs, located 30 km from Nalchik in the village of Aushiger. The spring flows from a well 4000 m deep, forming a beautiful lake on the surface where you can swim all year round. Another excursion to the Chegem Gorge with the waterfall of the same name. In winter, the thickness of water falling from the cliff freezes, turning into the kingdom of the Snow Queen - countless icicles hang everywhere, ice blocks rise from below, and there is a ringing silence. And, of course, we should not forget that the ski resort is located on the territory of the national park of the same name, where there are more than 60 species of mammals. Even in winter, there are routes around the park, including those on snowmobiles and snowshoes.

The rest of the entertainment is active - skating, billiards, baths, cross-country skiing, karaoke and nightclubs. Alas, with the onset of darkness in the Elbrus region it becomes a bit boring, but an early dismissal for many is only a plus - the sooner a new ski day will come.

Maps of the Elbrus region

Weather

The climate of the Elbrus region is formed under the influence of the high-mountain, sharply dissected and contrasting topography. On the plains it is continental, and high in the mountains, even in the middle of summer, it is below zero.

Each altitude zone has its own climatic characteristics. With altitude, atmospheric pressure noticeably decreases - in the upper limits up to 25%, the weight content of oxygen also decreases proportionally, and the intensity of solar radiation, in particular ultraviolet, increases. During excursions involving climbing mountains, these circumstances should always be taken into account in order to avoid overheating and sunburn.

In terms of the number of sunny days, the Elbrus region is not inferior to such resorts as Dombay, Teberda and Krasnaya Polyana. Snow cover here begins in November; in the valleys the snow remains until approximately mid-May-June.

The Elbrus region is a wonderful ski resort for fans of extreme sports. 35 kilometers of trails stretch between two Caucasus mountains - Elbrus and Cheget. Everyone knows that Elbrus is highest point in Europe, which means that skiing here will certainly be associated with extreme sports and vivid impressions.

General information about the resort

The Elbrus resort has all the conditions not only for skiers, but also for snowboarders. All routes are perfectly illuminated, and the presence of a long season allows every tourist to relax here.

By the way, season lasts from mid-November to the end of March, and sometimes until the beginning of April. Since natural snow is used here, skiing is a real pleasure.

Weather in the Elbrus region during this period it is comfortable. The average temperature in January rarely drops below -10 degrees Celsius. By February the temperature rises slightly to -3 degrees Celsius. In April, a stable above-zero temperature of +3-4 degrees is already established here, which allows you to successfully ride until the middle of the month.

For those who are interested in the condition of the slopes of Elbrus and Cheget before the trip, we advise you to visit the website where you can watch the places of interest to you in the Elbrus region online via webcam.

Another advantage of this place, which cannot be argued with, is incredible beauty. The mountains are located among dense forests; nearby there are several lakes with crystal clear water. That is why tourists from all over the world come here, because such a trip is a great way to enjoy extreme sports and the amazing beauty of these places.

How to get there

Get there You can get to the resort by train or plane. Flight carried to the city of Nalchik or to Mineralnye Vody. From there you can take a taxi to the Elbrus region or get to the ski slopes by regular bus.

On train You can also get to Nalchik, Pyatigorsk and Mineralnye Vody. From there, all you have to do is take the bus to the resort. You will have to spend another 1.5-2 hours on the road, but the impressions from the ski slopes themselves will remain the best.

And 135 kilometers from the Elbrus region, there is a young and promising ski resort. If you wish, you can visit it too.

You can look at the location of the Elbrus region at map below.

Number and quality of trails

Elbrus and Cheget offer tourists a total of 11 tracks with different levels of difficulty. Each slope should be discussed separately, and the map diagram of the resort and ski slopes of the Elbrus region attached below will help readers note the merits of a particular slope.

Slopes of Mount Cheget “A” and “B”
These descents are rightfully considered not only the most dangerous in this resort, but also one of the most difficult in the whole world. Many turns, sharp ascents and descents - all this makes the trails difficult to pass. By the way, the beginning of both routes 4 and 5 is the top of Mount Cheget. The height of the mountain itself is 3,700 kilometers, which means that skiers will have to start from this distance. Only true professionals can complete these difficult descents.
Route near Priyut station
On the eastern side of Elbrus there is another very difficult route that will appeal to fans of extreme sports. This descent begins from a height of 4100 meters, and ahead of the athletes there are many climbs and sudden turns. It is difficult to maneuver here even for experienced athletes. That is why you should go on this descent only after undergoing intensive training. By the way, from the eastern part of Elbrus there is a stunning view of the local beauty.
Routes “L”, “K”, “I”
These are excellent areas for beginners to practice. Despite the fact that the descents themselves are located at a high altitude, in the western part of Elbrus, you can go through the section even without special training. There are no sharp turns here, the height difference is small, so even children can easily cope with the descent. By the way, the route number “L” is considered one of the highest, because it is located at an altitude of 4100 meters.
Route "Z"
This descent also begins at an altitude of 4000 meters, but is considered very difficult even for professionals. The total elevation difference at this resort is 2000 meters, so not everyone can complete such difficult descents. Towards the end of the track, it begins to wobble a lot, so the skier has to always be on guard to stay on his feet. And yet, the impressions from a trip along the “Z” highway, located on the western side of Elbrus, will be the best.
Route "G" from Mount Cheget
Also a very difficult descent, located not far from highway “A”, all from the same Cheget mountain. This descent is considered one of the longest in the resort, so it is worth conquering only by those tourists who have a good level of training.

Of course, many travelers do not have skiing experience, so the Elbrus region resort also has trails for beginners. This is an excellent place for a bright holiday in the most beautiful places of the Caucasus.

Prices at the Elbrus ski resort

The Elbrus region resort has several lifts. A subscription for the whole day will cost a tourist 1,200 rubles. On holidays and weekends the cost rises to 1300 rubles.

A subscription to the MKD Elbrus LLC cable car will cost the traveler 1,500 rubles. It’s worth saying right away that even on the main page of the website dedicated to the resort, there is no information about prices for the season. You can find out the cost of your vacation only upon arrival at the resort. That is why prices that are relevant for last season’s holidays in the Elbrus region are indicated here and below.

Rent a complete set equipment for adults it will cost 500 rubles for the whole day. Renting a set for children will cost 250 or 350 rubles. Here you can find equipment for both snowboarding and skiing. The Elbrus region provides several options for equipment rental, and there are also shops where you can purchase ski kits

Of course, the resort also has several instructors who are always ready to help athletes in their training. The cost of classes for each instructor is individual. You can find out more about it using the contacts of instructors listed on the Internet. So, for example, you can contact one of the most popular instructors at the resort, Kirill Anisimov, by phone 8-86638-7-11-48. has long attracted ski lovers from all over the world.

In the depths of the Baksan gorge, in the center of the Caucasus, is Elbrus and the adjacent region -. Without exaggeration, we can say that this is one of the most famous ski resorts in Russia. The Elbrus region includes 12 km of ski lifts and 35 km of ski slopes. The ski season starts in November and ends in mid-May. In some areas, skiing is possible all year round. Ski slopes, in addition to Elbrus, are located on Mount Cheget.

Mount Cheget has a height of 3700 m, with a height difference of 1000 m. Cable cars ascend the mountain, one is single-chair, the other is double-chair, the height difference is 650 m, the length of the route is 1600 m. The length of the ski slopes is 900 m.

Let's consider hotels in the Cheget glade in the Elbrus region, where skiing enthusiasts, fans of snowboarding and extreme skiing can stay.

Hotel "Snow Leopard" Cheget, Elbrus region

Hotel “Reserve Tale” Cheget, Elbrus region

The hotel is small, cozy, beautifully decorated and has 19 rooms. The hotel is famous for its solid wood furniture. Each room has a private bathroom (bathroom, shower), satellite channels, minibar.

In addition, guests are offered:

Russian bath;
sauna;
billiard room;
restaurant.

This hotel is suitable for those who do not like crowded hotels and prefer quiet guesthouses. Carpeted flooring in the rooms makes even walking around the hotel noiseless.

The hotel suite “Reserve Tale” is located among a pine forest, with a mountain river flowing nearby. In summer, guests can fish in the hotel's own trout lake.

Cost of accommodation in this hotel (per room per night):

single occupancy standard - from 850 rubles;
double occupancy standard - from 1200 rubles;
one-room junior suite - from 1150 rubles. (one person), from 1500 rub. (two people);
two-room suite - from 1500 rub. (one person), from 2000 rub. (two people).

There is the possibility of additional space in a suite and junior suite at a price of 300 rubles. per person per day.

Hotel "Povorot" Cheget, Elbrus region

positions itself as a club hotel for fans of active recreation, in particular alpine skiing. As one of the advantages of the hotel, the owners note the friendly atmosphere and the absence of strangers.

This is a small three-story hotel with 16 rooms: from budget class to luxury options. All rooms are very large.

Accommodation is available with a buffet breakfast or with breakfast and dinner.

Cost of accommodation at the Povorot Hotel (per day):

economy class (per person) - from 1000 rubles;
single room - from 2200 rub. (standard), from 2600 rub. (junior suite), from 3600 rub. (luxury);
double (per room) - from 2600 rub. (standard), from 3100 rub. (junior suite), from 4200 rub. (luxury).

The room price includes:

using Wi-Fi;
use of parking lot,
use of equipment storage;
satellite television;
refrigerators in the rooms.

For guests' relaxation the following facilities are provided:

continuous cycle sauna;
pool;
spa treatments;
Russian bath;
billiard room;
gym.

As a hotel-club for lovers of holidays in the mountains, the Povorot hotel in Cheget organizes hiking trips and excursions, accompanied by instructors.

Discount cards of some sports brands provide discounts on services at this hotel.

Hotel "Ozon Cheget", Elbrus region

- another small hotel on Chegetskaya Polyana. A magnificent view of the years and the pine forest is guaranteed. There are 20 rooms on 5 floors:

18 - double rooms (from 3100 rub./day per room);
2 - double suites in the attic (from 3900 rub./day per room).

Both rooms have:

bathroom;
TV (satellite channels);
free Wi-Fi;
landline phone.

Valid at the hotel paid services: sauna, swimming pool, gym, restaurant, equipment storage, billiard room.

Works at the hotel free parking.

In addition, the Ozon Cheget hotel in the Elbrus region can organize ski training and extreme skiing tours.

Hotel "Laguna" Cheget, Elbrus region

The newest of the hotels in question. Built in 2010, this modern hotel is ideal for those who enjoy a simple interior design inspired by the Austrian Alps.

The hotel offers 23 rooms.

Elbrus region– this is an amazing part with stunning mountain nature, which stretches from the western part of Elbrus to the Chegem River in the east. This is where the highest mountains of the Greater Caucasus are located.

We will definitely see some of this today, though only after we resolve the issue of overnight accommodation. The last driver warned us that for setting up a tent in an undesignated place, a fine of about 2,000 rubles could be imposed. Therefore, I stood in front of one of the recreation centers, wondering whether to ask them for a cheaper place, or to ask where I could spend the night for free. Then he waved his hand and went to “board.”

Free tent site.

In the reception hall I was met by an older woman, whose eyes immediately lit up at the sight of a tourist (and it was not the season). I found out from her that putting up a tent on the territory of the base will cost us 150-200 rubles. per person. Frankly, I didn’t want to pay at all for something that could chill me to the bone at night. And she refused to enlighten me about the free options, so Mila and I decided to try our luck at other bases.

The next one looked completely abandoned with a sad gray Soviet building on the floor, and small wooden houses on the back lot. Memories of children's camps surfaced from my memory when I looked at the drawings that were on the walls.

After wandering around, we noticed a nice place behind the houses. Just who should I ask? I walked around the large building until I saw light on the ground floor. And then he knocked on the nearest door. An elderly woman with a rather peculiar sense of humor emerged from there. I didn’t ask her about paying for a tent site, but immediately asked about the possibility of a free overnight stay.

Granny thought about it, smiled, and allowed us to stick the tent right where we wanted it. I was even surprised that everything turned out so easily. But it turned out that the grannies (there were two of them in the room) worked here at a children’s ski camp before retiring. Nowadays, purely out of connections, they come for the summer out of old memory to heal their health with the mountain air, and to relax in the silence of the forest, and at the same time they look after the area. In general, we were lucky, what else is there to talk about :).

Valley and Mount Cheget.

I slept incredibly cold, and in the morning I didn’t even want to get out of the “mini-house”. Unless we wait until the sun reaches us and warm up. Yesterday I agreed with the grannies that we would stay here for a couple of days, at the same time I clarified about the routes and about the ski lift.

The Elbrus region has three valleys: Azau, Terskol and Cheget. We were interested in the latter, and Baba Sveta talked about him the most. Cheget is the name of not only the valley, but also the village nearby and the mountain, near Elbrus, famous among freerider skiers around the world.

Baba Sveta immediately figured out what kind of travelers we were, so she told us a couple of secrets about how you can use the lift for free. There are three lines on Mount Cheget (three levels or three platforms). The first line is the longest and most popular. Down at the site they charge for the entire lift at once, no matter how far up you go, but you will have to pay at least 500 rubles. even in the summer season.

So, you can climb to the first stage on foot, but to the second and third, including the return descent, they won’t ask for a ticket, that is, you can use the lift for free. We decided to take advantage of this when we hitchhiked first to the small village of Cheget.

We were given a lift by local young guys who themselves landed on the lower platform approaching Mount Cheget. Here, of course, every 5 meters there is a hotel, a cafe, or a souvenir shop. Even the low season doesn’t scare anyone; there are plenty of tourists here. I am glad that that morning we were also lucky with the weather and from time to time even the sun showed up.

In winter, Cheget has several slopes, among which everyone can choose what they can do. And now, in the summer, instead of skiers, you can see many suicide cyclists here. They descend from such steep heights at tremendous speed that there is simply no other way to call them.

This is how you slowly climb up the mountain, pluck raspberries, admire the mountain scenery, and then from behind some pine tree this miracle on wheels flies out to you. And they’re not afraid.

There were no brave tourists to climb the mountain on foot. During our climb we met only two people. The first were a father and son who bought a ticket for the ski lift, but the boy was so afraid of heights that they did not climb further than the first stage and actually walked back.

And the second was a woman who, judging by her uniform and trekking poles, was very fond of mountain hiking trails. By the way, it was she who advised us, before we get to the first site, to follow the path to the left behind the blue sign and admire the mountain lake.

True, she warned that a passport is enough for Russians, but foreigners need to have a special (and obviously not free) permit, which will be checked by border guards along the way.

Mountain lake and rain.

They say that there are more than 300 sunny days a year in the Elbrus region. Apparently that day we were among the remaining 65 :). Because the morning clarity gradually began to give way to gray clouds and a piercing wind.

The path to the lake turned out to be not short at all, and we never came across the promised border guards on the way, although I saw a watchtower on a hill in the distance. Thoughts began to appear in our heads that we were lost when the first outlines of a green mountain lake finally appeared ahead.

The closer we got, the more details revealed themselves.

For example, from above, I began to make out some white inscriptions near the lake. Approaching even closer, I realized that I could go down there and put some kind of inscription with large stones like “Vasya was here”; from above it would look very impressive.

In addition, between the bushes I distinguished several colored dots, which means tourists are really going down there. Mila and I were frozen in indecision whether to follow their example, when suddenly a downpour that began quite suddenly decided everything for us.

This is not a forest where you can at least hide under the crown of a tree. Here on the half-naked mountain the nearest roof was only on the first platform or in that military booth. Mila and I and all the tourists who were now at the lake (at that moment I did not envy them) hurried back the way, gradually getting wet through and through, coupled with the piercing cold wind.

We even caught up with some other tourists, who also decided to go down to the lake, and now were hastily returning to the first line. Frankly, I thought they would immediately try to pull the handle of the watchtower, because it was very far to the next shelter, but the guys ran past without even trying. And I immediately went to the door, pulling the handle with all my strength. Surprisingly, the door was unlocked and there was no one inside.

It wasn't very warm here, of course, but at least it wasn't damp. Of all the subsequent “wet” girls, only two more girls thought of doing the same; the rest simply passed by without even trying to change anything in their current situation.

Free lift and return.

Mila and I waited out the main rain, and then covered the rest of the way in more comfortable conditions. The weather, however, completely deteriorated. I thought that because of the accumulated gray clouds I would not be able to even take photographs from the first site, but so far the clouds blocked my view only of Elbrus. Therefore, friends, forgive me, today there are no photos of this legend.

I decided not to climb to the very top, but it was pointless due to the overcast sky. But I decided to take the second step. True, the lift there had only one seat, so Mila refused to join me. As Baba Sveta told us, beyond the first stage you can use the lift for free. Which I took advantage of, naturally.

In fact, Mila has not lost anything, an ordinary place with another cafe and such mountain landscapes.

So I just got up, took a couple of photos and went straight down. And then Mila and I completely descended from Mount Cheget.

During our descent the sun came out again. On this occasion, we decided to try to get to Mount Elbrus. But, having reached the turn, we stood for about an hour and were unable to catch a ride. Therefore, a little tired, we returned to the base and walked around the surrounding area for the rest of the day.

Another cold night.

The main thing was to survive another cold night. However, besides the cold, another surprise awaited us: somewhere around midnight there was such a downpour that our tent simply “floated”. Somehow we dozed off until early morning, and then, under the still incessant rain, we moved our things to Baba Sveta and Tatyana’s room.

They gave us hot tea and warmed us up (as far as possible). And Baba Sveta said the magic words: “If I had known about the rain, we would have given you a room in the building, anyway, there is no one there now.” Wonderful, that is, she could put us in one of the empty rooms of the old building, and for two days we froze on the street and listened to the howling of jackals nearby.

And again, I’m not offended, because if it weren’t for these grannies, we might not have found a free overnight stay in the Elbrus region. In addition, we each received a hot mug of tea with gingerbread.

The second, quieter old woman, having prayed on the path, went to visit relatives who lived in this area. And we waited until the rain finally subsided, pulled on our backpacks and opened the door towards the first rays of the sun.

Where do we go next? Let this be another little secret that I will reveal in . You know that you can be the first to know about all the news on the site if you subscribe to the newsletter. See you, friends.

Today, the Cheget Glade (Cheget Glade, Elbrus region) is a busy place where various infrastructure facilities and hotel complexes are concentrated. Although earlier, even before the construction of the Cheget cable car, the Cheget clearing was deserted and empty. The name, in those distant years, completely coincided with reality: Cheget translated from Kabardian means a wooded slope. The undeveloped slopes of Cheget looked more like “green fur hats.” The modern glade of Cheget contains:

hotels in Cheget glade
hotels in Cheget glade
boarding houses of Cheget glade and tourist centers of Cheget glade.

And the most interesting thing is that the locals called literally everything after the mountain - the boarding house "Cheget", the restaurant "Cheget", the mini market "Cheget", the rental point "Cheget".

By choosing the Cheget clearing as your vacation spot, you find yourself in the epicenter of the party! You definitely won’t be bored here on winter evenings!

Ski season in Cheget

Glade Cheget is located at the foot of Mount Cheget. This is where the Cheget chairlift starts, which takes tourists to the top, to a height of 3,070m.

The slopes of Cheget differ from others precisely in their unique mountain topography. This is a place for people who love extreme sports!

And for beginners who come to the Elbrus ski resort there is a “green” slope on Mount Cheget. Surprisingly, the easiest route is located almost at the highest point of the lift - 3000 meters above sea level.

You can see the description of the slopes and characteristics of the ski resort in the section of the Cheget Group of Companies.

The benefits of relaxing in the Cheget meadow

Hotels within walking distance from the Cheget cultural center. Here, accommodation options range from economy to comfort levels; hotels have different locations (from 20 meters to 300 meters) and pricing policies.
Rental points. Equipment rental bureaus in Cheget glade provide a large selection of skiing equipment.
Cafes and restaurants . The variety of food places is surprising in its vastness. There are canteens, cafes, and restaurants providing quality service and a variety of national and European dishes.
Karaoke, billiard rooms, night clubs. There are a lot of establishments in the Cheget glade where you can have a good time and relax after active skiing.
Bath complexes. A large flow of tourists, as a rule, choose a relaxing holiday for body and soul. You can get this service in the baths and saunas in the Cheget meadow. All complexes are equipped with steam rooms, swimming pools, and plunge pools. In addition, you can take massage treatments and body wraps.
The shops. Numerous grocery mini-markets and industrial goods stores in the Cheget clearing, as well as pharmacies are located in the Cheget clearing. Each store sets opening hours individually; often from 08.00 to 20.00 you can purchase all the necessary products.
Local market. Residents of the Elbrus region organized a small market right at the foot of Cheget. Handmade wool products are sold here: socks, hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters, sweaters, etc. Honey, nuts, herbs, teas, homemade local sweets. In memory of the Elbrus region, you can buy souvenirs with resort logos at the market.