Ski season is in full swing, but not yet at its peak. High on many mountain resorts are February and March, when the length of daylight increases, and the sun warms already spring-bright. By this time, in the Alps, Pyrenees and other European fiefdoms of winter sports enthusiasts flock to drive on snowy slopes on skis and snowboard. If you do not have time and opportunity to go for a long time, have fun and to spend time possible and in their own suburbs, and even in Moscow, which already has a slope, designed for people of all levels of training - from beginners to the Asas. For those who would still like to go to real mountains, but do not want to bother with a visa, the path-way is in the visa-free Turkey, Croatia, Montenegro and the more exotic skiing resorts, as well as nearby Ukraine and Belarus.
Virtually all modern ski resorts of Moscow region focused on the Dmitrov highway, 40-50 km from Moscow. Volen, "Sorochany", "Yakhroma," Stepanovo "," Leonid Tyagachyov Club "- all these sports parks and resorts are located along Dmitrovka, one of the most scenic areas of the region. At Shchelkovo direction, 20 km from the metropolis on the banks of the Moskva River is one of the highest natural hills suburbs - Borowski mound, which is located on the slopes of the complex Alpine Club Guy Severin, better known as Chulkovo. And finally, the Gorky Highway is a complex "foxhole". Here, perhaps, and all the strong points of skiers and snowboarders in the suburbs, not counting the ski bases Krasnohorska, where skiing (cross-country and downhill) are engaged in Soviet times.
All the complexes have different slopes, which can be fully least to show their ski and snowboard talent, slopes for novices and beginners, children and adults. For example, in Yakhroma these tracks a lot (currently 14, including two training), but their maximum length - 450 meters. In Stepanovo tracks smaller (while only 4), but they are much longer (960 meters) elevation greater than - 90 meters to 70 meters in Yakhroma. Those who are accustomed to ride in the Alps, of course, these figures do not impress, but for regular training, technical development and maintaining good shape tracks near Moscow, it is suitable. Best for skiing experts believe Stepanovski track. In all complexes, highway equipped with the latest lifts, lighting systems and artificial snow (snow cannons), so you can ride in the suburbs in the evening, at night and in cloudy weather, which we are not uncommon. Snow cannons maintain good quality snow on the slopes almost to mid-April, but snow-free winter, which we had in previous years - it's just the only way to create more or less tolerable conditions for skiing. The park has restaurants, cafes and bars, games for children and lots of other entertainment - from sledding and ice skating to swimming in the hole.
Slopes suburban mountain ski resorts are designed not only on the dashing of skiers and snowboarders, but also for beginners at their disposal - an army of professional instructors. But still better to learn from scratch on the slopes of Moscow - in ski resort "Moscow Alps" on Nagorno (included in the set of "Kant") and on the ski slopes "bottleneck" that Bitza park. Incidentally, this is one of the oldest places in Moscow for mountain activities. These complexes with short runs (300-500 meters) and educational slopes - the perfect place to learn the basics of ski equipment, though an amateur with experience is not considered shameful for a hone skills there before going to the big mountains. Essential Plus Moscow slopes - their availability and lower prices for all services, as compared with highways near Moscow.

Ice exotic

skiers are constantly looking for new routes, as well as in Europe, they left almost no people rushed to the south and east - to Asia and Latin America. Attractiveness of these exotic destinations, more closely associated with the eternal summer and beach holidays, gives no need to do a visa. In the Old World from those countries where there is a mountain ski resorts, visa-free for Russians left only Croatia, Montenegro and our immediate neighbors - Ukraine and Belarus. In the East it - Turkey and China (although the latter is conditional - a visa will have to do a group), in the Southern Hemisphere - Chile and Argentina.
Turkey to advance its ski resorts in Russia has been a long time, and today the Turkish resorts such as Palandoken (Palandoken), family Uludag (Uludag), the center Davras (Davras) near the Mediterranean Sea, a well-known among Russians for its trails, a mild climate and excellent service. Two years ago, close to Istanbul opened resort Karpete (Carpet), which is considered one of the best - 7 lifts, 12 runs a total length of 42 km. This is perhaps the only winter resort in Europe, from the tops of which offer stunning sea views.
Struggle for the Russian skiers and China, where over the past 2-3 years built and commissioned nearly 300 new resorts. The Russians are popular slopes in Heilongjiang Province (Northeast China) and China's best resort with artificial snow is located in Shanghai. On the street, plus forty, and within the complex temperature is always around zero, excellent snow cover and pleasantly cool. In 2008, Xinjiang province opened complex PingTian (Ping-Tien), striking for its incredible capabilities. In terms of price - the quality of Chinese ski resorts superior to any European proposals.
If time permits and you're not low on money, then why not take a chance and go conquer the mountains of South America, the more than that of Chile and Argentina have abolished visa regime for Russians in the past year. Chile is the highest mountain in the Andes mountain range - Mt.Aconcagua (7,266 meters), in this country is a resort Portillo (Portillo), who is famous for its descent Roca de Jack (Jack Rock), where it was established several world speed records. The best views of the beautiful Chilean capital - Santiago - opens from the slopes of the resort La Parva, well here is put on skis children and adolescents. Located in the Argentina area of