The Caucasus Mountains attract tourists from all over Russia with their beauty and magnificent nature. The Arkhyz resort is located in their very heart. Here you can not only go skiing or snowboarding, but also get to know the amazing animals from Peru, enjoy the beauty of the area and taste delicious national food. Fans of extreme sports and outdoor activities will enjoy riding on high-altitude swings or snowmobiles, as well as hot air balloon rides. Izvestia found out what you can do in the Arkhyz resort during the snow season.
Arkhyz resort: how to get there
Arkhyz resort is located in the village of Romantik in the Zelenchuk district of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic. The easiest way for travelers from all over Russia to get to their destination is by plane — the nearest airport is about 220 km away in Mineralnye Vody (the flight from Moscow will take about 3 hours and 30 minutes). Another option is a train. The nearest railway station to the village is located 130 km away in Cherkessk. Depending on the city of departure, many decide to get to Arkhyz by their own car.
The distance to the village from the airport or train station is not far, so upon arrival in Mineralnye Vody or Cherkessk, it is easiest to rent a car or call a taxi. There is also a regular bus service to Arkhyz resort, but the journey time will be a little longer.
Soon it will be much easier to get to the village of Romantik. By 2028, an airport will be built near the Arkhyz resort. It will be located about 45 minutes away and will significantly reduce travel time.
Ski slopes of Arkhyz resort
For fans of winter sports, the resort has two slopes — north and south. Each of them offers a large number of trails of varying difficulty with a total length of 27 km. Their snowmaking is carried out artificially, so comfortable skiing is possible every day from morning to evening. The backlight works after dark.
If necessary, all equipment can be rented at the service center. Sports shops also provide a wide range of ski equipment. You can also hire an instructor there for training.
There is a tubing track next to the slope and the main square, which will be appreciated not only by children, but also by adults. Cheesecake riding is available both in winter and summer.
What animals can you meet at Arkhyz resort
There are activities in Arkhyz for those who do not like skiing or snowboarding. One of them will appeal to both the youngest and adults — visiting alpacas. After climbing the Milky Way cable car, you can find the alpaca park Alpachino, where these wonderful animals live.
Alpacas are amazing and kind creatures that run to people themselves when they enter their pen. Visitors can take carrots for them, thanks to which they manage to lure alpacas closer and take a photo as a souvenir. The guide will tell you their story, the conditions in which the animals are kept, how they are cared for, and how to make the alpaca "kiss" you.
The advantage of the park is its location. Guests of the resort can take memorable photos with animals against the backdrop of snowy mountains.
In another enclosure, not far from the South American alpacas, there are rabbits that you can meet, treat them with carrots and even hold them in your arms if you manage to catch someone. Animals are very tactile: if you sit down in one of the chairs, they will definitely jump on you to beg for goodies.
What to do in Arkhyz
In addition to visiting alpacas and rabbits, there are more active activities. Climbing almost to the very top of the northern slope, you can find a truly unique attraction - a high—altitude swing. They are located at an altitude of more than 2.5 thousand meters on the edge of the slope, which is why a dose of adrenaline is provided. The attraction is sure to bring new emotions, visitors enjoy the clean mountain air and beautiful views that will be remembered for a long time.
In addition, the resort offers the opportunity to fly a hot air balloon, ride snowmobiles or all-terrain vehicles.
Lovers of a more relaxing holiday can stroll through the picturesque areas of the resort — unique views open from different places. On clear days, you can see the mountain peaks that lie far beyond the resort. In addition, in the summer of 2025, a new cable car will operate on the southern slope, climbing it, tourists will see a magical view of Mount Elbrus. Now it can be seen on sunny days on the way from Cherkessk to Mineralnye Vody.
Where to stay in Arkhyz: hotels and houses
The main place for vacationers to stay at the resort is hotels. Mountain sports enthusiasts can choose from a variety of hotels, their main feature is their proximity to ski slopes and beautiful views of the mountains and slopes.
The resort is actively developing, in particular, the first hotel offering an all—inclusive concept, Alean Club Sophia 4*, has recently appeared there. The hotel became the first in all ski resorts of Russia to introduce such a range of services.
The 7 Peaks 4* Hotel is one of the last to be opened in the village of Romantik during the 2024/25 ski season. Here you can find rooms for drying equipment after returning from skiing or snowboarding. After a long day in the cold, you can also visit the spa area, which at 7 Peaks features, among other things, a warm pool with access to the street and three types of baths.
There are also offers for people who want to be united with nature. Mairi Park Hotel 5* provides an opportunity to stay in modern villas surrounded by coniferous forests and on the mountainside. The hotel is located away from the main square of the resort, so it is quieter and quieter there.
Tourists can also stay in the village of Arkhyz, which can be reached in about 15 minutes by car. There are various options for hotels, recreation centers and glamping.
Where to eat in Arkhyz resort
In the immediate vicinity of the cable cars, there are a large number of cafes and restaurants for different budgets, serving both modern and familiar dishes, as well as national dishes.
One of the places that attracts tourists is the Mamalyga restaurant. There are many dishes from the cuisine of the Caucasus regions on the menu. The restaurant positions itself as Georgian, so you can definitely taste khinkali, phali, khachapuri and other food here. The restaurant also serves the corn dish of the same name, which is widespread in the Caucasus, hominy, which resembles a thick porridge. For those who do not like to experiment, the menu includes burgers, steaks, soups, salads.
Since in winter people go to Arkhyz resort mainly for skiing and snowboarding, there are faster food options for tourists. Straight from the mountain, you can "stop by" at the cafe "Higher", where one of the main dishes of Caucasian cuisine, khichiny, is presented. This thin pie in Arkhyz is served with different fillings: potatoes and cheese, herbs and cheese, calf, and lamb.
Especially popular among tourists is the bar "What? Mountains!". You can not only have a snack there, but also have fun. Both in the afternoon and in the evening, music plays in the bar, and skiers descend to dance outdoors.
Holidays and competitions in Arkhyz resort
Special attention at the resort is paid to competitions in alpine skiing. They are held for adults and children.
For the holidays, competitions are organized on the main square, electronic music festivals, master classes and much more. Traditionally, the performances of the national dance ensemble attract a lot of attention.
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