Complex for cross-country skiing and biathlon competitions "Laura". Ski and biathlon complex "Laura" (Sochi): description, reviews Condition of slopes online

This is one of the most popular questions from resort guests, so we decided to write an honest and clear article to help you prepare for your trip.

So, let's get ready! You decide to come to Krasnaya Polyana and choose where you will ride. There are 3 ski resorts in Krasnaya Polyana: Rosa Khutor, Krasnaya Polyana (formerly Gorki Gorod) and Gazprom (Laura + Alpika). The former Alpika-Service opened in 2017 and is now part of the GTC Gazprom, not being an independent resort. Therefore, there are legally three resorts in Krasnaya Polyana, but in reality it is more like four. Now let's figure out what's what.

And yes, we write “Krasnaya Polyana resorts” for simplicity, although geographically none of the resorts are located in the village of Krasnaya Polyana - they are all a few kilometers from it. In this case, Krasnaya Polyana refers to the entire ski area with all four resorts. And the Krasnaya Polyana resort is also the new name of Gorki Gorod after rebranding. The merciless naming has confused everything even more, but what can you do?

Comparison of Krasnaya Polyana resorts

We at RiderHelp write, as usual, subjectively, based on our ideas about the region and riding preferences. The resorts themselves may not agree with this, but at least we visit all three resorts more often than their employees visit the slopes of competitors, so, probably, everything is fair =)

So, briefly about the resorts of KP...

Rosa Khutor

Rosa, in our opinion, is the best resort in terms of the totality of indicators and the number of services. You can book hotels and ski passes at a discount long before your trip, purchase it all online and be sure of the cost of your vacation in advance. There are the largest number of rentals, ski schools, various services, etc. Rosa is well suited for families with children who can be sent to children's schools; beginners who don’t really understand what they need in terms of riding; as well as large companies, where everyone needs different routes. And also the young people who ride in the park. Yes, on Rosa almost the entire season there is a park with jumps and jib, and sometimes more than one!

Rosa can be roughly divided into three ski areas: The main circus (bowl in the mountains) Rosa Khutor, the Ober Khutor circus, where two new gondolas Dryad and Tundra lead from the Rosa Stadium, as well as the new Southern sector, which is usually open in good weather.

The southern sector is a new ski area that opened in 2017. It boasts a 7 km long Yavor route and a unique topography that is not found on the northern slopes. In fact, it can generally pass for a separate resort with 17 km of slopes.

However, there are also disadvantages. Rosa is the most expensive and at the same time the most densely populated resort, because it is the most popular (Respect to the resort’s marketers!) Another important point is that the Olympic village zone on Rosa Plateau is actively developing in Rosa Khutor. The resort is located on 2 levels, where there are hotels of all price categories from 5* to hostels. There are more and more places to stay on the mountain, which is good for those living there, but at the same time creates intense competition for those who live below or come to the resort from the village or from the coast. In addition, Rosa Khutor starts work at 7.30 am (Wolf Rock) and in order to have time to roll out untouched corduroy, you have to wake up very early.

Rosa Khutor claims that the resort has 102 km of pistes. However, the prepared wastage is about 86 km, according to the resort’s website. There are also sections such as Yuryev Khutor and Crazy Khutor, which begin with narrow couloirs and turn into wide snow fields with rollouts through the forest. They are also included in the total mileage, but not everyone has the skills and interests to do so.

On Rosa, as elsewhere, all trails are not always open due to weather or avalanche conditions. Probably, only this season became a pleasant exception due to low temperatures and heavy snowfalls. And this season, riding on the Rose was surprisingly comfortable thanks to

GTZ Gazprom(Laura + Alpika)

Since 2017, the GTC Gazprom consists of two ski areas: the well-known Gazprom “Laura” and the good old Alpiki-Service, which opened in 2017, which is now correctly called “Gazprom “Alpika”

This combination of resorts turned the GTC Gazprom from a resort for beginners and pure piste skiers into a worthy competitor to its neighbors - after all, Alpika is one of the top ten world resorts in terms of height difference, and the complex red and black pistes are in no way inferior, and in some cases even and surpasses the Rosa Khutor and Gorki Gorod tracks. Well, yes, now freeride has also appeared at Gazprom. But it’s still quite doubtful that in one day you will ski in two parts of the resort at once. And the question is whether you can (due to the complexity of the Alpine routes). So let’s differentiate between Laura and Alpika for now and write about them separately.

Gazprom "Laura"

Laura is suitable for beginners, lovers of comfortable piste skiing, good corduroy and family recreation. In addition, Gazprom is traditionally considered a holy place for posing and walking around in expensive mountain beach clothes and beautiful companions packed in them. Although it must be admitted that part of the wealthy public is confidently being taken away from Gazprom by the more expensive Rosa Khutor.

Gazprom has 23 kilometers of trails, the operation of which is highly dependent on the outside temperature, since the highest point of the resort is only 1660 meters, in contrast to 2200 and 2300 meters at its neighbors. However, in the event of snowfalls and high avalanche danger, Gazprom is not closed and the operation of its routes is more stable and understandable. An important note in favor of Gazprom: almost all of our corporate clients with extensive experience in skiing in the Alps say that only Gazprom matches their usual markings and piste preparation that they are used to in Europe. Those. if a person declares that he is the champion of Andorra in red tracks and shopping, then we will first take him to Gazprom, and then we will see.

By the way, Gazprom is the only place in Polyana where you can go cross-country skiing, and on the Olympic tracks of the Laura ski and biathlon complex. Skis can be rented right on the mountain.

Gazprom Alpika

In the 2017-2018 season, Alpika did not open all the slopes, but only their upper part at elevations from 2256 m to 1500 m. At this altitude, only black and red slopes are available so far and beginners have nothing to do there (really nothing, if only to take a photo at the top ). The flatter blue and green pistes are below 1500 m and are expected to open next season. As a result, this creates a unique situation for Krasnaya Polyana: few people, excellent trails for confident riders and the opportunity to ride them sometimes in splendid isolation. This, of course, is not suitable for the general mass of skiers, but for the experienced ones it turned out to be a real VIP resort =)

Krasnaya Polyana (formerGorki City)

Krasnaya Polyana is the new name of Gorki Gorod (since 2019). The resort is best suited for two main categories of skiers: complete beginners and confident skiers. There are not many slopes of average difficulty in Gorki for the majority of skiers, so many tourists complain that the slopes are too steep and narrow, although they should complain about their level of skiing. Confident skaters, on the contrary, are happy about this, since in the end there are not so many people on the red and black slopes. Even at 12 noon you can find areas of untouched corduroy, which is an unaffordable luxury in neighboring resorts. Well, yes, this is the favorite resort of local freeriders. Gorki Gorod is the most unobvious and dangerous resort in terms of off-piste skiing. Therefore, fresh snow is rolled out here much longer than in the Rose circuses, but beginners should start skiing only with guides. However, over the past few years, the resort has greatly damaged its reputation by blocking ski passes for off-piste trips, and this despite the “Freeride” sign on the façade of the resort. In the 2019-2020 season, Krasnaya Polyana (Gorki Gorod) promises to improve and introduce adequate rules for off-piste skating.

At the same time, Gorki has very comfortable green and blue slopes for learning, and several ski schools, including children’s, offer different training options. In total, Gorki has 27 km of trails, which, however, may not always be entirely open due to weather conditions. In general, the resort is not for everyone, but with the right level of skiing and understanding of your needs, you can have a great ride. By the way, we ourselves spend most of the winter skiing off-piste in Gorki Gorod.

In general, if you clearly understand what is important to you when vacationing at a ski resort, then you should think about a competent approach to skiing in our region and choosing one of the four ski areas, and properly test all three resorts and then choose the most suitable one .

Selecting a resort by time of year. Is it worth buying weekly ski passes?

Let's look at all three resorts in more detail and a few typical situations, taking into account seasonality and weather. We have already published a wildly useful review on the topic When to go, since it is directly related to the quality of skating.

In short, you need to understand several important things about Krasnaya Polyana. Namely: we have a very warm resort; We may have a lot of precipitation at once (or maybe not). And the climate in the region is unstable and the seasons can be very different from each other.

Also, everything greatly depends on the time of year and the current weather. If the winter is cold, then snow cannons work, the snow line drops below 800 meters above sea level and all pistes at all resorts are fully operational. If the winter is also snowy, then nature helps the snowmaking systems and in general everything is fine. But this is an ideal option, which does not always happen. Often at the beginning of the season and until the end of January there is still not enough snow cover and the lower routes do not work. And our terrain is such that these very lower routes are just suitable for beginners. And for the New Year, most fans of just such trails come. As a result, many people choose tracks that are not based on their skill level, so here is another useful material for you if suddenly you got injured in the control room =)

Scheme of potentially closed ski areas

We have drawn a diagram of ski areas that could potentially close in case of bad weather. For Rosa, Alpika and Gorki Gorod there is a high avalanche danger or strong wind, and for Laura there is very warm weather that threatens the lower part of the slopes.

Alpika is marked in gray because it is not working stably yet - after all, the first season is open and not everything is ready yet.

Red areas are the most frequently closed ski areas in case of avalanche danger, high winds or poor visibility. Those areas that are also closed, but not as often, are marked in yellow. And the green ones are those that work almost always, with the exception of the beginning and end of the season, when there is still or already little snow. This season this is exactly the situation - there was not enough snow and the lower lines of the resorts did not open for quite a long time.

A fairly common situation is when it snows and there is a high avalanche danger in the mountains. Krasnaya Polyana is famous for its heavy snowfalls, when it can fall up to a meter per night. Of course, this is a joy for freeriders, but in such a situation the tops are often closed. For example, for Rosa Khutor this means that the Southern slope is almost always closed, and quite often Rosa Peak and Ober Khutor.

In Gorki Gorod, in case of bad weather, the routes of the Eastern Sector and sometimes Circus-2 are often closed, which together makes up almost half of the resort. Sometimes the third line closes and then it’s generally sad.

On the Alpique this season there are only 8 km of trails at altitudes from 2256 to 1500 meters. If there is a high avalanche danger or strong wind, then they can either close everything altogether, or leave one line of the cable car from 1900 to 1500.

There are often situations where everything is fine in Gorki and the tops are open, but not in Roza. Or vice versa: on Rose the Peak is open, but in Gorki, due to strong winds, access to the top is prohibited. It is precisely in such cases that the lack of a single ski pass is felt. And that’s why we advise many skiers to live below, in the valley, do not buy ski passes in advance, and every morning look at what exactly is open in the morning and only then decide where to go.

However, there are difficulties here too: Rosa Khutor begins work noticeably earlier (an hour) than Gazprom and Gorki, so you have to decide whether to go to Rosa early in the morning or wait for the opening of other resorts.. If you ski with guides or take an accompanying person, then everything is simpler and the guide will make a decision for you, based on his understanding of the resort and his experience.

Well, at Gazprom at this time people usually complain that visibility is poor and corduroy does not crunch. But in fact, the routes are not blocked, as in Rosa and Gorki. There are other problems: Gazprom is located below other resorts and in the event of very warm weather, the tracks may be closed to save snow in the lower areas.

Advice: a few days before your trip, start studying the current situation at the resort, the level of the snow line, the thickness of the snow cover and monitor which slopes are working. The smartest thing to do is write to someone you know who is currently at the resort and find out how they are doing.

Evening skiing

Evening skiing is suddenly an important service that allows you to add an extra skiing day to your trip if you arrive in Sochi during the day. It is formally available at all resorts and begins work at approximately 18:00, when the day's skiing is over and the snowcats are again on the slopes. Often evening skiing turns out to be even better than day skiing due to the evening cold and fewer people. However, many resort guests begin to make contemptuous comments about the too-simple trails, not realizing that evening skiing is not about speed records, but a separate type of recreation that must be treated accordingly. On the map we have schematically marked the evening ski areas on Rosa, Alpika, Gorki and (below) Laura.

The most comfortable area for evening skiing at the moment is Gazprom Laura. Let’s face it, this is our favorite place to take a quiet ride in the evening and drink mulled wine in a pleasant mountain-beach atmosphere. The advantage of Gazprom is that even in the evening there are routes from training green to red. True, red F7 and F8 are not always open, but if they are open, there are usually few people there and therefore very comfortable. And sometimes it even happens like this next to the highways, if you get it right =)

In Gorki Gorod, one track of the second stage and another training track along the K8 chair are illuminated. This is quite enough for a full ride, but the narrow and winding double track is not suitable for all skiers. And considering that in the evenings people often get drunk, such skating is not very safe. Therefore, we advise you not to drive in the evening, but to calmly enjoy the winter lights of the resort, slowly roll out and have fun.

Evening skiing at Rosa Khutor. This season, not everything has become more fun on Rosa with the opening of the illuminated routes Rosa Star, Rosa Blade and the Extreme cable car. And already last season, the resort pleased us with a mini-park with small jumps and jib figures located right in front of the Riders Lodge hotel. The area is lit, and it’s comfortable to hang out and skate there even without a lift. In addition, one-time spots for contests were regularly built in this mini-park and it turns out to be an awesome get-together with the best riders in the country. Well, probably in the near future Rosa Khutor will also increase the length of the illuminated routes.

In general, if we compare, evening skating on Laura is the calmest, most relaxed and romantic, on Gorki Gorod it’s more party-oriented and loud in terms of music and public, and on Rosa it’s something in between.

If you are riding for the first time, but are confident in riding

We recommend not getting attached to any one resort, but spending the first three days of skiing exploring all the resorts. If funds allow, then it makes sense to take an accompanying person for the so-called ski safari around Krasnaya Polyana in order to get a complete picture of the resorts. It will cost from 5 to 10 thousand rubles. in a day. If you ride freeride, then it is logical to use the services of guides.

However, you can explore the tracks yourself if you are really good at skiing and are not afraid of suddenly going onto a black track. And it’s even better to have someone local as a friend who will be ready to ride with you.

Where to ride if you are a beginner

Of course, if you are just learning, you need an instructor who will make this decision for you. If you think differently, then close this text and do not listen to further advice.

So, in our opinion, the best place for beginners is Gazprom Laura. This is what many private instructors working at all resorts say. It is at Gazprom that the smoothest transition from simple to complex routes is possible. At the same time, the tracks are wider and without sharp turns, as is often the case at other resorts. Even if you went to the wrong place, it will not be as dangerous as at Rosa Khutor or Gorki Gorod. Of course, at every resort there are fenced “splash pools” for the very, very beginners, but you will get out of there after one or two lessons and find yourself in the fascinating world of traffic, where no one has a license, almost everyone learned to drive on their own and there is no liability for accidents. Therefore, it is better to start with the simpler and generally less populated Gazprom, and then move on to Rosa and Gorki. Of course, there are comfortable trails everywhere and our opinion is subjective, but that’s what it is.

Again, do not forget that there are usually many more people at Rosa Khutor than at Gazprom and Gorki Gorod, and this affects safety. For example, I personally designed accident insuranceI after I started learning to ski and spent several days on the blue slopes of Rosa Khutor. Over the weekend, I couldn’t ride calmly at all and was constantly looking up the slope so that some kind of jet teapot wouldn’t fly into me. And it saved me a couple of times. As a result, I moved my training to Gazprom, where the roads are wider and there is less chance of someone crashing into you.

Fortunately, at all resorts the training trails are completely fenced off, and there are separate slopes for the smallest children, so there is no need to worry about kids and completely beginner adults.

Yes, one more note: we are writing everything here based on previous experience, but no one knows how everything will be in the new season. Therefore, all our advice is only personal assumptions and something may change somewhere.

If you are traveling as a family and with children

In this case, it is necessary to take into account the wishes and level of skating of all family members. It is most comfortable to leave small children at a school or children's club on Rosa Khutor, however, there are similar options in Gorki too. This season, the Tirol school is going to launch an option with a children's club for the whole day. There is only one instructor school at Gazprom, so there is no competition and there are no different offers for children.

If both of your spouses ski on the slopes, then any of the resorts will do. But if, for example, your husband loves freeride, then you have to choose between Rose and Gorki and also a school for the children. And if someone from the family wants to jump in the park, then it is most likely Rosa Khutor. Or Gorki Gorod during the New Star snowboard camp.

In general, we recommend calling in advance. all instructor schools and find out what they offer specifically for your child, and then build on that.

Large company or corporate retreat

We quite often organize corporate trips for large groups, so over time we have developed the following model: on the day of arrival we look at the group and, based on the results of communication and the appearance of the riders, we roughly understand what they need and what they can do. In most cases, on the first day, the whole crowd, accompanied by several instructors, goes to Gazprom, skis there, puts complete beginners on skis and checks the level of skiing of those already experienced. In the next days we can already divide the group and, accompanied by guides, we will definitely go to Rosa or Gorki. Most often it’s at Rosa Khutor, because there everyone will find suitable trails for themselves. There we show guests the pistes and ski area so that they can navigate on their own in the future. But Gorki Gorod is in third place for us, since the slopes there are not for everyone and either confident skiers or beginners enjoy them, whom we carefully protect from entering the red slopes of the Eastern Sector or the third stage. In fact, the main point here is to have an experienced guide who will correctly assess the group and plan skiing every day, depending on the weather and working slopes, and also show the right places for lunch and apres-ski.

If you are traveling in a large group, you should not count on efficiency and that you will be on the lift when it opens. If there are 20 of you and everyone spends at least 3 minutes, then for the group this is already an hour. So relax and have fun =)

If you are planning a similar trip and need help with the organization, you can write to info@site, and we will try to help.

If you are going RIDING on the trails

There are people who come to Krasnaya Polyana for a comprehensive relaxation, and there are those who come specifically for skiing. Here we can advise you to get up early and almost any day you will have 1-2 hours of quality riding, while the general masses are still just waking up and climbing out onto the mountain. For example, the red and black tracks G and F at Gazprom are usually almost empty for the first hour and can be perfectly distributed over fresh corduroy. The second hour there are still few people there and only by 11 the influx of people begins. The same applies to Gorki Gorod, especially the tracks of the Eastern sector. On Rosa, everything is more difficult, since the resort opens earlier, there are more people there and the slopes are rolled out faster. However, there is also a life hack - while all the inexperienced tourists are going to the Peak together, you can quickly catch several excellent descents on the Wolf Rock chairlift. Well, as we already wrote, Alpika can be just a discovery for confident skiers.

Track status online

On the sites Rosa Khutor And Gazprom working tracks are displayed online, the status of which is automatically downloaded from the general system of the resort. And if you think that you are about to open Skazka or Kaban, or even the Southern Slope, then you can check it from your phone while riding the ski lift, or look at the information boards. Gorki Gorod also has an interactive route diagram, but it is updated manually by resort staff. Usually everything is done promptly, but the human factor is present and it is better to call.

Webcams from all resorts are on the website Sochi.camera. There you can select two icons: with mountains and with a skier, so that you can be shown a list of cameras.

Freeride in Krasnaya Polyana

The famous Krasnopolyansk powder is why we live here and why most of our friends come here. However, despite the worldwide freeride fame of the region, the offpiste in KP is in a semi-legal position. There are areas in Gorki Gorod that are not wasted and are considered a permitted place for freeride. On Rose, if you look on the map, the same sections include Crazy Khutor and Yuryev Khutor, with a length of about 8 km. These are slopes on which corduroy is not rolled, but they are included in the work zone of rescuers and in the total mileage of the slopes. Formally, you can ride on them if they are open. But in reality this is not always observed. And there are much more places for off-piste skiing at both resorts.

Rosa Khutor is much more obvious in terms of near-road fluff, so herds of headless snowbirds scurry across them like locusts and all easily accessible places on Rosa are covered in just a couple of hours. In Gorki there are noticeably fewer such obvious places, so there is enough fresh snow for a couple of days after a snowfall. Alpika seems quite friendly at first glance, but off-piste skiing is officially prohibited, and if you suddenly “find” the remains of construction debris or an anchor in the forest at full speed, then it’s your own fault.

By the way, Gazprom also has several serious lines with drops and a non-fiction slope, and sometimes they remain unrolled, when in other places even distant forests are rolled into concrete. We deliberately do not write about specific areas of resorts, because we don’t want to rent out places, and this is for your own safety. In such cases, you need to ride or with guides, or with locales, or you know everything yourself.

Where is it better to live to ride better?

If you are going specifically to ride, then, on the one hand, it is convenient to live on Rosa Plateau, Gorki 960 or on Psekhako Plateau at Gazprom, so as to be the first on the slopes. However, we still recommend staying downstairs so that you can change the resort depending on the weather every day. Also, if you don’t know the resort very well, then for the first 2-3 days it makes sense to take guides or accompanying people who will show you interesting places and tell you about the features of each of the resorts. It’s very good if you have experienced friends who will do the same thing, but for free.

On Instagram @riderhelp_kp Fresh photos from the fields regularly appear when we ride. IN

The Laura ski complex, owned by Gazprom OJSC, is one of the Krasnaya Polyana complexes and combines an elite level of service and comfort with loyalty to inexperienced skiers.

This resort is considered the best for family holidays; there are many slopes for beginners, and the maximum altitude is only 1435 meters.

Gazprom is located on the slopes of the Psekhako ridge, which is the best place for fans of cross-country skiing.

In this complex it is possible to purchase a subscription or a one-time lift.

The last tariff is called “excursion” and may include various additional bonuses. But the main rule remains the same - you cannot climb with equipment for alpine skiing or snowboarding.

List of prices in rubles for one-time lifts:

• Excursion tour with cross-country skiing (you can take cross-country skiing equipment and use the corresponding track) – 850 rub.
• Excursion tour with binoculars (5 views for 2 minutes with binoculars at observation platforms) – 950 rub.
• Excursion tour with audio guide (listening to stories about the resort and objects using a mobile phone) – 950 rub.

Ski passes at Gazprom are divided by time and day of the week (prices for weekends are given in brackets - from Friday to Sunday):

• Daytime (9:00 – 16:30) – 1300 (1500)
• Morning (9:00 – 13:30) – 800 (900)
• Midday (12:00 – 16:30) – 900 (1000)
• Evening (18:00 – 23:00) – 1200 (1400)
• Full (9:00 – 23:00) – 1700 (1900)

There are also discounts for students, schoolchildren and benefit recipients. In addition, there is a special tariff for those registered in the city of Sochi.

In total, Gazprom operates 14 cable cars, of which 6 are main (the rest are backup).

The first and longest gondola road is 3 kilometers long and leads from the foot (from the village) to the Gazprom complex itself. This lift is an 8-seater closed cabin (also called a gondola lift), and its official name is “Lift A”.

From the Psekhako ridge at a height of 1435 meters, where an elevator takes visitors, 5 more lifts lead in different directions. You can start skiing from here, or you can go to other slopes. 3 of these 5 lifts are chairlifts (2 4-seater and 1 6-seater). Another 2 lifts are 1-seater tow ropes designed for beginner skiers.

Trails

The total length of Gazprom's routes is 20 kilometers. There are 2 slopes for beginners, 5 intermediate-level slopes, 4 slopes for “advanced” skiers, 3 “black” slopes and 1 mixed, “red-black” slope.

Skiing altitudes range from 890 to 1435 meters. At an altitude of 1660 meters there is an observation deck called Pikhtovaya Polyana. Currently, work is underway to develop new routes there.

Click to view the route map in more detail

• The two "green" trails for beginners, called "E" and "C", are served by tow lifts. The slopes themselves are gentle and wide, the height difference is 67 and 30 meters, respectively, and the length is 300 and 443 meters.
• The tracks “B1” - “B4” are intended for slightly more experienced athletes; they are steep at the beginning and gentle at the end. The height difference is 100-150 meters, the length is 900-1000 meters. The 870-meter long descent “D” is also “blue” and is good for consolidating acquired skills. The “blue” slopes are served by chairlifts.
• Slopes of category “F” are red and black. The most interesting of them is the F5 route, the left part of which is suitable for experienced skiers, and the right part for professionals. The total height difference reaches 500 meters, and the length is 1700 meters. All runs in this segment are served by the Lift F chairlift.

And cross-country skiing at the 2014 Winter Paralympic Games.

Gazprom OJSC implemented a project for the construction of a “Combined complex for holding cross-country skiing and biathlon competitions” in accordance with clause 2 of the Program for the construction of Olympic facilities and the development of the city of Sochi as a mountain climatic resort.

Object location

A combined complex for cross-country skiing and biathlon competitions is located on the Psekhako ridge, Krasnaya Polyana village. The distance from the center of Sochi is 90 km, from Sochi airport - 60 km. The site is located at an altitude of 850-1430 meters above sea level.

Description of the complex

The complex is a modern modification of technicalism. The complex includes both permanent and temporary buildings and structures. The building of the biathlon stadium with stands for spectators is permanent. Temporary buildings and structures associated with the organization and holding of sporting events are temporary. Characteristic colors for the stadium are metallic, silver, white, gray.

The area has a picturesque landscape with views of the glaciers and mountains of the national park surrounding the sports arenas. In the west you can see a valley descending to the Black Sea from Krasnaya Polyana. The vegetation here is typical for the region, but differs from what is usually found in the areas where such competitions are held. The hillsides are covered with beech forests, which in the upper part are diluted with birches and hemlocks.

The racing competition arena is located in a low area and to the west there is a view of the valley near Krasnaya Polyana. A small valley forms a natural amphitheater, where temporary stands fit well into the landscape. The tracks surround the arena so that spectators have a clear view of the racers to the west, north and east of the arena. The width of the stadium is slightly greater than the minimum requirements, which will allow its reconstruction into a combined racing and biathlon arena. At the beginning of the ski track along the northern side, there is a platform in the depression where coaches and photographers can be located. During races, it can be reserved for photographers and organizers.

Spectators can arrive to the competition site by cable car from the Gazprom mountain tourism center to the southern slope of the ridge. Once completed, the two cable cars will be able to carry up to 6,000 passengers per hour. The capacity of the complex is 7500 seats.

The concept suggests that the stadium field can be used differently depending on the type of competition. Possible track locations, track profiles and events that could be held at the stadium were explored.

Composition of the complex

• biathlon stadium;
• ski stadium;
• two separate start and finish areas for each type of competition;
• two separate trail systems;
• shooting range;
• a common preparation area for the competition, located next to the start and finish areas;
• training track;
• one route for spectators of both sports, with well-equipped access to the start and finish areas;
• other sports and service infrastructure facilities

Tracks and Arena

Race courses are laid out taking into account FIS requirements. Two main circuits of 5 km are designed - for free and classic style, which can be shortened to 3.75 km, 3.30 km, 2.50 km, 1.50 km and 1.20 km depending on the type of competition.

The routes are laid out so that when athletes cross certain points, the mountains and glaciers of the Psekhako ridge will be visible on the TV screen. To preserve valuable vegetation, the trails were laid in places where old trails passed.

The racing competition arena is located in a low area and opens to the west onto the valley near Krasnaya Polyana. A small valley forms a natural amphitheater, where temporary stands fit well into the landscape. The tracks surround the arena so that spectators have a clear view of the racers to the west, north and east of the arena.

Ski resort

Biathlon complex

Project implementation

Construction of facilities for a combined complex for cross-country skiing and biathlon competitions on the Psekhako Ridge is being carried out in accordance with the construction schedule. All sports infrastructure facilities will be put into operation in the 4th quarter of 2011, and at the beginning of 2012 the first test competitions will be held on the Psekhako ridge.

The progress of construction of the Biathlon stadium at different stages.

Past sporting events

• February 8, 2012 - Russian Biathlon Cup;
• February 24, 2012 - Russian Cup in cross-country skiing;
• March 5, 2012 - Russian Cross-Country and Biathlon Championships among athletes with musculoskeletal disorders and visual impairment;
• March 14, 2012 - the first test competition of 2012 ended.

Test competitions

Use after the Olympic Games

The stadium will be of permanent value for the development of sports in Russia. After the Olympic Games, the stadium can be prepared for cross-country skiing and biathlon by expanding the area beyond the target area and the penalty loop.

The main building behind the main stand should be sufficient to cater for athletes, media and technology at major events such as the World Cup or national championships.

A stable climate and easy delivery of snow from nearby ski slopes will provide some confidence when hosting events. A developed network of trails and the opportunity to train on the slopes located above the stadium could make it a popular training camp for national and foreign teams. Asphalting part of the trails will make summer training on roller skis possible. In summer, the stadium can also be used for orienteering competitions, running and cross-country cycling, and tourist routes can be laid along the routes.

see also

Notes

1. Resolution of December 29, 2007 N 991: “On the Program for the construction of Olympic facilities and the development of the city of Sochi as a mountain climatic resort” (as amended on June 20, 2011)

Ski and biathlon complex "Laura" (Krasnaya Polyana, Russia) - detailed description, location, reviews, photos and videos.

• Tours for the New Year to Krasnodar region
• Last minute tours to Krasnodar region

Previous photo Next photo

"Laura" is top notch! Literally and figuratively. This ski and biathlon complex, part of the Gazprom mountain tourist center, is located on the plateau of the Psekhako ridge, at 1500 m above sea level. The relief of the ridge allows you to practice not only the usual alpine skiing and snowboarding in Krasnaya Polyana, but also cross-country skiing.

The Laura complex is one of the largest and most convenient sports facilities of this type in the world.

Cafes and restaurants "Laura"

On the territory of the hotel complex in Laura there are four establishments where you can have a delicious breakfast, dinner or celebrate a good day with friends. The Panorama restaurant offers clients a buffet in the morning, and in the evening the best dishes of European and Russian cuisine. The Chestnut Room resembles a classic gentlemen's club. The Irish Pub offers a huge selection of beer, and the most interesting sports competitions are broadcast on the screens. The main advantage of the lobby bar "Granat" is its 24-hour operation. At any time of the day or night, they will make a cup of strong coffee, offer light snacks and warm drinks.

Nearby you will find several screen bars, as well as the Mountain Shelter cafe, where you can quickly and inexpensively have a snack while walking.

What else to do

Meditate and enjoy the fresh mountain air and the lack of fuss inherent in Esto-Sadk and other Krasnaya Polyana during the high season. If this is not enough, then in winter we recommend renting snowshoes and going on an exciting walk through the untouched virgin snow of the surrounding forests and slopes. If you want a little more dynamics and fun extreme sports, rent a “cheesecake” tube for skiing from the slopes for a few hours. The first type of pastime is suitable for lovers of peace and tranquility, the second - for noisy and mischievous companies.

Powerful electronic binoscopes are installed at the observation platforms near the Pikhtovy and Psekhako mountain shelters. Stop for a few minutes and take a closer look at the beauty around you!

In the summer, after exploring the area to your heart's content, rent roller skis and experiment on one of the paved roller ski trails. It is likely that your neighbors on the dry ski track will be world biathlon stars who are preparing for the new season at Laura. Here you can ride a rented bicycle.

The need for civilization can be easily satisfied by going down to the village and visiting the Galaktika social and cultural center with its shops, cafes, cinemas, bowling and other entertainment.

Weather

Fans of cross-country skiing should take care of lightweight equipment - winters in Laura are snowy, but warm and even humid. Snow cover falls on the running and biathlon tracks in the second half of December, given the high altitude location of the resort, winter sports can be practiced almost until the last spring month. In May, protected forests and incredibly beautiful meadows turn green. In summer it is warm, but not hot, and if it gets hot, you can go down to the beaches of the Black Sea for a day. The most important value of the resort town - clean and fresh mountain air - is supplied by nature to “Laura” all year round, breathe deeply!

“Laura” is a combined Olympic skiing and biathlon complex in Krasnaya Polyana, Sochi; is part of the mountain tourism center of the Gazprom resort.

The longest cable car in the world leads to the Laura ski complex in Gazprom - more than 5 km one way.

The famous high-altitude Olympic facility on the Psekhako ridge was completely built in 2011. The altitude above sea level is about 1500 meters. The territory initially housed both temporary and permanent facilities, built in accordance with international standards.

Gazprom-Laura webcams

There are no permanent webcams installed at the Laura ski and biathlon complex. On the official website of the Gazprom resort you can watch online broadcasts from cameras located at neighboring facilities. This will help you navigate the weather conditions of the resort.

Infrastructure

After the Olympics, the building of the biathlon stadium with spectator stands was preserved, the rest of the complex after the Games was converted to the needs of a sports and tourist center for mass ski recreation. The Olympic Stadium can simultaneously accommodate about 5,000 people. The Laura-Gazprom tourist complex is designed to serve 9,600 spectators.

Currently, the following sites and services are available on the basis of the Laura complex in the Gazprom State Transport Center:

• Professional sports complex for cross-country skiing and biathlon competitions;
• Roller ski track (available in warm seasons);
• Target installations and a special weapons room;
• Tennis court and indoor swimming pool (belong to the Grand Hotel Polyana Group of Companies);
• Gym, billiards, swimming pool and other facilities (GK "Polyana 1389");
• Bicycle rental (during the summer season).

Prices in the Laura complex at the Gazprom State Trade Center

Visiting the Laura biathlon complex is free, but to do this you need to take the cable car. The price for a ski pass at the Gazprom resort starts from 1300/650 (adult/child) rubles for an excursion lift (only one ascent and one descent are required). Equipment for cross-country skiing will cost 800 rubles for 4 hours (deposit 15 thousand rubles). According to reviews from tourists, the equipment is in excellent condition.

Things to do

The Laura ski and biathlon complex is not only a platform for ski professionals, but also an excellent place for skiers of all levels, as well as a place for a fun family holiday.

• Cross-country skiing. The flat landscape of the Psekhako plateau allows you to take a break from the steep hills and go cross-country skiing. Tourists can follow the routes of Olympic athletes - pursuit and sprint races were held on local tracks. The trails are not long, but quite challenging for beginners. For beginner skiers, a special training program has been developed that introduces the basics of cross-country skiing. The total length of cross-country ski trails is 10 kilometers. The Laura ski complex is considered one of the best in the Caucasus.
• Snowshoes. The Laura complex in Krasnaya Polyana is a corner of peace. There are no such crowds of skiers and snowboarders here as in other parts of the resort. If you are tired of the crowds and bustle, you should go for a walk through the mountain forest on snowshoes. The routes are arranged in picturesque parts of the wooded plain.
• Tubing. Here you can rent a cheesecake and spend a few hours of fun riding down the steep slopes. Every year 2 slopes are equipped for skiing.
• Aviary complex. In “Laura” there is an open-air cage complex where you can observe the inhabitants of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve. 25 species of local animals live here: bison, raccoons, lynxes, mountain goats.

Those who like to contemplate landscapes should visit the Laura panoramic platforms; there are two of them at the resort: “Psekhako” and “Pikhtovaya”. Powerful binoscopes are installed at the sites, which make it possible to examine the mountainous surroundings in every detail.

Laura Stadium: panoramic view on Google. Maps

How to get to the Laura complex of the Gazprom State Transport Company

You can get to the Laura site from the lower level of the Gazprom ski complex by cable car.

Vacationers are transported to the Gazprom stop by city buses No. 105 and 105c (from Sochi via Adler), buses No. 135 (from the Adler railway station), local buses No. 63 (run between the resorts of Krasnaya Polyana). Buses leave from morning to evening at short intervals, but in high season they can be crowded.

From Sochi and Adler you can also quickly take the Lastochka train, get off at Rosa Khutor station, then walk about 2 km or go to a stop on one of the listed buses, but in this case you need to walk about 1 km to the first stop to board . Suburban trains do not travel frequently, but getting there is faster than taking buses. The schedule of all suburban trains in Greater Sochi is available on the Yandex service. Schedule (you can see both arrival and departure).

For those traveling with a group and with bulky equipment, it will be convenient to order a taxi or transfer: contacts of local transport companies are available at the Adler and Sochi train stations, and at special counters at the airport. Popular taxi calling services operate in Sochi: Yandex. Taxi, Uber, Gett, Taxi Lucky, Maxim. You can order a transfer to Krasnaya Polyana using the Kiwitaxi.ru service.

Search for transfers in town

Show transfers from the city of Krasnaya Polyana ski resort

Video about the Laura stadium in Sochi 2014