Krasnaya Polyana is a high-profile Russian ski resort in the country’s Sochi district near the Black Sea. Because of the fact that the Krasnaya Polyana Ski Resort is the host for both alpine and Nordic events for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, even more people around the became familiar with it. This alluring ski resort settlement is situated in the Western Caucasus Mountains at about 2,000 feet above sea level. Before it was announced that Krasnaya Polyana would be the location of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, it was probably best known as being the vacation destination of Vladimir Putin.

The resort generally came to international recognition along with many other Russian ski areas with the advent of heli skiing. It had been a very arduous process to get to many of these ski areas until it was possible to arrive at them via helicopter. In preparation for the 2014 Games, the Krasnaya Polyana Ski Resort is planning a multitude of projects, including the construction of an Olympic village and a railway system to connect the resort area with the closest international airport.

The top elevation at Krasnaya Polyana is 5,906 feet with an extreme vertical drop of 3,937 feet. When you take a look at this differential, it is easy to see why this is a soon-to-be destination for Olympic athletes. The longest ski run is over four miles long and there are many ski runs spread out over fifteen plus miles of skiable terrain, including Nordic trails, areas for heli skiing, terrain parks, and five challenging mountain runs. The longest runs at the Krasnaya Polyana ski resort are on the northern slopes of Aibga Ridge. The snowfall here is consistently amazing. At the resort, 55 percent of the terrain is suitable for beginners, 40 percent for intermediates, and 5 percent for advanced skiers and snowboarders.

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There are lessons and instruction, snowmobiling, heliboarding, and a variety of other activities for adults and kids alike. You can also rent ski equipment and buy gear. This resort would be an amazing ski vacation for any family or group of friends looking to experience a destination half the world away. There is no nighttime skiing or boarding at the Krasnaya Polyana Ski Resort.

If you are planning a trip to go skiing in Russia, you are probably juggling a lot of different information pertaining to your itinerary. One of the first questions is where to find suitable Krasnaya Polyana hotels. First of all, the ski area is about a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Moscow, at which point you will need to take a transfer (by either rail, car, or bus). The Radisson SAS Lazurnaya Peak Hotel is a fine, four star hotel for those people looking to enjoy their entire trip in luxury while in Russia. This is one of the Krasnaya Polyana hotels where you can expect to find all of the amenities, including full-service restaurants, sauna and swimming pool, 24-hour concierge assistance, and much more. There is a small hotel onsite on top of a variety of options in the surrounding areas. This particular area is experiencing a dramatic development in preparation for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, and this includes the addition of quite a few Krasnaya Polyana hotels and other accommodations.