Dombay resort: cool latest review 2022 - everything you need to know

The Dombay glade, as the main valley of Dombay is called, is located at an altitude of more than 1600 meters. This is a territory located in the Caucasus, with mountain gorges and picturesque mountain ranges, near the Teberda River - one of the spurs of the Kuban River (in the territory of the Teberda Nature Reserve). In the south it is the Main Caucasus Range.

The famous Hotel "Tarelka" is an echo of Soviet futuristic architecture.

The Dombay ski resort is located directly between the highest point in Europe - Mount Elbrus and the Black Sea. Its highest point is Dombay-Ulgen, height 4046 m. ​​Dombay is located in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic.

Dombay - what is it like? Resort Description

The Dombay ski resort is located near the Teberda Nature Reserve in the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia at an altitude of 1600 meters.

The area of ​​the village of the same name is small, but more than a hundred hotels, many cafes, restaurants, ski equipment rental centers and all the necessary infrastructure fit compactly here. For the convenience of tourists, there are various types of lifts: pendulum, gondola, six-chair, chairlift. They lift skiers and tourists from a height of 1750 meters to a height of 3200 meters .

For the convenience of skiers of different levels, trails of different colors have been prepared here: there are green, red and black routes.

Mountain peaks of the Dombay resort

The resort offers activities at any time of the year, and being on the territory of a nature reserve will provide you with a great experience and gorgeous natural scenery.

Where it will be hot in January: thermal springs and sun loungers at the top

In January, in the Elbrus region, a ski holiday has an absolute advantage over any other: high season, a lot of snow and people who want to leave their marks on it. Skiers and snowboarders rush to the slopes early in the morning to roll out the powder that fell overnight.

In January, many go to the Aushiger thermal springs, located near the Elbrus region. Photo: lori.ru

Since this is the highest season, which coincides with the New Year holidays, the resort has several skating rinks, organizes public events, as well as horseback riding, sledding, and snowmobiling. After the holidays, museums open, and sometimes sun loungers are placed at the cable car stations so you can sunbathe - the sun is fine. For those who don't have enough activities, there is paintball, a sauna, karaoke, and bowling. There is a sports center in Terskol where you can play billiards and sports games.

In January, many go to the Aushiger thermal springs, located near the Elbrus region. There you can take warm narzan baths right under the open sky.

When is the best time to go: ski season in Dombay

The snowboarding and alpine skiing season in Dombay starts in early December. Despite the fact that snow cover in the mountains appears already in October, this time is considered inappropriate for skiing.

Ski slopes of Dombay

When exactly the 2022 season will begin at the Dombay ski resort is difficult to predict. Estimated dates are from late November to early December. It is at this time that Dombay is in high season, so it is better to book a hotel at the resort in advance.

Experienced skiers note that the optimal thickness of snow cover here is observed no earlier than February. The last winter and first spring months are the best times for skiing.

Some tourists manage to ski even in May, despite the fact that the snow melts already at the end of April. During this period, the active snowboarding and skiing season at the resort ends.

Weather in Dombay, weather on the slopes

Now that you know where the Dombay ski resort is located, let's look at the weather patterns at different times of the year:

1. Winter: This is the high season. The air temperature often changes from zero to 2 degrees with a minus sign. In December there is a lot of snow, and by February it becomes especially comfortable to ski.
2. Spring: at this time the snow cover becomes sticky and wet, which creates difficulties when skiing. It often rains in May, which makes walking difficult.
3. Summer: it becomes much warmer, only at night the air can drop to 10 degrees Celsius.
4. Autumn: an excellent time for hiking in the mountains; during the day the air temperature is quite comfortable, staying at 18-20 degrees Celsius. By nightfall you will need warm clothes or a sleeping bag - the air temperature can drop to 5 degrees Celsius.

Dombay in summer
The weather in Dombay is changeable. It is not easy to predict it accurately. As a rule, the first half of the day is characterized by sunny and cloudless weather; clouds appear only towards lunch. Short-term rain occurs more often in the afternoon.

Go horseback riding and hang gliding in February

In February, the weather at the resort is very changeable: sunny days give way to cloudy ones, but snow falls much less often. But at the top there is still enough for skiing. At the beginning of the month, slalom and snowboard competitions of various levels are regularly held here: some of them are interesting to watch, and some experienced riders can even take part in.

At the end of February, horseback riding is often held for tourists. Photo: globallookpress.com

For several years in a row, the All-Russian youth festival “KatadZe. Russian-Caucasian Wave (RKW).” These days, the resort hosts a lot of sports and educational events.

By the end of the month, horseback riding is being offered more actively. Children in Dombay and the surrounding area are given rides all winter, and when it gets warmer, entire horseback riding tours are offered.

In February, skating rinks are still open, tubing is popular, and the season for paragliding and hang gliding opens. The starting point for flight enthusiasts is the upper part of the cable car on Mount Mussa-Achitara. For beginners there are flights with instructors.

By the end of February, the first excursion walking routes begin to open, for example to the Alibek Gorge.

How to get to Dombay, a ski resort

There are different ways to get to Dombay on vacation. Owners of their own transport prefer to travel by car. People who value time choose a plane. Tourists who love a leisurely ride and admiring the surroundings prefer buses and trains. Each method of transportation has its own characteristics, let's look at them in more detail.

Travel by car

Traveling by car has many advantages. You can take enough things with you, travel a comfortable distance during the day, and be mobile upon arrival at the resort.

Trip to Dombay by car

The most convenient way to get from the capital to Dombay is along the M4 , passing Voronezh and Rostov-on-Don. The distance from Moscow to the resort will be 1623 kilometers. On average, the journey will take no more than a day.

The route to Dombay is good, without obvious holes or irregularities. There are several sections of the toll road. When there is ice or fog, you should strictly adhere to the speed limit.

For three years, the terrain on the route in the mountains has been strengthened and protective barriers have been built. This significantly increased traffic safety and protected drivers from mudflows, landslides, and flooding.

Prices

There are no parking difficulties at the resort itself. To leave your car for a long time, it is better to choose paid parking; its cost will be only 100 rubles per day. Finding such a parking lot is easy, there are special signs, you can ask local residents.

The nearest gas station is located twenty-five kilometers from Dombay - Teberde. Therefore, you need to take care of a sufficient amount of fuel in advance. As a rule, the price of gasoline here is several tens of kopecks higher than in large cities.

Flying an airplane

If you don't like long journeys, go to the resort by plane. There are regular flights from Moscow to Mineralnye Vody. This airport is closest to Dombay. The flight will need to be no more than two and a half hours.

Direct flights Moscow – Mineralnye Vody are provided by different airlines; you can choose the one that suits you best in terms of time or price. By the way, you need to book tickets in advance. This is especially true for the New Year holidays, when it is recommended to buy air tickets in September-October.

Traveling by plane

Prices

The cost of air tickets from Moscow and back starts from 3,400 rubles per person. If you need to fly with transfers, the price of the same ticket will increase to at least 6,100 rubles.

Having arrived at Mineralnye Vody airport, you will need to get to the Dombay resort. The distance between these points is 218 kilometers . The transfer will cost you approximately three and a half thousand rubles. This travel option is especially convenient for passengers who come with ski equipment. You can warn the driver in advance about the need for mounts on the body of the car for a snowboard or ski kit.

If you are traveling without skis and snowboards, you can get to the resort by public transport.

To do this, use public transport: - minibus No. 11 - get to the stop "Ploshchad Pobedy"; — minibus No. 14 – get to the “Sovetskaya Street” stop; — bus Mineralnye Vody – Teberda; — minibus or taxi to Dombay.

Prices

The cost of travel by minibus in Mineralnye Vody is 20 rubles. They walk around the city from 6:30 am to 8:00 pm.

If you go from Mineralnye Vody airport to Dombay by taxi, you will have to pay a little more than three thousand rubles. The duration of the trip will be three and a half hours.

Train travel

If you like to dream while listening to the sound of wheels and watching the passing landscapes through the window, choose a train ride. From Moscow you can get to Nevinnomyssk. This city is located almost 180 km from Dombay.

Train ride

Travel time depends on the type of train and can vary from 20 to 32 hours. Train No. 004 is the fastest; it arrives in 20 hours and 40 minutes.

Prices

The cost of a reserved seat ticket from Moscow to Nevinnomyssk is about 1800 rubles, a compartment ticket – from 2400 rubles. If you are planning to go to Dombay from St. Petersburg, you can choose train No. 049A. You can get to Nevinnomyssk in 40 hours. The cost of a ticket for a reserved seat carriage starts from 2,600 rubles.

To get to Dombay from Nevinnomyssk, you will need to take a taxi. The cost of the trip will be 3100 rubles.

If you want to save money, you can get to the resort like this: - to the bus station for 60 rubles by taxi; — to Teberda by bus for 350 rubles; — to Dombay by minibus for 50 rubles.

This route will take a little longer, but will be cheaper in cost.

Bus ride

There is no direct bus that goes from Moscow to Dombay. You can get here using this type of transport only with transfers. Only during the peak ski season do direct commercial routes to the resort appear. Such buses leave from Moscow or St. Petersburg, Mineralnye Vody. It will take more than a day to travel.

If you agree to transfers, you can first get to Karachaevsk, Mineralnye Vody or Nevinnomyssk. From these cities you can get to Teberda, and from there to the resort. The bus schedule changes depending on the season, so you need to check it immediately before your trip.

Bus route to Dombay

How to get around the village?

Dombay is a small village. No transport is required to travel here. If you need to get somewhere, you can use a taxi.

Prices

The cost of a trip within the village will be 80 rubles. Outside the city they charge 15 rubles for every kilometer. For example, the journey to Teberda will cost you 450 rubles. If you decide to go to local attractions, you can go in a specially hired car for 1,500 rubles.

Where to stay in Dombay: hotels, prices

At the Dombay ski resort you can stay in hotels of different stars, hotels, private houses, hostels or rent an apartment from the owner. Most places to stay are mid-price, with only a few hotels being premium.

Good hotels in the village: - “U Narzan” : there are two cottages for living here, one has two floors, the other has three. There is parking in the yard, shops and cafes are nearby. The hotel is located next to the pendulum and new cable car, on the river bank. Room rates start from 2100 rubles per night. — “Tarelka” (three stars): a popular place in the village, built forty years ago. It has an unusual shape and is located at an altitude of 2250 meters. Room rates start from 2400 rubles per night. — “Mountain House” : located 650 m from the ski lift, in an ecologically clean forest area. Guests are offered rooms of different categories. Room rates start from 2500 rubles per night. — “Snow Leopard” : A young hotel, on the territory of which there are barbecues, a restaurant, and a massage room. A ski equipment drying service is provided. Room rates from 2400 rubles per night.

In addition to hotels, you can stay in comfortable hotels at the resort.

Hotels in Dombay

Not bad hotels in the Dombay ski resort: - “Dombay Palace” : it combines luxurious living conditions and a magnificent interior. Room rates from 3,300 rubles per night. — “Forest Tale” : located three hundred meters from the ski lift. There is a sauna and bathhouse. Room rates start from 2400 rubles per night. — “National” : guests are offered rooms of different categories from standard to suites with two rooms. Room rates from 6,000 rubles per night. — “Alpen House” : room rates from 1,500 rubles per night.

Dombay is a popular ski resort; there are accommodation options for different budgets. You can stay in the private sector. The cost of renting a two-room apartment starts from 2,000 rubles per day. If you plan your vacation in advance, you can save a lot. For example, renting a two-room apartment for the New Year holidays can cost 20 thousand rubles per week.

Accommodation

In hotels

There are several hotels at the resort in close proximity to the ski lifts and slopes. The oldest, "Sun Valley", was built in 1937 as a home for scientists. Now this wooden carved tower makes a proper impression on tourists. During Soviet times, several more hotels were built on Dombay, including Dombay and Snezhinka. The latter was aimed at foreigners, and now its room rates are higher than in other hotels in the resort. At the beginning of the new millennium, hotels began to be actively built at the resort again - for example, “Crystal” and “Peak Ine”. Rooms in all hotels can be booked directly from official websites, from the Dombay tourism website or from booking aggregators.

In the private sector

Not far from Dombayskaya Polyana, in the village of Dombay itself, there are 6 buildings (two with five floors and four with four), all apartments in which are intended for tourists. Apartments vary in size, level of comfort and renovation, but they all cost approximately the same. You can agree on rental housing right in the village - just go to any employee of a cafe or store and find out if the apartments are available for rent. Rest assured, they give up. In addition, most rental advertisements can be found on the Dombay tourism website or on large aggregator sites.

How much does it cost to ride in Dombay?

Skiing prices in the Dombay ski resort are quite affordable. Here you can have a great time, ride the slopes to your heart's content and bring home a lot of pleasant impressions.

Equipment rental prices

If you don't want to carry bulky ski equipment with you, rent it directly at the resort. Numerous rental points are located inside the village, near the cable car area, near mountain stations.

Ski equipment rental

The cost of renting a set for a day is about six hundred rubles. The price for children's and adult sets is the same. The set includes skis, boots for them, or a snowboard and boots for it. If necessary, you can rent a sled, overalls, gloves, helmet and goggles.

To rent equipment or gear, you must leave an identification document as collateral.

Ski passes in Dombay

Prices for using lifts vary depending on the number of lifts and the type of lift.

You can find out more about the prices in the table.

The prices for using the ski lifts are quite affordable, especially in comparison with other popular resorts.

Equipment rental

Near the ski slopes of the Elbrus resort, in 2022 there will be rental points where you can rent snowboarding or skiing equipment. In addition, many hotels also rent equipment to their guests. You can rent equipment on the security of money or documents (driver’s license or PTS).

At rental points you can rent snowboarding or ski equipment. Photo: Resorts of the North Caucasus

Rental for 1 day

You can rent equipment in the Elbrus region directly at the hotel. Photo: Resorts of the North Caucasus

Rental for 3 days

You can borrow equipment on the security of money or documents. Photo: pexels.com

Rental for 6 days

You can rent both a ski set and individual pieces of equipment. Photo: Resorts of the North Caucasus

Every next day

Lifts, cable cars of Dombay

Lifts in Dombay
The cable cars in Dombay were updated in 2008. They are divided into three queues, each of which moves in a specific direction. According to reviews from tourists about the Dombay ski resort, the gondolas here are modern and always clean. On the outside of the gondolas there are convenient racks in which you can place a pair of skis.

The lifts operate from 8 am to 16:00 – 16:30 pm. The pendulum road operates longer until 5-6 pm. In bad weather, some lifts may be closed. The pendulum road works more often than others, even in bad weather, lifting up those who want to ride.

MKD - pendulum cableway

The pendulum lift at the Dombay ski resort raises from a level of 1630 to a height of 2260 meters.

This cable car has two carriages, each of which can accommodate forty people at a time. One carriage goes up, lifting those who wish, the other goes down.

During the movement, which lasts eight minutes, the elevation changes are more than six hundred meters.

The lowest point of the cable car is located in the central part of Dombayskaya Polyana.

GKD – gondola road (manufactured by Doppel Mayer)

The gondola ride operates on different levels. It opened in 2007. The first is located just fifty meters from the pendulum road.

The gondola road complex is three-level:

1. It rises from a level of 1590 meters to a height of 2270 meters. The gondola seats eight people and moves in eight minutes.
2. It rises from a level of 2270 meters to a height of 3035 meters. The chairlift can accommodate six people and takes 10 minutes to move.
3. It rises from a level of 3035 meters to a height of 3168 meters. The lift has a chair-type design. Can lift four people at the same time.

Cable car ride
This lift system is very convenient for skiers. Beginners can climb to a small height, while experienced skiers can go to the top.

“Old” complex KKD (Dombay cable car)

To get to the point where you can begin your downhill skiing, you can use the first three stages of the chairlift. The next three take tourists to big peaks.

The old chairlift complex includes:

1. It rises from a level of 1636 meters to a height of 1751 meters. It moves for eight minutes. The path begins almost from the Crocus Hotel and continues to the Lin clearing.
2. It rises from a level of 1700 meters to a height of 1800 meters. Moves for 14 minutes. Leads to Russkaya Polyana, passes through the forest, along the gorge.
3. It rises from a level of 1719 meters to a height of 2266 meters. Runs for 18 minutes. It consists of paired chairs and goes to the end of the pendulum road, which is the lower limit of skiing.
4. It rises from a level of 2266 meters to a height of 2500 meters. Runs for 8 minutes. Raises it to the level of skiers and boarders. There are rental points, instructor and rescue services, and a cafe.
5. It rises from a level of 2500 meters to a height of 3002 meters. Runs for 18 minutes. It is a double-chair ropeway. Ending on Musa’s shoulder, here is a public catering point, the only one in the Caucasus located so high above sea level. In good weather you can see Elbrus from here.
6. It rises from a level of 2550 meters to a height of 2980 meters. There is an intermediate station along the road.

In addition to the listed levels, there are three rope tows. Each of them takes tourists to a height of 100 meters. They are working on a training slope.

There is a separate lift - “Mops”. Its length is three hundred meters, it leaves the clearing towards the middle of the Yugoslavka.

Riding conditions

Ski slopes in Dombay
The slopes of the Dombay ski resort are varied, there are options for beginners and experienced skiers. If you do not yet have much experience in skating, you can use the help of instructors. Their services are quite in demand. Just 3-4 lessons with an experienced instructor will help you master the basics of skiing, confidently ski down the slopes, and avoid many mistakes.

There are often scammers on the slopes who are unlikely to teach you the basics of safe skiing. To avoid becoming their victim, you must ask to see a special ID, which only certified specialists have.

Prices

The cost of the instructor's work depends on the time of employment and the length of the route on which the classes take place. On average, an hour of work by an instructor with an adult skier costs 1,500 rubles. Working with children costs more – 2000 rubles per hour.

You can find an instructor on the slopes, at equipment rental shops and in some hotels.

There are no snow cannons or lighting for evening skiing at the resort.

Length and difficulty of trails

14 ski slopes will be opened in Arkhyz in 2022: three green for beginners, five blue for more difficult ones, four red for experienced riders and two black for extreme riders. The total length of the equipped slopes is 24 kilometers.

All slopes are equipped with an artificial snowmaking system and are illuminated in the evenings. Photo: pixabay.com

Initially, the resort had 8 tracks, all of them located on the southern slope. In January, the tracks were launched on the northern slope, where tracks and lifts were built over the course of a year and a half. The length of the trails varies from 600 meters to 4 kilometers, and the elevation changes range from 60 to 800 meters. The opening of the second slope added more space for fans of alpine skiing and snowboarding.

Features of the tracks

The Dombay trails are twenty-five kilometers long. Most of them are conducive to comfortable skiing. There are moderate slopes here, no sharp slopes or bumps.

The resort's trails are constantly maintained by staff in good condition and are groomed daily by snow groomers.

Dombay offers trails of three difficulty levels:

1. Green: suitable for learning skiing. The training slope is represented by three routes.
2. Blue: have several difficult descents, alternating with gentle slopes.
3. Red ones: start at an altitude of 3200 meters, have a high level of difficulty.

Freeride in Dombay
Freeride is growing in popularity in Dombay. The off-piste routes are especially good here. There are slopes for experienced and beginner freeriders. It is better not to look for such routes on your own, but to take the help of experienced skiers. There is a possibility of avalanches here.

Route map

On the map of the slopes of the Dombay ski resort you can clearly see the location of the slopes for skiing of different difficulty levels.

Route map of the Dombay resort

Ski clothes: what to wear to Dombay?

Experienced skiers most often go to the slope with their own equipment. If you don’t want to carry bulky bags and suitcases with you, you can rent the necessary things.

What you will need for skiing:

• alpine skiing or snowboarding;
• outerwear;
• trousers;
• sticks;
• boots and attachments to them;
• thermal underwear;
• glasses or mask;
• helmet.

Clothes for skiing
There are no shops at the resort where you can buy equipment, but there are rental points. If you've never skied or snowboarded before, talk to an instructor before purchasing your equipment. Depending on whether you will learn carving or classic, you will need different equipment.

Prices

Rental cost: — glasses – 200 rubles; — gloves – 150 rubles; — helmet – 200 rubles; — overalls – 250 rubles; — ski pants – 250 rubles.

Additionally, services for storing and drying tourists’ own clothes are offered.

What to see: sights of Dombay

If you get tired of skiing or come to Dombay outside the skiing season, you can go on a tour of the resort’s attractions.

What to see:

1. Alibek waterfall: the most powerful in Dombay, has round rocks, comes from a spring. It is located five kilometers from the village of Dombay. The height of the water fall here is 25 meters.
2. Alibek glacier: located eight kilometers from Dombay. It retreats eight meters annually, gradually melting. The area of ​​the glacier is 900 hectares, it has ice grottoes and caves.
3. Lake Turye: formed after the melting of glacier waters. The water in it is clean, bluish in color, surrounded by rocks. At dawn you can see chamois coming to drink here. Even though the lake is nearby, it is difficult to get to. In one section you need to ford a small mountain river.
4. Baduk Lakes: three lakes are located two thousand meters above sea level. To get here you need to walk more than four kilometers through the forest. Even in summer, the water here does not warm up above 5 degrees.
5. Mount Belalakaya: The peak of the mountain is at 3681 meters above sea level. There are inclusions of white quartz on the ledges of the mountain. Those who wish can reach the summit in tandem with experienced climbers.
6. Cemetery of climbers: this place is located three kilometers from the village of Dombay. Climbers who tried to conquer the peaks of the mountains, but never returned, are buried here.
7. Amanaus Gorge: This is a very narrow chasm where the rocks meet each other at a very close distance. Various natural minerals were found in the gorge; streams and small waterfalls flow down its sides.
8. Sofrudzhinsky waterfalls: these three waterfalls merge together in the river valley. The smallest falls from a height of sixty meters. The average waterfall has a height of 250 meters. The third one has no path.
9. Peak Zub Sufrudju: it is clearly visible from the Dombay ski resort. The height of the peak is a little more than three and a half thousand meters. It offers stunning views of glaciers, icefalls and sliding blocks of ice.
10. Dombay-Ulgen: this gorge is included in the eco route; it is believed that it has the most sunny days. The mountain of the same name is considered the highest in the Western Caucasus, its height is 4046 meters above sea level.
11. Djuguturluchat: here you can admire the mountain and the glacier at the same time. In the mountain pastures you can see aurochs in their natural habitat.
12. Dzhuguturluchat waterfall: water flows from a height of twenty meters. The waterfall itself is located at an altitude of 2800 meters above sea level.
13. Russian glade: named after geologists. Subalpine meadows grow here and rare birds and animals live here. In spring and summer, mountain herbs and flowers grow in the meadow.
14. Ine Peak: an iconic place in Dombay, has a height of 3455 meters. Here you can admire the steep cliffs. The climb here is dangerous, but every year there are people who want to conquer the peak, nicknamed the “needle”.
15. Chuchkhurskie waterfalls: flow down to the Russian glade, forming cascades surrounded by forest. You need to climb here along a mountain path, but you will be rewarded for the difficult climb with magnificent views.
16. Ptysh waterfalls and glacier: the waterfalls have different heights, formed from the melting of the glacier.
17. Gorge of the Gonachkhir River: located in the middle between Dombay and Teberda. Here two rivers and a spring merge, forming a picturesque gorge and an equally beautiful valley.
18. Lake Tumanly-Kel: the pearl of Dombay, located at an altitude of 1850 meters. The water here, even on the warmest days, does not warm up above 20 degrees. Previously, they were breeding trout here, which is still found in the lake, but fishing is prohibited.
19. Murudzhinsky lakes: included in the obligatory part of the visit during a holiday in the Dombay mountains. They are located in the center of the protected area, their height is three thousand meters. To get here you need to walk for two days. Therefore, this route is only for prepared travelers. The lakes are called Blue, Peacock's Eye and Black.
20. Semenov-Bashi Ridge: rises above the village of Dombay. It has a height of 3602 meters, its top is always covered with a cap of snow. A little below the peak, there is a lake called Khrustalny. The water in it is so clear that you can see the stones lying at the bottom.

Alibek Waterfall
As you can see, you can relax on Dombay at any time of the year. In winter - skiing and viewing glaciers, in summer - enjoying the beauty of alpine meadows and powerful waterfalls.

Infrastructure

Dombay is a small village, completely touristic. Here you can find many places where excursions are organized, they offer lessons on the slopes with instructors, there are cafes and restaurants, and markets with souvenirs.

The infrastructure at the Dombay ski resort is not very well organized. It seems that it is in a developmental stage. Most excursions are offered without insurance for clients, without concluding a mandatory contract in such cases. Be careful to purchase excursions only from certified representatives to avoid negative situations.

Entertainment

Particularly popular entertainment in the village are clubs with computer games, bowling alleys, discos, restaurants, and a swimming pool.

If you like active pastime, you will like:

• Mountain bikes;
• ATVs;
• zorb;
• mountain forays;
• rafting;
• horse rides.

You can relax after a day on the mountain slope in a Turkish bath, have a massage, or warm up in the gym.

Where to eat

Caucasian cuisine is widespread in the village, there are restaurants and cafes with Russian cuisine, and a pizzeria. The cost of food in a cafe is not the most budget-friendly, about four hundred rubles per lunch per person.

Shurpa

If you want to save money, you can cook your own meals. Everything you need can be bought in stores. It is better to take care of this in advance by making the necessary purchases in large chain stores in Karachaevsk.

Cafe with good food:

1. “Pikhtovy Mys”: reasonable prices, pleasant staff, national dishes on the menu. You cannot bring and do not sell alcohol, but they prepare delicious mulled wine without alcohol. The average bill per person is 500 rubles.
2. “U Zuli”: located in the center, very popular among tourists. It is always crowded, noisy, and you will have to wait a long time for your order to be prepared. The average bill per person is 600 rubles.
3. “Madina’s”: located at the top, there are a lot of people, the menu is delicious. The average bill per person is 600-700 rubles.

The cost of food in the village cafe is not too different.

Prices

Average prices: - portion of khychin 450 gr. — 150 rubles; - boiled lamb with potatoes, shurpa, canakhi and other meat dishes - from 150 to 250 rubles per serving of 250-350 grams; — first course (noodles, broth) – 100 rubles; — Solyanka, lagman, kharcho – 150 rubles; — trout ear – 180 rubles; — okroshka – 130 rubles; — salads from 100 rubles for simple ones (vegetables), from 250 rubles for complex ones with seafood and other ingredients; - a portion of manti 200 g - 150 rubles.

Caucasian cuisine is widespread in the village of Dombay; be prepared for the fact that most dishes will be quite spicy.

Shopping complexes, shops

Most of the shops in Dombay are small; there are no large retail chains here.

Tourists can buy necessary household supplies, groceries, and sporting goods without leaving the village. However, their prices will be 1.5-2 times higher than usual.

Cashless payments are not available everywhere in Dombay, so it is better to have cash with you. In the center of the village there is a Sberbank and an ATM with 24-hour operation. There are no ATMs of other banks in Dombay.

New Year in Dombay

New Year celebration

What could be more beautiful than the New Year, celebrated on a mountain slope covered with snow? Dombay is a great place to spend the New Year and Christmas holidays.

Almost every hotel prepares holiday shows, feasts and various types of entertainment for its guests. Sometimes the New Year's table is included in the accommodation fee (which significantly increases the price tag), sometimes you have to pay for it separately.

How you can celebrate the New Year in Dombay:

1. Rent a private house with a fireplace and spend time with your family, gathering on a frosty evening near a cozy crackling fire.
2. Pay for a table in a restaurant or cafe. Have fun spending the Old Year and celebrating the New Year with popular tunes and lamb kebabs.
3. Go out into the streets of the village on a festive night, ride a sled to your heart's content, watch the fireworks and make cherished wishes.
4. Go to the peak of Mussa-Achitara. Having climbed here by cable car, having prepared a thermos of hot herbal tea with you, you will enjoy a gorgeous view from the observation deck located at an altitude of 3000 meters above sea level.

You can spend the first days after the New Year having fun skiing, sledding, and snowmobiling. Don't forget to visit a cafe with national cuisine to taste cheese or meat khichina.

The only drawback of a New Year's holiday in Dombay is the huge number of tourists. If you are not bothered by queues for ski lifts and crowded cafes and hotels, you can go.

The main thing is to pre-book, in the fall, suitable accommodation and buy a ticket. Otherwise, there may be no places available or prices may become prohibitive.

Mountaineering in Dombay

If you like risky adventures and have special skills, you can have a great time on the mountain slopes of Dombay, doing mountaineering.

Mountaineering

Mountaineering routes of Dombay:

1. Belalaka y: belongs to type 3B, goes along the pyramidal northern ridge of the rock.
2. Mark: belongs to type 2A, located along the south-eastern ridge.
3. Alibek Peak: belongs to type 3B. Walking along the western buttress.

For mountaineering lovers there are special tours lasting up to ten days. They include overcoming not too difficult routes up to 55 km long.

Tour includes:

• accommodation in a hotel of the selected category;
• meals three times a day throughout the entire route;
• equipment rental;
• medical first aid kit, dishes, ropes, tents, communications equipment, gas cylinders;
• visiting border and protected areas;
• sauna;
• services, instructions from the instructor;
• accident insurance.

A tourist needs to take with him only personal items, including clothes, shoes, a backpack, etc.

Cafes and restaurants in Dombay

It is not surprising, given the size of the village, but there are more than 20 cafes and restaurants open in Dombay, some of them are right on the slopes, so you can easily refresh yourself without going far from the slopes. Moreover, they say that the most budget-friendly options for lunch and breakfast will be on the mountain (except, of course, for home-cooked meals in rented apartments). The cuisine is mostly Caucasian, that is, manti, kebabs, all kinds of cheese pies, chakhokhbili and similar delicacies can be found really everywhere. If you want to have an elegant dinner, it is better to pay attention to one of the hotel restaurants and order trout - it is good here. You can eat inexpensively the famous khichina - pies with potato, cheese and other fillings.

Young skiers, as you know, are passionate and enthusiastic people, so in the morning after a hard night, do not hesitate to ask for susab in a cafe - an “anti-alcoholic” drink made from ayran and mineral water, which removes all the consequences.

What to bring to your loved ones from Dombay

Dombay souvenirs can be bought at the market.

As a gift to friends and family, you can buy: - skins, stuffed animals; — mountain herbal preparations; - spices; — herbal mixtures for preparing mulled wine; - Home wine; - medicinal herbal preparations.

You can buy knitted items made by handicraftsmen:

• scarves – 250 rubles;
• socks – 200 rubles;
• mittens – 100 rubles;
• shawls - from 500 rubles;
• vests - from 700 rubles.

A set of spices
You can buy jam made from viburnum, pine cones, blackberries, rose petals, sea buckthorn, and walnuts. The cost of a jar of jam starts from 150 rubles.

During the season, you can buy mountain honey at a price from 600 to 2000 rubles per kilogram.

In addition, the market sells traditional refrigerator magnets, which depict memorable views of Dombay. There are mugs, plates, teapots, paintings with beautiful landscapes on sale.

Dombay in summer

Holidays in the Caucasus mountains are good not only in winter, but also in summer. During the season when the mountains bloom with lush herbs, every tourist will find something to suit his taste.

Things to do in summer in Dombay:

• go on a jeeping tour;
• see waterfalls and gorges;
• go on a mountaineering tour;
• ride ATVs;
• go hiking in the Teberda Nature Reserve;
• experience the delights of rafting on a mountain river;
• take a walk through the subalpine meadows;
• take a horseback ride through the valleys and forests;
• conquer the top of a mountain three thousand meters above sea level.

In summer you can come to Dombay for one or two days from Zheleznovodsk, Kislovodsk, Pyatigorsk. When you are tired of visiting the sanatorium, you can go on a bus tour to Dombay to enjoy the magnificent views and natural wonders of the mountainous Caucasus.

Reviews from skiers about the Dombay resort

The Dombay ski resort, according to tourists, is an excellent place for active recreation. A visit to the resort is suitable for both beginner skiers and experienced skiers.

Today Dombay is in its development stage, the village authorities are planning to open a new ski slope, increasing the number of equipment points, and opening public catering places.

Dombay, without exaggeration, is the pearl of the Caucasus.
Everyone who has been here at least once is sure to come to the resort again and again. Video: Ski resort Dombay 2022

Weather

Dombay (a ski resort located in the North Caucasus) pleases tourists with sunny weather almost all year round. The climate is mild continental, there are no significant temperature changes. Winter is warm and snowy, summer is sunny, cool and occasionally windy. The first snow usually falls in October and lasts until mid-April-early May.

Average temperatures: