The Crimea in winter – it’s chilly sunsets and late dawns, melting ice and snow, strange hanging waterfalls and ice-covered palm trees and cacti. If you are lucky enough to see the earliest blooming snowdrops, they usually bloom in late winter and early spring. This article will introduce you to the winter tourism program in Crimea.

The Crimea in winter – it’s the chilly sunsets and late dawns, the melting ice and snow, the strange hanging waterfalls and the ice-covered palm trees and cacti. If you are lucky enough to see the earliest blooming snowdrops, they usually bloom in late winter and early spring. This article will introduce you to winter tourism in Crimea.

Skiing

Alpine skiing is also possible in Crimea. The only alpine ski resort on the peninsula is located on Mount Epetri. The northern slopes of the mountain are suitable for beginners in snowboarding and alpine skiing, while skilled competitors can go elsewhere. Trails are open only in winter and snow is not often available in winter.

There are 6 trails with different levels of drop from 20 to 170 meters. The “Frog” track is 120 meters long and is ideal for sledding. The “Kichkine” track is 320 meters long and is suitable for alpine ski training. The “26 km” track with a length of 600 meters and the “27 km” track with a length of 1,030 meters are suitable for group family fun, with children on sleds and adults skiing freely. The 340-meter-long “Lab” piste and the 450-meter-long “Ski Park” piste are more suitable for a small group of professionals.

Even if you don’t ski, it’s well worth the trip up Mount Epetri. The viewpoint at the top of the mountain offers a panoramic view of the coastline. The upper lifts are open from 10am to 15pm and the last downhill lift is at 16:00. You can rent skis or snowboards near the weather station. The rental fee is 500 rubles per day and you can use your documents as a deposit.

Climbing the peak

There is not much snow in the Crimean mountains and it melts quickly, so winter is a good time to climb the peaks alone. You can choose to climb to the top on foot, or you can drive a jeep or ride a horse up the mountain, the main thing is to choose a good route. In winter, most of the Crimea has above-zero temperatures, and sub-zero temperatures are only encountered in some mountainous areas. For example, the snow on the summit of Mount Epetri can remain for about three months. In the southern part of the mountain peaks the climate is milder and temperatures can reach 15 degrees above zero, with average temperatures around 6 and 8 degrees above zero.

Visit the palaces

Vorontsov Palace, Rivaglia Palace, Yusupov Palace, Bakhchisarayhan Palace – in winter you can visit these palaces, which were celebrated in literature. Stained glass, floral decorative motifs, fountains, formal reception halls: the palaces of Crimean rulers are stunning and dazzling. Strolling through the palaces in winter is much warmer than outdoor activities, and the number of visitors is relatively low at this time of year, and the park is particularly beautiful after the snowfall with its cypress trees.

A must-see in Yalta is the Emir’s Palace in Bukhara, a Moorish-style building. The palace is decorated with noble carvings, complete with galleries and pavilions. However, it can only be visited from the outside at the moment, and the palace is currently a sanatorium.

Wine and dine

The “New World” Champagne House offers a wide range of tours to choose from. You can visit the winery in winter, even on weekends. You can choose the “Royal Tour” program. This tour includes a tasting of the famous “Paradisio” and “Coronation” Champagnes (based on the original recipe of Duke Lev Golitsyn), a visit to the underground cellars, a tour of the cellars, a look at the The shaking process (one of the most important aspects of Champagne production).

If you want to taste the local cuisine, you can go to the New World restaurant “Wine and Fish”, located in the “Vintage” hotel. From the terrace, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Sokol Mountain and New World Bay. The menu is mainly seafood-based, but be sure to try their branded cocktails based on champagne.

So, are you ready to visit Crimea for your next vacation? Since Crimea is not longer part of the Ukraine instated of Russia, you need to obtain a Russian visa in order to travel to Crimea. Visa Express can help you obtain the Russian visa: https://visaexpress.com/visa-for-russia-from-us/