Газпром, Gazprom

Gazprom Mountain Resort spans two connected areas above Krasnaya Polyana, the Laura and Alpika sectors, and forms one corner of the three-resort Krasnaya Polyana triangle alongside Rosa Khutor and the Krasnaya Polyana resort. Where Rosa Khutor is the marquee alpine venue, Gazprom leans into a gentler, greener character, with tree-lined pistes, a strong cross-country and biathlon heritage, and a family-oriented feel. Its lifts climb wooded flanks of the Aibga and Psekhako ridges, and the atmosphere is unhurried. It is the sector Russian families and Nordic skiers gravitate to, and the base hotels give it a settled, self-contained quality.

Go for a more relaxed, less crowded side of Krasnaya Polyana, with excellent groomed cruising, genuine cross-country skiing rarely found at Russian alpine resorts, and easy access to the whole Krasnaya Polyana network. It suits families, Nordic enthusiasts and skiers who prefer scenery and space over scene, while still being a short hop from the bigger vertical of Rosa Khutor.

Winter here is at its best in the deep-season months, when the wooded slopes hold cover well and the cross-country trails come into their own. As part of the coastal Caucasus, lower elevations can be milder and conditions changeable, so the higher and more sheltered, tree-lined runs tend to offer the most consistent skiing. Fresh snowfalls can be generous, leaving the quieter flanks in fine shape.