Курорт Красная Поляна, Krasnaya Polyana Resort

Formerly known as Gorky Gorod, Krasnaya Polyana Resort completes the trio of connected ski areas above Sochi alongside Rosa Khutor and Gazprom. Its defining feature is the tiered, purpose-built alpine town on the valley floor, a colourful pedestrian streetscape of hotels, shops and restaurants that gives the resort an urban, holiday-village energy. Gondolas rise from the town onto forested and open upper slopes, with pistes suited to cruising and a mountain that feels bright and accessible. More than the skiing alone, it is the atmosphere, dining and the presence of Russia's mountain gambling zone that set it apart. It is where visitors come as much for the town as for the slopes.

Go for the full resort-town experience: convenient skiing wrapped around a lively pedestrian centre with the best concentration of restaurants, nightlife and entertainment in Krasnaya Polyana. It suits groups, couples and those who want an easy ski day followed by a buzzing evening, with the added draw of the casino and the ability to roam onto the neighbouring sectors' terrain.

The season peaks in the deep-winter months, when the upper slopes hold their best cover and the town is at its most festive. As part of the coastal Caucasus, lower elevations can be milder and conditions changeable, so the higher terrain offers the most reliable skiing while the town below buzzes regardless of the snow. Fresh falls freshen up the tree-lined runs and lift the whole valley's mood.