Sheregesh is a small village located in the Kemerovo region in an area poetically named Mountain Shoria. The landscapes here are incredibly beautiful. For many kilometers, the true Siberian taiga stretches uninterrupted, and mountain peaks crowned with snow rise toward the sky.
The name of this Siberian village became famous throughout the country and beyond after a ski complex was opened on the snowy slopes of Mount Zelenaya in 1981 to host the All-Union Spartakiad. Since then, all Russian ski competitions have been held here.
In recent years, the complex has grown into a fully-fledged ski resort meeting all European standards. Nowadays, visitors come here not only from nearby regions but also from distant corners of the country to enjoy skiing.
Sheregesh offers travelers everything they need: excellent slopes with varying difficulty levels, the largest network of ski lifts in Russia, numerous rental centers, responsive instructors, and schools for learning skiing and snowboarding. Accommodation options range from comfortable hotels to private housing. Visitors will never get bored with hospitable cafés and discos.
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Climate and Weather in Sheregesh
The climate in the Sheregesh area is sharply continental, but thanks to the massive mountain ranges, extreme frosts are rare on the slopes, as cold air settles in the lowlands. Therefore, even at -20°C (-4°F), it is quite comfortable here. In winter, clear and windless weather usually prevails. Frequent snowfalls ensure a steady snow cover that lasts for seven months of the year, from November to May. The snow here is special as well – soft, light, and fluffy. It is this snow that attracts active recreation enthusiasts.
When spring is in full swing at the base, the slopes enter the “velvet season.” Subzero nighttime temperatures preserve the snowy cover, and during the day, you might witness an amusing sight for newcomers: daring skiers and snowboarders cruising through the white powder in light T-shirts or even swimsuits. Their secret is simple. In Sheregesh, the spring sun quickly warms the air up to +15°C (59°F) and higher, while the thick layer of snow remains untouched. This time of year offers a rare chance to ski to one’s heart’s content, breathe crystal-clear mountain air, and get a smooth golden tan. The photos of skiers in shorts and tank tops amidst the snowy backdrop are simply unforgettable.
Trails
Of course, the main attraction of Sheregesh for thrill-seekers is the specialized ski trails, though some tourists prefer skiing on untouched fresh powder – of which there is plenty here, with snow depths reaching up to 4 meters (13 feet).
The skiing zone stretches across the peaks of Mount Zelenaya, Mount Mustag, Mount Utuiya, and Mount Kurgan. However, most of the facilities are concentrated around Mount Zelenaya, divided into the A, E, and South sectors.
Here, you can find trails of varying difficulty levels depending on your skill. Trail lengths range from 700 to 3,900 meters (2,297 to 12,795 feet), widths range from 50 to 200 meters (164 to 656 feet), and height differences from 300 to 680 meters (984 to 2,231 feet). The highest point above sea level is 1,270 meters (4,167 feet).
Sector A: This area contains nine trails. Two main trails are located on the upper slope:
- The left trail (with varying steepness) – difficulty level “black-red,” for experienced skiers.
- The right trail (with slopes ranging from 30 to 45 degrees) – difficulty level “black,” for experts.
These trails merge into one wide and gentle slope (8-12 degrees), which is perfect and safe for beginners to practice.
The mountain is served by an abundance of ski lifts: eight t-bar lifts, six two- and four-seater chairlifts, and two gondola lifts. Plans are underway to open two more ski lifts in the near future.
Sector E: This is a newer yet rapidly developing sector. In recent years, it has introduced a unique artificial snow-making system, allowing skiing even in very windy weather. Visitors can also enjoy a state-of-the-art snow park and newly developed trails with varying inclines. It features gondola and t-bar lifts.
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Infrastructure
Sheregesh can rightfully be called a ski resort of European standards. It offers all the necessary amenities for tourists, including:
- More than fifty hotel complexes of various classes, as well as the “Medvezhonok” (Little Bear) tourist base equipped with its own trails;
- Equipment rental points and sports gear stores located right next to the ski runs;
- Schools teaching basic alpine skiing and snowboarding to all who are interested;
- Numerous cafes and nightclubs with discos;
- Russian banyas (steam baths) and saunas;
- Bowling alleys and billiards;
- And even daycare centers to look after children while their parents are skiing.
Webcams in Sheregesh
Several webcams have been installed at various points around Sheregesh ski resort. For instance, here’s an image from a webcam facing the slope of Sector A’s run:
Many people take the opportunity to “send greetings” to friends and loved ones via these webcams. If you’d like to do this too, look down from the “Finish” cafe toward the communication tower. The camera is mounted there.
Other cameras are installed in the Alpen Club hotel village, in Sector E, and at the “Tanay” ski resort complex.
What else is interesting in Sheregesh?
Between skiing sessions, you can go on fascinating excursions using snowmobiles or snowcats (special tracked vehicles). Almost all the tourist routes in the Mountain Shoria region are, naturally, connected with the mountains.
The most visited natural landmark here is the Camel Rock group of granite formations, which proudly rise amid the endless snows and mountain peaks.
At the highest point of Mount Kurgan (1555 meters above sea level) stands the majestic Worship Cross—a symbol of the new millennium.
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Additionally, local guides organize walks and trips to the summit of Mount Mustang (a culturally significant site for the indigenous population), the rock complexes Spasskie Palaces and Devil’s Finger, and Parlagolskaya Cave.
History enthusiasts may find the ethnography museum particularly interesting.
Animal lovers can enjoy horseback riding on the territory of the “Medvezhonok” tourist base.
You can admire the endless taiga from a bird’s-eye view aboard a helicopter.
If you want a break from the ski tracks, you can switch to skating on a sparkling ice rink (there’s an excellent rink with skate rentals in Sector A).
How to Get There?
The nearest airports (in terms of distance) are Novokuznetsk, Barnaul, Kemerovo, and Novosibirsk. From there, you can reach Sheregesh by bus, train, or taxi. Regular buses to the village of Sheregesh run every thirty minutes. A well-developed network of roads leads to the resort.
