A bright winter is waiting for you on Sakhalin

Winter in Sakhalin is special - it is mild, snowy and offers many advantages to lovers of skiing, snowboarding and other activities. In the island's capital, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, there are ideal conditions for winter sports enthusiasts: Bolshevik Mountain is located right in the city and is surrounded by hills that provide protection from strong winds.

View of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk from the Bolshevik slopes

The center of ski enthusiasts is here - Mountain Air, the largest sports and tourism complex in the Far East, founded in 1960 . Currently, the complex is equipped with a modern cable car chairlift that connects the complex's grounds to the city. This allows skiers and snowboarders to climb to the top of the mountain in maximum comfort. The road is one of the fastest in the world, with cable cars reaching speeds of up to 6 meters per second. The cabin is designed for the passage of 8 persons equipped with equipment. Stunning panoramic views of the numerous peaks, observation decks with views of the city, easy walking routes, cozy cafes at each climbing level - all this makes a visit to this complex a real holiday. At night, the brightly lit paths contrast with the lights of the night city, creating a special and unique atmosphere. The easy logistics are fascinating: Everything you need is within walking distance, and there are about a dozen hotels located near Mountain Air.

Not only professionals come here to conquer the mountains, but beginners too, since the tracks and slopes are designed for different levels of training. Experienced instructors will even teach kids how to ride. There are two schools on the slopes, where teachers put boys and girls on skis or snowboards from the age of three. To make it easier for guests to stay at the hotel during the winter, the hotel offers equipment rentals, luggage storage and a convenient ski pass system.

To date, the "Mountain Air" complex is located on Bolshevik Mountain (601 meters above sea level) and Krasnaya Mountain. Krasnaya Mountain is the highest point of the complex - 779 meters above sea level - almost 200 meters higher than the neighboring Bolshevik Mountain.

Red Mountain

The complex has developed infrastructure: 1 chairlift, 3 chairlifts, 1 tow lift, 18 ski runs, more than 35 km The ski slopes of various difficulty levels are prepared with the highest quality.

There is a cafe at every STK "Mountain Air" station. A restaurant with panoramic views of the city is being built on Bolshevik Hill, which will open at the start of the new season in 2021/22. Last winter, the number of visitors to the complex reached a good level - 205,058 people. This was facilitated by the opening of Krasnaya Mountain, which was visited by 20,813 guests.

Winter in Sakhalin attracts more than just ski slopes - here you can experience the real thrill of winter fishing, drift along the snowy trails on a snowmobile, or go up the mountain on snowshoes. Easily the most lasting impression of your vacation is touring a majestic icefall or taking part in a dashing dog sled race.

After an active holiday - total relaxation. Guests on the island will receive Thai massages or treatments using unique mud from the famous springs. Another highlight of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is the Oriental-type water and health center. In the best Japanese and Korean tradition, here you can lose track of time and stay in a state of comfort and complete relaxation for long periods of time. Local cuisine based on fresh seafood will ultimately restore strength, youth and health.

Icefall. They are located in Tikhaya Bay, a two-hour drive from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Small streams flowing along the slopes of the Zhdanko ridge freeze and form a real gallery of natural art. Numerous groups of icicles up to fifteen meters high invariably attract tourists who come to admire these masterpieces.

Maximum amount. Easily the most lasting impression of your vacation is touring the snow-covered hills on skis or snowshoes. Light levels are Mount Bykova (954 m), Russian (almost 700 m) or Juno (330 m). The level of difficulty will allow you to understand the highest points of the Susunai Mountains - Pushkinskaya (1047 meters), Chekhov Peak (1045 meters) or the logically named mountain (1021 meters).

Driving. Feel the power and maneuverability of a snowmobile on your way to an attraction or beautiful location. There are countless winter horse riding routes around the island. There are lighthouses, bays and hills. You can choose between an individual tour with a coach or a guided group tour. Drive to Devil's Bridge and Witch's Bridge, built during the Tang Dynasty (southern Sakhalin was part of the Japanese Empire from 1905 to 1945). Another popular route is Cape Bird (Giant).

It has actually become a symbol of Sakhalin. The road leading to it passes through the mountains, perfect for testing your snowmobile skills.

History . The Museum of Local Legends is a symbol of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The building was built by the Japanese in 1939 and houses a unique collection of artifacts. Archaeological finds, historical exhibits, and authentic household items from one of the most mysterious peoples on earth, the Ainu. Visitors can also learn about the history of the island region at the Pobeda Museum and Memorial. The exhibits here "tell the story" of World War II's easternmost front. Atmospheric panoramas, interactive exhibits, authentic recreations of the grottoes that sheltered the Japanese, and the story of heroic sailors who raided the Kuril Islands in the fog—the history of World War II here takes on unprecedented dimension and color.

Fishing. Pecking on the island during winter is something every guest in the area should try. Fresh and smelling like cucumbers, the dried fish is almost the island's brand and will drive you crazy with its special taste. A special feature of Sakhalin fishermen is the preparation of their catch on the spot in comfortable tents on compact gas stoves. Every year, tens of thousands of fishermen try their luck and experience the fun of ice fishing. By the way, it is not only possible to catch fish in frozen reservoirs - "crabs" also occur. They use bait fish on special wires to catch crabs.

The fishermen here have a special day and everything else fades into the background. The Sakhalin Ice Amateur Ice Fishing Festival is a mass competition for catching saffron cod, traditionally held at the end of February. Last winter, it was held for the tenth time and brought together more than a thousand spectators and participants from Sakhalin and different regions of Russia.