Sochi resort offers a homegrown alternative for Russian skiers

When Russia spent billions to host the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, many predicted that its flashy facilities would be left to rot.
But five years later the Rosa Khutor resort in the Caucasus mountains is becoming a favourite of Russian skiers, and an alternative to ski trips to Europe.
The resort, which hosted alpine events for the Olympics, was packed on a recent February day, with skiers racing down the slopes as low clouds hung over the mountains.
Dressed in a blue ski outfit with matching goggles, Yaroslava Serdzhuk said that for Muscovites like her, travelling to the resort was an easy holiday.
“Coming here doesn’t take a lot of time, money or effort. It’s at the same level as what you can find in Europe, except it’s local,” she said.
Evgeny Anichkin, a salesman from Moscow at the resort for a ski trip with friends, spends two or three winter weekends a year at Rosa Khutor.
He flies two and a half hours from the Russian capital to Sochi on the Black Sea, before taking a 45-minute bus or taxi up a brand new road to the resort.
“This station is simply wonderful,” the 40-year-old said, his skis resting on his shoulders after a run down the hill.
“There are easy, difficult, wide, narrow trails. People are happy, staff are attentive. It’s very cool.”
Russia poured a record $41 billion (36 billion euros) into the Sochi Olympics, a showcase event for President Vladimir Putin’s government.
Rosa Khutor has continued as a venue for professional competitions and is hosting events in the Women’s Alpine Ski World Cup this weekend.
The huge spending was criticised in a country where many still live in poverty and environmental groups accused infrastructure projects for Sochi of encroaching on natural habitats.