Elbrus and Cheget, Russia
Driving directions
The journey is quite long and it is not advisable to go by car because of the poor road quality. However, if you're up for it, you need to go along the federal route from Moscow to Rostov-na-Donu, then drive to Mineralnye Vody and from there it is a 2-3 hour jouney by car to Terskol.
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Flying
It's the best option. Both Aeroflot and Sibir Airlines have direct daily flights from Moscow to Mineralnye Vody, which take 2.5 hours and cost about $200 return. You then need to take a 2-3 hour taxi. If you book a tour, you might get a direct flight from Munich to Mineralnye Vody.
By bus/coach
Local buses, shuttles and taxis depart from Mineralnye Vody. The journey takes 2-3 hours, costs about 200 R ($7) by bus, about 1000 R ($35) by taxi. Beware of local taxists, as their main entertainment is to bargain, so you'll have to chat for half an hour, before you can drive. Welcome to southern Russia. You need to take a taxi to Terskol (the nearest settlement to Elbrus mountain) or Azau tourbase (4 km from Terskol, just next to the lifts) or Cheget tourbase (that's closest to Cheget mountain, which is about 3 km away from Terskol).

By train
The closest train station is Mineralnye Vody (Stavropol region of Russia). Daily train #34 from Moscow Kazansky station to Vladikavkaz bring you to Mineralnye Vody in about 28 hours. A better train is from Moscow Kursky to Kislovodsk (#27) also takes about 28 hours. The price is about 2200 R ($80) one way in 2nd class.
Address
Resort Statistics
Lifts
Total Lifts: 8
Cable cars: 2
Gondolas: 0
Chair lifts: 2
Drag lifts: 2
Board Leashes required: No
Mountain
Total pistes/trails: 21
Total ride area: 35 km
Longest run: 7 km
Top lift: 3780
Vertical drop: 1680
First lift: 2100
Piste suitability
Green runs: 25%
Red runs: 50%
Black runs: 25%
Lift Passes
Lift Passes:
50-70 R ($2-$3) for a lift
350 R ($12) per day
Lift times:8am - 6pm
Some lifts may be switched off sometimes, long queues
Snowfall
Artificial snowmaking coverage: 20%
Facilities
Snowboard Schools:
Yes, freeride course $40 per day or $180 6-day course
Snowboard Hire:
No
Night Riding: :
No
Other activities
Heliboarding: :
Lots of opportunities. $200-$400 for 5 descents
Snowmobiles:
Not available
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Summary
Freerider's dream: lots of perfect and unexplored off-piste terrain. The only letdown is the long lift queues and badly maintained runs, but you won't notice if there's lots of snow.
ON THE SLOPES: Perfect, except the queues.
OFF THE SLOPES: Hospitable southern village.
MONEY WISE: Cheap or expensive - however you want it
Terrain & parks
HALFPIPE:
No -
TERRAIN PARK:
No -
BACKCOUNTRY/OFF-PISTE:
TREE RUNS:A few
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Piste Map
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