Volen and Stepanovo, Russia
Freeriding
Both Volen and Stepanovo are mostly man-made hills, so there's no possibility for long runs or off-piste snowboarding. The only thing you can do is to ride across the through the slopes, working on your technique, and trying out your new equipment.
Freestylers
There's a snowboard zone in Volen park, but it's kind of abandoned just a few bumps. On busy days snowboarders usually gather with shovels and make hits for themselves on one of the slopes. You can also choose the areas between the runs to practice your skills, which is what most snowboarders end up doing there anyway.
Pistes
Very short runs provide no possibility for carving in this park. The only possibility could be in Stepanovo, where there's a 1km long run, but its still too slow.
Beginners
If you are just starting to snowboard, Volen and Stepanovo might be a good place, as there is a good snowboard school and snowboard equipment hire (quite pricey, though), the instructors hold the Russian Ski & Snowboard Federation certificates and were trained by the French. Most of the slopes are easy and on a weekday they are quite deserted, so you will feel more confident learning.
Resort Statistics
Lifts
Total Lifts: 9
Cable cars: 0
Gondolas: 0
Chair lifts: 2
Drag lifts: 7
Other lifts: Baby lifts in Volen
Max people per hour: 6,000
Board Leashes required: No
Mountain
Total pistes/trails: 18
Total ride area: 7.7 km
Longest run: 1 km
Top lift: 90
Vertical drop: 90
First lift: 0
Piste suitability
Green runs: 63%
Red runs: 27%
Black runs: 10%
Lift Passes
Lift Passes:
in Volen:
5 Lifts: 100 (Mon-Fri), 250 (Sat & Sun)
10 Lifts: 150 (Mon-Fri), 350 (Sat & Sun)
20 Lifts: 250 (Mon-Fri), 600 (Sat & Sun)
in Stepanovo:
5 Lifts: 200 (Mon-Fri), 500 (Sat & Sun)
10 Lifts: 300 (Mon-Fri), 700 (Sat & Sun)
20 Lifts: 400 (Mon-Fri), 900 (Sat & Sun)
Lift times:In Volen:
10 am - 1 am (Mon - Thu)
10 am - 2 am (Fri - Sat)
10am - 12am (Sun)
In Stepanovo:
6 pm - 12 am (Mon)
10 am - 12 am (Tue - Thu)
10am - 2am (Fri-Sat)
10am - 11pm (Sun)
Snowfall
Artificial snowmaking coverage: 100%
Facilities
Snowboard Schools:
The instructors hold the Russian Ski & Snowboard Federation certificates and were trained by the French. However, you will hardly find anybody speaking English there. Price: about 550-700 R ($20-$25) per hour, cheaper for groups, lift passes included.
Snowboard Hire:
A good selection of snowboards, opened from 10am until 1am, 250 R ($9) per hour, 1300 R ($45) per day.
Night Riding: :
The slopes are lighted, but are opened until 2am on Friday and Saturday.
Other activities
Heliboarding: :
Not available
Snowmobiles:
Yes
Further information
www.volen.ru/
Email:melena@volen.ru
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Summary
Overall, a good place for beginners and those, who want a city-break from Moscow or to try out the new equipment before going to the mountains.
MONEY WISE: The cheapest in Moscow region.
Terrain & parks
HALFPIPE:
No -
TERRAIN PARK:
Yes - 1
BACKCOUNTRY/OFF-PISTE:
TREE RUNS:A few
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Image Gallery
Piste Map
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