see also: Ski tours in Elbrus region | Elbrus climb

Geography:

Geographically, Elbrus region (or Prielbrusie)  is situated in the Karbardino Balkaria republic.  At the current time, it is the most politically stable republic in the Caucasus Mountains belonging to the Russian Federation.  The economy of the republic is well developed and has no signs of serious internal conflict.  The republic is populated by two nations – the Karbardinians and the Balkarians.  Elbrus region is, traditionally, the land of the Balkarians.  Balkar or Malkar in the local language means cattle-breeder and shepherd.

Weather:

The climatic conditions of Elbrus region, to a remarkable degree, have helped tourism, mountaineering and ski-sports to develop in this area.  Particulars of the mountain-climate include a short summer and a long cold and snowy winter.  The average air temperature in July is +10?C at an altitude of 2,500m and at 4,200m it is -1.4?C.  In the winter, the average monthly temperature in January is -12 to -19?C, at times reaching an absolute low of -30 to -40?C.  Snow cover settles in November and remains in the valleys until approximately mid-May-June.  Even at the highest level – 3,000 to 3,500m – snowfall is still possible during the hottest summer months.  Therefore the skiing season in Preilbrussky can last more than half a year, which is something unique in itself to an alpine skiing resort.

Service:

A tarmac road connects Prielbrusie to Nalchik (128 km), to the Mineral Waters airport (180 km) and to several other roads all over the northern part of the Caucasus Mountains.  Today in Prielbrusye a tourist and leisure infrastructure is actively being developed – there are already 5 tourist hotels, 6 leisure centres, 5 holiday-leisure complexes, 4 climbing camps, which can accommodate almost 3,000 people and there are some private hotels with capacities ranging from 20 to 80 people.  Cable-car routes are, more or less, in place and run mainly from behind hotels and restaurants.  At the moment, there are two cable-car routes.  The first is to Elbrus, which goes up to an altitude of 3,800m and the second is to Cheget mountain, which sits at an altitude of 3,000m.