Krasnaya Polyana is best known as Russia’s premier ski destination, the mountain cluster above Sochi that hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics. But its slopes, cable cars and alpine villages are just as rewarding out of ski season — and in summer the same peaks turn into a playground of hiking, biking and spas. Here is how to enjoy Krasnaya Polyana without ever putting on skis, and how its three main resorts differ.
What to Do Beyond the Slopes
**Ride the cable cars.** The single best thing to do out of season is simply to ride the gondolas up into the high Caucasus for the views — the lifts run year-round, and the panoramas over the peaks are spectacular. From the top, forests, mountain rivers and waterfalls open up for **hiking and horse riding** along the national park’s eco-trails.
**Mountain biking.** In summer the ski runs become bike trails of every difficulty, with lift-served descents for those who prefer the downhill to the climb.
**Spa and wellness.** The resort hotels are full of spas — massage, saunas, hydrotherapy and thermal pools — ideal after a day on the trails, or for a stay built entirely around relaxation.
**Culture and food.** Small museums and cultural centres tell the area’s history, and the local restaurants are worth the trip in themselves — this is the heart of Caucasus cooking, from *khachapuri* to fresh mountain-trout and honey.
The Three Resorts
**Gorki Gorod** is the liveliest and most family-friendly, with the fullest year-round infrastructure: shopping galleries, restaurants, a water park and plenty for children.
**Rosa Khutor** is the showpiece — a handsome alpine-style village that is the best base for hiking, cycling and horse riding, with cafés, galleries and spas along its riverside promenade.
**Gazprom Laura** is the quietest and most refined, focused on wellness — health centres, ecological trails and yoga in the mountains — for a calmer, more restorative stay.
Getting There — the Honest Part
Krasnaya Polyana sits about 40 km inland from Sochi and its airport (AER) — the one operating gateway on this stretch of coast, since the airports at Anapa and Gelendzhik have been suspended since 2022. Reaching Russia at all is the harder part in 2026: there are no direct flights from North America, the UK or most of the EU, so travellers connect through hubs such as Istanbul, Dubai or Doha and fly on via Moscow to Sochi. A consular visa is required in advance, foreign bank cards do not work inside the country, and several Western governments, including the US and UK, currently advise against travel to Russia — so check your own government’s guidance before making firm plans.
FAQ
Is Krasnaya Polyana worth visiting in summer?
Very much so — the cable cars, mountain hiking and biking, spas and Caucasus food make it a full summer mountain resort, not just a winter one.
Which resort should I choose?
Gorki Gorod for families and buzz, Rosa Khutor for the prettiest village and the best hiking base, and Gazprom Laura for a quiet, wellness-focused stay.
What is the nearest airport?
Sochi (AER), about 40 km away near Adler. See the note above on reaching Russia from the West in 2026.
