Winter activities

 

 

 

 Cross-country skiing

 

There are a couple of cross-country ski rental centers: one is near Santa hotel and another one - at the base of the mountain near the Pobeda (Victory) square. Rental is relatively inexpensive and skies offered in decent condition. You can also buy required ski equipment in Yuzhno but prices in specialty sport shops are quite expensive and choice isn't that great, so it’s better to bring sports equipment from home or buy in it Japan that is in one hour flight distance.

 

 

Downhill skiing & Snowboarding

 

 

Downhill skiing as well as Snowboarding becomes more and more popular at Yuzhno. On the mountain adjacent to the city (Gorny vozdukh, Горный воздух) there is alpine ski complex. It has nine runs (1 black, 5 Reds & 3 Greens) and three lifts, including a spanking new 2.5 km gondola lift with prices from 100 RUB for 1 ride to 750 RUB for 6 hours or more. There you can find the small ski lodge with rental and café, which is quite popular during weekends.

The multimillion construction project is started to convert Gorny Vozdukh complex into modern ski resort with new trails, condominiums and conference center.

Another downhill ski slope which is called "Gorodukha" is located near the Park, behind of the Mega Palace hotel. It is considered to be a slope for beginners and children though some experienced skiers enjoy it as well. At the Gorodukha there is possible to rent a skies and get personal and group ski lessons.

 

 

 

Sledging

 

 

Sledging is very popular during winter - excellent sledges are available locally. Favorite sledging place of local people is hill near Slava (Glory) square, at the opposite side of road from Yubileynaya hotel. Ice-hill is built up at the Pobeda square in winter time.

 

  

Skating

 

 

 

Last time due to popular Russian TV project "Stars on ice” figure skating becomes more and more popular at Yuzhno. Every winter temporary skating facilities are built up on the free sites of the city. Commonly it is an ice rink and small skating lodge with rental. Last winter there was 4-5 ice rinks over the city. The most popular ice rinks are at the Park and at the Victory square.

   

  

  

 

  

Ice fishing

 

 

 Ice-fishing is extremely popular winter activity as well as considerable budget support for local people. When ice covers one of the biggest Sakhalin lake Izmenchivoe a lot of local people, some of them together with their families rush on lake’s ice for ice-fishing. Lake’s water abounds in fish such as navaga (saffroncod) and delta smelt or rainbow smelt, typically having smell of cucumber. Dried smelt is favorite bear snack.