Yugra is a region where winter races the calendar. Snow falls faster than people can change out of their autumn boots, and life gradually moves outdoors: children sled, adults stroll through the woods, and fans flock to the biathlon track—winter here brings people together, not confines them indoors.

Naturally, of all the winter hobbies, skiing holds a special place in the hearts of Yugra residents. The region has long established itself on the national sports map as a cross-country skiing destination: it hosts international and Russian competitions, and the local trails are familiar not only to amateurs but also to professional athletes. Those seeking speed and dynamism will also find somewhere to ski—and that's what we'll cover in this article.

Choose your scenario: 
for those who love long routes – cross-country skiing; 
for those who prefer speed – alpine skiing and snowboarding; 
for those who prefer emotions – world-class competitions

Cross-country skiing

For cross-country skiing, Yugra is a near-perfect spot on the map of Russia. Winter arrives confidently and for a long time, and the trails open before studded tires even leave their mark on the roads. In Khanty-Mansiysk, as early as late October, you can hit the five-kilometer artificial snow loop at the A.V. Filipenko Winter Sports Center (the infrastructure is designed for both professional training and recreational skiing). While there's no artificial snow at the Valley of Streams, starting in mid-winter, a long route is formed through a picturesque pine forest.

Anna Kostromkina, founder of the Ski-U ski club, a master of sports in biathlon, and a multiple medalist and participant in world championships, explains why Yugra is worth the attention of those wanting to try skiing for the first time and those ready to walk 10 kilometers:

The winter climate has become milder in recent years—severe frosts rarely linger, making skiing comfortable for most of the winter. And March is the best month for skiing: stable snow, long daylight hours, and ideal weather for your first time on the slopes.

Elsewhere in the district, Surgut, Kogalym, Uray, Pokachi, Solnechny, and other cities offer comfortable skiing facilities and trails. The Yugra Cross-Country Skiing Federation is consistently developing infrastructure, updating facilities, and helping to create an accessible network of winter sports spaces throughout the region.

When it comes to preparing for your first training session, few people realize that you don't need much to get started, and you don't need to spend a fortune to try skiing—you can rent a lot. Regular sweatpants, a light, warm jacket, a hat, mittens, and a scarf will do. Everything else can be rented.

If you just want to leisurely stroll along the trail and get a feel for winter, a basic city rental is sufficient—it's a simple and affordable way to try a new activity. But when the goal is to master technique, gain ease, control, and proper movement, it's better to choose semi-professional or professional equipment: it adapts more precisely to your skill level and helps you feel the difference from the very first steps. Ski-U offers hourly or daily rentals, children's and adult models, ski prep, and even the opportunity to change and leave your belongings in a warm shelter.

And it's at this stage that many people ask: how do you learn properly?

Class formats are tailored to your goals: individual training, mini-groups for families and friends, and a weekly health group for those who want to try and add activity without a sports-focused goal.

If you're looking to test your skills beyond just skiing, consider the Yugra Ski Marathon in Khanty-Mansiysk. This annual mass event has been held since 2013. Participants can choose from a variety of distances, from 5 to 50 km, in both classic and freestyle styles. The marathon attracts hundreds of skiers, from amateurs to professionals, including Olympic champions.

However, Yugra's ski map isn't limited to just cross-country trails. Despite the flat terrain, the region has developed several ski resorts with artificially groomed slopes, ski lifts, and rentals. More on these below.

Alpine skiing

Yugra offers several ski and snowboarding destinations, each with its own character, terrain, and opportunities. In this article, we'll focus on three of the region's largest resorts.

Kamenny Mys

Surgut District

Kamenny Mys is located approximately 55 kilometers from Surgut and has long been a popular winter destination in the area. It boasts seven trails of varying length and difficulty, from gentle slopes for beginners to more dynamic lines for experienced skiers.

Guests can stay in cabins near the slopes. Cabins range from single to five-bed cabins. The ground floors feature fireplace areas and small saunas. Prices vary depending on the cabin size and season.

The resort offers rentals for alpine and cross-country skis, snowboards, tubing, and protective gear. There's a 200-meter practice slope and instructors who can help first-time skiers master the technique.

Kamenny Mys is also known for its winter events. One of the most notable is the annual sled dog competition for the resort cup.

"Trekhgorye"

Nizhnevartovsk District

In the village of Ermakovsky, approximately 30 kilometers from Nizhnevartovsk, is the Trekhgorye winter resort. It's smaller in scale, but very popular among residents of eastern Yugra (travelers traditionally come here by car, and locals maintain chat rooms to find rideshare companions). There are six trails: a forest trail with freestyle features, several slopes of varying difficulty, and a tubing hill.

The terrain is surrounded by pine forest, creating a feeling of secluded skiing—no fuss, no crowds. The gentle slopes are suitable for first training, while more confident skiers can try steeper lines.

Prices here are significantly lower than at the region's larger resorts. Cabins are available for rent, and there are saunas. In winter, groups often come here to spend a day in the snow and relax.

The area features four trails: a forest strip with freestyle obstacles, a steep descent for experienced skiers, a moderate-difficulty trail, and a tubing hill. There's also a zorbing track.

"Khvoyny Urman"

Khanty-Mansiysk

Khvoyny Urman is located in the Samarovsky Chugas Nature Park within the city limits and is one of the most accessible ski areas in the district.

Two main slopes offer easier routes or a full-length ski run. A practice slope is available for beginners. While there are no accommodations, the city's infrastructure fully meets this need—the base is just a few minutes from hotels and cafes.

Kvoyny Urman is the only ski resort boasting gondola and chairlifts, and it also offers access to both the top of the slope and the Biathlon Center.

The ski resort hosts various international and national competitions, and offers numerous snowboarding and skiing classes for children and adults.

Come as a spectator

If the idea of ​​"getting on skis" evokes more respect than the desire, that's okay. People come to Yugra not only to ski, but also to watch. Especially if they enjoy watching others briskly tackle distances while you warm up with a thermos of tea.

As we mentioned above, Khanty-Mansiysk hosts the annual Yugra Ski Marathon—an event where both professionals and first-timers share the same trail. Spectators can enjoy food courts, photo spots, and activities for children and adults.

The region regularly hosts major winter competitions: World Cup stages, international tournaments, and meets of the world's best skiers and skiers. From the stands, you can see everything: the emotions, the misses, the finishing sprints, and that special moment when an athlete realizes the crowd is cheering louder than their own heart.

Coming as a spectator is a great compromise: there are emotions, there are impressions, and you don't have to change your skiing shoes. And who knows, maybe next year you'll decide to try the five-kilometer distance.

And if you want to do more than just watch, but understand the inner workings of Yugra's sporting scene, check out the "Khanty-Mansiysk – Sporty" tour.

This is a tour of the region's key sites with someone who knows sports beyond the news—a sports journalist will lead the tour, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, legends, unexpected stories, and how Yugra nurtures champions.

During the tour, you'll see from the inside of the Arena Yugra Sports and Entertainment Complex, where the most high-profile matches are held; the A.V. Filipenko Winter Sports Center, with biathlon trails familiar to world champions; and the Regional Martial Arts Center, a place of power and future victories. The tour is led by a sports journalist, and during the tour, you'll meet real athletes. And there you'll find living legends, encounters, stories... in short, emotions that simply can't be conveyed in words.