Thousands of tourists from Russia and abroad flock to the Tsei ski resort every year. Why do they choose this particular area? How has Tsei earned its fame as one of the best ski resorts in Russia and the world?
Tsei ski resort
The Tsei Gorge, where hotels, inns and sports equipment rentals are concentrated, is located 90 kilometers west of Vladikavkaz. This corner of North Ossetia has a unique climate and relief, because of which since 1967 the gorge has joined the North Ossetian State Reserve. Mild winters and moderately cool summers prevail where Tsey is located, so an ecosystem unique for the Caucasus has been formed here.
The ski resort is located on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus at the foot of Adaihokh Mountain. You can get to this place only by private car - public transport stops only four kilometers from Tsey.
What to do in Tseya
Obviously, the main purpose of most trips to the Tsei ski resort is sport! If you love skiing or want to learn how to stand confidently on them, it would be a crime not to take the opportunity to try out at least one of the seven slopes. For everyone who is going to stay in Tsee at least for a few days, we recommend buying a ski elevator pass. It will be valid for the whole season and you will save a lot on regular lifts.
When you arrive at the foot of the resort of Tsei, get ready for 20 minutes of contemplation of the majestic scenery - this is how long the ascent on a modern two-chair cable car lasts. Keep in mind that the cable car does not stop for passengers to board! You will have to jump into the chair right on the move (you can consider it a kind of warm-up before the ski race). By the way, the funicular is popular not only in the ski season. People often come here just to enjoy the views. You don't need to know how to ski to enjoy a trip to the resort of Tsei! There is also an old single chair here, but it is practically not used.
The second most popular local attraction is the Tseisky wildlife preserve. The huge territory of untouched nature is filled with unique plants and inhabited by interesting animals, which you can even see in person. The reserve is speckled with high peaks, each of which offers stunning views. Tourist Peak, located near the resort of Tsei, is considered to be the best viewing platform in the whole North Ossetia. The hike up will take a whole day, but it is worth it - in good weather you can see the peaks of the Greater Caucasus Range. Another interesting peak in the reserve is Monakh Rock. It was named so simply because of its appearance - from a certain angle it looks like a clergyman in a traditional headdress. You can climb it, and the road will be relatively easy and gentle, and the length of the path is only 1 kilometer. The reward is an interesting view of the glaciers.
Speaking of natural attractions, one cannot ignore the Tseisky glacier. It is located on the territory of the reserve, so you have to pay entrance fee to get to it. It is best to combine a walk through the reserve with a visit to the glacier. The Tseisky glacier is considered to be one of the most easily accessible in the Caucasus - you only need to walk 4 kilometers along the bottom of the gorge. The trail consists of smooth ascents and descents, it will not require any special skills or endurance. The walk to the glacier and back to the ski resort will take about 6 hours. But you can also view the glacier from one of the peaks of the Tseisky Reserve. In cloudless weather you can even see it from the cable car of the Tsei resort, but such days are rare.
Near the ski resort you can visit the Rekom sanctuary. This is an old Alanian sacred place where Orthodox rituals with national flavor are performed: traditional dances, unusual chants, collective prayers. The sanctuary itself looks like a small strong hut with five skates. According to legend, it was built by ten chosen Ossetians who fasted for ten years especially for this task. You will not be allowed inside, but there is not much to see there - the small hut is divided into two rooms, one of which serves as a prayer room, and in the second one, according to an ancient custom, broken arrows are stored before a campaign (for good luck). Historians believe that the location itself has been honored as sacred since 1382. Here locals worshipped Uastyrdzhi - the patron saint of men. Christianity supplanted the cult of local gods, but the awe of the place remained. The sanctuary is one of the few man-made sights in the resort of Tsei.
A couple of kilometers before reaching the ski resort itself, you will see a sign to the path to the waterfall. The ecotrail to Shagatsikondon is a local small attraction that especially attracts lovers of outdoor activities and ecotourism. The landmark is the hotel “Vertical”, from which you can start climbing. The way to the waterfall and back will take about an hour. Visiting the ecotrail is paid - 170 rubles per person. Go to the restroom in advance: there won't be a single stall along the way. The trail will go through the forest. The landscape is not too hard, but sometimes the path goes sharply upwards, and sometimes there are stair climbs, so be prepared for some physical fatigue and hike only in comfortable shoes. Believe me, the majestic view of the waterfall is worth it.
Tsei is known for its wildlife preserve and glaciers, but if you don't have time to go for a full-fledged exploration of the large reserve, visit at least the Pan Forest. This massif is located very close to the ski resort (you don't even need to cross the river).
Tsei: your exciting journey
The Tsei Gorge is generously gifted by nature. If you want to visit a place where the scenic beauty of the Caucasus, the freshness of mountain air, traditional sanctuaries and breathtaking landscapes are concentrated, come to Tsei. This resort will be the best place for your first trip to the Caucasus: all the unique natural features for which people all over the world love the local mountains are located here.
Tsei is a place in North Ossetia that you will especially want to explore. It is not at all like sterile beach resorts, where the route is usually limited to the road from the hotel to the sea and back. There is some mysterious, tantalizing force in Tsei that will have you going off the road to explore the winding path. Perhaps it's all about the wildlife sanctuary, which attracts with its unspoiled nature. Once here, you'll feel like you're in a mysterious old fairy tale, surrounded by kind forest and mountain spirits.
Getting to know the Caucasus will never be complete until you try to conquer the local serpentine roads. The safest way to do this is with a stable and heavy car - the strong mountain winds will make a light sedan hard to drive. In summer you can go on a trip in massive cars like Land Cruiser Prado, and in winter it is safest to choose all-terrain vehicles like Suzuki Jimny - at high altitudes snow often covers the roads, and drivers have to get through the mush, overcoming steep turns.
How to get to the Tsei ski resort
The road from Vladikavkaz to Tsei will not be easy - if the first half runs through relatively flat areas, then closer to the ski resort you will have to loop on the serpentine. Strong wind will also add to the problems, so it is better to go on the road in a heavy, solid car - Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is perfect for this task.
Keep in mind that in winter, the road is also complicated by snow (which is not always cleared). Don't take risks and rent a good off-road vehicle that will be able to pull you out of the snowy mess in case of emergency. Leave Vladikavkaz westward on the Gizelskoye highway. Continue on A-162 until you reach Upper Biragzang. Here you need to turn south to the A-164 highway. This is the Transcaucasian highway, by which you need to get to the village of Buron. Here, by the way, pay attention to the art-object “Horn of Plenty”, installed at the western exit from the settlement. Before a steep turn in the rocks you can see a huge wine horn. Just be careful and move slowly - let an interesting landmark not cause an accident on a difficult section! After Buron, the serpentine road begins to climb. Continue on this road (it will start to twist - don't let it bother you), and you will soon find yourself at the foot of the ski resort!
There is no public transportation directly from Vladikavkaz to Tsei. You can get to the bus station by bus № 208, but from the bus station to the resort of Tsei you will have to walk for about 40 minutes (not the most pleasant walk, especially in winter). So it's easier to take a car - you'll save time, money and nerves.
Interesting facts
Tsei is a very high resort; its lowest part is located at 1300 meters above sea level and the highest part at 4646 meters. The highest point of the resort is Mount Wilpata, from which one of the most difficult descents starts.
Since the times of the USSR, Tsei was closed to foreigners, so the resort could be enjoyed only by residents of the Soviet republics. But since 2012 foreign guests can also visit the resort (though, with some restrictions; those who are interested are sent to get acquainted with the Decree of the Russian Government № 470).
From the geographical point of view, the Tseyskoye Gorge is a fork from which the most popular tourist routes of the Caucasus diverge: through the passes to Georgia, to Kabardino-Balkaria, to the Zaramaag Basin, to Digoria.
Question-Answer
How many pistes are there at the Tsei ski resort?
Seven - two black (for professionals), three red (for amateurs) and two blue (for beginners). If you've never skied at all before, buy a lesson from an instructor - he'll give you a lesson on the gentle slope at the bottom of the resort.
What elevators are available in Tsee?
There are two elevators here - one modern, Austrian, and the other old, Soviet. The second one works intermittently, it is often switched off (perhaps soon it will be abandoned altogether). The new elevator works from 11:00 to 15:30, but sometimes employees stop boarding an hour before the elevator closes. So it's best to get here as early as possible so your trip isn't wasted.
When does the ski season start in Tsee?
Snow starts to fall in early November, but the thick layer (50-80 cm), ideal for skiing and snowboarding, is accumulated by the end of December. Fans of skiing come to the ski resort until the end of March; then Tsei slowly thaws, and it is not very convenient to ski. The snow cover comes down completely only by June (and not everywhere), but the wet snow is not suitable for skiing.
What is the temperature in Tsei?
During the ski season the temperature usually stays around -5°C. Frosts are extremely rare (up to -20°C), but they usually do not last longer than a couple of days.
Is it worth going to Tsei in summer?
In summer, the unique nature of Tseya opens up from a new side. Here you can visit a wildlife preserve, a picturesque forest, majestic waterfalls. You can also visit the ski resort itself - take a ride on the funicular and see all this beauty from a height.
Are there any equipment rentals in Tsee?
Yes, you can rent skis, snowboards, ice skates, sledges, or tubing. There are two rental points - in the building of the lower station and on the territory of the alplager camp.
Conclusion
The picturesque nature of Tseya is worthy of spending at least a few days to explore it. Mountains, snow, rivers, lakes, waterfalls and forests - all this is waiting for you nearby in the Tseya Gorge. To freely explore the mountain resort, rent a reliable off-road vehicle from us - you will be able to discover stunningly beautiful views and will never regret your trip to Tsei.
