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Explore Top-Five Popular Winter Holiday Destinations in Russia (PHOTOS)

© Sputnik / Roman Denisov / Go to the mediabankThe Alpine lift in the Cheget Mountains. (File)
The Alpine lift in the Cheget Mountains. (File) - Sputnik International
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In 2017, New Year's holidays in Russia last nine days, and many Russians spend them in various holiday resorts.

According to Russia's Association of Tour Operators, this year many people didn't go abroad and preferred to spend their vacations within the country.

The most popular domestic destinations are Krasnaya Polyana, Dombai and Elbrus, Veliky Ustyug, Moscow region's countryside and Karelia.

1. Krasnaya Polyana

Krasnaya Polyana is a popular ski holiday resort in Sochi. It includes two villages- Krasnaya Polyana and Esto-Sadok — as well as the ski resorts themselves, located in the nearby mountains.

Krasnaya Polyana was one of the main venues of the Winter Olympics 2014.

© Sputnik / Mikhail Korytov / Go to the mediabankA view of the Rosa Khutor Alpine Resort and Krasnaya Polyana railway station in Adler District, Sochi. (File)
A view of the Rosa Khutor Alpine Resort and Krasnaya Polyana railway station in Adler District, Sochi. (File) - Sputnik International
A view of the Rosa Khutor Alpine Resort and Krasnaya Polyana railway station in Adler District, Sochi. (File)

2. Dombai and Elbrus

Dombai is another favorite destination for ski-lovers. The ski resort is located in the Caucasus mountains in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic. It has been very popular among Russian (and Soviet) tourists since 1920s. Dombai is often called a "Mecca of ski tourism" and has a well-developed infrastructure.

Another popular place in the Caucasus to spend winter holidays is Elbrus, an extinct volcano and the highest peak in Russia and in Europe. The mountain is covered with snow and ice almost all year round and is well-known for its wide slopes that are popular both among both ski-lovers and snowboarders.

© Sputnik / Vladimir Semenuk / Go to the mediabankHoliday-makers at the ski resort of Dombai. (File)
Holiday-makers at the ski resort of Dombai. (File) - Sputnik International
Holiday-makers at the ski resort of Dombai. (File)

3. Veliky Ustyug

Veliky Ustyug is a town in Vologda Oblast, Russia, which is well-known as a home-town of Ded Moroz (Russian version of Santa Claus). The resort is nice a place to go with children as it has a lot of entertainment facilities, including personal meeting with Ded Moroz in his residence.

© Sputnik / Alexander Yuriev / Go to the mediabankVeliky Ustyug town. (File)
Veliky Ustyug town. (File) - Sputnik International
Veliky Ustyug town. (File)

4. Moscow region

Moscow region's countryside has also a lot to offer to its visitors. Tourists can try a traditional Russian steam bath (banya), throw snowballs, ice-skate and enjoy other outdoor activities.

© Sputnik / Vladimir Vyatkin / Go to the mediabankWinter in Moscow suburban forest. (File)
Winter in Moscow suburban forest. (File) - Sputnik International
Winter in Moscow suburban forest. (File)

5. Karelia

Karelia is well-known for its stunning nature. But it also has a lot of winter entertainment to offer. Snowmobile safaris, dog sledding tours and ice fishing are only a few examples of how visitors can spend their holidays away from civilization.

© Sputnik / Sergey Kompanichenko / Go to the mediabankView of Resurrection Monastery, Valaam Island. (File)
View of Resurrection Monastery, Valaam Island. (File) - Sputnik International
View of Resurrection Monastery, Valaam Island. (File)
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