Krasnaya Polyana (Sochi)

Krasnaya Polyana is one of the most westernised ski areas in Russia and will play host to some of the events at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. At present there are 4 chairlifts that give you access to the well-maintained slopes but it's also an ideal starting point for heli-skiing in the Caucasus mountains -home to Mount Elbrus (5,642m).

The resort is just 70km from Sochi - the host city of the 2014 Winter Olympics - and from January 2007 there will be flights introduced to Sochi from Moscow.