A mild winter coupled with almost complete lack of snow, which lasted until mid-January, caused financial losses in the ski resorts of Altai Krai and Altai Republic. In the second half of December, almost all resorts have either been closed or offered a limited, "spare" set of services – skating-rinks and tubbing.

      In Altai Krai, the snow fell on the eve of the New Year: in Belokurikha one trail in 'Blagodat' complex was covered with artificial snow and could get open; a ski center of the same name opened in ‘Biryuzovaya Katun’ special economic zone. A small complex at the foot of Tugaya Mountain within Gorno-Altaisk city boundaries started working in Altai Republic.  

      The resort Belokurikha is located at the foothills of Altai on height of 240-250 metres on the sea level, in a beautiful valley near the mountain Cerkovka. The South part of this resort is occupied by quite high mountains, covered with the splendid evergreen coniferous forest. The landscape becomes animated owing to the mountain river Belokurikha with its numerous brooks. Upstream, the narrow valley changes into the mountain gorge, but northward moves to Priob plain. There are lots of miraculous, unforgettable places which remain in your memory for a long time. The greatness, the solemn beauty of Altai, its crystal clean air - everything breaths with health and thirst of life. 

      Abuilding Manzherok ski center on the Sinyukha Mountain cannot yet fully utilize its capacity: the snowgun power is not sufficient for making snow on a large trail, since it has quite steep sections, dangerous with little snow cover. That is why, the trail equipped with chair lift, will open only after sufficient amount of snowfall.