(Source: http://ovalle.ucoz.ru/news/gornolyzhnyj_otdykh)

Dombay ski resort is located on the picturesque Dombayskaya glade on the conjunction of three mountain gorges: Alibek, Amanauz and Dombai-Ulgen.  Actually, Dombai is how the small local town is called, but it has been a long time ago since the name transferred to a vast mountainous area in Karachay-Cherkessia.

Dombai glade lies at an altitude of 1630-1650 meters above sea level. The highest point is Mount Dombay-Ulgan (4046 m). In Karachai it means "dead bison", but Dombay – just “bison”. Once, the territory was inhabited by a great number of these animals, almost completely exterminated in the early twentieth century.

For many years Dombay was considered the most popular and largest ski resort in the USSR. It appeared in the 1960-s and for several decades has remained nearly single and, certainly, the most accessible one. Many people still go there for old times' sake, explaining their choice simply: "It is beautiful, historical and legendary."

Ski season in Dombay lasts from December to March. The resort has about 20 km of trails, lots of ski lifts, including five chair lifts. The highest descent point is 3002-meter high Mussa-Achitara Mountain. The height difference is 500 meters. Dombay distinguishes itself with very mild and warm climate. Average winter temperature does not drop 5 degrees below zero, at times it even reaches plus 10 or 15.

It is possible to ski on Mussa-Achitara in almost any direction, freeride opportunities are very ample. Specific trails are not even shown on local maps – there are only multicolored "ski areas." They are prevailed by blue and red zones, i.e. trails for beginners and for more experienced skiers.  Strange as it may seem, the quietest skiing is at the top. Up there, on the white ratracked expanses, anyone can easily find well-groomed trails to his taste. Down in the woods the terrain is more difficult. The slopes become steeper and only experienced extreme skiers can turn towards the trees. The smoothest south-western slopes at an altitude of 1630-3168 meters are considered the best.

Dombay is equally suitable for skiers and snowboarders. Dombay Flammable Camps international snowboard festival has been held here for many years.

In Domba there are no issues with accommodation and food. The town is under active development, it is possible to find there a shelter and food for every taste and budget. There exist many other problems, though. First of all, Dombai infrastructure and service quality, as well as the mountain itself got stuck approximately at 1990-s standards.

Sometimes, slopes are groomed poorly; the snow guns do not do their work, in spite of the ice and rocks. Sometimes, they do not operate the upper section of cable car line, although the snow is fine. With all that, Dombay has got a large army of fans, and they say this: “If you are here for service, you are in a wrong place. If you want to ski, then Dombay is one of the best places.”