1 billion dollars: that is the cost (or rather the investment) earmarked to build what will become the largest ski resort in Asia.
A pharaonic project that will see the construction of a ski resort in the mountains surrounding Lake Baikal, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world, covering an area of a full 31,700 square kilometers, measuring nearly 50 km wide and 636 km long from north to south (making it the second longest in the world).
This “inland sea” is located in Russia, or more precisely in southern Siberia. Bordering Mongolia, this earthly paradise has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site; despite the moderating effect of the lake, winter temperatures here reach “polar” levels, with the mercury often dropping to -30 degrees, while in summer temperatures do not exceed 18 degrees.
The harsh climate is accompanied by temperature swings that bring pleasant daytime temperatures in summer, while winter brings abundant snow, especially in the mountains.
Rendering of the center of Baikal
All the right conditions are in place to make it one of the finest ski resorts anywhere, but how will this new ski resort be structured?
The project is on a grand scale and plans to create a full-fledged town with hotels, villas, and ski lifts built from scratch, in true American Ski Resort style, where ski slopes are served by purpose-built villages created exclusively for winter tourism.
The slopes and ski lifts
Once completed, the Baikal ski resort will boast a full 100 km of Alpine ski slopes and 500 km of cross-country ski trails and snowshoeing paths, an indoor ice skating rink, and outdoor spaces where visitors can enjoy a wide range of snow activities, such as driving snowcats or riding snowmobiles.
Work on the ski domain will begin in 2013 with the creation of the first runs and the installation of the first ski lifts. Eight construction phases are planned, each to be completed over successive stages, expanding the ski area year by year.
Baikal Resort Skimap
100 km of slopes will be served entirely by gondolas rising to the summit at 1,600 m. While relatively low compared to Alpine elevations, considering that Baikal is located in Siberia this altitude is truly remarkable and gives access to a true paradise for snow lovers.
On the snow of the Baikal resort, a snowpark will also be built near the base of the lifts, featuring jumps and rails where snowboarders and skiers can put their freestyle skills to the test.
Not just slopes
However, the major Russian resort is not just about snow: plans call for the creation of a full-scale resort village, including numerous hotels and leisure facilities.
Ample space will be dedicated to après-ski: 52 wellness centers, 61 sports centers (golf, tennis, horseback riding, fishing, and hunting), 82 bars and restaurants, 32 entertainment venues (theaters, nightclubs, cinemas), 120 shops, and 2 shopping malls, where visitors can shop along the streets of an Alpine-style town that will rival resorts like Cortina or Kitzbühel.
The ski resort targets the Asian market
If 1 billion dollars seems like a massive investment, consider that Baikal does not aim to be just another ski resort, but seeks to capture the leading position in Asian winter tourism. Stretching from Russia to Japan via a network of international flights, the Baikal resort will draw on a catchment area of a full 300 million potential skiers.
The goal is to tap into demand from the new “affluent Asian travelers” and the upper-middle class of Russia, China, and Japan looking for a high-quality ski destination without having to travel all the way to Europe or the United States.
The Baikal Resort project enjoys the backing of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation as well as major US and Chinese investors.
If this new ski resort intrigues you and you would like to know more, leave a comment below.
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