Expert skiers relish the moguls, steeps and glades offered by this ski area on the south side of the Baksan Valley. The piste occupies the lower reaches of 3769m Mt Cheget (Mt Donguz-Orunbashi). Two delightfully anachronistic single chairlifts (per lift R350, 9am to 4pm) haul skiers up to 3040m. There are a couple of T-bars on the back (north) side of the mountain. A day ski pass in season costs R1100.
Riding the chairlift up, the raw majesty of the surrounding mountains is quickly revealed. To the west are the smooth, milky-white twin humps of Mt Elbrus, to the east the jagged peaks and near-vertical sides of 4454m Mt Donguzorun (Mt Donguzorun-Chegetkarabashi), with a distinctive glacier shaped like the numeral seven plastered to its side.
Hiking
A couple of easy, two- to three-hour walks start on the dirt road behind (north of) the white obelisk in Terskol village. The dirt road’s right fork leads up the Terskol Valley to a dramatic view of Mt Elbrus behind the hanging Terskol Glacier , dripping over a cliff edge. The left fork follows a 4WD track to an observatory, with wonderful views across the Baksan Valley to Mt Cheget, Mt Donguzorun and Mt Kogutanbashi (3819m).
From the top of Cheget’s lower chairlift, it’s an easy one-hour walk around the side of the mountain to Donguzorunkel Lake .
These routes did not require permits when we visited, but guides told us the situation is changeable at short notice. Check locally on the latest requirements before you set out, just to be safe.
Walks towards the Georgian border will require a border permit. It’s easiest to arrange permits in advance through a tour operator. Contact them at least a month before you plan to visit.
