On April 1, a major celebration marks the official opening of the all-season resort Manzherok, managed by Sberbank since 2012, as part of the broader development of Russia’s domestic and international tourism. This event highlights a long-term investment in the Altai Republic and signals a new era for regional travel experiences that blend natural beauty with modern recreation and sustainable infrastructure.
Manzherok sits in the rural settlement that shares its name, perched along the Katun River and accessible via the Chuisky Highway, roughly 470 kilometers from the regional center as travelers wind toward the foot of the Malaya Sinyukha mountains. The setting combines striking alpine scenery with a purpose-built resort complex designed to offer year-round activities, from winter sports to summer adventures, within a compact, scenic footprint that emphasizes accessibility and guest convenience.
Since taking over the resort, Sberbank has framed Manzherok as a flagship project demonstrating the potential to fuse regional development with tourism growth. The resort has already attracted tens of thousands of visitors and helped raise occupancy rates for local accommodation, while also driving broader economic activity in the area. The aim is to sustain this momentum by expanding facilities, improving service quality, and creating new employment opportunities for residents, reflecting a deliberate strategy to balance economic benefits with social responsibility and environmental stewardship.
Officials point to Manzherok as a case study in how tourism can become a catalyst for regional prosperity. The project envisions robust employment for local communities, with thousands of jobs supporting construction, operations, and ongoing guest services. The development plan prioritizes high environmental standards and a transportation system that minimizes emissions, including a commitment to operate the resort with electric vehicles for internal movement and guest transportation, aligning with broader sustainability goals for the Altai region and beyond. As the Altai environmental forum highlighted, these efforts are part of a wider initiative to demonstrate how tourism can support both ecological preservation and economic vitality in tandem.
Today, the resort complex offers a diverse array of recreational infrastructure. Guests can enjoy three gondolas and multiple ski lifts, 22 kilometers of slopes featuring a modern snowmaking system, and a range of rental services for winter and summer equipment. The site includes carefully designed walking paths, bicycle parking, playgrounds, and a sizable dining option capable of serving hundreds of guests. Accommodations already present include a three-star hotel with comfortable rooms, with a luxury upgrade on the horizon featuring a five-star property that will substantially increase capacity to welcome a broader mix of travelers and events throughout the year.