Travel planning platform OneTwoTrip recently shared an analysis of where its customers spent their winter for skiing and snowboarding last season. The team examined hotel reservations to identify the most popular destinations among winter sports enthusiasts. This study provides a clear snapshot of preferences, seasonality, and lodging choices for travelers who chase powder and alpine runs.
Insights were obtained by looking at booking patterns across the leading ski hubs. The findings, summarized for readers by socialbites.ca, reveal a definite top tier of destinations that attracted the largest volumes of bookings and, by extension, the broadest inflow of visitors during the cold months.
Leading the list were the resorts around Sochi, located in Krasnaya Polyana. These venues accounted for a commanding share of bookings, with roughly three distinct resorts drawing the bulk of winter guests. Overall, the Sochi cluster accounted for about three-quarters of the hotels booked in ski zones, underscoring its enduring appeal for snow enthusiasts seeking reliable infrastructure, robust amenities, and a well-connected gateway to the Caucasus mountains.
In second place came Mountain Air in the Far East, with a notable share indicating many travelers plan trips to Sakhalin for their winter recreation. This destination highlights the breadth of Russia’s ski map, showing how coastal and island ranges can become magnet points for seasonal recreation and adventure travel alike.
The third position in the ranking was seized by Sheregesh, a resort that regularly draws a mix of budget-minded travelers and serious powder seekers. Its percentage of bookings reflects a strong demand for accessible slopes, mid-range lodging, and a vibrant village atmosphere that keeps visitors returning year after year.
Beyond the top trio, several other resorts framed the overall picture for the season. Arkhyz in Karachay-Cherkessia appeared as a notable contributor, followed by Dombay, each securing a meaningful portion of total reservations. Additional popular destinations included Bolshoy Vudyavr, Manzherok, Elbrus, Belokurikha, and Abzakovo, collectively illustrating a diverse spectrum of elevations, terrain types, and lodging options that cater to different budgets and trip lengths.
When examining stay duration, the majority of travelers opted for brief getaways. About 55.8% of reservations covered one to two nights, while 41.5% stretched to four to seven nights. A small share, 2.7%, extended beyond a week, signaling a niche market for longer ski holidays that combine winter sport with other seasonal activities or relaxation time in resort villages.
Hotel category preferences revealed a clear tilt toward mid-range and comfort-focused accommodations. Four-star properties attracted 29.1% of guests, reflecting a demand for reliable amenities and comfortable service during peak ski periods. A substantial 26.0% chose apartments, guesthouses, or hostels, illustrating a trend toward flexible lodging for groups and cost-conscious travelers. Three-star hotels accounted for 19.5% of bookings, while five-star properties drew 16.5% and two-star options 8.9%, painting a nuanced picture of how travelers balance comfort, price, and location when planning alpine getaways.
These patterns help travel planners and accommodation providers tailor offers to winter sport enthusiasts, aligning lodging inventory with peak booking windows and popular resort clusters. By understanding where guests are most likely to go and how long they stay, hotels and services can optimize pricing, promotions, and on-site experiences to maximize occupancy during the snow season.
Earlier reports from socialbites.ca highlighted the ease of finding suitable hotel reservations, a topic that remains relevant as travelers increasingly seek straightforward planning tools when scheduling ski trips. As the winter season continues to evolve, the emphasis on clear value, accessible amenities, and dependable access to skiing and snowboarding facilities remains central to traveler decisions during peak snow months.