Russia

Russia - makes you want to rush out and buy a thick coat and a rabbit ushanka just thinking about it. Of course as far as we're all concerned, the colder the better. If it helps to bring down that white stuff, we're all for it.

Generally speaking, west of the Ural Mountains, Russia's pretty flat. Even the Ural Mountains themselves are for the most part a band of enthusiastic hills (although at 1,894 metres / 6,213 feet, the highest peak - Mount Narodnaya - still dwarfs every mountain in the British Isles). Most of the ski areas here are barely-known and in need of a little TLC.

However, there is a handful of ski resorts in Russia with true international pulling power - enough power in fact to host the 2014 Winter Olympics. So if you didn't already know about skiing or snowboarding in Russia, you're going to be hearing a lot more about it in the next few years.

The Caucusus Mountains in Southern Russia are home to what is arguably Europe's tallest mountain - Mount Elbrus. At 5,633 metres (18,480 feet), it's got nearly a kilometre on Mont Blanc and is always covered in snow. Not only does it allow year-round skiing and snowboarding in Russia, it might just become Europe's last stand in the fight against global warming.

If you're staying in Cheget Polyana (where there are hotels, cafes and equipment hire shops), the easiest way up the mountain is to ride the two-section chair to 3,400 metres (11,154 feet). It's not the fastest lift but from the top, you're the master of a vast expanse of mainly off-piste terrain. How you get down the 1,400 metre (4,593 feet) descent is largely up to you.

Azau is an alternative place to base yourself. From there a cable car takes you to 3,500 metres (11,482 feet) and a chair will haul your freezing hulk the last little bit to 3,750 metres (12,303 feet). If getting as high as possible (we're talking altitude) is what counts, you can always hitch a ride on a piste basher as far as 4,100 metres (13,451 feet). After that, you're into the realms of the gods, or the heli-pilots at least.

If you're looking to go heli-skiing in Russia, a number of operators base themselves in Azau.

Cost

Travel and accommodation are perhaps not as cheap as you'd expect in Russia, but a one-day adult lift pass at Elbrus is only US$15.

Getting here

Getting to ski resorts in Russia can take a little while. If you're flying international to Moscow, you'll need to get another flight to Mineralyye Vody in southern Russia, before embarking on a four hour drive (either yourself or by minibus) to the resort itself.