Moscow can't hold a candle to the Swiss Alps or even the Caucasus when it comes to downhill skiing, but if you need a little downhill fix or, better yet, are just learning, then the city has a surprising number of places to work on your turns.

There are a number of slopes outside the city, but there are only two big resorts equipped with good lifts for the public: Volen Sports Park and the recently completed Sorochany. When it comes to skiing in the city, Kant Sports Park is the easiest place to go, but some people prefer the open spaces around Krylatskiye Gory to the industrial backdrop around Kant.


Volen Sports Park

This is the first ski park outside the city to really take off as a popular winter resort. Originally, the park was built by a private company so its management staff would have a place to ski, but when the slopes filled up with weekend vacationers they decided to build a hotel and charge admission. Now, they have 13 slopes, three restaurants, private dachas for rent, a swimming pool, tennis and go-carts.
Volen has a selection of good ski and snowboard rental equipment in adult and children's sizes. They even have boots to fit my size-13 feet.
Lift tickets cost 250 rubles for adults on the weekend and 150 rubles on the weekdays. Children's tickets cost 125 rubles on weekends and 75 rubles on weekdays. Rental costs depend on the category of equipment - A or B - but a set of boots, skis/snowboard and/or poles costs from 450 rubles to 500 rubles for the first two hours and around 200 rubles to 150 rubles for each consecutive hour.
If you're not interested in skiing, you can also go tubing, rent a bicycle - or even a snow bike - ice skate or take a spin on the outdoor go-carts. If you want to stay in the hotel, book a room in advance: It's usually empty on weekdays, but packed on weekends.
The park is open every day from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. and until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.


Sorochany

The new slope on the block, just down the road from Volen with slightly longer runs. Hopefully, they will take some of the pressure off Volen's already crowded slopes. They also offer good rental equipment and plan to open a hotel in the future. For now, it's just a good spot to ski nearby. Sorochany has four lifts and promise three more soon.
Lift ticket prices range from 150 rubles for one hour to 300 rubles for three hours and 500 rubles for six hours Monday through Thursday. On Friday, prices are 150 to 200 rubles for one hour, 400 to 500 rubles for three hours and 700 to 800 rubles for six hours. Saturdays and holidays prices are 200 to 250 rubles for one hour, 500 to 600 rubles for three hours and 800 to 1,000 rubles for six hours. Children's tickets are 50 percent cheaper.
Snowboard rental including boots costs 300 rubles an hour, 700 rubles for three hours and 1,200 rubles for six hours. Ski rentals, including poles and boots, range from 350 to 400 rubles an hour, depending on the category, or 700 to 900 rubles for three hours and 1,200 to 1,500 rubles for six hours. They also have snowblade rentals.


Kant Sports Park

Kant is probably the best place to go skiing within the city. The slopes and hills aren't as high as elsewhere, but it's only about a 15-minute metro ride from the center. They also have storage facilities so you can ski on your lunch break or stop by after work. The slopes are packed in the evening hours. During the day, they specialize in children's lessons.
Lift tickets cost 10 rubles per ascent for adults from 9 a.m. until midnight Monday through Friday and 15 rubles Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
Rentals are also available, but they tend to emphasize the sales side of the business. There is an excellent outdoor shop on site with a good selection of skis, snowboards and other outdoor equipment. They also have a good cafe with new billiards tables.


Krylatskaya Gornolyzhnaya Baza

Krylatskaya is more like a hill with a ski lift on it than a resort. It's a laid-back, informal place popular with snowboarders and skiers who live nearby. It's especially big with teenagers because, instead of buying a 15-ruble-per-ascent lift ticket, you can just hike up the moderate slope. There is a small shack at the bottom of the hill where they rent out snowboards and boots for 250 rubles an hour. There's also a little cafe at the bottom of the hill. Sometimes the park's managers hold extreme-sports and graffiti-art festivals.