When to Go

Peak Season: June–August (Sochi); December– Mid-March (resort)

June through August is peak tourist season for Sochi. Russians flock to the Black Sea for their summer holidays. During these three months, prices for lodging, travel, and food soar. If you want to travel during this time, you need to book a hotel at least a month in advance, as accommodations fill up quickly. The lodging problem will be partly fixed by the dozens of new hotels being built in the area for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

December through March is peak season for the Krasnaya Polyana Ski Resort. During those months, most hotels are crowded with skiers and snowboarders. It is best to make reservations at least a month in advance.

Off Season: November–March (Sochi); July–November (resort)

Normally, November through March is off-season in the town of Sochi and surrounding districts near the beach. However, the 2014 Winter Olympics have made the beach resort city an international destination. Winter weather is mild in Sochi with average February temperatures in the 40s, which makes a nice getaway for those facing below freezing temperatures in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

In the mountains of Krasnaya Polyana, the off-season is the months of July through November. There is no skiing during this time; however you can hike, climb mountains, go rafting, and mountain bike, among the many available activities.

Shoulder Season: April–May, September–October (Sochi); Mid-March–April (resort)

September through the end of October is the best time to go to Sochi. Locals call this the "Velvet Season," as it is warm enough to swim and the tourist crowds are gone. Prices also begin to go down at this time.

March to April is also a good time to ski in the Krasnaya Polyana for "spring skiing." It starts warming up down by the sea and you can still catch good ski days. The region is calm and much cheaper around this time, although it may rain down in the city more often than usual.