SnowHunter--UK, January 9, 2008--Russian President Vladimir Putin officially opened a new ski area at Krasnaya Polyana in Russia on January 2nd, less than two weeks after the new Revelstoke resort opened in British Columbia.

The new ski area on Psekhako Ridge, 1,436m up, initially operates with 18 trails totaling 14km long and six lifts including a gondola which President Putin had a ride in. There's currently accommodation at the resort for 8,000 people with a large hotel complex capable of accommodating a further thousand guests due to open later this year. A further seven lifts, 15km more ski runs and a ski stadium are due to be added by 2011.

"I am confident that the centre will be a good and real rival to foreign winter centres," said President Putin at the official opening ceremony. He described the centre, built with money from the state owned Gazprom gas giant, as the first stage in the area's development ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics to be staged there. Several more ski centres are currently being built in the vicinity.

Cross-country and biathlon events will take place at Psekhako Ridge during the Winter Games, while Alpine ski events are to be held at a separate area called Rosa Khutor, which is under construction.