Today, on January 26, the formal opening of Veduchi ski resort, the first in the Republic of Chechnya and the third in the North-Caucasus tourism cluster, took place. The honorable guests of the ceremony were Lev Kuznetsov, the Minister of North Caucasus Affairs of the Russian Federation, Ramzan Kadyrov, the Head of the Chechen Republic, and Odes Baysultanov, the First Deputy Minister of North Caucasus Affairs of the Russian Federation - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Joint-Stock Company Northern Caucasus Resorts.

During the inspection of the resort infrastructure, built within development stage 0, special guests visited the outside activities service center, where the ski equipment rental station, locker storage room, ski pass cash desks were opened. Khasan Timizhev, the Director General of JSC NCR, introduced the company's plans for the further development of the infrastructure of Veduchi ATRC within the development of the North-oriented slope that will be connected with existing facilities of the gondola ropeway on the South-oriented slope. ‘Stage 0 facilities, which we are commissioning today are a small, but a very important first step in creating Veduchi resort. They are designed to familiarize guests and residents of the Chechen Republic with skiing, lay the foundation for the promotion of this kind of rest already now, without waiting until the big construction on the North-oriented slope is over’, he said.

Special guests also visited the training slope with a moving walkway, where tourists will be able to master basic skiing skills; it also will host the ski lessons for schoolchildren within the social project Ski Calling! to be implemented by JSC NCR. Upon completion of the examination, the ceremony of symbolic launch of the chair ropeway took place, when special guests of Veduchi ATRC went down the slope of Khacharoyduk to the bottom station of the lift, where they made a memorable photo with professional lifeguards and alpine skiers participating in exhibition performances.

The festive part of the ceremony began with speeches of the special guests of the Veduchi ATRC.

In his welcome address, Lev Kuznetsov, the Minister of the Russian Federation for the North Caucasus, thanked everyone who participated in the construction for timely performance of Stage 1 work. ‘Despite the relatively tight schedule, the resort was commissioned in time. Now all residents and visitors of the Chechen Republic can do winter sports without leaving the region’, he said. ‘Recently we witness a growing interest not only for the Northern Caucasus, but specifically for the ski industry, which is one of the key directions of economic development in the entire macro-region. We are closely following the development of resorts, supporting all innovations to extend ski infrastructure, make the holiday even more modern, comfortable and convenient’, Lev Kuznetsov concluded.

Ramzan Kadyrov, the Head of the Chechen Republic, welcomed all guests of the ‘vitally important event’ and noted that Veduchi resort will be the first step in the development of the ski industry in the region. ‘I'm sure this place will become popular among residents of Chechnya, Russian regions and foreign countries. Even the most experienced skiers will enjoy the holiday in our resort’, he said. ‘We wish you happy and long life, Veduchi!’, the Head of the Chechen Republic concluded.

Odes Baysultanov, the First Deputy Minister of North Caucasus Affairs of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Board of Directors of JSC NCR, in his speech noted positive dynamics in the development of the Chechen Republic, which, inter alia, is key for the growth of the tourist flow in the region in recent years. ‘Undoubtedly, the new all-season resort will strengthen this dynamics, and the first ski season in the Chechen Republic will be at the highest level’, he said. ‘Veduchi will become a favorite destination for everyone who visits it. And, perhaps, this ski resort will open a new chapter in the annals of sport victories of residents of the Chechen Republic, as we need champions in all sports, including alpine skiers. Now we have all possibilities for that!’ Odes Baysultanov concluded.

For the construction of the first passenger four-seater chair ropeway in the resort, French company POMA was chosen. The ropeway has already carried its first passengers of the tourist resort to the snow-capped mountain tops.

‘We are very proud of the confidence vested by Joint-Stock Company Northern Caucasus Resorts. Northern Caucasus Resorts, responsible for building the tourist cluster in the North Caucasus Federal District, since 2014, has been entrusting POMA with construction of ski lifts in all-season tourist and recreational resorts, such as Arkhyz, Elbrus and now Veduchi. This first ropeway, which officially opens along with the new ski resort Veduchi, now is also part of examples of cooperation with the Russian company Northern Caucasus Resorts to help accomplish their tasks to develop skiing in the North Caucasus’, Jean-Paul Huard, the Vice President, member of the Board of Directors of French POMA S.A.S., claimed.

A festive program, held under the slogan VEDUCHI. THE LEGEND IS BORN HERE, was built around the story of the ancient Nakh legend about two brothers looking for a magic flower called Edelweiss among the mountain peaks, a symbol of beauty of the Caucasus Mountains. According to the legend, this flower opens only to those whose hearts are full of beauty, courage, strength, wisdom and talent. These qualities are reflected in acts of the concert program: the event featured performances by artists of the Chechen State Ensemble of Dance ‘Vaynakh’ and State Folk Song and Dance Ensemble ‘Nokhcho’, soloists of the Chechen State Philharmonic Society. Master classes were held in smith-craft, pottery and weaving, and in wood carving. Crafted souvenir items were presented by leading masters of the Chechen Republic.

The climax of the ceremony was the unique laser light show over Daneduk Ridge, creation of a symbolic installation of Edelweiss flower, attended by special guests of the ceremony, and fireworks in the skies above Veduchi resort.