Drag Lift No. 3 at Solnechnaya Dolina, Miass — Online Webcam

Ski Resort "Solnechnaya Dolina" — Ural Winter Sports Center

The "Solnechnaya Dolina" ski resort is located on the slopes of Izvestnaya Mountain in Miass — a city in the Southern Urals, in Chelyabinsk Oblast. The resort is just 12 kilometers from Miass and about 120 kilometers from Chelyabinsk. It is one of the largest ski centers in the region, welcoming thousands of winter sports enthusiasts every year.

The resort was founded at the turn of the century — the first lift was launched in 1999–2001, and since then the resort has grown from a single run into a full-fledged ski center with developed infrastructure. Today, "Solnechnaya Dolina" is a modern resort equipped with snowmaking systems and trail lighting, allowing for an extended season and night skiing.

Drag Lift No. 3: Technical Specifications

Drag Lift No. 3 is a single-person surface lift that operates on the run near the "Turgoyak" café. It is a classic drag lift with a T-bar or platter grip: a skier or snowboarder stands on the slope, places the drag bar between their legs, and is towed uphill by the moving cable.

The ride time on Drag Lift No. 3 is about 10 minutes. The lift operates only with ski equipment, and the last ride from the bottom station departs at 20:00. For snowboarders, this type of lift requires some skill — you need to be able to maintain balance with a strapped-in board while being towed.

The elevation of Izvestnaya Mountain, on whose slopes the lift is located, is 574 meters. The maximum vertical drop at the resort reaches 230 meters, providing interesting runs for skiers of different skill levels.

Resort Infrastructure: Lifts and Runs

"Solnechnaya Dolina" boasts an impressive fleet of lifts. The resort operates 4 chairlifts, 5 drag lifts, and 5 magic carpet lifts. The magic carpet lifts are designed for beginners and children — they are installed on training slopes. The total length of the resort's runs is 12 kilometers, with 14 runs ranging from children's training slopes to professional-level trails.

All runs are equipped with snowmaking systems, which is especially important for the Southern Urals where snow cover is inconsistent. Trail lighting allows for evening skiing. The resort uses a chip-enabled ski pass — a card resembling a bank card that attaches to your jacket and is scanned at lift turnstiles.

For beginners, the resort offers a training run with a magic carpet lift 150 meters long, as well as a free magic carpet lift near the ski school. Safety on the runs is ensured by protective netting and regular slope grooming with snowcats.

Ilmen-Tau Range: The Resort's Natural Surroundings

Izvestnaya Mountain, on which the resort is located, is part of the Ilmen-Tau range — a famous Ural mountain range known for its mineral wealth. Ilmen-Tau is a unique natural area home to the Ilmen State Nature Reserve, one of the oldest in Russia.

The slopes of the range are covered with coniferous forests — pines and birches — that create a picturesque backdrop for skiing. From the upper points of the lifts, panoramic views open up over the Ural forests, the outskirts of Miass, and neighboring mountain ranges. The nature of the Southern Urals is strikingly beautiful — even in summer it's cool here, and in winter there's plenty of snow.

Drag Lift No. 3 is located in a scenic spot — nearby is the "Turgoyak" café, where you can rest and grab a bite between runs. The café's name references Lake Turgoyak, one of the clearest lakes in the Urals, located not far from the resort.

Miass: City at the Foot of the Mountains

Miass is a city in Chelyabinsk Oblast with a population of about 150,000, located on the Miass River at the foot of the eastern slopes of the Ural Mountains. The city is known as a gold mining center — it was here in the 19th century that one of the largest gold nuggets in Russia was found, the famous "Big Triangle" weighing about 33 kilograms.

Today, Miass is not only an industrial center but also the gateway to Ural ski resorts. "Solnechnaya Dolina" has become the city's calling card in the winter season, attracting tourists from across Chelyabinsk Oblast and neighboring regions. You can reach the resort from Miass by car or bus — the journey takes about 20 minutes.

The city is also famous for its past — the Miass plant once produced trucks, and rare mineral deposits are found in the surrounding area. The Ilmen Mineralogical Museum in Miass is one of the largest in Russia, and its collection attracts geology enthusiasts from across the country.

How to Use a Drag Lift: Practical Tips

Drag Lift No. 3 is a surface lift, and it needs to be used correctly. At the bottom station, the skier approaches the automatic drag bar dispenser, places the grip between their legs, and begins moving uphill. It's important to keep your skis parallel to the towing direction and not try to pole yourself along — the cable does the pulling.

For snowboarders, a drag lift presents a certain challenge: you need to position yourself on the board so the drag bar doesn't interfere with the edge, and maintain balance throughout the climb. Experienced riders advise crouching slightly and looking ahead, not down at the slope. At the top station, the drag bar automatically releases — the key is to let it move aside in time.

Drag Lift No. 3 is considered less comfortable than a chairlift, especially for beginners. However, it has its advantages: it operates faster than a magic carpet lift and allows you to reach a higher point on the slope. For experienced skiers, it's an excellent option for a quick ascent before a run.

Web Camera on Drag Lift No. 3: Real-Time Monitoring

The live camera on Drag Lift No. 3 allows you to monitor the resort's operations in real time. It's a convenient way to assess trail conditions, slope status, and weather before heading to the resort. The camera is positioned to show not only the lift itself but also the surrounding slopes.

The webcam stream is especially useful on weekends and holidays when the resort is crowded. You can check in advance how many people are skiing and choose the optimal time to arrive. The camera also shows snowmaking equipment and snowcats — the machinery that prepares the runs for skiing.

The web camera operates around the clock, so you can watch the resort in the evening when the trail lights come on. The sight is impressive in itself — illuminated slopes, moving lift lights, and silhouettes of skiers against the night sky.

What You Can See on the Camera

On the web camera of Drag Lift No. 3 in Miass, you can see the support poles and cables of the lift stretching up the mountain slope. In the foreground is the gravel area of the bottom station, where skiers prepare for their ride. To the left are wooden service buildings and a parking lot with guests' cars.

In the center of the frame is a grassy slope that transforms into a groomed run in winter. In the background, a view opens onto the forested mountain range — the Ilmen-Tau range with its coniferous forests. To the right, you can see the lift station mechanism with cables and pulleys, as well as other lifts and runs of the "Solnechnaya Dolina" resort.

The camera captures Run No. 2 and the area of the "Turgoyak" café, where visitors can warm up with hot tea between runs. In good weather, the upper lift point offers a panoramic view of the Urals — endless forests, winding slopes, and distant mountains all the way to the horizon.