The sports tourism development features in mountainous areas in the south of Russia

Functioning of tourist centers of active recreation in the mountainous regions of the Russian Caucasus is among priorities areas of the domestic tourism development. The analysis of scientific publications to understand the modern sports tourism shows the lack of a unified position among various authors not only on the definition of this concept, but also on practical issues. The author examines 9 operating resorts (Rosa Khutor, Krasnaya Polyana, Gazprom Mountain Resort, Arkhyz, Elbrus, Dombai, Lago-Naki, Veduchi, Armkhi) and 3 newly built mountain ones within the given macroregion. To study their infrastructure, we propose to divide it into two groups of elements. The first group of elements is naturally substantiated; it includes a zone to meet the tourists’ needs. The second one is infrastructural; it is created by man and consists of three subgroups: tourist infrastructure, technical specialized infrastructure and additional infrastructure. It is suggested to divide tourist centers in the mountains into organized resorts with a governing body, self-organized tourist centers without any centralized management that develop spontaneously and a mixed type. The author analyzes the features of mountain tourist centers from the point of view of their administration and opportunities for their further development. The article presents an analysis of tourist infrastructure (accommodation and public catering facilities), technical specialized one (lifts, ski slopes, opportunities for summer activities) and peculiarities of transport accessibility of resorts. Problems and development prospects for sports tourism in the mountain tourist centers of the Caucasus are characterized.