Skazsky glacier in the Tsey Gorge

The Skazsky glacier in the Tsey Gorge descends the slope of Mount Aday-Hoh (4408 m). Its size is small, but it is the only glacier in the Caucasus that can be reached by a ski chairlift. All people can approach the lower tongue of the glacier, without training and climbing equipment. 

The Tsey gorge has a length of 15 kilometers, and the last 4 kilometers are divided into two parts by Mount Monk (2990 m). This mountain forms the famous Tsey Horseshoe. In the northern branch of the horseshoe, the Tsey Glacier descends into the gorge. This is one of the largest glaciers in North Ossetia. The Skazsky Glacier descends along the southern part of the horseshoe into the gorge.  

A chairlift has been laid from the Tsey Alpine Camp to the Skazsky Glacier. The climb is 1 kilometer. The chairlift rises above the Skazdon River, which originates in the Skazsky Glacier. In winter, there are three ski trails and two ski chairlifts. In summer, one chairlift works for people who want to go up to the glacier for a walk.  

There are no trekking trainl in this part of the gorge, but if you want to make a steep climb, then you can go along the ski slopes. However, it makes no sense, since the climb is too high. The lower station is located at an altitude of 1850 meters, and the upper one is at an altitude of 2870 meters. The lift has one intermediate station. From the intermediate to the upper station, the mountain slope becomes even steeper. In winter, a black ski trail is laid here.   

Near the upper station there is a path where you can approach the Skazsky glacier. It is not long and there is no climb. Below you will see a huge glacier moraine and a grotto where the Skazdon River originates. There is also a path to this grotto. If you have time, it`s worth a walk there. Some tourists go inside the grotto, but it is very dangerous. The glacier is melting, chunks of ice and large stones are constantly falling from above. It is not recommended to approach the grotto closer than 30-50 meters.    

The lower part of the Skazsky glacier is located at an altitude of 2900 meters. To the south of the chairlift, the mountains of the Tsey Ridge rise. The height of its mountains exceeds 3500 meters. Most of the year the peaks of the ridge are covered with snow. Above the glacier at an altitude of 3910 meters there is a pass between the mountains Aday-Hoh and Lagau.