At Okhta Park in Mistolovo, attractions range from nine ski slopes and three walking trails to dinosaur displays and alpacas. This mix lets you choose according to your interests: you can plan your trip around winter sports, trails for pedestrians and users of Finnish sledges, or a visit to a park. Seasonal conditions should be taken into account for the slopes and walking trails; check the parks’ current operating details in advance.
Ski Slopes and Walking Trails
The nine ski slopes vary in difficulty. Their vertical drop is up to 55 metres, and the longest slope measures 390 metres. There are also slopes suitable for beginners, including people who have never skied or snowboarded before. Mistolovo therefore offers both an opportunity to try skiing or snowboarding for the first time and specific measurements to help you assess the range of slopes. Seasonal operations may vary; check the resort’s conditions before your visit.
For a different way to get around, there are three walking trails along the cross-country ski tracks. They are intended for pedestrians and users of Finnish sledges. This means that, in addition to the ski slopes, there are trails specifically for these user groups. Conditions and availability of the walking trails may vary in winter, which you should take into account when planning.
Dinosaurs and Alpacas
The Dino Park features 25 dinosaur displays across an area of more than one hectare. These include tyrannosaurs, stegosauruses and Olorotitan. The park showcases a range of dinosaur species rather than focusing on a single subject. If this appeals to you, you can consider the park a reason in its own right to visit Mistolovo.
At the Alpaca Park, visitors can pet and feed the animals. This differs from the focus of the Dino Park: there, the main attraction is dinosaur displays; here, it is meeting living animals. If you are choosing between the two parks, this distinction can help with your planning. Check the Dino Park’s current operating details with the resort and those of the Alpaca Park with its operator.
Another Look at Leningrad Oblast
Beyond Mistolovo, Leningrad Oblast offers other nature and cultural attractions. In the far east of the oblast lies Vepsian Forest Nature Park, with seven reserves and especially strict conservation regulations. Among the park’s many lakes is Lake Lerinskoye, the largest lake in the reserve of the same name. Among the park’s many lakes is Lake Lerinskoye, the largest lake in the reserve of the same name.
In Vepsian Forest Nature Park in Leningrad Oblast, old spruce and pine forests have been preserved in the Vepsskiy les and Ashchozyorskiy reserves. These forests are important to many organisms that can survive only in forests undisturbed by economic activity. Brown bears are relatively numerous there; the wolverine, extremely rare in the region, has also been recorded. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. The Veps, a small people of Russia with their own culture and traditions, have traditionally lived in the nature park.
Another cultural attraction in Leningrad Oblast is Koporye Fortress. It is a museum and a monument of ancient Russian stone architecture. Its present form has been preserved since the 16th century, while parts of the masonry date from the 13th century. It is possible to visit without a guide using the multimedia guide “Koporskaya krepost 2.0”; confirm its availability in advance. Because the fortress is in a state of disrepair, climbing the walls and towers is prohibited.
Discover more destinations: Kutuzovskoye, Tamengont, Yanino, Volkhov, Kirovsk, Enkolovo, Pervomayskoye, Terebochevo
For the broader travel overview: Leningrad Oblast.
