THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TYPES OF WINTER SPORTS IN THE LOWER VOLGA REGION
At constantly increasing attention to natural resources from the point of view of their use in the recreational purposes, the region faces a problem of lack of an attractive, competitive tourist product and the small number of the actions capable to become «growth points» of event tourism. Modern tourist and recreational development of reservoirs of the Lower Volga is based mainly on use of biological resources of territories and water areas and is carried out during the warm period of year. On the example of experience of the Netherlands and Sweden the prospect of development in the region of new winter rest is considered - Wild Ice Skating (Outdoor Skating). The sport is traditionally popular in many countries with cold winters. Provides information about the distribution of the activity abroad and in Russia. Analyses of natural conditions for development in the Lower Volga region. Proposes specific measures for the development Wild Ice Skating in the Lower Volga region. Stimulus for the development of a new sport can be a bright event - an Outdoor Ice Marathon. Developed routes designed for different levels of training and age of participants. Route length of 4 km for beginners and children, to 51 and 102 km for the experienced participants. With proper organization of the event can not only reach the level of selfsufficiency, but also to become profitable. The consequence for ice marathons in the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain is the diversification of the tourist product of the Volgograd region, increasing tourist flow, download of the tourist camps in the winter time the infrastructure of the sport, increase physical activity of the population.