The highest hotel on Elbrus will operate under the Cosmos brand.

Russia's leading hotel operator, Cosmos Hotel Group, and the development institute Kavkaz.RF signed an agreement to jointly develop hotel services for mountain climbers at the Elbrus resort in Kabardino-Balkaria. The first stage of the collaboration was the transfer of the existing high-altitude Leaprus hotel and shelter, located at an altitude of 3,912 meters above sea level, to the Cosmos brand and franchise, guaranteeing operation according to the service and quality standards of the national operator.

With the start of the new 2026 mountaineering season, which traditionally runs from April to September, the eco-hotel LeapRus will open as the Cosmos Elbrus Leaprus Camp. It is now available for reservations on the Cosmos Hotel Group website for stays from April to September 2026. Additionally, the property will be included in the Cosmos Stars loyalty program, allowing members to pay for their stays with accumulated points.

The eco-hotel was built in 2013 and is located at an altitude of 3,912 meters above sea level near the Garabashi cable car station at the Elbrus resort. The nearest settlement is the village of Terskol. The hotel's reception desk is located on the Azau glade, next to the cable car ticket offices.

The hotel has become an acclimatization and recreation center for professional climbers and those pursuing active or ecotourism at the summit of Elbrus. For comfortable accommodation, the hotel offers a total of 34 beds in modules equipped with heating, hot water, and a shower, a dressing area, and a large panoramic window overlooking the peaks of the Caucasus Mountains. Wi-Fi is available on site, along with a cafeteria and a drying room for gear. At night, the hotel grounds are illuminated and equipped with a signaling system.

"For us, this is a landmark project and the first highest-altitude hotel in Europe under our brand." "It's important for us to create and develop high-quality hotel services for a wide range of guests, including extreme tourists and mountain climbers. I am confident that the combined experience and expertise of Cosmos Hotel Group and the Kavkaz.rf development institute will create a comfortable vacation for those from all over the world who conquer Elbrus," noted Alexander Biba, President of Cosmos Hotel Group.

"All projects related to the Elbrus highlands are, by default, the 'most challenging' in the country: first and foremost, the most technically and logistically complex. We are currently continuing to build infrastructure for climbing: we are constructing a 68-bed alpine village and preparing to begin construction on the 'Shelter of Eleven,' so our experience in developing high-altitude hotel services will be more in demand than ever in the coming years. Furthermore, working on the mountain is a transformative experience akin to climbing: those who overcome the challenges here will be able to achieve any heights on the plains." "Therefore, I am confident that the experience of working with Leaprus will influence the overall operations of Cosmos Hotel Group," said Andrey Yumshanov, CEO of Kavkaz.RF.

Earlier, at the Caucasus Investment Forum, Cosmos Hotel Group and the development institute Kavkaz.RF signed an agreement on the joint development of tourism and training for the hospitality industry in the North Caucasus regions.

Elbrus is the legendary and highest mountain resort in the country, offering guests access to an altitude of 3,847 meters above sea level. It has been operating since the 1970s and remains one of the country's leading centers for skiing, sports, and mountaineering. Kavkaz.RF is managing the resort's modernization: this season, the ski area has been expanded and a snowmaking system has been launched, extending what is already the longest ski season in Russia—from November to July.

LeapRus is one of the highest hotels in the world, a modern acclimatization base for climbers, boasting comforts unusual for an altitude of 3,912 meters: electricity, hot water, internet access, and drying chambers. In the main cabin, you can prepare your own meals or dine buffet-style. Two living modules accommodate 24 guests.

The hotel was built by the Italian company Leapfactory for the North Caucasus Mountain Club. Heat recovery technology, LED lighting, and the insulating and antibacterial properties of the materials all contribute to the complex's maximum autonomy, energy efficiency, and environmental friendliness. The dismountable capsule elements, mounted to the foundation using helicopters, ensure seismic resistance for all structures.

The hotel complex's architecture—sleek design, portholes, panoramic glazing, and geometric lines—refers to retrofuturism and mid-century modernism.

Cosmos Hotel Group is a leading federal hotel operator in Russia, founded in 2018. The company's portfolio includes 44 hotels, ranging in category from 3* (city hotels) to 5* (premium hotels, including resort complexes), in 28 Russian cities. The company manages assets with over 11,500 rooms.