The alpine resort at Aibiga Ridge will host test events starting tomorrow as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) visit Sochi for their latest evaluation of the Russian city's preparations for the 2014 Winter Games.

Bachin credits Bernhard Russi, the Swiss skier who won downhill gold at the Sapporo 1972 Winter Olympics, with playing a significant role in their design.

"We're happy that we're working with the distinguished designer and athlete Bernhard Russi, who has, in fact, allowed us to create courses in Russia that are even better than anywhere else in the world," Bachin told RIA Novosti.

"The artificial snow system we installed on all runs at the resort this year allows us to cover all our competition runs, and prepare for competitions even with seven or eight nights without snow in sub-zero temperatures.

"But this year we have, in general, a lot of natural snow."

The installation of ski lifts at the venue will be completed in 2013.

The International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup stages for men are being held at Rosa Khutor from February 8 untl 12, with the women's competition set to get underway a week later.

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