South with the lifts and huts, or the quiet North side: what is the difference in practice?
South or North route on Elbrus?
The standard Elbrus route is the South side, with lifts to huts at about 3,800 m and the West summit; about eight days and busy in season. The North has no lifts, mostly tents, far fewer people and usually the East summit, in ten or eleven days.
The full answer, kept up to date: Should I climb Elbrus by the South or the North route? The guide chapter: Choosing your route: South vs North