Sochi-Heliski on Kamchatka Package

Heliskiing Powder Tour in the Far-east of Russia

Overview

Kamchatka is one of the best heli-region in the world! A vast riding zone which allows people to enjoy the incredibly diverse terrain and outstanding snow. From glaciers, smoking volcanoes, forest & fjords, heliskiing Kamchatka is unlike anywhere else.

Ski Terrain & Vertical

The region available for skiing in Kamchatka is immense, extending over 200km from the Hodutka volcano in the south, up to the Bakening volcano in the north and contains several independent mountain chains. This makes skiing truly diverse and grants an infinite amount of lines to choose from.

The tour base is located in a secluded mountain valley 90km north from Petropavlovsk. You can only get here by helicopter or snowmobile. The nearest slopes with a vertical drop up to 1,000m are located directly next to the base. The Bakening volcano with a height of 2,279m, surrounded by beautiful mountains with excellent slopes, is situated just 5 minutes flight from the base.

In an easterly direction: After a fifteen-minute flight, the group can get to the classics of Kamchatka heliski – riding from volcanoes: Vershinskaya, Dome, Dzendzur and, of course, the 2,958m high Zhupanovsky volcano. After flying another 15 minutes east, the group can be in the most beautiful area of fjord skiing on the Shipunsky Peninsula, with its unforgettable descents directly to the ocean and an abandoned town of Soviet submariners.

Ganalskie Vostryaki is one of the most picturesque areas of Kamchatka, located just a 10-minute flight southwest from the base. Among other things, there are a lot of steep descents and probably the longest and most exciting couloirs.

Just 15 minutes of flight to the west and there is an an endless and incredibly beautiful mountainous area – the Middle Ridge. These are magnificent mountains with good slopes and long vertical drops. You can also find excellent tree-skiing here. Since the area is located far from the sea and protected by other mountain systems, it is here that the best snow on the peninsula is often found.

The highlight of heli-skiing on Kamchatka is definitely the runs one makes from the volcanoes. The vertical drop here can reach 2,000m in one run and can be as long as 10 km. Boundless snow fields enable one to enjoy the most high-speed runs possible in freeriding! An especially unforgettable run is the descent down a glacier into the crater of an active volcano Mutnovskyi.

A normal heli-skiing day on Kamchatka looks starts with a 10.30 a.m. flight to one of the regions. Then after 4 runs, a tasty lunch is presented in a scenic location. The group continues skiing looking to accomplish around 8-10 runs for the day, however if we refuel the helicopter groups can complete up to 15-16 runs per day. Depending on the region chosen for skiing it is possible to visit a beach on one of the fjords or stop for a swim in one of the many local hot springs. Normally, during a good weather day, skiing on the volcanoes a group can drop around 10,000 vertical metres. Strong groups have managed to drop up to 20,000 and more vertical metres in a single day.

For more info see the Itinerary Tab.

Location & Transfers

Kamchatka is the located in the far-east of Russia, over 6,700km east of Moscow and actually closer to Los Angeles (but without any direct flights!). The heli-ski base is 'St Timon's Mountain Shelter', situated in a remote part of Kamchatka, is a 30 minute helicopter flight north of Elizovo. The helipad is right at the hotel. You will be greeted upon arrival at the airport in Kamchatka & driven 15min to the heli-pad for transfer to the hotel. For information on the best ways to get to Kamchatka, see our Travel to Russia page.

Accommodation & Meals

Stay seven nights in the Mountain Shelter of St Timon twin-share, hotel style accommodation, twin-share. Upgrades to single rooms or larger suites are available on request. All meals are included. Breakfast & dinner are served at the hotel. Lunch is served in the mountains between heliski runs. For more details, see the Lodging Tab.

Helicopter, Groups, Guides & Flight Time

The helicopter is a large Mi-8 MTV, a powerful, tested by time machine, produced specifically for operating in the mountains. A group consists of 12 to 15 riders and lead by 3 experienced, qualified mountain guides.

To provide your safety, all the participants of the program will carry obligatory avalanche equipment: ABS- backpacks, transceivers, probes and shovels. Before setting off all the participants will be instructed about local snow conditions and will pass a practical avalanche safety training exercise which includes finding a victim in an avalanche. Lead & tail guides use radio communication, plus guides and helicopter pilots always have satellite phones with them.

Heli time calculation: per minute, the time is calculated from the beginning of the blades rotation and stops with its stop.

In addition to the helicopter transfer from the airport, the tour includes 10hr of helicopter flight time. Flight time is calculated from the take-off to the landing of the helicopter. This time is usually used up in 4 to 5 full days. If the group wishes to continue skiing more than the included 10 hours, extra flight hours (or refund for unused runs) can be included from an additional 280,000 rubles (about €3,290) per hour/helicopter, divided between the group of 12 to 15 riders.

Ski Ability & Equipment

Heliskiing in Kamchatka is only suitable for fit, strong advanced & expert skiers & boarders with previous powder & mixed snow conditions experience.

Visas & Entry - Important Information

Non-Russians, depending on their citizenship, will need a Russian Federation visa. Contact with the tour operator in advance is necessary to assist with the preparation all the necessary documents for entry into Russia prior to arrival.