Heli skiing in Kamchatka

The Heliskiing

Heli skiing in Kamchatka is about adventure in a wild and untouched land and is most suited to those who actively seek this kind of experience. Although it often is, heli skiing in Kamchatka is not always about skiing endless slopes of bottomless powder. Good powder is common but one should expect a normal week to throw most types of snow conditions imaginable, from superb spring snow, to sun and wind crust, rimed boiler plate and everything in between.

Averaging around 1,300 vertical metres and up to OVER 3,000 metres, the runs here are long - very long. Many are typified by low gradient run outs that go for miles and miles allowing you to sit back and let the skis run while you try to take in the immensity of your surroundings.

The scenery is like nothing on this earth and at times so dramatic that it is impossible not to stop every couple of turns trying to take it all in. The terrain is very varied from one area to another with some good tree skiing at lower elevations, big volcanic faces, long steep couloirs, wide open bowls, and long, mellow cruisers.

Read about our exploratory trip to Kamchatka in April 2006

Lodging

At the start of the 2009 season we moved the operations base from the Hotel Petropavlovsk in the centre of town, to the hotel Antarius in Paratunka - the hot spring valley. This move has greatly improved the overall heliski experience, one of the main advantages being that we can now land right outside the hotel, avoiding the 30 minute drive to the heliport.

The hotel has good facilities, massage is available and there are natural hot springs and a sauna on the doorstep. Communication facilities are good making it entirely practical to keep up with work if need be. The food maybe a little repetitive but is reasonably good - a regular highlight being the prized, Kamchatka King Crab washed down with lashings of ice cold vodka! Service is as you would expect from a hotel in Russia that has only just had its first western guests. It is not what you would expect from a similar hotel in the west...but things are improving steadiliy.

If you fancy something cleansing and a little different you can pop into town for a bit of "deep purgation procedure" or perhaps a couple of dance moves at one of Kamchatka's legendary night clubs.

Helicopters & Safety

The extremely powerful, Russian built M18 helicopters are the standard machine used in Kamchatka. The helicopters are particularly well suited to the local heli skiing terrain and are rigorously serviced and maintained according to international maintenance procedures. Both pilots and engineers are highly experienced well-trained and qualified professionals. Each group of skiers or boarders is accompanied by a U.I.A.G.M certified European guide as well as a highly experienced Russian guide. Although the Russians may not hold the same level of certification as the European ones, their local knowledge and communication with the pilots is essential. All of the guides have a great deal of heli skiing experience and all guests are supplied with ABS avalanche air bags, shovel and probe.

Booking Enquiry

Please indicate the heli skiing destination you are most interested in and your preferred dates and we will respond as soon as possible.

Please note that if you are wishing to go heli skiing mid-season then you should let us know as early as possible to secure these popular periods.

Fire & Ice

The discovery package operates with groups of twelve skiers or riders and three guides and one helicopter. It includes eight hours of helicopter flying time and focused primarily on the terrain close to the base.

Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis and overall this trip is aimed at the more price-conscious.

2012 Heliski Rates

• All prices quoted are per person and in Euros.
• Add €370 / week for a single room.
• Departure from your home country is on the day before your heliski package starts.

Included

• Six days heli skiing with a private helicopter and eight hours of helicopter time.
• Three guides for a group of twelve guests.
• Seven nights accommodation (double occupancy) including breakfast.
• Lunch picnic style in the mountains.
• Return transfers from the airport to your hotel.
• Sauna and natural hot springs in the hotel.
• Safety equipment: ABS backpack, avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe.

Not Included

• International and domestic flights.
• Evening meals.
• Drinks.
• Additional flying time: €300 / hour / person of flying time. Refunds: €270 / hour / person.
• Insurance. This MUST cover you specifically for heli skiing. Please ask us for advice if you are unsure of your options or consider our customised heliski insurance.
• Local transportation.
• Skis.
• Visa fees.

Typical Itinerary:

Eastern Pioneer

The Eastern Pioneer package is aimed at those who want to explore deep into the vast wilderness of Kamchatka skiing more remote and seldom visited areas with greater flexibility and autonomy. You can ski either in a group of six with two guides or a group of 10-12 with four guides. Ten hours of helicopter time are included which, on average, equates to around 30 runs of over 1,000 vertical metres each.

2012 Heliski Rates

• All prices quoted are per person and in Euros.
• Add €370 / week for a single room.
• Departure from your home country is on the day before your heliski package starts.

Included

• Six days heli skiing with a private helicopter and ten hours of helicopter time.
• Flexibility to heliski in two groups of six with two guides per group OR one group of twelve with four guides.
• Access to remote and seldom skied areas.
• Seven nights accommodation (double occupancy) including breakfast.
• Lunch picnic style in the mountains
• Return transfers from the airport to your hotel.
• Sauna and natural hot springs at the hotel.
• Safety equipment: ABS backpack, avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.

Not Included

• International and domestic flights.
• Evening meals.
• Drinks.
• Additional flying time: €300 / hour / person of flying time. Refunds: €270 / hour / person.
• Insurance. This MUST cover you specifically for heli skiing. Please ask us for advice if you are unsure of your options or consider our customised heliski insurance.
• Local transportation.
• Skis.
• Visa fees.

Typical Itinerary:

Big Volcano

Operating for only one week in the season in the vast an uncharted wilderness of the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Big Volcano package gives a whole new meaning to exploration-style heli skiing. The aim of the week is to pioneer huge lines from the summits of the region's biggest volcanoes, achieving staggering descents of between 2,000 and 3,000 vertical metres.

This trip is only open to experienced skiers and riders who are in good shape. Book early as there are a limited number of seats available.

2012 Heliski Rates

• All prices quoted are per person and in Euros.
• Add €370 / week for a single room.
• Departure from your home country is on the day before your heliski package starts.

Included

• Six possible days heli skiing with a private helicopter and ten hours of helicopter time.
• Flexibility to heliski in two groups of five with two guides per group OR one group of 10 with four guides.
• Access to the regions most remote and seldom (if ever) skied volcanoes.
• Seven nights accommodation (double occupancy) including breakfast.
• Lunch picnic style in the mountains.
• Return transfers from the airport to your hotel.
• Sauna and natural hot springs at the hotel.
• Safety equipment: ABS backpack, avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.

Not Included

• International and domestic flights.
• Evening meals.
• Drinks.
• Additional flying time: €360 / hour / person of flying time. Refunds: €330 / hour / person.
• Insurance. This MUST cover you specifically for heli skiing. Please ask us for advice if you are unsure of your options or consider our customised heliski insurance.
• Local transportation.
• Skis.
• Visa fees.

Typical Itinerary: