KRASNAYA POLYANA, CAUCASUS MOUNTAINS, RUSSIA
"The heliskiing in Russia blew me away. It really doesn't get much better. I cannot believe it took me so long to discover one of my favourite places to ride" James Stentiford, professional snowboarder
Why Heliski Here?
- World class heli skiing / snow boarding in exciting and varied terrain
- Excellent tree skiing in well-spaced birch forests
- Travel from Europe is quick, relatively inexpensive and you will not suffer from jet lag
- Option to use local ski resort if weather prevents heli skiing
- Stable snowpack and possibilities to heli ski / heli board steeper terrain
- Cultural experience
Location
(click here to view location)
The town of Sochi is situated at the foot of Russia's Caucasus
range, on the Black Sea. It is one of the main seaside resorts
in Russia and the gateway to the ski resort and heli skiing
base of Krasnaya Polyana. The Caucasus are an imposing mountain
range ideally suited to heli skiing. The entire range is
1,450 km long with altitudes stretching from 0 m at the
Black Sea to 5,672m at the top of Mount Elbrus. The development
of the ski resort, has made tourism the main industry.
The Heli skiing / Heli boarding
Krasnaya Polyana and its surrounding area are ideally suited for heli skiing. Primarily you will heli ski on non-glacial terrain at elevations between 700 metres and 3,200 metres. A never ending succession of superb, wind sheltered slopes and bowls, magnificent forests of well-spaced silver birches and snow conditions that have not existed in Europe for a long time make Russia an exceptional heli skiing destination with an affordable price tag. Groups consist of up to 10 heli skiers or boarders with a UIAGM certified European guide and a local Russian guide. This allows the flexibility of heli skiing in two smaller groups with one guide, or in one larger group with a lead and a tail guide.
Accommodation and Facilities
Guests have the option of staying in a 4-star hotel or local guesthouse.
The Lazumaya Peak Hotel was built in August 1995 and is situated in the centre of the village at 550m altitude. The 47 bedrooms are equipped with telephone and satellite television. The living rooms, the bar, the indoor heated swimming pool, the sauna, the Turkish baths and the gym are all very well decorated and ensure a very comfortable stay. The buffet meals are served in the hotel restaurant with large bay windows overlooking the surrounding mountains.
The Guest House is the best option is for those wishing to stay in close contact with local people and culture.
Helicopters & Safety
The extremely powerful, Russian built M18 MTV, twin turbine helicopters are used to transport heli skiers and heli boarders to the peaks surrounding Krasnaya Polyana. They are chartered from a private company that follows all international maintenance procedures, and exports outside Russia. 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 trained and qualified professionals with a wealth of mountain flying experience. Each group of 10 heli skiers or heli boarders is accompanied by a U.l.A.G.M. certified European guide. All of the guides have a great deal of heli skiing experience and local knowledge, and this is one of the only operations to supply all its guests with avalanche air bags
"Like most heli-skiers I heard the tales of the aircraft used in Russian heli-ski operations - old, badly maintained ex-military helicopters, flown by vodka-fuelled veteran pilots from the Afghanistan campaign.
In reality nothing could be further from the truth.
The powerful Mil helicopters were modern and maintained to the highest standard.
As with most Russian equipment it was massively overpowered and coped very easily with the mountain weather systems.
The helicopter was equipped with state of the art avionics and the aviation authority only allowed flying in good visibility.
The pilot, co-pilot and loadmaster/observer were non-military and had considerable experience flying in the mountains. Their control over the aircraft was exemplary at all times.
I, like all the skiers on the trip were impressed with the professionalism of the whole operation.
I would have no problem in thoroughly recommending this company."
Ian Ansell
Helicopter pilot
Heli skiing Prices and Packages - 2008
Rates per person in Euros.
Option 1
Five days and six nights with the M18 Helicopter and groups of up to 12 people.
(Click here for up to date exchange rates and other currencies.)
| Dates | Hotel | Guest House |
| 27 Jan – 03 Feb | €4,150 | €3,550 |
| 03 Feb – 10 Feb | €4,150 | €3,550 |
| 10 Feb – 17 Feb | €4,150 | €3,550 |
| 17 Feb – 24 Feb | €4,150 | €3,550 |
| 24 Feb – 02 Mar | €4,150 | €3,550 |
| 02 Mar – 09 Mar | €4,150 | €3,550 |
| 09 Mar – 16 Mar | €4,150 | €3,550 |
| 16 Mar - 23 Mar | €4,150 | €3,550 |
For single occupancy add €75 per night
Included
- Return transfers from Sochi to Krasnaya Polyana.
- 6 nights accommodation (double occupancy) in 4 star hotel or guesthouse.
- All meals.
- 5 days heli skiing /heli boarding including 20 guaranteed drops.
- Service of European UIAGM certified guide and local Russian guide.
- All safety equipment: avalanche transceiver, ABS AIRBAG, shovel and probe.
- Powder skis.
Not Included
- International flight and flight from Moscow to Sochi
- Hotel nights in Moscow
- Heli skiing over the included number of runs (extra runs charged at €120 / run)
- Visas
- Insurance (specifically for heli skiing)
- Drinks
Typical Itinerary (7 day)
| Sunday | Arrive Moscow & connect to Sochi (2 hrs). Transfer by road to heli skiing base in Krasnaya Polyana (1 hr). |
| Monday to Friday | 5 days heli skiing. |
| Saturday | Fly Sochi to Moscow and on to final destination. |
Option 2
- Long weekend. Three days and four nights with the M18 Helicopter and groups of up to 12 people.
- Arrive Wednesday evening, heli ski from Thursday to Saturday, return on Sunday
- Groups of 12 skiers/borders with 12 guaranteed drops
Rates per person in Euros.
| Dates | Price |
| 30 Jan – 03 Feb | Hotel: €2,490 |
| 06 Feb – 10 | Hotel: €2,490 |
| 13 Feb – 17 Feb | Hotel: €2,490 |
| 20 Feb – 24 Feb | Hotel: €2,490 |
| 27 Feb – 02 Mar | Hotel: €2,490 |
| 05 Mar – 09 Mar | Hotel: €2,490 |
| 12 Mar – 16 Mar | Hotel: €2,490 |
| 19 Mar - 23 Mar | Hotel: €2,490 |
Included
- Return transfers from Sochi to Krasnaya Polyana.
- 4 nights accommodation (double occupancy) in 4 star hotel or guesthouse.
- All meals.
- 3 days heli skiing /heli boarding including 12 guaranteed drops
- Service of European UIAGM certified guide and local Russian guide
- All safety equipment: avalanche transceiver, ABS AIRBAG, shovel and probe.
- Powder skis.
Not Included
- International flight and flight from Moscow to Sochi
- Hotel nights in Moscow
- Heli skiing over the included number of runs (extra runs charged at €120 / run)
- Visas
- Insurance (specifically for heli skiing)
- Drinks
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