HELI SKIING ON THE KAMCHATKA PENINSULA - EASTERN RUSSIA
Read about our exploratory trip to Kamchatka in April 2006
Why heli ski here?
- Possibly THE most unique heliski experiences available today
- Unexplored terrain in one of the wildest and most remote heli skiing destinations in the world
- All of our heliski trips to Kamchatka operate with just one group per helicopter
- Long, long descents!
- Ski / Ride to the beach, into the craters of volcanoes and to remote hot springs
Location
In the far east of Russia, situated between the Okhtsk Sea to the West and the Bering Sea to the east, the Kamchatka Peninsula is a remote and isolated land that is the size of Germany, Austria and Switzerland combined with a population of just 377,900 - 250,000 of whom live in the capital Petropavlovsk. At 4,750 metres, Kljutschevskayay is the highest of the peninsula's 200 volcanoes, 29 of which are active - making it the greatest concentration of volcanoes found anywhere on earth.
Its significance as a strategic military base, its low population density, few roads and lack of large-scale development have left the vast majority of the peninsula untainted by human hands and it is now globally recognised as an area of highly significant biodiversity.
Accommodation and Facilities
At the start of the 2009 season we moved our 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 experience with 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 Antarius has much better facilities and is all round of a higher standard than our previous hotel.
Massage is available in the hotel and there is a sauna and natural hot springs on your 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 - poor to non-existent…but improving!
If you fancy something 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.
The Heli skiing and Heli boarding
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.
'Kamchatka was AMAZING. The terrain is unbelievable with those vast views dotted by smouldering volcanoes. And to actually ski into a live volcano has to be one of the most amazing things I have done so far.'
Gail Gower, 2009
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 with extensive mountain experience. 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 Russian 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.
Heli Skiing Prices and Packages - Kamchatka 2010
We offer two main packages, The Discovery and The Pioneer, both of which offer you the exclusivity of just one helicopter per group. The discovery operates with groups of twelve and three guides and includes eight hours of helicopter flying time. Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis and overall this trip is aimed at the more price conscious.
The Pioneer package is aimed more 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 equates to about 27 runs of 1,300 vertical metres. The Pioneer package also includes a number of other activities for times when poor weather prevents flying. These include: skiing at the local resort, dog sledding ski touring, and snowmobiling.
All prices quoted are per person and in Euros.
(Click here for up to date exchange rates and other currencies.)
| Dates | Discovery | Pioneer |
| 02 - 11 Mar | €4,150 | €5,650 |
| 11 - 20 Mar | €4,150 | €5,650 |
| 21 – 30 Mar | €4,150 | €5,650 |
| 30 Mar – 08 Apr | €4,150 | €5,650 |
| 08 – 17 Apr | €4,150 | €5,650 |
| 18 – 27 Apr | €4,150 | €5,650 |
| 27 – 06 May | €4,150 | €5,650 |
| 06 – 15 May | €4,150 | €5,650 |
Single occupancy add €300
Included in the Discovery package:
- Eight possible ski days with a private helicopter and eight hours of helicopter time
- Three guides for a group of twelve guests
- Eight 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 in the Discovery package:
- International and domestic flights
- Insurance
- Dinner (add €250 or pay as you go at the hotel or local restaurants)
- Drinks
- Local transportation
- Additional flying time (€2,700 per hour per helicopter load)
- Skis
- Single occupancy (add €300)
* Refunds €200 / hour / person.
Included in the Pioneer Package:
- Eight possible ski days with a private helicopter and ten hours of helicopter time
- Flexibility to ski in two groups of six with two guides per group OR one group of twelve with four guides.
- Eight nights accommodation (double occupancy) with all meals included.
- Return transfers from the airport to your hotel & local transportation (until midnight).
- Sauna and natural hot springs at the hotel.
- Safety equipment: ABS backpack, avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.
- Extra activities: skiing at the local resort, snowmobiling, dog sledding, ski touring, city tours.
- Opportunities to explore further more remote areas than with the Discovery Package.
Not Included in the Pioneer Package:
- International and domestic flights
- Insurance
- Drinks
- Additional flying time (€2,700 per hour per helicopter load)
- Skis
- Single occupancy (add €300)
* Refunds: €200 / hour / person.
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