High Light Set-up Pratical info More info
Kamchatka - Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Take a ride through ice and fire -
discover one of the wildest landscapes and ski on active volcanoes
High Lights
Kamchatka resides in the middle of an incredible landscape of active volcanoes, alpine valleys and fjords in a still untouched area. You can see the mighty brown bears, sea eagles, sea lions and seals while skiing. Kamchatka offers runs of 2000 – 3000 vertical meters and therefore the ratio of helicopter time / vertical meters is favourable.
Set-up
Different packages:
Standard Package:
This package is our "classic" heliskiing set-up in Russia. Our privately operated powerful MI-8 helicopter can carry up to 12 guests at a time. 3 mountain guides lead the group to insure a high level of safety and personal attention.
Half-Private Package:
'Small, fast, flexible and manoeuvrable' is the spirit of this package. You'll ride in one of two groups of only six skiers. This small group size has two guides and will give you a great chance to ski interesting and challenging lines.
Private Package:
The Private Ski Package offers total flexibility and comfort and exemplifies privacy and exclusivity.
Helicopter time:
Due to the special operation mode in Kamchatka, where each package has its own dedicated private helicopter, we are using the helicopter time as our base for calculations. The proposed helicopter time for each of our packages presents an average time based on several years of experience. In the case of very good weather conditions and a highly able group, the given hours are not sufficient. In general a good helicopter day in Kamchatka is 7000 - 10 000 vertical meters and requires around 2h30h of helicopter time.
Accommodation:
Private *** Hotel with double rooms.
Our hotel conforms well to European standards and is situated in a tranquil area. The rooms are spacious and each is equipped with its own bathroom. Some of your meals will be served in the hotel, but we also venture into Petropavlovsk to sample some local cuisine.
In addition, you will also find the following facilities in the hotel:
- hot spring swimming pool with a great relax area
- different bars
- Billiard room
- chill-out area
- WIFI Internet connection
Program:
Day 1:
. Flight: Moscow to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
. morning: arrival in Petropavlovsk airport
. welcome and transfer from airport to hotel
. getting settled, welcome drink and lunch
. late afternoon: safety information and training
Day 2 to 9:
. Heliskiing
Day 10:
. transfer to airport / departure
In case of bad weather conditions we can propose the following activities:
. skiing in the small resorts of Krasnaya Sopka and Maroznaya close the city
. ski touring
. dog-sledges
. skidoos
. city tour of Sochi with its market
. visiting different hot springs
Guiding:
Standard package:
Group of max. 12 guests guided by 2 experienced High Mountain guides (UIAGM) and 1 Russian heliski guide.
Half-Private package:
Group of max. 6 guests guided by 1 experienced High Mountain guide (UIAGM) and 1 Russian heliski guide. 2 groups share a helicopter load.
Private package:
Group of max. 8 guests guided by 2 experienced High Mountain guides (UIAGM) and 1 Russian heliski guide.
Each group has its own private helicopter.
Security and material:
Security is our first priority
Safety training:
Each guest will be given the required information concerning safety and the practical aspects of heliskiing. This will be followed by hands-on exercises for guests to test the distributed safety equipment, including: ABS back pack use and avalanche victim search training.
Safety equipment:
Each guest will be equipped with an avalanche air back (ABS backpack), avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel.
Guides:
Our guides are experienced UIAGM guides and Russian heliski guides, both complementary in their function and highly experienced in heliskiing. Some of our guides are also trained as ski patrol professionals, UIAGM guide / rescue instructors, or ski instructors. The guides are linked via radio to each other and to the helicopter.
Rescue material:
Guides: avalanche rescue equipment, first aid kit, rope, harness and satellite telephone.
Helicopter: evacuation rescue kit, immobilization equipment, special pharmacy for first aid and additional avalanche rescue equipment.
Helicopter:
We are use MI8 helicopters for all our packages.
MI8-MTV:
The World's most produced helicopter, known to be robust and extremely powerful. We charter these helicopters from the Kamchatka airlines company. These helicopters are checked and maintained following precise protocols. These protocols are carried out in conformity with the international standards, and fulfil the required safety standards. Our Russian pilots are familiar with the very specific atmospheric conditions in Kamchatka and are well trained for heliskiing.
Pratical info
Your equipment:
. Dress for similar climate to the Alps
The helicopters are heated and you can store some equipment inside.
We recommend multi layer out-fits and spare gloves and goggles. Due to high winds the wind-chill factor
is often an important consideration, and we recommend some extra protect your face and the use of a helmet.
. The skis
(possibly equipped with a ski touring binding and skins) should be selected for big turns on untracked slopes
with changeable snow, from powder, to crust, to icy slope entrances (due to steam from active volcanoes).
. Your ability
Comfortable with changeable snow conditions, good control in difficult snow conditions
and a good level of fitness since most runs are between 1000m to 2000m in length.
Jet-lag:
. Kamchatka: +12 hours from the Greenwich (UK) Prime Meridian.
Cash:
. 1 € is about 34,50 Roubles
. 1 US $ is about 27,10 Roubles
. You can change money at Moscow airport, or at available cash machines in the city, or at some hotels.
Prices are slightly cheaper than at ski stations in the Alps.
Visa:
. Passport validity: +6 months after trip-end date
. Russian Visa request form
. photo (passport style)
. proof of medical insurance valid for Russia, or dedicated travel insurance
. Invitation (supplied by “Les Voyageurs”)
. Hotel voucher (supplied by “Les Voyageurs”)
More info
Country and Culture
Kamchatka: a long forbidden, mystical peninsula in the Far East of Siberia is our prime Heliski location. Situated between the Okhotsk Sea in the West and the Strait of Bering in the East, this vast area used to be a restricted military zone and as such, a blank spot on the map. In the 16th century, people started to explore these Far Eastern territories. It took a long time before people settled in this exceptionally tough and rugged place. Russians, Japanese, British and French have all fought for control of this pacific gateway, which became, during the Cold War, a highly strategic location…
Today it is possible to travel to the 370,000 square kilometers that make up Kamchatka - nearly as big as France - and to discover a largely untouched landscape. Two thirds of the total population of 460,000 inhabitants is living in the capital, Petropavlovsk. The Kamchatkan landscape is composed of an extensive number of more or less active volcanoes. About 10% of all inland volcanoes on our planet are located here. Standing at 4750 meters, Klychevskaya is the highest summit in Kamchatka and Siberia, and from many of the volcanoes one can see the ocean. The long spectacular coastline offers more than 2500 kilometres of wild fiords and cliffs. This unique nature reserve is also home to the biggest brown bears on earth. They are particularly happy when thousands of fat salmon fill up the clear water of the rivers during their annual migration.
Skiing and boarding
It was just a matter of time before Kamchatka grabbed our attention, after the few reports we heard about its amazing wilderness: Summits up to 3000 meters with easy access, runs of 2000 or 3000 vertical meters in all angles and shapes! In the spring, there is powder in the shade and spring snow on the sunny sides. Many slopes run straight down to the coast where shelves of ice cover parts of the beaches… We have exclusive use of a sturdy MI 8 helicopter, and there is no limitation in the choice of landing zones other than weather and snow conditions. Needless to say, the chances of meeting other skiers or snowboarders on the slope are rather small! If we cannot take off because of the weather conditions, we can go skiing in the small ski lift areas around the city, or explore the region with dog sledges or skidoos.
Program
Flights from Seattle or Anchorage are direct, but guests travelling from other locations need to fly via Moscow. From there it’s a nine hour connecting flight in an Illyouchine 96 (latest generation Russian aircraft - spacious and comfortable). You finally arrive and meet us and our Russian ski guide friends, Nikolay and Vitaly, in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, and a 30-minute taxi ride takes you to our hotel. After the mandatory safety instructions regarding the helicopter approach, behaviour on the terrain and avalanche awareness, you will be ready to experience some of the biggest and most scenic runs in the world. Every morning we will decide, together with our pilots, which area would offer the best weather and snow conditions. We will have the choice between large slopes or steep couloirs. The summits are 3500 meters high and we can often ride down to almost sea level. After an active day, we have the choice between a short visit into the crater of an active volcano, or a bath in one of the many natural hot springs. Diving into a steaming hot pool surrounded by steep walls of snow seems to be a natural method of relaxation in a land with so many volcanoes! Then a taste of the famous local smoked salmon with a cold beer. It gives the distinct impression that there is no better place to be than this long forgotten peninsula…
PRICES & DATES
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