Ski the wild volcanoes of the Kamchatka Peninsula
Bathed by the Pacific Ocean, the Kamchatka Peninsula is located in the extreme northeast of Russia, just across from Alaska. This region, one of the wildest on the planet, is renowned for its active volcanoes, geysers and numerous brown bears. The quality and quantity of snow as well as the spectacular scenery make it a unique destination.
On sunny days, the helicopter drops us off on the summits of active volcanoes such as Mutnoskiy 2322 mts high or Vilyushinskiy 2180 mts high for long descents to the ocean shore. As the days go by, craters, active volcanoes, impressive geysers, long descents to the beach and brown bears will no longer hold any secrets for you!
When the helicopter cannot fly due to bad weather, we will be able to ski all day thanks to the base snowcat and snowmobiles which will easily hoist us to the top of beautiful slopes sheltered from the wind by the birch forests.
What you will do during your trip
You will draw huge curves along the 2000 mts vertical descents from the tops of the active volcanoes all the way to the beach.
While enjoying in the evening the beneficial effects of natural hot water to recover from a big freeride day.
Enjoying a pantagruelic meal made of Kamchatka king crab.
Before leaving with your souvenir video of a memorable heliskiing trip.
Frequently asked questions
The 9V guides use and recommend backcountry skis from 95 mm to 120 mm wide, depending on your size. Fitted with pin-type touring bindings with ski stops, these skis are fairly light, allowing you to ski with ease and save your legs in all types of snow. We recommend 4-hook freerando boots with 60° of travel.
Nop, we rather be slackcountry skiing. Slackcountry or sidecountry skiing is a mix of classic freeride/powder skiing with one or more short walks on foot or with skins from the top of the lifts. The aim is to quickly reach the beautiful powdery, trackless slopes, even when it hasn’t snowed for a long time. The emphasis is on the pleasure of the descent rather than the effort of the ascent.
Slackcountry skiing is THE powder guarantee!
TRAVEL BAG AND SKI BAG
As we travel by plane, boat, car or minibus, space is often at a premium. So it’s best to keep your luggage small and easy to carry. We advise you to travel with a soft duffel bag with wheels, a soft ski sleeve without wheels and a separate ski boot bag.
BACKPACK (25 / 35 liters with carrying strap for skis) for the day’s essentials:
– warm down jacket at the bottom of the bag,
– goggles with a screen for bad weather,
– neck warmer against wind, cold, powder and sun,
– high-protection sun cream for face and lips,
– spare gloves if you fall down a lot, or mittens if you’re afraid of the cold,
– thermos flask if it’s cold or camel bag if it’s mild,
– dried fruit, chocolate, energy bars,
– survival blanket, shovel and probe.
CLOTHING
You’ll spend a lot more time in ski clothes than in après-ski gear.
At any time of year, the weather can be fine and mild, or extremely cold, snowy or rainy.
Make sure you wear weather-appropriate clothing: During a snowstorm, skiing is fantastic in the forest. Pack an extra layer of clothing in your daypack to adapt to any changes in temperature. Temperatures vary with altitude, on the order of 10°C per 1000 meters. As a result, the difference in temperature between the valley and the summit can vary by 20° or more with the effect of the wind.
If you’re properly equipped, you’ll enjoy skiing whatever the weather. We ski in all weathers.
If you have an avalanche transceiver, we advise you to bring it with you. If it’s an old model, it’s a good opportunity to check that it’s working properly, and to practice with it. If it’s brand new, it’s important to use it as often as possible to familiarize yourself with its operation. Regular training is the only way to be efficient when you need it! If you don’t have a transceiver, please let us know on the registration form and we’ll provide you with one when possible.
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Program
DAY 1 : Saturday morning – Meet at Yelizovo airport in Petropavlovsk Kamtchatsky.
Meeting with your guides and transfer by 6-wheel drive truck to the lodge. After installation in the rooms a meal will be served. Meet the Russian guides, check everyone’s equipment and distribute the safety equipment provided. Training with avalanche beacon. Relaxation at the swimming pool, then evening meal and night at the hotel. If the weather is favorable, it is possible to start skiing on this first day.
DAY 2 – DAY 5 : Each morning, the guides decide on which zone the group will ski according to the weather conditions of the day. Of course the objective is to discover as many different volcanoes as possible from north to south of the region. According to our experience and when the weather conditions allow it, we ski between 6,000 and 9,000 vertical meters per day, achieved in around 5 to 7 drops.
DAY 6 – DAY 7 : Reserve days which will compensate for days without heliskiing due to bad weather.
DAY 8: Saturday morning – End of the trip.
Last breakfast on board and transfer to the airport.
The program is subject to change depending on the conditions on the ground and the fitness of the participants.
Hotels and Huts
Hotels and Huts
80 km from Petropavlovsk, our lodge is ideally located at the foot of the volcanoes of the Verkne – Paratunskaya Valley.
The lodge is a recently built complex located in the middle of nature. It is made up of several comfortable chalets. It offers several rooms with wifi, several outdoor swimming pools fed by natural hot springs and a “Banya”, a russian typical sauna ideal for relaxing after a good day of skiing. A gym is available. Breakfasts and evening meals are taken in the lodge restaurant with local specialties on the menu such as borscht, salmon and the famous king crab. Lunch is taken during a break directly on the snow between the volcanoes or by the ocean …
In case of bad weather, we can ski in the birch forests that surround the lodge. Thanks to the assistance of the base’s snowmobile and snowcat, it is possible to make up to 3000 meters vertical per day.
Everything is organized so that you can enjoy 100% of your trip.
Included
Included HELICOPTERE
8 hours of flight per person, approximately 3/4 days of heliskiing or approximately 25,000 meters of vertical drop. No reimbursement for flights not carried out by a participant, whatever the cause, (fatigue, illness, injury, premature departure) … since any empty place in the helicopter must be paid. You can take out individual coverage with an insurance company which, if the interruption of your stay is justified, can reimburse the part of the stay that you missed.
9V GUIDE + RUSSIAN GUIDE
Supervision by a French guide and 2 full-time Russian guides for a group of 12 participants.
ACCOMODATION
7 nights full board in a comfortable lodge, base double room and free access to the natural hotspring swimming pool.
VIDEO
A professional cameraman will be with us every day to create a souvenir video of the trip that will compile all the good times, the big curves in the powder and the spectacular landscapes that characterize Kamchatka.
NATURAL HOT SPRING
The natural hot springs which are captured at the lodge allow to heat all the buildings, but also to supply the stone pools as well as the large swimming pool and the waterfall where it is good to relax after the day of skiing.
TRANSPORTATION
Round trip airport transfer.
SAFETY GEAR
An airbag avalanche rucksack and a safety triptych including transceiver, shovel, probe are provided to each participant.
RESCUE EQUIPMENT
Not included
Not included RESCUE INSURANCE
TRIP INSURANCE
ADDITIONAL FLIGHT HOURS
Each additional hour of flight costs 500€ for each participant (Price calculated on a basis of 12 participants).
SINGLE ROOM
FAT SKIS
VISA
PLAN TICKETS
All flights are at your expense.
