Experiences you'll have

Kamchatka

New Year backcountry camp

Difficulty

Age

from 18 y.o.

Group size

to 16

Duration

8 days

Accomodation at the trip

4 nights

3 nights

Языки

guide

from 1 250 EUR

Kamchatka winter backcountry camp

We invite you to spend your New year holidays in a ski camp in Kamchatka. You will learn how to ride on different terrain: prepared trails, volcano slopes and snowy virgin land. Except for new skiing experience, acquaintance with the amazing Kamchatka nature combined with a comfortable stay in the mountains are waiting for you in this trip.

This tour is suitable for beginners, because the program includes theoretical and practical backcountry and ski-touring training

Highlights of the tour:

a varied program of skiing: you will try a backcountry skiing and ski touring in the areas of the Avachinsky and Nachikinsky mountain passes, as well as a freeride down the remote slopes reached by snowmobiles
lectures and practical exercises: you will learn how to prepare for the ascent and descent, plan a route for backcountry skiing, practice movement strategy during ski-touring and in snowshoes depending on different mountain reliefs, and pass a practical training on avalanche safety and first aid in the mountains
a diverse "après-ski" program: you will go snowmobiling along the famous Khalaktyrsky beach of the Pacific Ocean with volcanic sand and take a helicopter tour to the crater of an active volcano
comfortable accommodation: after a busy day of skiing, you will return to a comfortable guest house in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, and the final two nights you will spend in a country hotel with an open-air thermal pool

If you already have a strong experience in skiing, you can choose the Heli-ski program with helicopter airlift to the most remote and picturesque untouched territories of Kamchatka.

Itinerary

The journey begins in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, where you should travel to on your own. We are ready to help with the purchase of tickets, if necessary, leave a comment on the application.

When purchasing tickets, please take into account the time difference (+9 hours to Moscow time) and the flight duration (8.5 hours). To be in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky on the first day of the program, you need to fly from Moscow the day before. On the return flight, you will be in Moscow on the day of departure.

Day 1

You will be met at the airport and taken to the guest house/hotel in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Here you will meet the guides, discuss the program and have lunch.

In the afternoon you a trip by snowmobiles or off-road vehicle to the coastline of the Pacific Ocean is waiting for you. You will walk along the Khalaktyrsky beach famous for its black sand of the volcanic origin. In the evening you will have dinner and rest in comfortable rooms.

Day 2

After breakfast you will be get all necessary instructions according the safe behaviour in the mountains and will practice with avalanche equipment.

Then you will have lunch and will go skiing at the “Krasnaya Sopka” ski resort. Upon returning to the guest house/hotel you will have lecture concerning the ski-touring/backcountry equipment, as well as the movement strategy during ski-touring and in snowshoes depending on different mountain reliefs

You will learn about types of clothing, ski-touring skis and snowshoes. Also guides will tell you how to prepare for uphill and downhill, how to attach skins, to lift hills in the bindings, to set up the height of the heel instep, etc. In the evening you will have dinner and rest.

Day 3

After breakfast you will depart for the ski-touring or backcountry program near the Nachikinskiy Pass, training of the skills given on the lectures. You will have a picnic on the route, then continue skiing and return to the city. In the evening you will have dinner and rest.

Day 4

After breakfast, you will depart for the ski-touring or backcountry program in the area of the the Avachinsky Pass. You will get there first by off-road vehicle (25-30 km), and then by snowmobiles.

Taking into account the current weather and snow conditions anf avalanche danger, the senior guide will determine the plan for the freeride areas. This can be the slopes of Avachinsky, Koryaksky volcanoes or Camel Hill. You will have a light lunch on the route.

After the program ends, you will return to the city. Before dinner there will be a lecture on the possible injuries during freeride activities, first aid treatment and transportation during minor traumas.

Day 5

After breakfast you will go to the heliport in the village of Nikolaevka. A helicopter tour into the crater of one of the active volcanoes is waiting for you today (the decision upon the final destination is determined by the senior guide and pilots depending on the weather and snow conditions).

After the tour ends, you will be taken to a country hotel located in the Paratunka resort area. You will have lunch and accommodate in cozy rooms. Then you will be divided into teams and will practice the tactics of searching of people under the snowslide working with avalanche equipment (shovel and probe).

In the evening, you can swim in the open-air thermal pool, have dinner and relax at the hotel.

Day 6

Today after breakfast you will depart for a freeride program to the area of the Vilyuchinsky pass (transfer by snowmobiles). You will make 6-8 descents with a break for lunch. Then you will return to the hotel and can relax swimming in the hot thermal under the open sky.

Day 7

This day will be used as a reserve in case of bad weather on previous days. If you complete the entire program, you can book additional excursions or ski programs on this day.

Today the guides will present a lecture about the ski-touring or backcountry itinerary planning. You will discuss the route, learn how to analyse the weather conditions and risks that might arise during the activity. In the evening you will have a farewell party.

Day 8

After breakfast you will go to the airport. On the way you will stop at the fish market and the souvenir shop.

Accomodation at the trip

In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky you will stay for 4 nights in "Bay House" guest house or "Three skis" hotel. The cost of the trip includes accommodation in four-, six-. eight- bed rooms. If desired and for an additional fee you can choose accommodation in a triple room (+20 EURO per person), in double/twin room (+70 EURO per person) or in a single room (from 375 EURO per person).

Rooms at "Bay House" guest house offer scenic views of Avacha Bay or the mountains. There are bunk beds with curtains in the room, lockers and a shared bathroom. Also guests can use a terrace, a lounge with free Wi-Fi, as well as visit a restaurant and a sauna with panoramic views.

"Three skis" hostel is located in the heart of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The rooms have bunk beds made of solid wood with an individual lamp, a socket and shelf for charging and storing electronic devices. Separate bathrooms are located directly in the room. Guests can use a lounge and a working area with free Wi-Fi.

The final two nights of the tour you will spend in country hotel, located in the Paratunka recreation area. You will be accommodated in comfortable guest house, which has 4 double rooms, a spacious living room with panoramic windows and a kitchen. The rooms have one double or two single beds, as well as a bathroom with a shower. If desired you can book single accommodation in the room.

FAQ

Who will be my guide

During the program, you will be accompanied by professional guides and instructors who will instruct you about avalanche safety, coordinate the process and help if necessary.

A professional photographer will also join you for 3 days of the tour. After the trip you will receive a report with quality photos or videos.

Meals

The program includes breakfast and dinner at the guest house in the city and in the country hotel, as well as a light snack on the routes and one lunch on the day of arrival. For the rest of the days you will need to pay extra for lunch.

Insurance

Insurance is mandatory. It is not included in the price of the tour, but we can help you with registration, if necessary, leave a comment on the application.

Insurance must be valid for the entire duration of the tour and contain the following conditions: "freeride/off-piste" ("downhill skiing" is not enough).

Can I take part

This tour is suitable for participants with minimal backcountry or ski tour experience. The program includes an extensive training, including theoretical and practical classes on avalanche safety, as well as preparation for climbing/descending and tactics of movement on snowshoes on different types of mountain terrain.

What to bring with me

set of equipment: skis or snowboard, poles, ski skins, glide ski wax
comfortable modern ski backpack with a volume of up to 40 liters, with the possibility of attaching skis and snowboards to it
ski protection (armor, knee pads, shorts, etc.), optional
snowshoes for hiking (can be rented fon spot)
trekking boots or sneakers
trekking and cotton socks, 3 pairs each
windproof and waterproof membrane suit (jacket and pants)
fleece suit
t-shirts and shorts, 3 pcs
2 sets of thermal underwear (warm and for active work) or 1 universal set
a cap
light balaclava, bandana or buff
light gloves, 2 pairs
swimsuit
sunglasses and sunscreen
ski mask, can be 2 pcs
a head lamp with a spare battery
penknife (multitool)
thermos (1 L)
personal hygiene items and a towel
personal first aid kit
repair kit for your equipment (screwdrivers, tweezers, scissors, thread and needle, small pliers)