€2460
excl. of flights
SUSPENDED: mid-April-mid May
Russia, Kamchatka peninsula
Easy to moderate slopes of 25-30 degrees. Steep skiing for stronger groups.
4-7 participants – have the whole boat for your party!
Daily -5 to +15 °C, can be windy
Considerable discounts for groups
A glorious icing on the cake of your 2022 skiing season: spend 6 days shredding the untracked slopes of a pristine bay with your friends while based on a comfy sailboat. Observe marine wildlife from a sea kayak. During an optional 2-day extension, ski safely into the crater of an active volcano getting up there on a mighty 6WD!
With a team of friends, explore the dramatic coast of the remote Kamchatka peninsula – the last frontier of Russia with the spirit like Patagonia or Alaska.
Observe marine wildlife: seals, sea otters, puffins, cormorants and even orcas and whales! Try your hand at sea fishing.
Feel the pulse of the ocean while paddling on a sea kayak during a day off skiing.
See the sun as it rises from the waters of the Pacific and touches the continent. Then ski down to the wild shore in the golden light and contemplate the swell.
In search for a challenge, venture into steep narrow couloirs!
Experience what it’s like to live in a city at the foothills of two active volcanoes. Visit history and culture museum.
Soak in hot springs then stock up with smoked salmon, red caviar and crab at the local market before your flight home.
Why skiing in Kamchatka?
Kamchatka is a remote peninsula the size of the UK at the final frontier of Russia, where the Eurasian continent is washed by the cold Pacific, nine hours ahead of Moscow and geographically closer to Alaska than the nearest major Russian city.
Six areas on the peninsula are protected as UNESCO World Heritage sites, thanks to a unique combination of volcanoes, glaciers, hot springs and geysers which altogether forge landscapes of stunning beauty and dramatic contrasts. Extremely low population density and minimal urban development help diverse flora and fauna remain largely undisturbed.
Join us skiing Kamchatka’s wild slopes, getting there on a boat — quite a unique experience! There are few places on Earth where you can witness the sunrise over the ocean then ski down to the coast with active volcanoes in view and finish the day paddling in a kayak near seals, sea otters and marine birds at the sunset!
Grab a window seat to catch a fleeting glimpse of the volcanoes, as your 8-hour non-stop flight from Moscow approaches the Pacific coast of Kamchatka. With clear skies, you can see the ‘home’ volcanoes towering above the airstrip right when you step outside the plane.
We then take a 30 minutes ride to the hot springs where we can soak in steaming water after the long flight and do a short work on delicious snacks. When everyone is ready, our minibus takes us to our hotel in the city center – about 1.5 hours ride from the hot springs. Alternatively, the hot springs can be rescheduled for the day after sailing, if the group is in agreement.
The more stoic jet lag warriors can go for a short walk, while others can take a nap at the hotel. In the evening the team gathers together for a short briefing and gear check, followed by a friendly dinner.
Early in the morning we get to the port and embark on our motorboat, leaving any unnecessary stuff at the hotel. Sailing to Russkaya bay takes about 4.5-5 hours, depending on the conditions. Weather-permitting, we can explore and ski less frequently visited bays on the way in.
Upon arrival, we moor to a rustic barge that serves as a convenient landing zone. After lunch, we go for a short introductory ski tour for the rest of the day followed by a piping hot dinner on board.
For the following four full days, we explore the slopes of Russkaya bay and its surroundings, making use of an inflatable zodiac boat.
On a typical day, we start early in the morning when the snow is still firm and easy to climb, necessitating ski crampons at times. Provided sufficient enthusiasm, on one day we can even start in the dark in order to reach the summit as the sun rises from the cold waters of the Pacific – and then charge down to the shore in the first golden lights.
We rest from skiing in turns: paddling in sea kayaks under the supervision of a qualified instructor, observing the seals and marine birds from an inflatable boat and trying our hand at sea fishing.
On the last day, we go for a half-day ski touring to bid farewell to the friendly bay and then set sail towards the port.
We check-in back to our hotel, enjoying the spacious rooms and firm ground beneath our feet!
This day can be used as a spare in case of unfavourable weather conditions. Normally, however, we visit a pleasantly old-style yet fascinating local museum that houses numerous original items of the indigenous Kamchatka tribes as well as early Russian explorers and settlers, interspersed with stuffed animals and birds.
Accompanied by our guides, we walk around the city center. This is a great chance to get a first-hand account of life in Russian Far East, as it differs drastically from the lavishing capital.
In the morning our minibus takes us to the airport town of Elizovo where we can stock up with souvenirs, smoked fish, crab and caviar – this all will easily last for a few days to impress your friends and family back home!
We can help organize your stopovers in Moscow and/or Saint-Petersburg, provide recommendations on sightseeing and time your visa accordingly.
Ski inside an active volcano!
There are many volcanic areas in the world but only in Kamchatka you can ski inside the crater of an active volcano! Lest the visions of your smouldering skis trouble you – the activity of Mutnovsky volcano manifests itself ‘merely’ in the form of roaring sulphur vents and bubbling mud right next to the trail. In the distance there are columns of hot steam bursting through hanging glaciers. This natural show continues year round, contained within jagged walls of an ancient crater several kilometres diameter.
We can visit the place during the extra 2 days of cabin-based ski touring supported by 6WD ATV. This optional extension of the main itinerary makes your journey to Kamchatka more comprehensive and is highly recommended.
Having rested in the city after the sailing for one full day, next morning we hop on a formidable 6WD ATV – a real monster truck built by local enthusiasts. Getting to the area takes us about five hours of wild yet comfortable ride along unpaved roads, ruts and untouched snowfields. On the way we pass Mutnovsky geothermal power plant built in early 2000s, the only one in Russia and one of a few in the world. It uses the Earth’s inner heat to generate electricity, meeting up to 30% of the city’s electricity demand.
We check into our unguarded cabin heated by a wood-burning stove, a few kilometres away from the volcano. After lunch we proceed to the crater, easily entering it through a break in its rim that looks like a narrow gorge. Reaching the fumaroles (sulphur vents) may require us to carry skis during some short steeper sections, depending on the condition of the trail. In the evening we will make a few short runs from adjacent hills, assisted by our mighty ATV on the way up – six enormous low pressure tyres allow it to climb low angle slopes of spring snow like a snowcat!
On the second day, we climb and ski down the prominent cone of Gorely volcano. The elevation difference is over 1,000m and the angle is about 25-35 degrees. There are several deep craters at the top. There used to be a glowing lava lake in one of them and turquoise high acidity lakes in the others – conditions change every year! Provided good visibility, we can see the Pacific from the summit. After the descent we may be able to visit ice grottos at the base of the volcano, provided sufficient time and good conditions.
The cost of the 2-day Mutnovsky extension is €550 p/p. Staying at the unguarded hut requires your own sleeping bag and inflatable mat. If your group is short on time and/or budget, we can make it a one-day visit to Mutnovsky crater, leaving aside the ascent of Gorely volcano.
Your boat
We work with a number of experienced local skippers and thus can choose the just the right boat for the group size: from 10m-long sailboats for small private groups up to huge vessels for 12-15 guests!
One example is a French-built mid-sized boat that is perfect for a group of 5-7 skiers and has the following characteristics:
Length: 14m 4.5m Draft: 1.6m
Cabin layout: 1 double cabins, 1 quadruple cabin with 1 double bed and a bunk bed, and pull-out sofas in the dining room. The crew sleeps in a separate cabin.
There is 1 shower, 2 toilets, a drying cabinet and a charger for portable electronics.
Snow and terrain
Moderate slopes with 400-800 meters of elevation difference, 25-35 degrees steep. We should be able to make 2-3 runs on most days, weather permitting. It is well possible to venture into steeper couloirs, provided the group’s skiing ability and snow conditions. The snow is a typical spring slush, a pleasure to ride. There may be other groups in the area but the guides will do their best to give us a chance to leave first tracks.
Our COVID-19 commitment
The pandemic brought out the importance of staying away from the crowds which you are welcome to do at any of our trips! Driven by the best practices of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), we at Primalscapes commit to the following:
— If you can’t travel due to a travel ban then we put your deposits towards a future trip with us. More details in our Cancellation Policy.
— We gather together small groups of 4-8 participants. Alternatively, why not book a bespoke trip just for you and your friends?
— These days health and safety is a shared responsibility so we ask our participants to provide COVID-19 test certificates right before the trip. Our guides and trek leaders are also tested.
— We provide private transfers throughout, avoiding congested locations.
— We include pulse oximeter and thermometer into our first medical kit for better chances of accurate diagnostics in the field. Should we mention hand sanitizers?
— On the ‘sail to ski’ trip, the boat is thoroughly disinfected before the trip. High-use areas are disinfected on a daily basis. Interactions with the crew are kept to a minimum: they sleep in a separate compartment and dine at different times.
Your guides
Andrew Golovachev, an IFMGA aspirant ski guide within the guides’ association of Kyrgyzstan, an avid alpine climber, and devoted adventure photographer.
Ran treks, climbs, ski tours and expeditions to Tajikistan Pamirs, Patagonia, Peru, Morocco, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Siberia, Caucasus and Kamchatka. A full member of the British Alpine Club. Professional avalanche education: equivalent of Canadian Avalanche Association Level 1 certificate.
Visited over 40 countries, lived in the UK for four years. Certified first-aider.
Booking terms
Sounds exciting? It truly is! We love the place and would be happy to share it with you. Should you have any questions, please check out our FAQ section below. Alternatively, don’t hesitate to send us your inquiry using the contact form or WhatsApp.
We require financial commitment from the participants in the form of two deposits made via bank transfer or Paypal. The first deposit of €120 is made immediately to secure your place. Part of this amount goes towards furnishing the visa invitation and other administration costs. The second deposit of €820 is due just two months before the trip. The remaining balance is paid in cash upon arrival.
Cancellation policy
If you need to cancel your trip 60 days or less before departure because you are prevented from travelling due to:
1) a government banning non-essential travel to the destination or imposing a quarantine for vaccinated upon arrival upon return from the destination country, or
2) a national or local lockdown
We will put your deposits in full towards a future trip with us, this year or the next year.
The above does not apply in the following cases:
– You or a family member is diagnosed with Covid and you are required to self-isolate, which prevents you from travelling.
– A close relative is diagnosed with Covid and you are required to care for them.
– You are denied boarding to your flight due to failing Covid checks.
– You are unable to join your trip due to not fully complying with the testing or vaccination requirements to enter the destination country.
We strongly recommend taking out a travel insurance with specific Covid-19 cancellation and curtailment provision which is now available from many reputable providers.
We also promise a 14-day risk-free booking window: you can cancel at any point within two weeks after you put down the first deposit. This buys you time to sort out vacation and flights, to bring in your friends, etc. and not have to worry about someone else taking your spot on the trip.
In case of cancellation of the trip by the participant due to any other personal circumstances any deposits made are NOT refunded. At our sole discretion we may put them towards your future trips with us.
The minimum group size for this trip is 4 participants plus the guide. Should there be less, the trip will be cancelled and all deposits made will be returned in full.
Start Your Journey
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Other extensions
There is so much more to Kamchatka than skiing down to the Pacific ocean and leaving first tracks on the slopes of active volcanoes! It makes perfect sense to stay for longer in order to justify jetting to the other side of the globe.
For a touch of something completely different, try winter surfing at the surf station maintained by local enthusiasts on a beach of black sand. All equipment is provided, including warm drysuits to make swimming in zero degree oceanic water as enjoyable as it can get. Tuition is available, if necessary.
For better views of the Pacific and the city, you can opt for skiing the active Avacha volcano 2,700m, one of the three volcanoes towering above the city. The two-day ascent starts with a snowmobile ride to the basecamp at the 900m col between Avacha and the mighty 3,500m Koryaksky volcano. We spend the night in a warm cabin and climb the volcano the next morning, witnessing the sunrise over the Pacific and the city. Some sections of the climb may have hard windblown snow necessitating the use of ski crampons and there are ash deposits closer to the smouldering active crater so we will have to take off our skis.
Heli skiing in Kamchatka is incredible, with a potential for long and steep runs from volcanic summits – besides the omnipresent view of the Pacific ocean! The cost of one day of heli-skiing with a third-party group, provided there are last-minute seats, is about €800 per person – please enquire. Given sufficient interest from our group members, we could charter a small helicopter exclusively for our group. In any event, any heli-skiing is better scheduled PRIOR to our sailing dates as later in the season it may become too warm.
Finally, if that is your first time in Russia, it makes perfect sense to stop in Moscow and Saint-Petersburg for a few days on the way back. We can provide recommendations on sightseeing and extend your visa accordingly.
