NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION Kamchatka is in the volcanic “Ring of Fire” region on the Pacific Ocean’s edge in Eastern Siberia, Russia
SKIABLE AREA About 96,500 sq miles (250,000 sq kms), although most of the terrain is unexplored SEASON Apr–May
ACCESSIBILITY Slopes can be accessed by helicopter or long hikes
Skiing in Kamchatka is an almost surreal experience. Many of the peaks your battered Mi-8 helicopter will drop you on have steam issuing from cracks in their flanks; active volcanoes dot the landscape and at the end of your run, you might find yourself on a black-sand beach that is being pounded by Pacific breaks.
You may spot grizzly bears and sea eagles while skiing, and can easily clock up over 30,000 ft (11,000 m) of vertical per day. And it’s not unusual to wind it all up at the end of the day sipping Russian “champagne” in a natural hot spring, easily making Kamchatka the ski trip of a lifetime.
Practical Information
Getting There and Around The only practical means of accessing Kamchatka is from the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky international airport, which is 9 hours from Moscow.
Accommodations are in the regional capital of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Hotels are basic by western standards. You will have to bring all your own ski gear and spares as nothing is available in the town.
When to Go Apr–May, as midwinter weather is too unpredictable.