Far East & Siberia
Ski Touring in Russia
Russia, on our calendar, is not a country-wide tour. It is two places we know well.
Mamay sits in the Khamar-Daban / East Sayan mountains south of Lake Baikal. You reach camp by road from Irkutsk, then snowmobile. From there you ski natural birch and pine glades — cold powder, 600–800 m runs, no resort infrastructure.
The Kuril Islands are a volcanic chain between Kamchatka and Japan. You board a sailing vessel at Avacha Bay and ski active volcanoes, calderas and hot springs for two weeks, finishing in Sakhalin. Weather and sea state decide the itinerary.
Both trips are led by IFMGA-certified guides, run in small groups, and are sold all-inclusive. Choose by season and by how much expedition you want.
Mamay sits in the Khamar-Daban / East Sayan mountains south of Lake Baikal. You reach camp by road from Irkutsk, then snowmobile. From there you ski natural birch and pine glades — cold powder, 600–800 m runs, no resort infrastructure.
The Kuril Islands are a volcanic chain between Kamchatka and Japan. You board a sailing vessel at Avacha Bay and ski active volcanoes, calderas and hot springs for two weeks, finishing in Sakhalin. Weather and sea state decide the itinerary.
Both trips are led by IFMGA-certified guides, run in small groups, and are sold all-inclusive. Choose by season and by how much expedition you want.
Why Ski Tour in Russia
- Glades at a scale you rarely findMamay is a tourer’s forest: spaced trees, manageable avalanche terrain, and enough aspects to ski when the alpine is shut.
- A true ski-and-sail frontierThe Kurils are reached only by expedition vessel. Atlasov, Onekotan and Paramushir are not add-on days — they are the trip.
- Cold snow, long seasonSiberia holds mid-winter powder from November. The Kurils come into condition in April–May, when volcano slopes are still filled and the sailing window is open.
- Guides who already work hereNikita Pechersky leads both programmes. The access — snowmobile into Mamay, captain and permits on the Kurils — is handled so you ski.
When to ski tour in Russia
These two do not overlap. Book Mamay for winter. Book the Kurils if you want a longer, more committing spring expedition.
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Mamay
Months | November - MarchWhat it is for | Cold powder, glades, base-camp touring
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Kuril Islands
Months | April – May
What it is for | Volcano ski-and-sail, spring snow, expedition vessel
Our Russia Expeditions
Which trip is right for you
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Choose Mamay if you want a classic ski-touring week: cold snow, trees, a fixed camp, and a price close to our Central Asian trips. Ability: solid off-piste and touring fitness. Access: fly into Irkutsk (IKT).
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Choose the Kurils if you want a two-week expedition where sailing, weather and volcano access are part of the experience. Ability: confident touring on variable spring snow; comfort on a small vessel. Access: fly into Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (PKC), out of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (UUS).
You do not need both. They are different seasons and a different kind of trip.
Getting there from New Zealand
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Mamay
Fly Auckland → Asia hub → Irkutsk (IKT). We meet you at Irkutsk and transfer by road, then snowmobile to camp. The trip ends back in Irkutsk.
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Kuril Islands
Fly into Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (PKC), board the vessel in Avacha Bay, disembark at Korsakov and fly out of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (UUS). Build flexible connections — sailings move with weather. -
Entry
New Zealand passport holders need a Russian visa. We send invitation / support documents after you book. Start the visa well before departure; do not leave it to the week you fly. -
Packing
Follow the equipment guide. Both trips need touring kit and avalanche rescue gear you already know how to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. We run two trips: Mamay in Siberia (November–March) and the Kuril Islands ski-and-sail (April–May). Dates and details are on upcoming trips.
Yes, if you hold a New Zealand passport. We help with the support paperwork after booking. Check current entry rules for your nationality.
Touring days with 600–800 m of skiing through trees and bowls. You should already ski off-piste and be used to skins. Guides set the line to the group.
A 14-day expedition on a sailing vessel, then ski touring on volcanoes when landing is possible. Fitness for successive days, comfort at sea, and an appetite for a flexible plan matter as much as ski level.
IFMGA-certified guides. Nikita Pechersky leads both Russia programmes.
No. Packages cover transfers, accommodation, meals (as listed on each trip page) and guiding. International flights are extra.
Looking Further
Russia sits in a wider SnowMonkeys season.
Plan Your Trip to Russia
Ready to choose a date? Write to us.