Heliskiing - Kamchatka
17.04.- 24.04.2010 with Garhammer Ski Tours

 Info PDF

A very special experience for advanced skiers.......

Even if you already know all the top skiing areas in the Alps, you’ll be over the moon when you go skiing on Kamchatka. The peninsula in the Russian Far East is the size of Germany and Austria taken together and offers unlimited heliskiing. You can ski down vast and empty slopes, through easy stretches of forest, glaciers and down extinct volcanoes. Skiing takes place between 3000 vertical metres and sea level, and during one trip you’ll ski down up to 2200 vertical metres. The average run per flight goes over 1200 vertical metres. Winters on Kamchatka are quite long (from October until May) with up to 10 m of snow. For this reason you need to be prepared for any kind of snow condition, from powder snow to snow with a breakable crust and wet snow.
The heliskiing tours start from your hotel, the Bel-Kam-Tour in Paratunka outside the capital Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It is a four-star hotel with sauna, Turkish bath, thermal pools, fitness and billiard room. To get to the helicopter landing place it is a 40-minute drive from the hotel. The groups have a maximum number of 6 to 7 people and are led by professional heliskiing guides. All participants are equipped with avalanche transceivers and ABS avalanche backpacks and are taken up the mountains by two pilots on Mi-8 helicopters with turboshaft engines.
You’ll travel from Germany via Moscow to the capital Petropavlovsk. The flight time between Moscow and Petropavlovsk is nine hours – this is the world’s longest domestic flight. Transfer time to the hotel is about 30 minutes.


Schedule
Friday Journey to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

Saturday Arrival in Petropavlovsk, Transfer to the hotel (approx. 30 minutes), check-in, welcome meeting, information, safety instruction, group allocation.

Sunday-Friday 6 days of heliskiing/snowboarding in the different areas. We choose the best runs, areas and snow conditions. Weather and snow conditions permitting you’ll be able to ski down runs of 2000 vertical metres and more.

Saturday Transfer from the hotel to the airport, return flight to Europe, arrival on the same day.


Heliskiing information

Introduction, instructions:
Once you’ve checked in, we'll inform you about the heliskiing conditions. Afterwards, you’ll receive your deep powder snow safety equipment. You’ll also receive obligatory instructions on heliskiing by the heliskiing guides. These instructions include the correct behaviour when heliskiing, rules regarding helicopter flights and the correct use of the safety equipment, i.e. the avalanche transceivers and the avalanche airbag systems. You’ll also be allocated to a group.

A typical heliskiing day:
Which area and what height you’ll be flown to depends on the fitness level and skiing abilities of the participants as well as on snow and weather conditions. Skiing down those spectacular runs requires an advanced level of skiing. We would like to emphasise that it is not about skiing down as many vertical metres as possible, but about taking in the amazing scenery of Kamchatka. How many runs and vertical metres you want to ski down depends on you and your group.
 
Heliskiing area and terrain:
There are numerous runs ranging in levels of difficulty and length. All runs are between 3000 m down to sea level and some lie in a volcanic area. The highest volcano on Kamchatka is the Klyuchevskaya Sopka at 4750 m. The average run is over 1200 vertical metres, but you’ll be able to ski down up to 2200 m. Kamchatka offers an incredible skiing experience with wide open slopes, runs ranging from easy to difficult, from steep to gentle runs, and there are also extremely challenging slopes. Some runs lead through easy forest areas and over glaciers. The skiing area is limited only by the range of the helicopters and the skiing abilities of the participants.

Helicopter hours and refunds:
On Kamchatka, heliskiing/snowboarding is charged not by the number of vertical metres but by flying time, i.e. the time when the helicopter turbines are running. Included in the package price are 8 hours of helicopter flights which amounts to roughly 30,000 metres in height. Any additional hours are divided among the number of participants. If the guaranteed flight hours can’t be done because bad weather or technical problems, any unused hours will be refunded.
However, no refunds will be given in case of illness, accidents, inadequate level of fitness or downgrading of a participant due to an inadequate level of skiing or other reasons not caused by the operator.
The prevailing weather and snow conditions and the level of avalanche risk determine whether the group will be able to fly to the top of the mountain and ski down. Heliskiing guides and pilots have the right to restrict skiing or stop it at any time. As a client, you agree to respect all decisions made by the guides and the pilots in this regard. These precautions are taken to ensure your safety and your being able to enjoy skiing.
 
Number of people in a group:
Each heliskiing group consists of 6 to 7 people and is led by an experienced mountain guide.

Snowboarders:
We welcome all advanced snowboarders who are able to control their board in any kind of terrain. The area is perfect for snowboarders and most of the runs are in an open and wide terrain.


Private groups:
You can also book this tour for a private group. We supply the helicopter and guides. It’s an advantage if the group is made up of people with a similar level of skiing. Please contact us for information about the required number of participants and for prices.

Alternative programme in case of bad weather:
If on certain days heliskiing is not possible due to bad weather you can go skiing in one of the smaller skiing areas near Petropavlovsk which offer runs from about 400 m above sea level down to sea level. You could also decide to take a relaxing bath in one of the hot springs. Or you could go to the local market or choose to visit the museum in Petropavlovsk, which introduces you to the way of life on Kamchatka.

Requirements:
A good level of fitness is essential as you might be skiing in difficult snow! If weather and snow conditions play along, we can offer you a skiing experience second to none. But please be aware that conditions can change quickly and make skiing more difficult. We therefore ask you to come well prepared for this trip. The fitter you are, the more fun you’ll have heliskiing. The requirement for participating is that you’re able to control your skis in any kind of terrain and snow.
 
Helicopters, pilots, flight engineers:
We can assure you that all helicopters are flown by highly experienced pilots and are maintained by thorough flight engineers. MI-8 helicopters are known for their reliability in many countries. They are powered by two turboshaft engines. The helicopter is always flown by two pilots which ensures an additional level of safety.

Mountain guides, heliskiing guides:
All our heliskiing guides are highly experienced trained mountain guides from alpine countries who are also members of the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA).

Accidents:
All groups are in constant radio contact with each other and the helicopter. This ensures that help can be called quickly in case of emergencies. Every mountain guide carries a first-aid kit. The helicopter also carries emergency equipment.

Liability, disclaimer:
We assume no liability for sports activities even if they are mentioned as a service in the booking description. By booking with us you accept the risks inherent in alpine regions. Even highly trained mountain guides aren't infallible as they are confronted with extreme conditions in off-piste terrain over which they have no influence. It is the guides' responsibility to reduce the risk to a minimum.
All helicopter flights are undertaken at your own risk. Insurance for helicopter flights is not included. We assume no responsibility for damages occurred whilst heliskiing or participating in other sports activities. Participants are required to sign a waiver before going heliskiing. By signing this waiver you confirm that you won’t file an indemnity claim with the operator or guides involved in case of an accident. You’ll receive a specimen waiver form with your booking confirmation, but you can also request it beforehand.
 
Insurance:
Insurance (including insurance for heliskiing flights) is not included in the package. Please read the section “Liability, disclaimer” for more information. It is the client’s responsibility to take out medical and accident insurance with a worldwide cover. We also suggest taking out trip cancellation insurance and becoming a member of a national flight ambulance to ensure a quick transport home in case of emergency.
 
Passport / visa:
EU residents need a visa and a passport valid for more than 6 months after the end of the trip to be allowed into Russia. The tour operator Alpin Travel will apply for your visa (approx. €80).

Included in the price:
- professional ALPIN TRAVEL heliskiing guides
- 6 days heliskiing / heli snowboarding
- 8 guaranteed helicopter flight hours (approx. 30,000 vertical metres)
- groups with a maximum of 6-7 participants
- transfers on Kamchatka
- 7 nights in a 4-star hotel in a double room with bathroom/shower/WC
- breakfast and dinner at the hotel / packed lunches
- safety equipment: avalanche transceiver and ABS backpack
- official invitation (required for Russian visa)
- complimentary deep powder snow course (2 days) with Garhammer Ski Tours on the weekend of the 09./10.01.2010 on Zugspitze / Garmisch-Grainau, Germany

Price : €4,450 ( flight not included ) per person sharing a double room
Single occupancy surcharge: €390

Not included
- flight to Petropavlovsk
- additional helicopter hours
- visa for Russia
- skis rental
- excursions and activities outside the programme
- ski passes
- insurance
- single occupancy surcharge
- drinks

The tour operator is "Alpin Travel ", Walenstadt / Switzerland. The operator also provides the guides in Russia.

NEW! Private packages for a minimum of 6 people:
You can also book a private package. We supply the helicopter and guides for your exclusive use.
 
Additional flying hours:
If you go over the flying hours included in the Classic Package, any extra hours are charged at EUR250 for groups of a minimum of 14 people. If there are less participants in one group, the price per flying hour increases accordingly. Prices for private packages on request.

Refunds for unused flying hours:
If participants are not able to use the guaranteed flying hours due to bad weather or technical reasons, they will be refunded EUR210 each for every unused full flying hour.
Refunds will only be given according to the terms and conditions. Refunds for private packages on request.


Stopover programme in Moscow:
We are happy to organise a stopover in Moscow for you. Please enquire for more information.

Extending your trip (2 weeks):
Please let us know if you’d like to extend your trip by one week.

Bookings
Please book through Garhammer Ski Tours. We will forward those bookings to the tour operator Alpin Travel.
Payment and confirmation, trip cancellation insurance etc. will be handled by Alpin Travel – Switzerland.

Dates and prices are subject to change 29.05.2009