Heliski Siberia Tour

HELISKI SIBERIA TOUR
  7 Days - 3 days Heli Skiing + 3 days Cat Skiing
  AUD $7,750
Heli Ski Siberia This has to be one of the most exciting adventure tours on the planet! Who would have even thought it was possible to ski in Siberia. 10 spots only so be quick!  Includes:
  • 7 nights accommodation (twin share)
  • 7 daily breakfasts & lunches
  • 3 days of heli skiing
  • 3 days of cat skiing
  • All domestic transfers including flights
  • Professional guides
  • Plus more.....
Price based on AUD per person twin share inc taxes. Prices correct as at 1st November 2011. Subject to availability. 

Heli Ski Siberia is an ambitious project aiming to put a new heli ski area on the map of the world.

Imagine a cocktail made up of Canadian Rockies, Kashmiri prices, Japanese powder and Russian hospitality all thrown into the mix, shaken with breathtaking views of Lake Baikal — the biggest fresh water lake in the world — stirred with the magic of Russian culture, excellent food and other unique attractions that only Russia can offer, and you have a compelling case to put this place on the heli ski map!

And did we mention the powder? Ever noticed how the Japanese have been selling the whole “Siberian powder experience” for years? Well, we decided to skip the middle man and go straight to the source.

The fact is — the powder is better in Siberia! And the best snow in Siberia is on the Davan mountain range.

The Davan area which we locked in for the heli skiing gets an annual base of over 7 meters. The elevation change of each run is around 1,000 meters and the runs vary from 3km to 7km. The mighty Siberian powder taps start in December, followed by a cold snap in January when it’s not uncommon to get down to as low as -20C. Late January to early February is when the taps crank fully OPEN. It dumps for weeks at a time building meters upon meters of bottomless powder. Late February to early March is when you sit back at the hot springs (yes, they have hot springs!) enjoying a Glühwein or two (oh, who am I kidding, surely it will be vodka!) and letting the snow pack stabilise. But mid to late at March is when you REALLY want to be there because the days are longer, the temps are around -5C and the snow pack is stable enough to shred that pow!

We have exclusive access to a late model Eurocopter (no ridiculous old Soviet Mi-8 flying school buses!) and the pilots who know the area like the back of their hand as well as a team of experienced guides, who have been backcountry skiing the area for years now.

The area where we established based camp — a village of Goudzhekit — is very remote and has the Wild West feel to it. There are no tourists and no distractions. The place is pristine and unspoilt by tourism — just the way we like it. There are a couple of hostels around, a couple of village-style café-bars, a general store and the magical Hot Springs. If you are after the most un-commercial heli ski experience, then this is it!

Now the good bit — 2012 will be the first year ever of our operation in Davan. We’ve put a lot of planning into the operational side of things but we are yet to play it out on the mountain. This is why we are offering a unique opportunity for a small lucky group of 7 to 10 skiers and riders to be part of the history in the making and join us for a 14 day trip to Davan in March 2012, which includes 3 days heli-skiing and 3 days cat-skiing. This is a very unique opportunity to be part of history in the making and have a magical heli ski experience in the wilderness of Siberia in a private chopper with around 12 hours flying time.

Only for the 2012 season, the prices will be BELOW COST. We have just finalised the package details with our Russian partners and are extending this unique offer to international skiers and borders, including Australians, Americans, Canadians and Europeans. If you are interested in going, you'd better be quick.

Just to be clear — there will be only 7 to 10 people who will have the opportunity to come on the 2012 trip, so if you are interested enquire here — the places will go FAST!

ItineraryThe following itinerary is based on an extended option to include some extra days for exploring and relaxing.

Day 1 (16th March, 2012)
Arrive in Irkutsk (Irkutsk International Airport, Airport code: IKT), rest for 2 days. You have a choice of skiing at a local resort, exploring the modern city of Irkutsk with its vibrant nightlife, markets and cultural venues or just kicking back – it's entirely up to you (optional day, not included in the package price).

Day 2 & 3
Rest days which you can use to do more of the above.

Day 4
Fly from Irkutsk to Nizhneangarsk Airport (approx. 1 hour 30 min flight), then transfer by mini-van to base camp at Goudzhekit.

Day 5, 6 & 7
Cat Skiing (around 3,000 vertical metres each day)

Day 8, 9 & 10
Heli Skiing (around 8,000 vertical metres each day)

Day 11 & 12
Reserved days for bad weather

Day 13
Transfer by mini-van to Nizhneangarsk Airport, then fly to Irkutsk (or — depending on the local airline flight schedule — fly to Ulan Ude Airport, then transfer by mini-van to Irkutsk)

Day 14
Rest day in Irkutsk, souvenir shopping (optional day, not included in the package price)

Day 15 (30 March)
Fly back home

Included:
  • 3 days of heli skiing (small chopper - 12 hours flying time - approx 8,000m vertical per day)
  • 3 days of cat skiing (approximately 3,000m vertical per day)
  • Professional guides (1:4 ratio)
  • Use of avalanche safety gear
  • 7 daily breakfasts whilst staying at the base camp lodge
  • 6 daily lunches on-mountain whilst heli & cat skiing
  • Off-piste skiers & boarders insurance
  • English speaking coordinator with group at all times
Not Included:
  • International flights to/from Irkutsk
  • Accommodation in Irkutsk (for optional days of the tour)
  • Powder skis & snowboards (highly recommended that powder skis/boards be used to get the most enjoyment out of the trip)
  • Nightly meals
  • Alcohol
  • Additional tours
What not to expect:
  • Smiling Russians (it is not part of their culture!)
  • Domestic flights between Irkutsk and Nizhneangarsk are very basic. We will fly in a small AN-24 aircraft.
  • Luxury accommodation
Conditions:
  • Deposit of AUD750 to be paid by Dec 2011
  • Balance to be paid by Jan 2012
  • Must sign a disclaimer