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Ski Touring Week around Lake Baikal, Siberia

Explore the stunning Mamay gorge and the spectacular slopes around Lake Baikal with Konstantin, a certified ski-guide on this incredible ski-touring trip in Siberia.

Group

Baikal Mountains

7 Days

Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec

Fit

Intermediate

Highlights

Spend your days skiing in the gorgeous Mamay gorge.
Witness divine views of the spectacular Lake Baikal as you ski.
Enjoy tasty Buryat cuisine and experience the complete Siberian flavour.

Description

Undoubtedly one of the best spots for powder snow in Siberia, Mamay gorge is definitely worth exploring. An excellent spot for backcountry skiing, here, the adventure begins right outside the door of your mountain hut. Alongside this, you are accompanied by gorgeous views of Lake Baikal all along. So, come join me on this amazing 7-day adventure in Russia!

The area is picturesque, covered with tons of white snow and snow-covered forests. The terrain is a bit challenging yet thrilling, giving a complete experience of the Siberian flavor. No wonder it is a sought-after destination of many explorers.

On this 7 day tour, we’ll spend 5 days skiing. We’ll begin the trip in Irkutsk which is easily accessible from Moscow by flight. Also, please make sure that you arrive in Irkutsk a day before the tour start date.

On the first day, we’ll transfer you to the foot of Mamay gorge and you’ll spend the day sightseeing the spectacular Lake Baikal. You’ll also be trying the delicious Buryat buuz on the way and it will be an excellent way to kick start the adventure. Next, we’ll head towards the mountain hut for overnight.

The next 5 days will be spent indulging in backcountry skiing. You will have an incredible time and depending on the group condition, it is quite possible to go for 2-3 descents per day in deep snow. Also, we’ll be gaining around 1000 – 1500 vertical meters each day, so it will be definitely exciting. If we’ll ski right from the hut, we’ll typically gain anywhere between 400-600m per day.

On the final day, following the same route, we’ll transfer you back to Irkutsk, passing via Baikal Lake on the way. It will be another day to try the tasty Buryat cuisine.

Regarding fitness, remember that since we’ll be gaining at least 700 vertical meters each day, it is a must to have a good physical condition.

So, if you find the trip interesting, get in touch now to reserve your seat. You’ll have an unforgettable time skiing around the spectacular lake Baikal in Russia!

Also, check out this ski touring in Luzhba if looking for more adventures in Siberia.

Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to the foot of Mamay gorge.

We’ll be seeing Lake Baikal and tasting the famous Buryat buzz on the way. From the beginning of the Mamay gorge we’ll move to the hut. We’ll be light on skins, our bags will be on snowmobiles. After that, if time permits, we’ll do a warm-up tour of the mountains.

Day 2 to 6: Backcountry skiing

You’ll spend your days skiing at your preferred destinations.

Day 7: Final day

Transfer to Irkutsk, We’ll see Baikal Lake and enjoy Buryat cuisine on the way.

Details

More info

Please bring along:

Fat powder skis( minimum 110 mm underfoot) Splitboards for snowboarders is a requirement Complete ski touring kit Avalanche equipment Poles Helmet Backcountry backpack First aid and repair kit Thermos Googles Sunglasses Sleeping bag

Photos

About the guide

Konstantin

Ski Guide

I’m a certified RMGA ski guide and member of the Canadian Avalanche Association. I grew up in Siberia with Siberian mountains as my backyard.

After successfully completing my studies at the Faculty of Geography and widespread personal experience in the backcountry skiing, I began my career as a guide in 2014 with internships in Khibiny mountains in Kola peninsula. In 2017, founded Smart Mountains - an independent guiding company, specializing in exploration of the best skiing spots in the Siberian mountains. I was one of the first who started provides guiding services for international markets in Siberia area.

My ski guiding experience includes 5 years guiding and avalanche forecasting for guiding operations in the mountains of Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, many corners of the Russian Caucasus, as well as heli-skiing in the Kamchatka peninsula and of course running my operations in Siberia. Organized and led multi-day expeditions in remote areas, on glaciated terrain in the Northern Tien Shan, Tuyuk- su glacier where I did several technically first ski descents.

Member of the Russian Mountain Guides Association. Member of the Canadian Avalanche Association. CAA Avalanche Operations Level 1 diploma. Avalanche forecaster. ISIA Snowboard instructor of category C. Ski Patrol First Aid courses.

Languages

Russian | English

Certificates

RMGA

Residence

Irkutsk, Russia

What people are saying about Explore-Share

Teodora Jugrin

5.00

Nov 19, 2021

I had a very good experience booking the hike through Explore-Share. Communication with the team was prompt and clear and the booking process was seamless. The trip itself was also just perfect. Uroš was a fantastic guide, highly skilled and talented. The hike felt safe at all times, even on more exposed routes, thanks to him. He was always up to date on the weather forecast and planned the days around it, checked the conditions on the route ahead of me, if needed, discussed and adapted the routes to my level and always made sure I was safe and comfortable. I highly recommend him, as well as Explore-Share.

5.00

Oct 25, 2021

Explore Share is a really usefull website that has a great overview of reviewed guides for a (in our case) hiking/climbing trip. During the booking I got assigned an assistent for Explore Share that helped solve questions that I might have. Great customer service, and I will come back again.

Dan Laufer

5.00

Oct 17, 2021

Explore-share was easy to use and the staff and guide w ere very responsive. The trip descriptions were accurate and the pricing reasonable. I would definitely recommend the site for people looking to do guided hiking.

Mac

5.00

Oct 13, 2021

Excellent!! Great guide and service. I had a very good experience. Id do it again.

Amanda Gardner

4.00

Sep 14, 2021

Guide was very experienced and very patient with us. We learned a lot and he tried to fit in all the knowledge he could in one day, super awesome. A little tough going back and forth to get the trip set up hard to tell if the site is sketchy until you see reviews but all worked out. Ended up with an awesome day with an awesome guide. Overall pretty satisfied and thankful!

Meret Schädler

5.00

Sep 14, 2021

The whole experience was great! The customer service of explore-share was really good. I always got an answer very quick. I would absolutely recommend to use explore-share if you are looking for a great guide in a foreign country. 5 stars!

john mcevoy

4.00

Sep 10, 2021

What a trip, fantastic guide who picked me up and dropped me off. Would use again.

Catherine Derroitte

5.00

Aug 25, 2021

It's the 2nd time we have been booking with Explore-Share. The booking was super easy and both Explore-Share and the guide were fast in their responses. We did rafting as a family with 3 kids for the first time in Slovenia. The guide (José) was super nice. He was doing everything he could to make everyone at ease with rafting (he gave clear explanations), have a great team spirit (we were joined by 2 other girls) and have a good time. We had lots of fun and the nature there is so beautiful. Thank you Explore-share and Soca splash for the great afternoon! I would recommend this activity to anyone without a doubt. My kids immediately told me they want to do rafting again soon !"

Aditya Kumar Jha

5.00

Aug 2, 2021

Best platform for mountain sports services. Easy to use, great personalised service and support.

Ibolya Kovacs

5.00

Jul 5, 2021

I am very pleased to have booked with this group. All of my mails have been answered in no-time, I felt really safe on the rock and the atmosfere of the whole group helped a lot not to mind about stressing. Will be back for more!

Prices per person

Group of 1	EUR 1227 Each

Group of 1

EUR 1227 Each

Want a different number of travellers?

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Accommodation included

- Luggage transfer

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

Price details

Price Includes: Round-trip transfers between Irkutsk and Mamay gorge and Russian bathhouse. Price Excludes: Air flights to Irkutsk, Baggage fees, Airport transfers, Accommodation in Irkutsk, Meals in Irkutsk and on transfer day, Medical/evacuation insurance and Tips for guides.

For private groups, you can book on any dates between January and mid-March.