9-day ski touring trip in Mamay Baikal, Siberia
I glad to invite you for skitouring in the middle of Siberia next to famous Lake Baikal. A great place for early winter as generally the biggest snowfalls already in November and December. The best place for ski touring around Lake Baikal is the valley of the Bolshoy Mamay river, just 12 km from
Private and Group
Baikal Mountains
9 Days
Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Fit
Intermediate
Highlights
- Best dry powder snow starting from November;
- 6 full days of skiing in variable terrain (alpine zone and forest);
- Astonishing view of Baikal Lake during skitouring;
- Personal cozy mountain hut for our group;
- Full package trip from airport Irkutsk and back;
Description
I glad to invite you for skitouring in the middle of Siberia next to famous Lake Baikal.
A great place for early winter as generally the biggest snowfalls already in November and December. The best place for ski touring around Lake Baikal is the valley of the Bolshoy Mamay river, just 12 km from Baikal lake. It has the greatest precipitation in the region and very interesting terrain.
Climate and Snow
Mamay valley has a special micro-climate therefore winters here are warmer than in other regions of Baikal. Until middle of January, before Baikal is covered with ice, precipitation is abundant. Combined with stable cold temperatures, it brings a huge quantity of light snow. It’s why I recommend to use there skis not less than 100mm width under the foot.
Skiing and terrain
The main slopes are on a North-West aspect where the valley is protected by mountains on all sides so there are no strong winds at all, which guarantees good snow and excellent riding. The mountains in Mamay are generally 1600 meters high and the average run is about 500 meters vertical. Terrains have everything – forests, snow pillows, open alpine slopes.
Itinerary
Due to its remote location, we can only reach Mamay by van or train about 3h and after by walk(ski) 2.5-3h till the hut. Luggage go with snowmobiles to the hut. After that we will spent 6 full days for skiing and enjoying Siberian food and national Russian Sauna – Banya at evening time.
At day 8 after breakfast and maybe short ski touring we ski same way down and move by van to Irkutsk city. Second part of the day excursion thru unic wooden architecture of Irkutsk and farewell dinner.
Accommodation and food
We are going to stay in a simple but warm and cozy mountain hut completely isolated in the nature. It has some basic facilities only but everything that we need there. Our chef will take care for us preparing some local cuisine with 3 meals, each day and necessary snack for day time. On the back way from Mamay we will stay in the 3 stars hotel with DBL or TWIN rooms accommodation in city center.
You can also check my 10-day Altay mountains ski touring program if looking for trip in remote places in Siberia
Itinerary
Day 1: Arriving Irkutsk and approach to the place
Arrive to Irkutsk train station (Trans-Siberian Railway) or airport early morning. Transfer to the place –190km, 4-5hours. By the way stop for lunch in café (bistro) for the tasting the famous Buryat buzz on theway. Roads allow magnify views to Baikal Lake. After – 12km by walk/ski-tour with light bag about flat.
All luggage bring up with snowmobile. Night in the hut in common room.
Distance: 4-5h, 190km by car/ 12 km walk-ski / lunch+dinner
Day 2 to 7: Daily skitouring
Daily ski-tour from hut to hut with average gain 1000-1500 vertical meters and 2-4 runs. Evening time we will have warm Russian Saun-Banya (3 times during the trip)
Distance: 10-15 km skitouring / 1000-1500m gain / Full board
Day 8: Way back to Irkutsk
Skiing back 12km down to the road. All bags will brings with snowmobile. Transfer to Irkutsk, by the way we will visit Baikal Lake coast, lunch on the way.
Irkutsk hotel accommodation in TWIN room. Excursion in the city and farewall dinner.
Distance: 12 km walk-ski / 4-5h, 190km by car / BL
Day 9: Depart
Morning van to airport or train station.
Distance: 40-60min by car / Breakfast
Photos
Equipment you will need to bring
Poles
Sunglasses
Ski equipment
Climbing skins
Avalanche equipment
About the guide
Originally I'm from Altai, a little-known Siberian mountain region. I grew up and developed as a sportsmen and guide in Altai and the Tian-Shan mountains. Since 2010, I live in St. Petersburg and work a lot in the Caucasus region.
Since 2011 I am learning in the Russian Mountain Guides Association (RMGA), under auspices of the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG). In 2015 I passed the Apprentice Ski Guide exam.
My main work destinations are Russian and CIS mountain regions as Altai, Khibiny, Tian-Shan, Kamchatka and all Caucasus. I specialize in ski tour and climbing projects in uncommon mountain regions of Russia and CIS.
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.
SG
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
Want a different number of travellers?
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Accommodation included
- Transport during the trip
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Price details
Price includes:
• Transfer airport-Mamay-Hotel Irkutsk-airport;
• Snowmobile accompany for luggage to the hut and back;
• Hotel in Irkutsk*** (DBL-TWIN rooms) 1 night;
• Hut in Mamay valley 7 nights;
• Full board throughout the trip, excluding breakfast at 1st day and farewell dinner in Irkutsk;
• English speaking guide;
• Cook service in the hut;
• National Russian sauna – banya (3 times by 2 hours each visit);
• Visa support.
Not included:
• Flights to from Irkutsk airport;
• Unexpected preliminary evacuation cost;
• Food, transfers, banya and accommodation not according with the program;
• Personal expenses, alcohol;
• Visa costs.
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