Ski touring camp in ridder

Duration: 7 days
Season: November – March
Mountain Range: Kazakhstan Altai

About tour:

During this beautiful authentic backcountry trip in the East of Kazakhstan you will find yourself in the very heart of the magical Western Altai mountains. The place is also known as “Ore Altai”, because of Ridder town, located at the foothills of Ivanoskiy Ridge, that is the center of local mining industry. You will be living in the taiga forest in a cozy warm house with a Russian sauna and delicious home cuisine, touring and freeriding in the tree zone among cedars and larches, enjoying the natural taste of rowanberries and having fun in a magnificent soft and deep powder. Its quality will be appreciated even by the most sophisticated riders. The terrain in the area with cascades of pillows, steep cliffs, fallen trees, conglomerations of giant rocks (“kurumland”) is motivating to ride with passion and have a lot of fun. Here you can feel yourself like a hero of a real Russian fairy tale about Morozko or the Snow Queen, find a deep connection with the wild nature and nourish yourself with the mighty spirit of the Great Altai. The playground covers more than 100 square kilometers including Serzhinsky, Prokhodnoy, Cherepanovsky, Smetaninsky, and Kholodny ranges. The various terrain and wide range of the lines steepness will let both beginners and more experienced riders feel confident on the slopes.

HIGHLIGHTS:

– early and long season from November till March

– the snowiest mountain region of Kazakhstan

– magnetism of taiga forest and fun riding among the larches and cedars

– interesting terrain with pillows, rocks and cliffs

– fresh rowan berries from the branch – a special Altai dessert

– countryside atmosphere and internet detox

– homemade cuisine and hot Russain sauna

PRICE:

950$ per person for the group of 2
800$ per person for the group of 3
700$ per person for the group of 4-6
650$ per person for the group of 7-10

MAXIMUM:

10 people

Number of persons:

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MOUNTAIN RANGE:

Kazakhstan Western Altai

SEASON:

November – March

Base camp altitude:

720 m.a.s.l.

Duration:

7 days

Ability level:

intermediate, advanced/expert

Start point:

Ust’-Kamenogorsk

meteoblue

Itinerary:

Ust’-Kamenogorsk – Ridder – Kedrovka – Ridder – Ust’-Kamenogorsk

Day by day Schedule:

Day 1

Meeting in Almaty and flying to Ust’-Kamenogorsk (plane can be changed to the night train, if you have extra day). Arrival to Ust’-Kamenogorsk, lunch in local restaurant. Departure to Ridder town (120km) and transfer to the mountain lodge, located in 15 km from the town at the foothills of Serzhinskiy ridge at an altitude of 720 meters. Accommodation in the wooden 2-floor guest house in separate 3-bed rooms. Evening Russian sauna – «banya», dinner and rest.

Day 2-3

Breakfast and preparations. Touring to the closest observation home spots – Home ridge and Stone. During the day it will be possible to make 2-3 descents with the length of each run from 2 to 4 km and with gaining 800-1500 vertical meters. Return to the lodge, late lunch. Avalanche safety trainings. Russian banya, dinner and rest.

Day 4-5

Breakfast and preparations. Transfer by SUV to the start point of the backcountry route (45 km), located at the foothills of the Ivanovskiy ridge. Touring to one of the spots chosen according to the snow and weather conditions. During the day it will be possible to make 2 descents with the length of each run from 2 to 4 km and with gaining 1000-1500 vertical meters. Elevation range: 1200-2300 meters. After backcountry transfer to the Ridder town and visiting cosy coffee shop with friendly atmosphere, special herb and fruit tea, homemade cakes and cookies. Return to the lodge, late lunch. Watching ski movies. Russian banya, dinner and rest.

Day 6

This day will be used as an extra day and can be spend in different ways. You can stay in the mountain lodge and do some relaxing practices with us, like yoga, stretching, meditations, cold hardening or nails standing. Or we can organise for you excursion to the Ridder town where you will visit hystorical and cultural museum, orthodox church, park and local market. It also can be used for exploring local ski resorts or ski touring.

Day 7

Early breakfast, preparations. Departure to the Ust-Kamenogorsk. On the way visiting the local authentic market in Cheremshanka village, where you can find locally produced packages with medicinal herbs and roots, sea buckthorn and fir oils, pickled mushrooms and cucumbers, honey, jams made from blueberries or pine cones, various plant and animal tinctures. Departure to Almaty city by plane (plane can be changed to the night train, if you have extra day). Lunch in the local cafe in Almaty. Transfer to the hotel.

Required clothing and equipment

Safety:
– avalanche equipment (avalanche safety kit: shovel, probe, transciever)
– airbag backpack (optionally)
– freeride backpack with skis/splitboard fixation (volume 25-40 liters)
– helmet
– goggles with a spare lens for foggy conditions (better to have 2 goggles)

Personal clothing and accessories:
– thermal base layer
– functional membrane jacket and pants
– insulation layers (polartec or fleece jacket and downy sweater or vest)
– warm down jacket
– extra set of thermal base layer
– few pairs of warm thermal socks
– warm trekking shoes or boots
– fleece or softshell gloves
– warm mittens
– warm hat
– cap
– neck warmer
– sunscreen with a high degree of UV protection SPF 50+
– sunglasses
– swimsuit, towel and flip-flops for visiting sauna
– personal hygienic and bath items
– personal AID kit (pain and flu medication, adhesive tape, individual medications in case of having chronic diseases)
– isothermal foil survival blanket
– repair kit (spare parts and tools for adjustment and repair your bindings, duct tape, rubber straps)
– thermos
– water tank
– head lamp
– spare batteries for your transceiver
– adaptor for outlet charging, if needed (220V 50Hz European outlet)
– matches or a lighter in a waterproof compact package
– chargers and cords for your electronic devices

Equipment:
– ski-touring/snowboard boots
– freeride skis with proper touring bindings or splitboard
– climbing skins
– telescopic poles

Food:
– individual snacks (muesli, protein, chocolate of other bars, dry fruits and nuts, special mount nutrition and etc.)

Services included in the package:

1. Accommodation in the mountain lodge in Ridder.
2. Return transfer from Ust’-Kamenogorsk to Ridder.
3. All transfers during the program in Ridder.
4. Three meals a day in the mountain lodge.
5. Avalanche safety training.
6. English-speaking skiing guide.
7. Drinking water.

Services does not included in the package:

1. Rental of ski/splitboard and avalanche equipment (available upon request, please notify in advance).
2. Meals not indicated in the program.
3. Visa support and registration on the territory of Kazakhstan,
if required.
4. Personal expenses, alcohol drinks and other expenses not indicated in the program.
5. Insurance policy.
6. Domestic flight or train Almaty – Ust’-Kamenogorsk – Almaty.
7. Accommodation in Almaty before and after the tour.

Please, note:

Depending on weather and snow conditions, the guide can make adjustments to the the program.

It is required to have appropriate insurance policy covering freeride, and backcountry in remote places, including rescue by helicopter.

Apply for the tour