If you want to ski or snowboard down Europe?s highest mountain you have to join us in june or july - and you may get some wonderful powder! You should be a strong skier or snowboarder, not only because of technical difficulties, but also due to altitude. This trip is for fit climbers only, as climbing Elbrus with skis or a snowboard on your back is more strenuous than the usual climb. We will cover a lot of technical training (search techniques with avalanche transceivers, roped climbing, walking with crampons, using ice-axe, self-arrest). You also will get a lot of professional tips for your skiing or snowboarding technique. Avalanche transceivers and - if needed - snowshoes are included in the program.
- Day 1Fly to Moscow:
- We will meet you at Moscow International Airport in the afternoon and bring you to our hotel in the city. Before dinner, we will go for a short sightseeing tour in the city center, where you will see Red Square and St. Basils Cathedral, among other things. In the evening you are free to sample any variant of Moscow's diverse night life.
- Day 2Fly to Mineralnye Vody or Nalchik:
- In the morning we will be transferred to the airport and fly to Mineralnye Vody or Nalchik. The flight takes two hours, the transfer to Terskol four hours once. In Terskol we will check in to our hotel, have dinner and rest for our next day.
- Day 3Skiing / snowboarding for acclimatization:
- Today we will do some skiing or snowboarding on the summer snow fields of Mt. Elbrus between 3000 m and 3900 m, using the cable car for ascent. The night you will stay in our hotel.
- Day 4Hike to Prijut-11:
- After breakfast we will take the Elbrus cable car up to the Mir Station at 3500 m. From here we will go on an acclimatization hike to the Prijut-11 (4100 m) and descend on skis or snowboards. We spend the night in our hotel.
- Day 5Skiing / snowboarding for acclimatization:
- Today we will leave our hotel in the valley for a few days and ascend to the Barrel Camp at 3900 m by cable car. We will be skiing or snowboarding the whole day, using cable car or snowcat for ascent. The night we will stay at the Barrel Camp.
- Day 6Hike to Pastukhov Rocks:
- Today we will hike up to Pastukhov Rocks at 4800 m; sleep at the barrels.
- Day 7Day for technical training:
- After breakfast we will ascend to a new hut near the old Prijut-11, here we will do some technical training (using crampons, ice-axe, self-arrest, rope techniques); sleep at the barrels.
- Day 8Summit day:
- We will have breakfast at 2 a.m., and leave the hut at 3 a.m. As an option it is possible to take the snowcat up to the Pastukhov Rocks, making the ascent to summit much easier (this is an extra service, cost not included in the program). From the hut it takes usually 6 to 10 hours, to get to the summit. Weather permitting, we have a view of the whole Caucasus mountain range. The descent to the Barrel Camp on skis or snowboard takes 1 - 2 hours. The night we spend at the Barrel Camp.
- Day 9Reserve day:
- In the morning we descend down to the valley and stay overnight in our hotel. In case of bad weather the day before, this day can be used as a reserve day (same program as day 8).
- Day 10Extra Reserve day:
- Today we will do some hiking or rock climbing in the valley. In the evening we will have a celebration dinner, then spend the night at the hotel. This day can be used as an extra reserve day; in this case we have to descend down to the valley in the evening.
- Day 11Fly to Moscow:
- After breakfast you will be transferred to airport and fly back to Moscow, then transferred to your hotel.
- Day 12Fly back home:
- In the morning we will bring you to Moscow International Airport. If wanted, you can extend your journey in Moscow for a few more days. Please tell us in advance.