Skiing and Snowboarding in Russia: Kirovsk
August 29th, 2008Activities, Skiing & Snowboarding
Kirovsk is a town located at the spurs of the Khibiny Massif on the shores of the Bolshoy Vudyavr Lake in Murmansk Oblast, Russia (about 175 km south from Murmansk).
The city is surrounded by mountains: from impressive rocks on the west (on the opposite shore of the lake) to the Mount Aykuayvenchor (Sleeping Beauty) on the east.
Weather
The duration of ski season: from November to June. The best time for Kirovsk, and in general for Khibiny is March – April. Visit this region in December to enjoy the Northern Lights.
Getting there
Train to Apatity (from St.Petersburg, Moskow or Murmansk), then car or bus to the Kirovsk about 30 minutes and $15 to $30.
Or plane to Apatity from Murmansk (there is not a lot of direct flights to Apatity).
Plane to Murmansk and car to Kirovsk (about 3 hours).
Slopes
There are 3 skiing places in Kirovsk: the Aykuayvenchor Mount is quite in city center (taxi/5 minutes/$3.00), another side of the mount – Aykuay resort (taxi/20minutes/$10) and the Kukisvumchor Mount – 25km resort.
The Aykuayvenchor Mount
- Longest descent about 1700m
- The length of all slopes is about 30 km
- Vertical drop 460m
- 6 tablet lifts and 1 chairlift
- Ski and snowboard jumping boards
Aykuay resort
- Longest descent about 3000m
- Vertical drop 550m
- 2 tablet lifts (speed 14 km/hour)
These slopes are quite boring for professionals; their length is more than 2500m but they are very flat. Slopes here are the best choice for beginners and it’s not a problem to find an instructor. On Saturday and Sunday there is a half hour lift queue.
The Kukisvumchor Mount
- Longest descent about 2500m
- Vertical drop 520m
- Four lifts
- The length of free ride slope about 2000m
There you can find black slopes, where the steepness of them is about 60 degrees. The whole mount is a difficult one; there is nothing to do for beginners. When there is no snowbreak danger it is possible to ride virgin lands.
Hotels
Severnaya Hotel, Lenin’s st, 11, Kirovsk, tel. 007 81531 54442, 007 81531 33100
Gornitsa Hotel, Dzerzhinsky’s st. 19, Kirovsk, tel. 007 81531 59113
Kaskad Hotel, Yubileynaya st. 14, Kirovsk, tel. 007 81531 56358, 007 81531 95603
It is also possible to rent an apartment in Kirovsk, but it’s quite difficult to do if you are not speaking Russian.
Prices
Lift prices are about $20 a day pass and about $100 for a week pass.
Inventory rent is about $30 daily and depends on resort and equipment you need.
Double room is from $30 to $150 a day.
4 Responses to “Skiing and Snowboarding in Russia: Kirovsk”
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August 30th, 2008 at 5:54 am
not what you would expect but great to know!
August 30th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
probably so, but you sure find snow in winter there =)
September 10th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
The Kukisvumchor Mount looks like a cool place to check out. Thanks for the info.
PowderLover
September 11th, 2008 at 7:52 am
yeeee add a bit of extreme to your life – visit russian Kirovsk))