• Caucasus
  • Elbrus Region
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Georgia
• Central Asia
  • Uzbekistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Fann Mountains
  • Tien-Shan Mountains
  • All Central Asia
  • High Peaks
• Siberia and Pacific
  • Siberia
  • Kamchatka
  • Lake Baikal
  • Tuva and Sayan
  • Altai
• European Russia
  • Russian Capitals
  • Russian North
  • Ladoga Lake
• Crimean Peninsula
  • Crimea

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As the mountains are so inaccessible, this form of skiing is not as intrusive as it can be in some better developed regions. The mountains on the Caucasus are higher and more extensive than the Alps. More stable and colder weather guarantees excellent skiing. The Caucasus Range offers great snow conditions from December through May. Depending on the weather from mid-February you can meet wonderful spring snow on the slopes in direct sunlight along with fabulous powder on north-facing slopes.
We use the MI-8-MTB helicopters which are known in many countries as a good and reliable helicopters. It is powered by two turbo-engines and has a carrying capacity of four tons. There are seats for 24 passengers. Two pilots fly the MI-8-MTB, which means extra safety. You can be sure that the helicopters are flown by very experienced pilots who are very experienced in heli ski and mountain rescue flying.
A helicopter can take groups even to the Elbrus saddle which is about 5300m high. From the point of weather it is possible to fly to high mountain passes and ridges on about 50% of the days. When the weather is poor it may be only possible to fly up to high valleys from where a descent may be made. Most of the heli skiing in the area does not require any special ski touring equipment.
We employ two guides for the program: one of them being local heli ski guide and a member of the mountain rescue team; another one is a mountain guide and a very experienced skier from the permanent Geographic Bureau staff. The guides carry radio and can contact with the helicopter or the mountain rescue. They also carry emergency equipment.
Mostly the area has no ski developments and many side valleys and mountains are seldom visited but have good landing places on high mountain passes, ridges and glaciers where it is possible to start descents. A typical heli ski descent would involve flying up to about 4000m to ski down to about 2700m (descents of about 1300m are fairly common). Then the helicopter takes the group to another location. On a good day it is possible to make about 4-5 trips.