Kamchatka Volcano Heli-Ski Expedition

Avachinsky and Vilyuchinsky volcanoes, Kamchatka Peninsula · Russia

Extreme8 daysAsia~£6,500 est.

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Overview

Kamchatka is the far edge of the skiing world: a peninsula of 300 volcanoes hanging off Russia's Pacific coast, where Mi-8 helicopters the size of buses drop skiers onto smoking cones and the run-outs finish on black-sand beaches with surf breaking behind you. Descents off Avachinsky and Vilyuchinsky top 1,500m; on the coast days you ski literally to the ocean, then eat king crab in the steam of the Paratunka hot springs. Be honest with yourself about access before you fall in love with this one. There are currently no practical routes for most British travellers — the FCDO advises against travel to Russia, flights route awkwardly via third countries, and many operators have paused their programmes. Treat this as a long-list expedition: research it now, go when the world allows. When running, trips base near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky with eight-day packages around £6,500 including the heli hours, guides and full board — weather days are frequent and the Mi-8 group format (up to 16 skiers) is part of the deal. April and May give stable spring snow and volcano summits.