The highest mountain resort in northwestern Russia, a paradise for freeriders, snowy villages and mysterious forests, the northern Lights and steep slopes – all these are amazing Cabins that will conquer the heart of every lover of skiing and winter entertainment. We tell you about the resorts of Kirovsk: where to ride, how long the season lasts, how much and what else to do in the vicinity.
Contents
- The Khibiny skiing season
- How to get there
- Where to stay
- Bolshoy Woodyavr
- Kukisvumchorr
- What to do besides skiing
The Khibiny skiing season
The ski season in Kirovsk begins in mid–November and lasts until the end of May and the beginning of June. The snow cover in the Cabins lasts for a long time, but the weather can be changeable and vary from calm to hurricane-force winds with zero visibility even during the day.
The polar day and night are of great importance for riders: after all, this is the real North. For example, March-April is the peak season due to the fact that it has the longest daylight hours and lots of sun. But from the middle to the end of December comes the polar night. This does not interfere with skating, as most of the trails are illuminated.
Prices for equipment, cafe visits and various services may vary: as a rule, everything is cheaper in the low season.
The ski season in Kirovsk begins in mid–November and lasts until the end of May and the beginning of June. Photo: Alexey Oblov/Shutterstock.com
17 ski resorts in Russia
— Please announce the entire list!
— With pleasure: here is an overview of 17 ski resorts in the country, choose any one!
How to get there
Getting there by plane is fast, convenient, and very inexpensive. Kirovsk (Apatity) — from 6494 rubles. from Moscow in 2.5 hours, from St. Petersburg — from 6490 rubles. in 2 hours on a direct one-way flight.
Those who like the nostalgia of hot tea in faceted glasses and the contemplation of views with the sound of wheels should take the train. However, the entire journey to Apatity will take from 33 to 37 hours from Moscow (tickets — from 4,195 rubles) and from 20 hours from St. Petersburg (tickets — from 2,718 rubles).
By car it makes sense to travel in company: It’s more fun this way, you can split the fuel costs and switch while driving. The distance between Moscow and Kirovsky is about 1800 km (20 hours on the way), between St. Petersburg and Kirovsky ~ 1200 km (14 hours on the way). The last 150 km of the road is in poor condition, with potholes, so I advise you to drive carefully.
Where to stay
BBClub Apart Khibiny
Price: from 3485 rub. per night for 2 guests without meals.
A good value for money option. There is a shared equipped kitchen for self-catering, Wi-Fi and parking. Less than 1 km away are:
- tow lift No. 4 — training track (lower station),
- rope lift No. 4 — training track (upper station),
- rope lift No. 1 (lower station).
BBClub Apart Khibiny Apart-hotel.
Mini-hotel Gornaya Dolina
Price: from 3811 RUB per night for 2 guests without meals (breakfast can be added for an additional fee).
The hotel is located right in the mountains, near the ski lifts No. 4 — training track (upper station and lower station) and No. 1 (lower station). Guests praise the cozy rooms, freshly renovated and delicious breakfasts.
Apartment on Lenin Avenue
Price: from 4482 rub. per night for 2 guests without meals.
Spacious apartment with everything necessary for life: equipped kitchen, washing machine, iron, towels, soap accessories, TV, microwave. The apartment is located in the city center, the ski lifts are about 1.5 km away, so you will have to use a taxi.
Apartment on Lenin Avenue.
Sokroma Hyperborea Hotel
Price: from 19,436 rubles per night for 2 guests without meals (it is possible with breakfast, but more expensive).
A three-star spa hotel with a stylish design inspired by the mythical country of Hyperborea. The interior features wood, ethnic symbols and boho-style charms, mystical paintings, carpets, natural fabrics, and tiles. The hotel is located next to the Bolshoy Woodyavr ski resort, the K7 cable-tow lift (lower station) and the K8 belt lift (lower station). There is a bar, a restaurant, a sauna and a hammam, and a playroom for children.
Khibiny offers riders two ski resorts: Bolshoy Woodyavr (or Bigwood) and Kukisvumchorr.
“Big Woodyavr”
The highest mountain resort in the north-west of Russia is located on the slopes of Mount Aikuayvenchorr. On the territory you will find spacious parking lots, 2 equipment rental points, ski service, equipment storage rooms, two large view cafes, a children’s room with a playground.
It is easy to get from the center of Kirovsk to the ski slopes of the northern slope: 15 minutes on foot or 7 minutes by car, and you are there.
The highest mountain resort in northwestern Russia is located on the slopes of Mount Aikuaivenchorr. Photo: shjcam/Shutterstock.com
Highways
The resort offers trails of any level of difficulty: from “green” for beginners to “black” for real experts. The trails with a total length of 30 km are prepared at the European level and certified by the FIS (International Ski and Snowboard Federation). The height difference is about 650 meters. The trails are wide and packed for fan-carve (controlled fall and rise during skiing), with a slope of up to 40%.
16 of the 25 routes of the Bolshoy Woodyavr have artificial lighting, which allows you to enjoy freedom of movement along prepared routes even on a polar night. By the beginning of each day, the main ones are prepared by Pisten Bully snow sealing machines, which perfectly align the skiing routes. The resort has modern high—speed lifts “Bartolet”, “Tatrapoma” and “Doppelmayer”.
The northern slope of the resort reaches a height of 850 meters. It is steep and has a variety of terrain, and the climb begins right in the city. It is equipped with gondola-chairlifts, tow lifts (used during competitions) and belt lifts. There are fewer winds and deeper snow on the southern slope. There is plenty of space for lovers of long descents with stunning views, half of the trails are difficult. People get here by rope and tow lifts in two stages. The highest point is 1050 meters.
The resort offers trails of any level of difficulty. Photo: Yulia_B/Shutterstock.com
Ski passes
The cost of ski passes depends on the season and the place of purchase (it is more profitable to buy online on the official website than at the box office). It’s cheaper to take a ski pass for the whole day than for a few hours.
For the 2024/2025 season, the following rates apply: 1-day skiing for adults costs from 1,890 to 3,000 rubles. Adults at the resort are considered to be buyers from 13 to 59 years old inclusive. For a child from 6 to 12 years old, the price is from 1240 to 2200 rubles.
It is also better to take a ski pass for several days at once, if the exact length of stay is known. For example, if you arrive for a week, you can take a ski pass for five out of seven days: for an adult, it will cost from 6,650 to 10,500 rubles, for a child – from 4,500 to 7,950 rubles. And for the most ardent fans of skiing, there are ski passes for the whole season (21.10.24 – 09.06.25): day skiing costs 50,000 rubles. for an adult and 24,000 rubles. for a child, and a day plus an evening — 62,000 rubles. for an adult and 29,000 rubles. for the child. Prices are indicated when buying online.
Harmful tips for a skier
Having fun on and off the ski slopes requires high-quality preparation. The article with the anti-Soviets explained,what not to do in the mountains.
Inventory rental
Ski resort rentals feature equipment from well-known sports brands Head, Rossignol, Salomon, Atomic, Lange, and Volkl. At two rental points on the northern and southern slopes you will find downhill skis, snowboards, snowboard and ski boots, helmets, poles, goggles, masks. You can take the equipment for an hour, or for a day or several.
A deposit must be left for each set of equipment: during the day, documents (passport or driver’s license) can serve as collateral, and for two days or more, equipment is issued only against a deposit, which is accepted in cash or blocked on the card. A 1-day kit rental will cost from 1,860 to 3,420 rubles. for an adult and from 1140 to 1860 rubles. for the child.
In addition to the official rental kiosks, pay attention to the rental of the Northern Portal (far from the slope, but there is a ski service) and Terra Borea (new inventory, prices do not bite).
Ski resort rentals feature equipment from well-known sports brands. Photo: Yulia_B/Shutterstock.com
Instructors
At the resort, you can choose an instructor according to your request: start skating from scratch, install equipment, learn how to do feints. The entire staff has certificates and extensive work experience, there are even English-speaking instructors. You can choose the right sensei on the official website, the cost per hour individual lesson depends on the season and the instructor, starting from 2200 rubles. for an adult and from 2100 rubles. for the child.
Food
There won’t be any problems with this point for sure: right on the slopes there are places for both a snack and a full lunch. The most famous restaurant is “Plateau” (popularly known as “Washer”), it is located at the top of the northern slope at around 820 meters above sea level. The main feature of the restaurant is a 360—degree view and a floating structure at a height of 5 meters. Here you can taste haute cuisine and admire the scenery, and maybe even the northern Lights. There is also a buffet format here, which is convenient when you need to quickly refresh yourself between descents.
The Barevice Bar on the north side of the mountain offers excellent burgers and local cuisine. In addition to these establishments, mobile points with pastries and coffee for a quick snack are provided on the slopes. And in the “Ruddy Joe” on the southern slope they feed solyanka and venison.
The most famous restaurant is the Plateau, located at the top of the northern slope. Photo: Plateau Restaurant complex
“Kukisvumchorr”
This small private ski resort is located “on the 25th kilometer”, that is, in a separate neighborhood of Kirovsk. There are only three rope lifts on the slope, the highest point of Mount Kukisvumchorr is 890 meters, the height difference is 520 meters, and the total length of the trails is 10 km. Due to the virgin skiing areas, the resort is more popular among freeride enthusiasts. It is not for nothing that the Khibiny Open Freeride Cup has been held here for many years.
Highways
Kukisvumchorr has six trails with a variety of terrain for skiers with any level of training, but mostly experienced riders ride here. A training track with a lift has been prepared for children and beginners. By the way, it is in this complex that the Olympic Reserve Children’s sports school holds classes. The mountain slopes are equipped with three tow lifts and one baby lift. For lovers of diversity, there is a natural halfpipe (concave structure), small areas of forest below, trampolines are periodically built and special rails are installed. There is no evening skiing, the complex is open from 11:00 to 18:00 daily.
Kukisvumchorr has six trails with a variety of terrain for skiers with any level of training. Photo: alvant/Shutterstock.com
Ski passes and rental of equipment
The cost of ski passes starts from 2000 rubles. for one day of skiing. Renting a set of equipment will cost from 1,500 rubles for one day. All current prices can be viewed on the resort’s official website.
What to do besides skiing
Catch the northern Lights
From September to April in Kirovsk, you can safely go on an aurora photo hunt. It’s better to sign up for a separate excursion: of course, it’s great if you can catch the aurora while skiing, but a much more reliable way is to go in search of colorful flashes and enjoy this natural show slowly. It is worth traveling with experienced local guides who know where to look and how to track forecasts, because the aurora borealis depends on solar activity.
From September to April in Kirovsk, you can safely go on an aurora photo hunt. Photo: mika_mgla/Shutterstock.com
Where else in Russia can you see the aurora
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Visit the Apatite Museum
Kirovsk was formed in 1931 due to the discovery of the largest deposits of apatite-nepheline ore in the Khibiny Mountains, which became the raw material for the production of phosphorous mineral fertilizers. Almost immediately, the Apatite Mining and mineralogical Museum was opened here, which allowed not only to get acquainted with the unique mineralogy of Khibiny and the basics of geology, but also to see the production process. Now the museum has a collection of more than 3,500 minerals, detailed models of mining operations and multimedia exhibitions. There is no need to pay for admission: the exhibition complex is open daily from 10:00 to 21:00, and visits to the museum and all events are free.
The museum has a collection of more than 3,500 minerals, detailed mining models and multimedia exhibitions. Photo: alvant/Shutterstock.com
Visit the “Snow Village”
The “Snow Village” Sightseeing and tourist Center is a unique project that has been in existence since 2008. As soon as the first snow falls in the Cabins, snow construction begins at the foot of Mount Woodyavrchorr. A whole village of ice sculptures is being built here from ice and snow: corridors, houses, bizarre figures and vaults — what you won’t find here. The theme is different every year and never repeats. In 2024, the opening is scheduled for December 28. Tickets can be purchased online (adult — 600 rubles, children — 300 rubles).
To see the plague from the Russian Book of Records
What is not in Kirovsk, even the largest plague is the traditional cone—shaped dwelling of the forest Nenets. It is officially listed in the Russian Book of Records and is located in the ethno-village of the Lights of Imandra Park. In addition to admiring the plague, you can listen to legends about indigenous peoples by the burning hearth, shoot arrows, play Sami football, feed reindeer, ride cheesecakes and cuddle with huskies. The cost of excursions for adults starts from 2500 rubles, for children — from 2000 rubles.
Take a walk in the “Mysterious Forest”
The Mysterious Forest Art Park is a project that highlights the beauty of northern nature through artistic and technical solutions. Photo: Mysterious Forest
Try all the winter activities
Khibiny is the perfect place to go on a snowmobile safari or a winter horseback riding tour, roll down the hill to your heart’s content and even try your hand at ice—floating. The last activity is definitely unique — they put on a waterproof suit right in your clothes and send you to relax in the icy waters. Do not be afraid: You’ll definitely stay dry and not freeze, but then you’ll have something to tell your grandchildren!
The Khibiny mountains are waiting — it’s time to pack your gear, conquer the snowy peaks and catch the magical aurora borealis!
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Cover photo: Andy Wow/Shutterstock.com
