Explore remote mountains and enjoy great descents with this 9-day ski tour in the wild Mamay Gorge in Siberia, near the famous Baikal Lake, along with KMGA mountain guide Andrey.
Private
Baikal Mountains
9 Days
Jan - Mar, Nov, Dec
High
Advanced
If you are looking for a unique ski touring adventure, in a remote and wild location of breathtaking landscapes, I have the perfect plan for you. Join me on this 9-day ski touring trip in the Mamay Gorge in Siberia and discover a backcountry skiing paradise, with amazing snow.
This stunning small gorge is located 10km from the south coast of the famous Baikal Lake -the oldest and deepest lake in the world- in the Republic of Buryatia, in the Far East region of Russia. The Mamay Valley attracts ski tourers from all over the world every season in search of the most incredible powder, away from crowds!
We will meet in the city of Irkutsk and from there we will travel to the Vydrino village, from where we will approach the mountain hut. The following days we will enjoy amazing ski tours. It will be an adventure of a lifetime!
The Hamardabam ridge, which includes the Mamay Gorge, is famous for its heavy snowfall and special microclimate, which combined with stable temperatures creates a light and stable snow pack.
During this trip, you will be amazed by the open views over the Baikal Lake and the stunning snow-capped mountains of this area. The altitude difference is about 600-800 meters. In order to join this tour, you need to be confident to ski off pistein all types of snow.
After a thrilling day of skiing, you will enjoy a comfortable stay at a cozy house in the evenings, surrounded by fabulous winter taiga.
Come join me on this unique journey! Just send me a request, book your trip and discover the fascinating world of Siberian backcountry skiing. Check out my profile page if you want to explore other splitboarding or skiing options in Kyrgyzstan, China or Kenya!
Flight from Moscow to Irkutsk, transfer to Vydrino village, approach to mountain hut.
More info
Maximum group size: 14 people// EQUIPMENT LIST: -Powder fat Skis with alpine touring bindings/Splitboards -Ski touring boots -Avalanche Transceiver -Snow Shovel -Climbing Skins -Avalanche Probe -Ski Repair Kit (Spare binding parts & tools) -Long Underwear Tops / Bottoms (synthetic) -Gaiters -Fleece Vest -Gore-tex jacket -Gore-tex trousers -Windblock trousers -Polartec-200 Jacket -Windblock Gloves -Down sweater -Balaclava -Warm hat -Gloves / Mittens -Synthetic Outer Socks (with wicking liner) -Backpack, ABS back pack, (optional) -Telescopic poles - better Black Diamond -Thermos – better brand “Thermos” to 0.75 liters -Head lamp - Petzl Tikka Plus -Helmet -Sun glasses -Googles -Victorinox knife -Sun protection cream factor SPF 50+ -Sleeping bag -Personal first-aid kit
Meeting point
5.0
(11)
Mountain Guide
I was born in what is now Bishkek, the Capital City of Kyrgyz Republic (used to be Frunze, the Capital of Kyrgyz Soviet Socialist Republic) and live there ever since.
I started guiding professionally in 2004. I guide groups and individuals in technical and high altitude climbing, ski-tours, backcountry skiing, rock-climbing, ice climbing. I can also provide training facilities and organize trekking programs.
My main priorities in guiding are client safety and expedition success and therefore, my professional motto is “Never climb with strangers”.
In 2011, I finished my training with the Kyrgyz Mountain Guide School. The school is supported by Mammut and the Swiss and British Mountain Guide Associations and follows the IFMGA standards. Upon completion of the course and passing necessary tests I was qualified as a Mountain Guide. I am also qualified in mountain rescue and first aid by Mountaineering Instructor School in Kyrgyzstan (2012) and a member of the Kyrgyz Mountain Guide Association (KMGA) since the Autumn of 2009 where I serve as an instructor and examiner for the National Mountain Guide courses.
In my 13 years of guiding, I have worked all over Tien-Shan and Pamir in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and China and East Sayan and Lake Baikal areas in Russia. I have arranged several ski tour and backcountry skiing programs in the Ala Archa national park, Suusamyr valley, Kyrghyz Ala Too, Chong Kemin gorge, Kumtor glacier, and Terskey Ala Too.
In 2009-2016 I worked as a high altitude guide at the Lenin Peak (7134 m), Khan Tengri Peak (7010 m), Pobeda Peak (7439 m), and Muztag Ata Peak (7546 m). As a mountaineering expert, I also have participated in 6 expeditions.
Presently I have over 100 ascents of different difficulty. The most significant of them are: Pobeda peak (7439 m) 1 ascent; Lenin peak (7134 m) 13 ascents; Muztag Ata (7546 m) 1 ascent; Khan Tengri (7010 m) 1 ascent; Korona peak 1st tower ED2 Smirnov route, winter conditions; Free Korea peak ED1 George Lowe route, winter conditions; Bachachekey peak 4 routes ED1 Kusmenko, Shwab, Polik, Ilyshenko; Ak-Too peak TD route, first ascent, winter conditions; Tarasova(Slovenia) TD route, winter conditions; Simagina peak TD+ route, winter conditions.
My sport climbing level: 7a-7b on sight, 7c-8a red point.
Please get in touch with me if you are interested to come and discover the mountains of my region.
Languages
Russian | English
Certificates
KMGA | IVBV | UIAGM | IFMGA
Great experience in Jyrgalan Kyrgyzstan - Very competent end experienced guide. Very involved in making sure we got the best experience. A must do and highly recommend it!!
I had an awesome climb with Andrey to the summit of Peak Khan Tengri in August 2019. Andrey is a terrific guide and climbing companion. This climb was a huge challenge for me, both technically and physically. Andrey was outstanding in his focus on having a safe climb while at the same time doing everything possible to enable me to reach the summit. He showed excellent judgment and resourcefulness in planning our itinerary and making adjustments when needed. He was extraordinarily patient with my shortcomings. His friendly and engaging personality was a great benefit as well. I can honestly say, my positive experience on Khan Tengri was due in no small part to Andrey. I look forward to climbing with him again someday.
I climbed the Pobeda Peak with Andrey in 2011. It was something very difficult to achieve but we did it. The most difficult part of the trip was the section from the highest camp to the summit because of the altitude (more than 7000m). That was also the longest section of the climb. Andrey and I worked together up to the summit. I trusted 100% in Andrey during the climb because I knew him very well. He is a real professional climber!
Martina
For our rock climbing week Andrey had put together a programm which was ideally tailored to our skills. He handled everything in a very professional and trouble-free way. Under his guidance we learned a lot and gained confidence to undertake more challenging tours for ourselves in the future. At the same time, Andrey is also a really nice guy to hang out with. We had lots of fun during our tours and in the evenings. Thanks Andrey!
Andreas
We were a large group of 15 guys that spend one week with Andrey and his colleagues (because of the group size we had two additional guides). Andrey is a great guide and a good organiser. From we ordered until we arrived Andrey was available on Whatsapp and responded almost imminently to all our questions. When we landed we were meet by Andrey at the airport and a fleet of large SUV`s that took us to the base camp that was the starting point from the touring. The base camp was located far up in the mountains on the Kazakhstan border. The accommodations where ok, with a nice sauna as a pleasant surprise. The ski touring was nice in variated terrain. We were a bit unlucky with unstable snow conditions forcing us to ski a bit less steep than we hoped for, but the area got massive potential for nice skiing. We decided to end touring after five days in the mountain and spend the last night in Bishkek. There Andrey stepped into the role of a tourist guide and showed us around town, a really nice gesture which we did not expect. Overall a trip I would recommend to anyone wanting to ski in a country you would not expect to travel to. And when you go, Andrey is your choice for guide ;)
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