Photo: Marishka Tsiklauri ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Ski down from 5,642 m.
May on Elbrus belongs to skiers: the slope from the saddle to Azau is still under snow while the days are already long. We climb on skins and crampons and ski from the West Summit down to the lift — over three vertical kilometres. Eight days, with acclimatisation tours on Cheget and above Garabashi. For confident freeriders and splitboarders with ski-touring experience.
- Skiing from the West Summit
- Ski tours on Cheget and above Garabashi
- Avalanche training and beacon practice
- May snow and long daylight
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Transfer 180 km
Arrival in Terskol, ski check
Transfer from Mineralnye Vody to Terskol at 2,100 m. We set up bindings and skins, test beacons and go through the forecast.
Overnight: Hotel in Terskol - DAY 2 · 900 m of skinning
Ski tour on Cheget
Skinning from the village to the Cheget ridge at 3,050 m, about 900 m of ascent. We ski the northern bowls and run avalanche drills in the snow.
Overnight: Hotel in Terskol - DAY 3 · Acclimatisation to 4,100 m
Up the Garabashi slopes
Lift to Mir station at 3,500 m, then skins to Garabashi and on to 4,100 m. We ski the piste down to Azau — 1,750 vertical metres.
Overnight: Hotel in Terskol - DAY 4 · 300 m of ascent, descent technique
Move to the refuge at 3,900
Up by cable car with our kit and into the refuge. After lunch a short tour to 4,200 m and back, working on edging on firm snow.
Overnight: Refuge, 3,900 m - DAY 5 · Acclimatisation to 4,700 m
Skins to the Pastukhov Rocks
An 800 m climb to the Pastukhov Rocks at 4,700 m in four hours. We look over the Traverse, then ski the wide field back to the refuge.
Overnight: Refuge, 3,900 m - DAY 6 · Rest
Rest and summit preparation
An easy day: boots dried, edges sharpened, the ski-to-crampon transition point agreed. Early dinner, departure at one in the morning.
Overnight: Refuge, 3,900 m - DAY 7 · Summit 5,642 m, 3,300 m descent
Summit and the long descent
Skis on the pack from the Pastukhov Rocks, crampons along the Traverse and the saddle at 5,300 m to the West Summit at 5,642 m. Then skis from the saddle down to Azau at 2,350 m — snow and legs permitting.
Overnight: Hotel in Terskol - DAY 8 · Transfer 180 km
Reserve and departure
A spare day in case of weather: the summit shifts and we come down from the refuge in the morning. Otherwise it is the transfer to Mineralnye Vody; flights after 15:00.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Hotel in Terskol, 4 nights
Refuge at 3,900 m, 3 nights
Meals on the mountain, breakfasts at the hotel
Ski-qualified mountain guide per 3 participants
Cable cars and national park fee
Transfers from Mineralnye Vody
Avalanche kit: beacon, probe, shovel
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Ski-touring or splitboard rental
Snowcat to the Pastukhov Rocks on summit day
Lunches and dinners in the valley
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
Confident off-piste skiing on any snow, ski-touring experience with 1,000 m days, crampons and ice axe welcome. Ivan runs an online gear review and walks through the high-altitude routine beforehand.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Footwear and warm layers for the specific mountain and season
- Sunglasses, gloves and spare mittens
- A headtorch and personal equipment from the guide's list
- For Kazbek: agreed crampons, harness and ice axe
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.