WINTER CLIMBING MT. ELBRUS #BR#SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING TOUR

We meet you at Mineralnye Vody Airport (no later than 12:00 PM) or at Tbilisi Airport (in this case, you should arrive the day before). Transfer to our office. Equipment distribution. Meeting the guide. Briefing for the entire group - the instructor will talk about the upcoming tour and answer questions. Transfer to the Elbrus region. Accommodation in a hostel or a 3-star hotel depending on the rate. Dinner at the hotel (basic rate) or at a local cuisine restaurant (premium). Tonight's dish: Shashlik with Tuzluk sauce.

Elbrus' slope is more beginner-friendly than Cheget, making it our starting point. You can manage up to 8 descents in a day, though typically we do around 4. If you're a beginner, we offer personalized training with an instructor for 2-3 days to get you up to speed. After this, you'll be able to ski independently with the group. Dinner is served at the hotel (standard package) or at a local cuisine restaurant (premium package), featuring Shorpa soup and Khychins for the evening.

We spend the entire day skiing on Mt. Cheget. From its highest point, a wonderful panoramic view of Elbrus and the Baksan Valley opens up. At the same time, we continue to acclimatize during the ascents and descents. This is necessary for the subsequent stay at high altitude and for the climb to Elbrus. Dinner at the hotel (basic rate) or at a local cuisine restaurant (premium). Tonight's dish: Zhalbaur.

We move from the hotel to a mountain refuge situated at an altitude of 3800 meters. Transfer to the cable car and ascent to the Garabashi station. Accommodation in the mountain refuge - in standard or VIP rooms depending on the tariff (see photos). After that, we continue skiing. Closer to the evening, the instructor will hold a training session on two basic mountaineering skills: techniques for moving along rope railings and walking with crampons on snowy and icy slopes.

We set off early in the morning, traveling light with only snacks, a thermos with hot tea, and water. You will be gaining about 1200 meters to reach an altitude of 5000 meters. On this day, you will feel the lack of oxygen; it will be challenging, but it will offer you a good acclimatization to the height, making the climb easier for you. If you have ski touring equipment (or you have rented it), you can use it to ascend, and on the way back, you can ski down with one of the guides (included in the tour price).

A day to recharge before the climb. We'll hit the slopes again in the morning and relax post-lunch. The afternoon includes a self-arrest technique training on an icy slope using an ice axe, coupled with a refresher on previously learned skills. We'll prep our backpacks for the climb, aiming for an early bedtime at 17:00 to be well-rested. In case of unfavorable weather forecasts for the upcoming days, we may forgo rest and proceed with the climb.

We rise at midnight, allowing an hour for preparations before heading towards the Elbrus summit. Setting off from the assault camp in roped parties, equipped with crampons, ice axes, helmets, and headlamps. We carry snacks, a thermos with hot tea, and water. The ascent is slow-paced to maintain stamina, generally taking 8-10 hours, followed by a 3-4 hour descent. (Oxygen rental for the climb is available.) An optional add-on is skiing down from the Elbrus peak (see Additional services). Overnight stay at the shelter.

Our luggage will be transported to the hotel while we enjoy a ski descent. Once at the hotel, we'll collectively decide on the day's remaining activities, with options like a forest walk to the Narzan spring or a true Russian banya experience (not included in the tour price). The day culminates in a celebratory dinner with medal and certificate presentations. This day can be used as a backup for the climb if needed.

After breakfast, we will have a group transfer to Essentuki. Along the way, we will stop at the Narzan Glade to drink Narzan mineral water straight from the ground. Upon arrival at the office, we will return the rental equipment. At the designated time, individual transfers to the airport will be arranged. You should book your return flight for this day, but the departure should not be earlier than 14:00 if you are flying out of Mineralnye Vody, and not earlier than 20:00 if you are departing from Tbilisi.