Russia: Mt. Elbrus

About the Region

WHY SKI HERE?

As the highest point in Europe, Mt. Elbrus is a behemoth in the Caucasus Mountains, rising to 18,500 feet. It’s not a technical peak, but it requires multi-day touring experience and 6 to 8 days of strenuous effort, plus a few extra days for planning and weather. Most routes from the south leverage the lift system and snowcats for an altitude bump, while routes from the north, which are considered more beautiful, are managed entirely on foot (or ski).

“We covered ground with thrilling speed — the same slopes that had taken hours of battling in the other direction.”

- Simon Akam

If you are lucky enough to have good weather, you made be able to ski to the summit. Otherwise, you’ll use boots and crampons for the final stretch, returning to your skis after for a long, 6,500-foot descent. That’s if you’re not in the Red Fox Ski Monsters Race, of course. In this epic skimo event, racers take on 32 miles of ski touring and 16,400 feet of climbing, reaching the Elbrus summit in the middle of the event. Temperatures can be sub-0°F at the peak and over 65°F at the base, with variable weather in between. So racers have to be prepared for anything and everything. It’s winter adventure at its most extreme.