With 2 bars dragging you up 1,500 feet you find yourself on the edge of the Kukisvumchorr Backcountry. Located near the middle of the Khibiny Mountains of Russia it is a gateway to the core of the range. This little ski hill is known as the center of freeriding in the Kirovsk area. If you are willing to leave behind the lift accessed area the place could easily keep you busy for a season.

The previous day we had made our way out to the Bigwood Sidecountry and had found good snow. Knowing there was powder in the backcountry we started coming up with a plan. Looking at the weather forecast we had a single day of good weather so we needed to make the most out of it. We would use two Bars and access the Kukisvumchorr Backcountry.

Driving 25 kilometres from Kirovsk we made our way to the Kukisvumchorr parking lot. Leaving our car we were surrounded by dilapidated building from the mining golden days.

Heading for the Kukisvumchorr Backcountry

After purchasing a one time ticket we made our way up the Tbars. Standing on top we had a clear view of the Khibiny Mountains around us. Traversing along the ridge we made our way towards the low col where we would start hiking again. Our plane was to ride 2,500 feet down on the left side before exploring some more terrain within the Kukisvumchorr backcountry.

Some awesome terrain and a couloir we rode a few days later

Once down at the low col we had a good view of the ski hills sidecountry. While not a part of the main resort it could be rode and with a small traverse it would take you back to the Tbars.

making our way north and climbing up the next high point of the ridge we made our way towards a gully that would lead into the valley. Looking towards the west there was couloir after couloir within a handful of cirques.

Our First Run of the Day

Once we found a nice looking gully that would lead us into the valley we switched over to snowboarding. Looking at the texture in the snow it was wind affected but the center seemed to be holding good snow. I dropped in first going down halfway before Ilkka dropped in and followed my tracks.

Snowboarding down into the valley we made a hard traverse off to the right. Wanting to make the most out of our day exploring the Kukisvumchorr Backcountry we wanted to go to the head of the valley.

Looking back at our tracks we could see that we had made the right descent choice. Being a gully feature it had collected good snow compared to the wind scoured texture of the surrounding areas.

Heading Further into the Kukisvumchorr Backcountry

Once in the valley we started skinning towards the dividing ridge separating the main valley. It would allow us to see other potential ski tours in the area as well as hopefully find some good snow.

The higher we climbed the worse the snow got as it was exposed to wind. While it wouldn’t be great skiing it was cool to see the West facing slopes off of the ski hill. These areas are quite popular with people riding down and getting picked up with snowmobiles.

Our Second Run in the Khibiny Mountains

once at the flat summit area we decided that it wasn’t worth going to the true summit as there wouldn’t be a view. Instead we made our way down a Southwest face which was wind loaded making for great powder turns.

We were able to ride our the ridge down to the valley just past the shadows of the mountains in the photo below. It was time to start thinking about heading back towards the resort so we threw on our skins and started heading Southwest to regain our original ridge.

Snowboarding the West Side of Kukisvumchorr

As we got near the top two snowboarders came down tracking the face before getting picked up by a snowmobile. It was a tad bit heartbreaking seeing tracks in the blank canvas but it was more than big enough for two additional tracks. Making our way a few meters below the top we ripped our skins and went for a lap next to our skin track.

Climbing back up we were racing agains’t the shadow line. By now the sun was lowering over the horizon and we still needed to take one more run before exiting the Kukisvumchorr Backcountry.

A switchback at a time we followed our old tracks up towards the ridge. By now there was less then an hour of light left but we would soon be back to the resort sidecountry.

Nearing the top we had one final view of the slope we had rode earlier in the day with the ridge illuminating in the light.

Before long we were back into the resort sidecountry and about to make our final descent to the carpark.

standing on a highpoint we switched over to riding mode as the last of the light hit the Khibiny Mountains around us. Though we had barely scratched the surface of the Kukisvumchorr Backcountry we were happy that the weather had allowed us to see some of it.

Our Final Run in the Kukisvumchorr Backcountry

Ilkka dropped in first to the big open face in the photo below. Once out of the sun the weather dropped dramatically. We were out of the backcountry and doing a long traverse back to the carpark.

It was a long day but an awesome opportunity to explore the Kukisvumchorr Backcountry. By now I had rode at the resort twice but never had gone beyond the sidecountry. Finally getting a good view of the west facing slopes I could see why people would want to ride off of the side.

We had made the most out of a sunny day but for the rest of the week we would be in the middle of a storm so we needed to come out with fitting ski tours within the Khibiny Mountains.

Thank you for reading and If you enjoyed reading this and want to see more ski tours within the Khibiny Mountains check out this link