WESTERN SIBERIA

GUIDED SKI & SPLITBOARD EXPEDITION

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A word on our Russia programming:

We have been running trips in Russia since 2017. We’ve had incredible experiences in some of the deepest powder and most spectacular mountains I’ve ever experienced. I’ve personally developed a love for Russian culture as well as friendships with many Russians. When considering our path forward, my thoughts immediately go to our partners who had only a few months to come up for air between the pandemic and their businesses again being shuttered by the actions of one maniacal motherf***er. Like the majority of Russians, they are staunchly against the war but are firmly stuck between a rock and a dictatorship.

While we bear witness to the horrors of undeniable war crimes, we would like to communicate for us and our partners that we stand with Ukraine. As for the future of 40 Tribes in Russia, it’s uncertain at this time, but we are obviously putting a hold on our programming. This webpage will not be seeing updates in the meantime. We don’t plan on boycotting Russia; instead, it is our hope, at some point in the future, to once again support our powder-loving brothers and sisters who bear no responsibility but can’t avoid the consequence. That’s about all we can say at this point.

There's a zone deep in the heart of Russia where arctic air masses consistently bring early, heavy snowstorms and the snowpack can reach 2 meters depth by December. Where once a day a suburban passenger train plows its way to reach our remote village destination. Where even the steepest of roofs are stacked with snow—everything literally buried. Where the endless mountains that surround promise pillow lines, lanes through steep trees, and guaranteed faceshots. Where at night we refresh with a traditional banya and enjoy classic homemade dinners like pelmeni (dumplings) and borsch. And where, of course, the vodka flows like water. This is Siberia by Shred Train. Join us this December to get your deep pow fix while the snowflakes are just starting to stack up back at home.

AVAILABILITY & REQUIREMENTS

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AVAILABILITY

Max 6

EXPERIENCE

Participants must be advanced to expert level skiers or snowboarders, with at least 1 year touring experience. Participation does not require formal avalanche safety certification nor ski mountaineering experience.

GEAR

Splitboards are required for snowboarders and proper pow skis (115mm underfoot or fatter) are strongly recommended! All participants must provide personal touring gear and avalanche safety tools (transceiver, probe, shovel). We will distribute a mandatory gear list closer to the expedition start date.

PHYSICAL FITNESS

Participants must be in excellent physical condition, and comfortable touring for long distances carrying their own backcountry packs.

VISAS

A tourist visa is required for entry into Russia and will need to be applied for in advance. We will provide the necessary letter of invitation to submit with your personal visa application.

2021 DATES

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DEEPCEMBER 11-19

6 DAYS RIDING/9 DAYS TOTAL

DETAILS

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Our 9-day expedition begins with a domestic flight from Moscow to Abakan, the capital of the Russian Republic of Khakassia. From there it's a few hour overland transfer to Biskamzha, where we board the shred train and continue our journey deep into the wilds of Western Siberia. The snowbound village of Luzhba, at the southern end of the Kuznetskiy Alatau Range, is our eventual stop. Upon arrival we will be met by our local partners and transfer our gear onto snowmobiles to be shuttled over to the cozy lodge that we will call home for the week.

With a late afternoon arrival in Luzhba on Day One, we'll settle in, warm up around the fire, enjoy a customary vodka shot (or three) and dive into a homemade pelmeni dinner—a Siberian specialty—prepared on a traditional wooden powder ski for maximum effect!

The next six days will be strictly dedicated to faceshots. The surrounding mountains offer endless options for riding mostly at and below treeline, where the early season Siberian pow is stacked up the deepest. This terrain isn't the gnarliest, but pillow lines and perfect 25-40º/200-700m lanes through the trees will leave you wanting nothing more. Except the end of the day banya and snow bath.

Leaving this remote powder paradise on Day Eight surely won't be easy, but alas the shred train must return to civilization. From Luzhba it's back to Abakan, where we will spend one final night before catching flights to Moscow and home for the holidays. The best gift of all is that you'll already have six of the deepest days of your season under your belt.

PHOTO GALLERY

For a taste of the #powdersmashingextravaganza that awaits, be sure to scope our Siberia photo gallery.

GUIDES

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Our 2021 Siberia expeditions will be lead guided by TBA with TBA in the tail guide position. Meet our guides.

For logistics support we work with Grigory Mintsev, an ACMG/RMGA Ski Guide who has been getting his early season pow fix in Luzhba every year since 2013.

BOOKINGS

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USD $3,425/PERSON*

6 DAYS RIDING/9 DAYS TOTAL

*Based on our 2020 pricing. May be adjusted.

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ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE REQUIREMENTS

SESSION ONE: Participants will need to arrive in Abakan, Russia (airport code ABA) the morning of TBA. We will return to Abakan by evening on TBA for departures from Abakan to Moscow and beyond on TBA.

SESSION TWO: Participants will need to arrive in Abakan, Russia (airport code ABA) the morning of TBA. We will return to Abakan by evening on TBA for departures from Abakan to Moscow and beyond on TBA.

For both sessions: Keep in mind that domestic flights from Moscow to Abakan depart late at night, meaning you will need to book your international flight to Moscow arriving TBA (for Session One)/TBA (for Session Two) and your flight to Abakan for later that night. Aeroflot Russian Airlines and S7 Airlines both service Abakan from Moscow, but take note of which airport you will be arriving at in Moscow and plan your onward flight accordingly! Aeroflot only flies from Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) and S7 only flies from Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME) and the two airports are nowhere near each other.

As mentioned above, a tourist visa is required for entry into Russia and will need to be applied for in advance. We will provide the necessary letter of invitation to submit with your personal visa application.

PRICE INCLUDES

40 Tribes Lead and Tail Guides; Airport transfers and private transport between Abakan and the Biskamzha train station; Train tickets; Snowmobile shuttle for gear from the Luzhba station to the lodge; 7 nights accommodation at a private lodge in Luzhba including all meals (breakfasts, lunches, aprés ski appetizers, dinners); 1 night hotel accommodation in Abakan ahead of flights back to Moscow; 6 days of epic guided skiing/splitboarding!

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

International and domestic airfare and baggage fees; Medical/evacuation insurance; Meals in Abakan and on transfer days; Alcohol; Tips for guides.

BOOKING POLICY

A 20% deposit is required to secure your spot, with the remainder due 4 months prior to the expedition start date. Our cancellation/refund policies can be found here.