 Poster: A snowHead
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Really not too sure about this one - I could defo swing it pass the OH as it's my 60th Dec 3rd and the team are a great bunch of people, but a few have cried off for various reasons, though some share my POV that one should not go to Russia in the first place?
Few mates have signed up so the FOMO factor could be an issue 
This is the email from the guide I've known for well over a third of my life and over the years we've had some great adventures!
Dear Friends,
As last year was a bit short notice for this trip, here is a second opportunity...I really think this is worth a trip. Let's see if we can get a group together for nov -18. I met the guys running the lodge when I was in Kamchatka, great guys, very professional so I am confident it is a great adventure.
In the deep heart of Siberia, just next to a small train station there is a few new build wooden huts. Access on skis and skins. 300-700m vertical in 3 different main valleys. Tree skiing. The only other place that gets the same amount of fresh snow would be Hokkaido, Japan. The season here is short. Mid november to christmas. After that it is to cold to ski.
Great food, simple but warm living, Banya (russian traditional wood heated sauna) every night after skiing.
There is room for a group of 6-12 people 25/11-2/12.
Over night (departure from Moscow around 21.00) flights from Moscow to a small town, transfer to an even smaller town...stay overnight in a hotel. Train right into the wilderness in ski clothes early the following day and then touring.
Let me know what you think.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Mon 26-11-18 11:49; edited 5 times in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I've only spent one week in Russia, but I definitely think it's somewhere everyone should go to at least once in their life.
Siberia's been on my radar too for a while - I used to help market trips there for Flory Kern in a previous job. Looks epic when it's on, and does seem fairly reliable; how Neil Williman, Max Kroneck and the Mediafilm crew did get royally skunked there last season.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Do it!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You only live once
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Do you even need to ask?
How epic does that sound?
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“The season here is short. Mid november to christmas. After that it is to cold to ski.”
Certainly sounds like a heck of an adventure although this would worry me a bit. Cold, potentially bitterly cold. Great for snow but could be a bit dark and miserable...
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Quote: |
The only other place that gets the same amount of fresh snow would be Hokkaido, Japan.
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That begs the question, would Hokkaido be a better choice?
That said, on the positive side:
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This is the email from the guide I've known for well over a third of my life and over the years we've had some great adventures!
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| Quote: |
Over night (departure from Moscow around 21.00) flights from Moscow to a small town, transfer to an even smaller town...stay overnight in a hotel. Train right into the wilderness in ski clothes early the following day and then touring.
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I would go if it were my big birthday which falls outside of ski season of all the "usual" ski destinations.
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Thu 14-06-18 14:21; edited 3 times in total
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I think I’d make this decision based on the non-skiing stuff. You can get deep cold powder in much closer to home but does heading into the unknown appeal?
I did a ski trip to Kyrgyzstan a few years back and the skiing was good but the cultural stuff was a lot more memorable
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Arno, +1
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I'm surprised they get so much snow considering how far they are from the ocean.
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You know it makes sense.
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@Weathercam, I can see your viewpoint about not wanting to go to Russia in the first place but I think this trip would sway me! Siberia is somewhere I will visit one day and just the scale of it blows my mind.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I used to tour (in this country) an orchestra from Novosibirsk - they were terrific - and everything they told me about Siberia made me NOT want to go there! But admittedly skiing in the wilds was not a topic of conversation.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Given we had good early season conditions last year for the first time in a number of years when you had cleared off to Japan I think you should go.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Weathercam, I got the same email and was sorely tempted, just can't afford it........
For you, it's a no-brainer for your 60th 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@davidof, 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| pam w wrote: |
| @davidof, |
Maybe we could have a whip round?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I reckon about 4p from every Snowhead would cover it
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| KenX wrote: |
| I reckon about 4p from every Snowhead would cover it |
Money well spent. Think of it as an offering to the weather gods.
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| KenX wrote: |
| I reckon about 4p from every Snowhead would cover it |
I'll double it to 8p if he's not allowed to brag about his trip afterwards...
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Dave of the Marmottes, damn you, tea all over keyboard.
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| Hurtle wrote: |
| @Dave of the Marmottes, damn you, tea all over keyboard. |
No more keyboard. Much easier to wipe the coffee off the screen of my phone.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Dave of the Marmottes, I'm in 
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You know it makes sense.
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try to make some time available for Moscow if you not been there before.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Weathercam, I'm jealous! what a fantastic way to kick off the season.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Mr.Egg wrote: |
| try to make some time available for Moscow if you not been there before. |
Any advice on polonium tearooms places or novichok perfume sales?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Look forward to the TR!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Weathercam, Gird your loins for the process of getting a visa. It’s long, tedious, expensive and involves a trip to an embassy or visa centre just to lodge your fingerprints.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| foxtrotzulu wrote: |
| @Weathercam, Gird your loins for the process of getting a visa. It’s long, tedious, expensive and involves a trip to an embassy or visa centre just to lodge your fingerprints. |
Didn’t for me... Expensive yes, but just forms to fill in and let the travel agent/local sponsor sort the rest
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| clarky999 wrote: |
| foxtrotzulu wrote: |
| @Weathercam, Gird your loins for the process of getting a visa. It’s long, tedious, expensive and involves a trip to an embassy or visa centre just to lodge your fingerprints. |
Didn’t for me... Expensive yes, but just forms to fill in and let the travel agent/local sponsor sort the rest |
Maybe it depends from where you are applying or according to citizenship. AFAIK UK citizens applying in the U.K. definitely have to submit fingerprints unless this has changed in the last few months.
http://ru.vfsglobal.co.uk/important_information.html
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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As what @clarky999, says, we're going to get an invite and itinerary from the operator, which is meant to make things easier.
We've had to fill out a few bits and then we get the paper work sent to us to then apply for the visa.
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| Weathercam wrote: |
As what @clarky999, says, we're going to get an invite and itinerary from the operator, which is meant to make things easier.
We've had to fill out a few bits and then we get the paper work sent to us to then apply for the visa. |
The invite from the Russian operator/sponsor doesn’t really make things ‘easier’ it makes them possible. It’s a prerequisite.
The good news is that you shouldn’t need to do the fingerprint thing or visit the embassy/consulate itself. Those requirements seem to be specific to the U.K. which has reciprocal requirements. However, someone will have to visit VFS on your behalf and may need a ‘letter of attorney’ to submit your application. Things may be a bit different if you are not a French resident.
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| Weathercam wrote: |
It's on - 16th Nov to Nov 24th
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It was always "on"
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Weathercam, I was out in the Altai Mountains of Siberia way back in the 80's, but that is another story. The local people were great, although the Moscow minders were more of a problem. These days you do not have that issue I hope. But it was a fantastic place. Real wilderness and you feel totally alone. But hay! It can get very cold! Hope you have a great trip. I wish I could go back, but not this year.
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Good stuff.
Hire a copter while out there.
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