What to see in Kamchatka in winter

*** Winter holidays in Kamchatka are an opportunity to visit a unique place, recharge with new impressions and spend unforgettable days on exciting excursions. The winter period on the peninsula lasts from November to March. At this time, the weather is mostly clear — the number of sunny days is more than 60 per season, and there has been a steady snow cover since November. In the north of Kamchatka, there are frosts up to -30 °C, in the south it is warmer — on average, the temperature does not fall below -6 °C.

*** Tourist activity in Kamchatka is no less diverse in winter than in summer. Sports, ethnographic, and cultural events are held for guests and residents of the peninsula, and sightseeing tours are organized. And winter ice fishing is a separate kind of pleasure!

Nevertheless, we recommend starting the excursion program from the capital of the Kamchatka Territory.

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

You can go for a walk around Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at any time of the year, but in winter such a walk will give you special emotions — the roofs of residential buildings against the background of snow-covered volcanoes look impressive. You can move around on your own in the city. Tourists are most interested in:

• Nikolskaya Sopka, which offers a beautiful view of Avacha Bay.
• Theater Square, where the monument to Peter and Paul is located. Not far from the square there is a small lake Kultuchnoye. Avachinskaya Sopka is visible from its embankment.
• Avacha Bay beach, where you can walk along the water, enjoy the silence and views of the bay.
• Vulcanarium is a museum whose exposition tells about the volcanoes of Kamchatka. Interactive and multimedia tools help to make the presentation of information interesting and accessible for adults and children — do not miss the opportunity to visit this museum.
• Fish market — even if you are generally indifferent to seafood, it is still worth visiting this place. Several types of selected caviar, fresh fish and seafood, freshly caught boiled Kamchatka crab — there is definitely something to your liking here.
• Viewing platforms on Mishennaya Sopka, which overlook the city and the port. Here you can admire the surroundings and take view photos.

If you want to make the city tour more vibrant and dynamic, you can go on a snowmobile tour, which, in addition to visiting Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, includes a trip to the Three Brothers Rocks.

What kind of excursions are held in winter

Snowmobile and helicopter tours are available in winter.

• Snowmobile tours to Khalaktyrsky beach, to Home volcanoes, to Mutnovsky volcano, to hot springs, to Vilyuchinsky waterfall. These excursions allow you to get acquainted with the main natural sites of the peninsula, to make a walking ascent to the peaks. There are programs lasting from several hours to several days. Tours of varying complexity are available: light tours that families with young children and people without physical fitness can go on, and complex tours designed for trained tourists.
• By helicopter, you can go to the Nalychevo Nature Park to see the famous volcanoes of Kamchatka from above and swim in the thermal springs, the water in which always remains hot.

In addition to year-round hiking trails, you can discover activities that are only available in winter.

Kennel tours and dog sledding

This is an ethnographic tour in the vicinity of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, which will appeal to both adults and children. The journey begins on snowmobiles, which will take you to the traditional home of the Kamchadals. Tourists will get acquainted with everyday life and national cuisine, a walk to the reindeer herders' camp and riding huskies. During the walk, you can drive a snowmobile yourself, chat with the indigenous people of Kamchatka, and recharge your batteries with amazing animals.

Winter fishing

In winter, you can go ice fishing on the peninsula's numerous lakes and rivers. At this time, smelt, char, mikizha, navaga, flounder, and Pacific herring peck well. If you want to spend a few days doing what you love, it's not a problem. Our tourist base "Kharchino" on the Yelovka River is at your service. Comfortable rooms, a sauna, and a dining room are waiting for you here.

Ski holidays

*** Winter in Kamchatka begins in November, the snow cover is already stable by this time, which can not but please fans of skiing and snowboarding. A long skating season — what could be better? Both beginners and experienced athletes can ride on numerous hills with trails of varying difficulty. There are slopes for freeriding. Another type of winter activity is heli-skiing. This is a helicopter ride to the top of the volcano and a descent down a wild slope.

Surfing

Khalaktyrsky beach is known not only for its black sand and panoramic views of volcanoes, there is always a wave here, and therefore this place attracts surfers all year round. 

You can rent a board and a winter wetsuit, and experienced instructors will help you catch a wave. After surfing, you can warm up in the sauna and drink delicious tea with sweets.

Thermal springs

Balneological thermal springs of Kamchatka give special impressions in winter. It is unlikely that in any other place you can take a healing hot bath in the open air when there is snow all around. Guests of the Sputnik complex will not have to go anywhere to enjoy such spa treatments. The complex has outdoor pools with thermal water.

Gastronomy

Winter is a good time to explore the local gastronomy. National cuisine can be tasted during excursions to ethnic villages and beyond. Local restaurants will also offer Kamchatka specialties: five-minute caviar, Kamchatka crab, sea urchin, venison, Pacific salmon. The restaurant at the Sputnik Hotel complex also serves local dishes prepared according to traditional recipes.