Khibiny mountains. Open the left menu of Khibina
The Khibiny mountain range is the largest on the Kola Peninsula. The highest point of the massif is Mount Yudychvumchorr, 1200 meters high. In the center of the formation there are two plateaus Chasnachorr and Kukisvumchorr.
Tourists from all over Russia fell in love with this pearl of the Kola North. The peaks of the Khibiny are located almost in the center of the peninsula and offer very beautiful views. Local ski resorts are visited throughout the year, and recently the popularity of this place has only been growing. A variety of trails have already been built here, suitable for any level of skiers and snowboarders.
The shape of this mountain range resembles two horseshoes, which are located one inside the other. The local valleys here are rich in lakes, and they have become a favorite place for picnics. Several dozen tourist routes have been developed for lovers of hiking and active recreation. The beauty of Khibiny attracts travelers throughout the year and the flow of vacationers here is stable. Every year tourism in the Khibiny Mountains is developing more and more, and we advise everyone to visit these amazing places.
Weather
Winter in the Khibiny region is relatively warm, with an average temperature of about -11 °C. But in the mountains themselves, and especially on the peaks, it can be 10-15 degrees colder. Frosts below -35 °C are rare.
In summer, the area is not particularly hot, with an average temperature of about +12 °C. On the shores of the White and Barents Seas it is several degrees cooler. There are thunderstorms and heat here, when the thermometer can exceed +30-35 °C.
How to get to Khibiny
It is always more convenient to get to the Kola Peninsula by train, along the Oktyabrskaya Railway. By train you will get to Apatit or Khibiny station. During the trip you will already be able to enjoy the beauty of Karelia and its diversity. It should be noted that the northern and southern nature of the region is quite different.
For those who like to travel by car, you can get to Khibiny quite quickly on modern roads. Do not forget that this is a northern region, so you need to be prepared for any vagaries of weather, not only in winter, but also in summer. In winter, you should put your car in studded tires, because ice is a common occurrence here. There are severe frosts at night, so it is not recommended to travel by car at this time of day. In summer the climate can also be very changeable. A warm summer day can quickly turn into a cold late autumn day. Don't forget to bring warm clothes with you even in summer.
Traveling through the Khibiny Mountains is an exciting adventure for all wildlife lovers and a new experience for those who rarely leave their apartments and offices.
As you know, the Khibiny Mountains are the largest mountain range located on the Kola Peninsula. The name “Khibiny” appeared not so long ago, because before that the mountain system was called the Sami word “Umptek”. It is believed that the geological age of this rock reaches about 350 million years. The exact origin of the Khibiny is still unknown, although according to the Russian dialect of the Arkhangelsk region and the Kola Peninsula, the prevailing term is “Khiben”, which means “plateau”.
The mountains are composed of igneous rocks or nepheline syenites. The Khibiny massif has plateau-like peaks, rather steep slopes, in some places there are glaciers and snowfields. The highest point of the mountain system was Mount Yudychvumchorr, whose height reaches 1200.5 m above sea level and which drops off quite steeply in the form of inaccessible sheer cliffs.
The Khibiny mountain range is shaped more like a horseshoe, somewhat open towards the east. The characteristic relief was high, flat plateaus, as well as a complex system of especially deep valleys. Most of the valleys end in the form of global glacial cirques, which contain snow throughout the year. The inherent plateaus are flat surfaces completely covered with bare rock deposits. A huge number of minerals are found in the Khibiny Mountains, the vast majority of which were discovered at this site for the first time - which is why the Khibiny massif is also called the mineralogical natural museum. The minerals found here are of greatest importance. This place contains the world's largest deposits of apatite containing phosphorus, as well as titanium, sphene, molybdenum ores and many other rare elements, which have become a reliable base for the mining industry of the North.
As for the flora of the Khibiny Mountains, it changes more and more with increasing altitude. The slopes and foothills of the mountains, reaching a height of 350-400 m, are occupied exclusively by coniferous forests, represented by spruce and pine forests, which can most often be seen with an admixture of birch species. A little higher there is a crooked birch forest, rising even more in height by 100 m. In an even more elevated zone there are zones of crooked forest - this is the tundra, almost completely covered with small shrubs - blueberries, lingonberries, crowberries, bearberry, as well as various types of lichens. After the first frosts have passed, the leaves of all plants quickly acquire a rich, bright color, while creating an incredibly beautiful multi-colored carpet. As altitude increases along the slopes, vegetation cover becomes increasingly sparse and bare areas of rocky embankments can often be found. All the mountain peaks are almost completely without vegetation, and on the rocks and in some places there are scattered yellow, gray and green patterns of lichens that predominate in these places. The flora of the Khibiny Mountains is especially valuable, because a considerable number of representatives of local vegetation are listed in the Red Book. As for the local fauna, the terrestrial vertebrates of the mountain range are represented by 27 species of mammals, 2 species of reptiles, one species of amphibian and 123 different species of birds.
Today, the following mines operate on the territory of the Khibiny mountain range: Rasmvumchorr (Rasvumchorr plateau and Apatite Circus deposits), Kirov (Yukspor and Kukisvumchorr), Central (Rasvumchorr), as well as Eastern (Nyurkpakhk and Koashva). Mining is carried out both open-pit and underground. The number of open mountain ranges is increasingly decreasing, and after some time the development of deposits will be carried out exclusively by underground methods.
For quite a long period of time, the Khibiny Mountains have been one of the most favorite holiday destinations for tourists, because this is the first alpine region in the entire Arctic in which a proper system of routes was carried out, ranging from educational to the most difficult. Even the small height of the mountains can be deceptive, because the climate peculiarities inherent in the area often create extreme conditions for the ascent process.
The Khibiny Mountains are not just a large mountain range of the Kola Peninsula, located in the Murmansk region of Russia, it is also a famous ski resort for tourist ski trips of various levels of difficulty. It is already more than 350 million years old. The peaks of the Khibiny are plateau-shaped. Some slopes are quite steep, with isolated snow patches. The highest point of the Khibiny is Mount Yudychvumchorr, more than 1200 meters high, although more recently Chasnachorr, a mountain 1189 meters high above sea level, was considered the highest.
At the foot of the mountains are Kirovsk and Apatity. Not far from Mount Vudyavrchorr is located one of the eleven institutes of the Kola Science Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences - the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute, which studies the flora of the Khibiny. The Khibiny fauna is represented by 27 species of mammals, more than 120 species of birds and 2 species of reptiles are found in this territory. A large number of animals and plants are included in the Red Book. On the slopes of the Khibiny there are rare specimens of elements and minerals. The Khibiny Mountains are a real storehouse of valuable minerals; in terms of their diversity, they take an honorable second place in the world.
Khibiny Mountains - beautiful photos.
The Khibiny combines regional and local mountain climates - the outer slopes have a milder climate than the central part of the massif. It is snowy in the mountains from October to June. Summer is short, only 60 to 80 days, but there are no frosts during this time. The duration of the polar night is 42 days, and the polar day is 50. From late summer to early spring you can observe the polar (northern) lights.
The Khibiny Mountains are popular among skiers and climbers. To conquer the Khibiny, you need appropriate physical preparation, since the Khibiny passes are not so steep as they are dangerous. Although, as a ski resort, Khibiny is suitable for both experienced skiers and those who have just begun to engage in this sport. You just need to know which route is intended for whom.
There is no one version yet regarding the origin of the name of the mountains. There are suggestions that the name “Khibiny” comes from the Russian colloquial “khiben” - plateau. Before this, the Khibiny Mountains were called by the Sami name Umptek, which translates as “a place where deer come to die” or “closed mountains.”
Many novice tourists are looking for the Khibiny resort, not realizing that this is a mountain system. She's really not tall. The largest peak barely reaches one thousand two hundred meters. Yes, not the Alps. But, unlike these European peaks, snow in winter is guaranteed for skiers. After all, they are located in the Arctic. The main city in this region is Kirovsk. It contains almost the entire tourist infrastructure of the four ski areas. There is also the town of Apatity nearby. There are also ski slopes and lifts there. What do tourists themselves say about the Khibiny Mountains? How to get to this harsh region? What period will be the most optimal for a ski holiday? Where to stay? What are the prices at the resort? Read about all this in this article.
Where are the Khibiny Mountains located?
This is a very old array. It is already more than 350 million years old. The highest point of the Khibiny is Mount Yudychvumchorr (1200 meters above sea level). Despite their modest size, they are the highest mountains in the Russian Arctic. And tourists report that the air here is thin. But this effect does not come from the height, but from the Arctic air itself. Khibiny on the map of Russia can be found on the Main city of Kirovsk is located near Helsinki, the capital of Finland. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides, and Lake Bolshoi Vudyavr adjoins it on the fourth. The city arose relatively recently, in the 20s of the last century, as a result of industrial development of apatite rocks. Kirovsk lies on the southern slopes of the Khibiny. Apatity is located twelve kilometers from it, on the banks of the Belaya River. The entire territory is included in the Zasheikovskoye forestry.
Climate
The Khibiny Mountains are located north of the Arctic Circle. This means that from mid-December to the second half of January the sun does not rise here at all. But it lasts almost a month. Here in June and early July the sun does not set at all. The climate in the area where the Khibiny Mountains are located is not as harsh as you would expect from the Arctic. The proximity of the Gulf Stream, a warm current that softens the bitter frosts, has an effect. Although tourists say that sometimes in January the thermometer here can show minus thirty-five. But winters here are mild and very snowy. The sparkling cover in some places continues into the summer. In the “hottest” July, the average temperature fluctuates around twelve degrees, although there are also really warm days when the air warms up to + 20 o C. Tourists assure that it is worth going to Khibiny Kirovsk in April-May. At this time it is not so windy, there is hope of clear weather, and there is plenty of daylight. But there is no shortage of vacationers at the resort in winter. People come here to celebrate New Year and Christmas. The trails are well lit during the polar night. During this period you can admire the northern lights.
How to get there
How to find Khibiny airport on an area map? The facility is located a forty-minute drive from the city of Kirovsk. It receives regular flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg. The airport is small and most tourists arrive through the Murmansk hub. Airliners from Nord Avia, Rossiya, RusLine, UTair and others fly there from various cities in Russia. Regular buses run from Murmansk to Khibiny. Travel time is about three hours. The distance between the capital and Kirovsk is approximately 1,400 kilometers. It takes about a day to travel by train. Moreover, you need to change planes in Apatity. Therefore, tourists recommend: choose air transport. A taxi will take you from Khibiny Airport to the hotel.
Natural attractions
Upon entering Kirovsk (Khibiny), the ski resort appears in all its glory. Two mountains rise above the city: Aykuaivenchorr (which means “Sleeping Beauty”) and Vudyavrchorr. On the slopes of the last peak there is a unique botanical garden - one of three on the planet located beyond the Arctic Circle. If you go up the slope, you can observe a change in natural landscapes: valley tundra, spruce taiga, birch forest, alpine mosses and arctic desert. In addition to the mountain trails, there is also a flat ski track that stretches for fourteen kilometers. You can ride along it on a snowmobile. Hiking lovers are recommended to take a helicopter excursion: it takes tourists to one of the four peaks, and you can go down, admiring the pristine nature of the Khibiny. The resort also offers plenty of entertainment for heli-skiing fans. However, both tourists and rescuers warn that the slopes here are dangerous for avalanches, and you need to go on such a trip with an instructor.
Where to stay
Khibiny is a ski resort that is currently experiencing rapid development. The infrastructure, as reviews note, still does not reach European standards, but in recent years many new and comfortable hotels have appeared in Kirovsk and Apatity. You can also stay in the private sector. Tourists advise: when looking for accommodation, take into account the proximity of the route where you are going to ski. In total, there are four ski resorts in the Khibiny Mountains. Each of them has its own hotels and hostels. For example, in the KolaSportLand resort you can stay at the Sport Hotel. Of the ten hotels located in the center of Kirovsk, tourists highlight Severnaya, leaving exclusively positive reviews about it. The cost of living there includes a transfer to the Bolshoy Vudyavr ski area.
Trails
What should skiers coming to Khibiny expect? The ski resort provides many opportunities for active recreation. In addition to the usual tracks of varying difficulty, there are springboards, a modular stadium, and an ice skating rink. The ski track is compacted using Austrian snowcats. Seven ski lifts and two chair lifts take tourists to the top. There are cafes and equipment rental points. You need to choose a complex based on how confident you are on your skis. The Aesir are attracted to the slopes of Mount Kukisvumchorr. Those who prefer board skiing will find a lot of interesting things for themselves at Khibiny Snow Park. Beginning athletes have chosen the Northern Slope. They also ride on the so-called “Twenty-fifth kilometer”. A bus runs there from Kirovsk. There is a very developed tourist infrastructure there, and experts advise going to the “25 km” at least once. In Apatity, skiers ski on the slopes of Mount Vorobinaya.
Khibiny ski resort: prices
Tourists identify Kirovsk and Apatity as inexpensive holiday destinations. This is evidenced at least by the prices for the ski pass. They vary depending on the ski area and the length of the lift. For example, on the southern slope of Mount Aykuaivenchorr, a subscription for 60 trips will cost 3,550 rubles. On the northern slopes of the same peak, a completely different ski pass system is used. Temporary passes have been introduced there - for four hours (650 rubles) and for the whole day (850 rubles). The armchair costs 110 rubles. At the 25th kilometer, the cost of one lift will be 60 rubles, and for a baby lift you will have to pay 25 rubles. Equipment rental will empty your pocket by an average of a thousand rubles a day. Khibiny is a ski resort that is just developing. Perhaps in the near future its services, including Apres-ski, will be closer to European standards.