Khibiny geographic location. Khibiny, Khibiny mountains

Khibiny is mountain system, which has attracted researchers and nature lovers since ancient times. They are not as inaccessible as other areas. You can get to the mountains road transport. Or another option is to get to Murmansk by plane or train.

Location and relief

The Khibiny Mountains are located between and Umbozero. They are an array consisting of plateau-like peaks. The highest point is 1201 m. This is Mount Yudychvumchorr, which is part of the Khibiny massif. The height of the mountains is on average 1000 meters.

There are many traces of ancient glacial activity. People like circuses and cars talk about it. And also troughs - valleys plowed by a glacier, similar to troughs.

There are results of permafrost activity - kurums, the so-called stone rivers. And on the plateau there are whole stone seas.

Geological structure

The Khibiny Mountains are a crystalline structure - an intrusion. This is an integral geological body composed of rocks of igneous origin. There are only 8 such intrusions in the world. This massif, shaped like a horseshoe, is mostly composed of rocks - nepheline syenites. In ancient times there were huge volcanoes that have cooled and the magma has undergone crystallization. Therefore, about 800 different minerals have been found here. Some of them are specific to this area.

Names of modern settlements correspond to the minerals found here: Nepheline sands, Apatites, Titanium. After the descent from these mountains of a heavy glacial shell, this territory experienced tectonic uplift. It occurred unevenly, as evidenced by the nature of geological structures. They look like funnels, the edges of which are composed of older rocks than the center. For about 20 million years, the Khibiny rose 500 meters above the surrounding plains. Then there was a long break of 15 million years. Then again the mountains began to grow, this time their height doubled.

Climate

Climatic conditions, depending on the geographical location, have the Khibiny mountains. On the map of the North-West in the European part of Russia, you can see that most of the peninsula is located beyond the Arctic Circle. Despite this fact, the climate here is much warmer than in others. The severity of the local weather is smoothed out by the close location of the Barents Sea, since the North Cape warm current enters this part of the ocean. Therefore, the climate here is quite mild, and severe frosts are relatively rare.

Due to the location of the Khibiny in the Arctic, twilight reigns here for half a year. In winter daylight is very small and lasts 2-3 hours. The polar night lasts for about four months - the period when the sun does not rise from the horizon. And because of the proximity to the magnetic pole of the planet, you can observe a very impressive phenomenon - northern lights.

Summer lasts two and a half months. The highest positive temperatures are +20 in July. The average for the month is +13 degrees. The coldest period lasts during January. The average temperature of the month is -11 degrees. And the Khibiny mountains have the most negative mark in winter -35 0 С. Photos of these places show that there are often fogs and high clouds. This indicates the influence of cyclones on the territory. Precipitation falls mostly in the form of snow.

Flora

Vegetation cover consists of several belts. The zone of coniferous and mixed forests is located mainly at the foot of the mountains and in river valleys at low altitudes. This belt ends at a height of 470 meters and occupies a third of the massif. It is dominated by spruce and birch. In the forest you can find mountain ash, aspen and bird cherry.

Above begins the zone of subalpine birch forests. It stretches in a narrow strip between the forest and tundra belts. Here grows a bathing suit, geraniums, and thistle.

Next comes the mountain-tundra zone. It occupies about half of the entire area of ​​the Khibiny Mountains. Below, dwarf shrub vegetation is common. In early August, the berry season continues. Blueberries, blueberries, cloudberries ripen. At the beginning of autumn, it's time for lingonberries. Above is the moss-lichen tundra. Mosses here are dominated by green and sphagnum mosses. Lichens cover large boulders stone rivers. Many plants included in the Red Book grow here.

Toponymy of names

The indigenous people in the Khibiny region are the Saami. On the map of these mountains there are entirely names in the language of this people. However, their meanings are different. Since in Kola Peninsula there are several dialects.

One of the versions of the origin of the name of the mountains from the word "Khiben" is a flat hill. The Saami conditionally divided the Khibiny mountains into two parts: Umbozersky and Lavozersky. The first in their language sounded like Umptek, the second - Luyavrurt.

The Saami first came up with the name of the river, and then the valley was named from it. And then the ridges were indicated. The first part of the word is a sign of an object (high, rocky). The second meant geographical feature(mountain, river, lake). For example, Lake Woodyavr. Wood - a hill covered with shrubs. The root of the javr is a lake. Thus, the Saami gave simple descriptions objects. Among them, Vudyavr is a lake on a hill with shrubs.

The Khibiny Mountains are a wonderful land that you really want to visit. This unique place, where mountains, tundra, many lakes are combined with clear water and northern lights. Khibiny is rightly called a treasury of minerals.

Many novice tourists are looking for the Khibiny resort, not realizing that this is a mountain system. She's not tall, though. The most big peak hardly reaches one thousand two hundred meters. Yes, not the Alps. But, unlike these European peaks, snow is guaranteed for skiers in winter. After all, they are located in the Arctic. The main city in this region is Kirovsk. It contains almost all tourism infrastructure four ski areas. There is also a nearby town of Apatity. There are also ski slopes and lifts. And what do the tourists themselves say about the Khibiny? How to get to this harsh region? What is the best period 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

This is a very old array. It is already over 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 most high mountains Russian Arctic. And tourists report that the air is rarefied here. 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 Main city Kirovsk is located near Helsinki, the capital of Finland. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides and a lake on the fourth. Big Woodyavr. 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 Zasheikovsky forestry.

Climate

The Khibiny 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 almost a month lasts 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 severe as you would expect from the Arctic. The proximity of the Gulf Stream - a warm current that softens the harsh frosts - affects. Although tourists say that sometimes in January the thermometer here can show minus thirty-five. But the winters here are mild and very snowy. The sparkling cover in some places lasts even in summer. In the "hottest" July average temperature fluctuates within twelve degrees, although there are also really warm days when the air warms up to + 20 ° 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 to catch clear weather, and daylight hours are great. But there is no shortage of vacationers in the resort in winter. People come here to celebrate the New Year and Christmas. After all, the tracks 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 the map? The object is located in forty minutes drive from the city of Kirovsk. It receives regular flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg. The airport is small and most tourists arrive via the Murmansk hub. Liners of Nord Avia, Rossiya, RusLine, UTair and others fly there from various cities of Russia. From Murmansk to Khibiny run Shuttle Buses. Travel time is about three hours. The distance between the capital and Kirovsk is approximately 1400 kilometers. It takes about a day to travel by train. Moreover, in Apatity you need to make a transplant. Therefore, tourists recommend: choose air Transport. A taxi will take you from the Khibiny airport to the hotel.

natural attractions

At the entrance to Kirovsk (Khibiny) the ski resort appears in all its glory. Two mountains rise above the city: Aikuaivenchorr (which means "Sleeping Beauty") and Vudyavrchorr. On the slopes of the last peak there is a unique botanical garden - one of the three on the planet located beyond the Arctic Circle. If you go up the slope, you can observe the change natural landscapes: valley tundra, spruce taiga, birch crooked forest, alpine mosses and arctic desert. Apart from mountain trails there is also a flat ski track that stretches for fourteen kilometers. You can ride it on a snowmobile. lovers hiking it is recommended to take a helicopter tour: it delivers tourists to one of the four peaks, and you can go down, admiring the pristine nature of the Khibiny. The resort also has a lot of entertainment for fans of heli-skiing. However, both tourists and rescuers warn that the slopes here are avalanche-prone, and you need to go on such a trip with an instructor.

Where to stay

Khibiny is a ski resort, which is now experiencing rapid development. The infrastructure still, as the reviews note, does not reach the European level, but beyond last years many new and comfortable hotels 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 ride. In total, there are four ski resorts in Khibiny. Each of them has its own hotels and hostels. For example, in the GLK "ColaSportLand" you can stay at the Sport Hotel. Of the ten hotels located in the center of Kirovsk, tourists single out Severnaya, leaving only positive reviews. The cost of living there includes a transfer to the ski area "Big Woodyavr".

Tracks

What can skiers who come to the Khibiny expect? The ski resort provides a lot of opportunities for active rest. In addition to the usual tracks of varying difficulty, there are ski jumps, a modular stadium, and a skating rink. The ski track is compacted by Austrian snowcats. Tourists are brought upstairs by seven yokes and two chair lifts. There are cafes and equipment rentals. You need to choose a complex based on how confident you are on skis. Ases are attracted by the slopes of Mount Kukisvumchorr. Those who prefer a board to skiing will find a lot of interesting things for themselves in the Khibiny-Snow Park. Novice 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, and experts advise to go to the "25 km" at least once. In Apatity, skiers ski on the slopes of Mount Vorobina.

Khibiny, ski resort: prices

Tourists define Kirovsk and Apatity as places inexpensive vacation. This is evidenced by at least the price of a ski pass. They are different depending on the ski area and the length of the lift. For example, on the southern slope of Mount Aikuaivenchorr, a subscription for 60 trips will cost 3,550 rubles. On northern routes on the same peak, a completely different system of ski passes is practiced. Temporary subscriptions have been introduced there - for four hours (650 rubles) and for the whole day (850 rubles). 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.

They are beautiful, mysterious and dangerous. All this is about the Khibiny Mountains or simply the Khibiny - the largest massif on the Kola Peninsula. He saw this land as it was many centuries ago, because the age of the mountains is estimated at over 390 million years.

If you look at the Khibiny from above, you can see an oval ring. For the most part, there are plateau-like peaks and river valleys, deep gorges, circuses (amphitheater basins) and kars (bowls on the slopes), and all this is surrounded by the Khibiny tundra.

Even in a rare hot summer, snow lies on the peaks; it is also here that the first snowflakes are met in the region before the onset of winter. It often snows here at the end of August.
Many animals are found in the tundra, including those with the status of rare and protected. Reindeer, arctic fox, marten, hazel grouse, capercaillie, Norwegian lemming, freshwater pearl mussel mollusk, common viper, viviparous lizard. There are brown trout, whitefish, char, grayling and others in the rivers.

The vegetation of the Khibiny is the filling of a multi-layered pie. Tundra, forest-tundra and taiga replace each other with height. The forest zone at the foot smoothly passes into the belt of birch forests of the subalpine type and alpine tundra on the tops of the mountains.

On high altitude can be observed interesting phenomenon: from strong wind and constant cold it is very difficult for trees to grow here. Therefore, birch trees grow to the level of grass or even spread along the ground. But here you can find many types of flowers, cereals, berries and others: sorrel, ragwort, alpine bluegrass, saxifrage, cloudberries, lingonberries, crowberries, blueberries.

They began to explore and study the Khibiny only in the 20th century, when people realized that it was not only a nice place, but also rich: hitherto unknown minerals were discovered here.

The Khibiny are living mountains in every sense of the word. The formation of their relief continues, although the main artist was the glacier, which covered the massif millions of years ago. But even today, the Khibiny rise by about 1-2 centimeters per year. Occasionally, earthquakes occur here, mainly by 3-4 points, mostly caused by the development of deposits in the mines. With each decade, the surface of the mountains becomes sharper, this is due to weathering.

This makes the Khibiny even more dangerous, although even without that, people here should be as careful as possible. In winter, there is a high risk of an avalanche. Rockfalls occur in summer, tourists stumble on narrow mountain paths. Sometimes, even on a seemingly flat surface, there are dangerous surprises - holes that serve as an entrance to underground caves.

That is why it is better to go to the Khibiny with an experienced guide and as part of organized group. You must first register with the regional Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The same rules apply to those who want to go in for winter sports in the Khibiny. This the best place V Murmansk region for skiing and snowboarding. For athletes, several slopes and recreation centers are equipped, where the tracks are checked by specialists of Russian and international level.

Also, the following attractions of the Khibiny will be of interest to tourists: the lakes Maly and Bolshoy Vudyavr, Akademichesky, Geographers' passes, Yuksporlak, Schel, Ganeshina circus, Beautiful waterfall and others.

Especially for lovers of walking and spending the night in the open, several hiking trails: gorge blue lakes- Pyrrhotite gorge, molybdenum mine - Geographers pass, Geographers pass - Vudyavrchorr mountain, Ramsay gorge - Malaya Belaya river valley, western and eastern passes of Petrelius, Northern and Southern Chorrgor aerevals, Kuelpor - South Chorrgor pass - Imandra lake, Aku-Aku gorge, Risjok River - South Rischorr Pass - Marchenko Peak, astrophyllites of Mount Eveslogchorr.

Traveling through the Khibiny summer time, you can find many curious and sometimes rare minerals for other regions. Some minerals are sold in numerous souvenir shops, but it is important for many tourists to find a souvenir for themselves. We offer a list of the most common minerals in the Khibiny and primary information about them.

  • Aegirine.
    The name of the mineral is given in honor of the Icelandic god of the sea - Aegir. The most common aegirine of the first generation is black long prismatic crystals or radial-radiant clusters,

And aegirine II generation - green, velvety crystals and spherulites.

In black crystals, it is difficult to distinguish it from arfvedsonite. The bottom of a porcelain cup or a piece of “biscuit” - a porcelain plate without glaze will help to identify the mineral. If you draw a line on porcelain with a mineral, then its color will be green. If it is arfvedsonite and not aegirine, then the color of the line will be gray.

Be careful! Small needle aggregates of aegirine can leave hard-to-remove splinters in the hands.

Application area:
Aegirine concentrate is obtained from apatite-nepheline ores, which is used in the production of protective and lubricating coatings, ceramic products, facing tiles, glazes, and refractory coatings.

  • Microcline.
    The mineral belongs to the group of feldspars. The name comes from other Greek. "micro" - small and "wedge" - I cant. Indeed, the angle between the cleavage planes of the microcline differs slightly from the right angle - by 20'.

Mineral color: white, gray, light green, brown-pink. Has a glassy sheen.

Application area:
It is used in the production of technical ceramics, porcelain, faience.

  • Eudialyte.
    The name comes from other Greek. εὑ - good and διαλυτός - soluble. Let's well dissolve in acids. The second name "Lapp blood" is common only on the Kola Peninsula and is given to the mineral according to the Sami (Lapp) legend:

“It was a long, long time ago. Strangers found on our land, they said - seams, and we were like a lop - naked, without weapons, even without shotguns, and not everyone had knives. And we didn't want to fight. But the shvets began to select the bulls and women, took our fish places, built pens and lemmas - there was nowhere for the lopi to go. And so the old people gathered and began to think about how to expel the Shvet, and he was so strong - big, with firearms. We consulted, argued and decided to go all together against him, take away our deer and again sit on Seiyavr and Umbozero.

And they started a real war - some with a shotgun, some just with a knife, they all went to the seams, and the seam was strong and was not afraid of the lopi. First, he lured our lop to Seiyavr by cunning and began to crumble it there.
If it strikes to the right, there were no ten of ours, and all the mountains, tundras and khibiny were splashed with drops of blood; Such a red stone in the mountains - after all, this is the very blood of the Lop, the blood of the old Sami.

But our old people got angry, when they saw that the seam began to crumble them, they hid in the willow tree, gathered their strength and immediately overlaid everything on all sides of the seam, it is there, here - there is no passage for it anywhere: neither to go down to Seyyavr, nor to get out on the tundra, so he froze on a rock that hangs over the lake. You, when you are on Seiyavr, you will see the giant Kuyva yourself - this is the seam that our Sami spread on the stone, our old people, when they went to war against him.

So he stayed there, damned Kuiva, and our old people again took possession of the bulls and important women, again sat on the fish places and began to hunt ... Only now the red drops of Sami blood remained on the tundra, you can’t collect them all, our old people shed a lot of them until Kuivu mastered…”

Mineral color: pink, red, brown. Often found in association with feldspar, black aegirine or arfvedsonite.

Application area:
Souvenir products, bijouterie. Can be used as a source of zirconium.

  • Apatite.
    The name comes from other Greek. ἀπατάω "I deceive". This name of the mineral is due to its similarity with some precious minerals of the beryllium group - emerald, aquamarine. Apatite has a similar crystal shape, a wide range of colors and is completely transparent. From precious stones distinguishes its hardness - only 5.5 out of 10 on the Mohs scale. In the literature, you can also find the metaphor "fertility stone". Apatite is the main inorganic component of the bones and teeth of vertebrates and humans.

Khibiny apatite is found in green, grayish-green, black, blue, brown, and pink. Large, clear crystals are rare. "Rich" apatite is characterized by sugariness, friability.

Application area:
The world's largest deposit of apatite-nepheline ore is located in Khibiny. Apatite JSC mines ore at three open-pit and underground mines to obtain apatite concentrate. Phosphate fertilizers are produced from apatite concentrate; the concentrate is also used for the manufacture of cleaning products and toothpaste.
Widespread use in jewelry is impossible due to the low hardness and brittleness of apatite.

  • Lamprophyllite.
    The name comes from the Greek. "phyllites" - leafy, "lampros" - brilliant. The first mineral discovered during the first expedition of W. Ramsay in 1890

Lamellar, yellow, golden-brown mineral. Outwardly, it is very similar to astrophyllite. You can check the find only with a blowpipe: lamprophyllite quickly fuses into a non-magnetic black mass. Astrophyllite, under the blowpipe, fuses into a magnetic black ball.
It can also be visually distinguished from astrophyllite if characteristic rare steps are noticeable on the surface of split crystals of lamprophyllite.

It occurs on the Kola Peninsula (in the Khibiny and Lovozero tundras), in the Urals and in Ukraine in the Mariupol massif.

  • Astrophyllite.
    The name comes from the Greek. "aster" - star, "phyllites" - leafy. In the people it is also called "Sami gold".

It forms elongated lamellar crystals and spectacular stellate aggregates - "suns". The color of astrophyllite is bronze-brown, golden-brown, golden-yellow, orange. Unlike mica, astrophyllite leaves are not elastic, but brittle. Astrophyllite is very effective in white albite.

The best astrophyllite in the world is mined on the Kola Peninsula in the Khibiny Mountains.

Application area:
Used in souvenirs, jewelry.

  • Natrolite.
    From the Greek natron, "soda", due to the mineral's sodium content, and lithos, "stone".

Belongs to the group of zeolites and has the ability to give and re-absorb water, depending on temperature and humidity.

Colour: Colorless or white with yellowish, greenish and reddish tinges. Often forms white transparent crystals.

Has no practical application, a collection mineral.

  • Sphene (titanite).
    The name "titanite" comes from the chemical element titanium, which is part of the mineral. The old name "sphene" from other Greek. σφήν - wedge, associated with the structure of the crystal.


Sphene in natrolite

Color: yellow, honey yellow, green, brown. Often grows on other minerals, also forms a thin dissemination in the rock. Brown component of apatite-nepheline ore. Titanite can be confused with many gemstones. Transparent varieties in the cut are distinguished by a bright play and diamond brilliance.


Apatite-sphene ore.

Application area:
Sphene concentrate is used for the production of pearlescent pigments.

  • Nepheline.
    The name comes from the Greek. νεφέλη - a cloud, since the mineral releases cloud-like gels when immersed in solutions of strong acids. The obsolete name is eleolith.

Mineral color: white, gray, yellowish green. Most often in the Khibiny you can see gray nepheline. Component of apatite-nepheline ore, rock-forming mineral.

Application area:
Nepheline concentrate is obtained from apatite-nepheline ore. It is used for the production of raw materials for aluminum smelting, potash (soda) and raw materials for cement production. It is also used in the production of soda and in the glass and leather industries.

  • Pectolite.
    The name comes from the Greek. pektos - "densely packed", "compact" and lithos - "stone".

Color: white, gray with a silky sheen. Often forms radiant "contractions", spherulites. Has a fibrous structure. The finest fibers can leave splinters when working with pectolite without gloves. In ultraviolet light it can sometimes fluoresce pink.

Has no practical application, a collection mineral.

Often unscrupulous sellers of souvenirs offer such “local” stones that have never been here and cannot be. Be careful when buying.

Most often they give out for Khibiny minerals: amethyst, fuchsite, kyanite, amazonite and even malachite.

Khibiny - low compact mountains on the Kola Peninsula with plateau-like peaks, soft relief and treeless slopes; the highest point is 1200 m, elevation changes from 500 to 1000 m. This mountain range is interesting not only for its harsh northern beauty, but also for its special opportunities for skiing. Khibiny remains snow-covered most year - you can ride from November to June. The rarefied arctic air brings the local climate closer to the highlands. Thanks to stable weather, good snow cover and long daylight hours, this place in April is considered one of the best places in Europe to close the ski season.

The ski capital of Khibiny, the city of Kirovsk, is located 200 km from Murmansk right at the foot of the mountains. Here are the main ski resorts - on the mountains Aykuayvenchorr and Kukisvumchorr. There are also ski areas in the city of Apatity - just 12 km from Kirovsk. Equipped tracks different levels the complexity of this oldest Russian ski resort attract all adherents winter views sports - both amateurs and professionals.

How to get there

Most fast way to get to the Khibiny - the plane. Regular flights connect the local Apatity airport with Moscow and St. Petersburg. Flight time 2.5 hours. You can get from the airport to Kirovsk by taxi (journey time 40 minutes, cost 600-700 RUB) or by bus number 130, which is tied to flights and waits for aircraft in case of delay. The second option is to fly by plane to Murmansk, and then arrive in Kirovsk for intercity bus No. 209 (travel time 3 hours, cost 650 RUB). Prices on the page are for October 2018.

The Khibiny also has a well-developed railway connection. Through the station "Apatity 1" trains run to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Murmansk and Vologda. From Moscow to Khibiny by train, you will have to travel more than a day, and travel in a compartment will cost about 3000 RUB. From the railway station to Kirovsk can be reached by bus number 131 or by taxi.

Search for flights to the city of Kirovsk (nearest airport to Khibiny)

Transport

Despite the fact that Kirovsk is a small town, it will not be easy to move along its snow-covered roads on foot and even with skis. Minibuses and buses run around the city, fare: 28 RUB. The average price for a taxi - in the city: 180 RUB, to the Kukisvumchorr microdistrict for 25 km: 250 RUB, to the South slope travel with skis: 350 RUB. In high season with final stop bus number 102 on the street. The Olympic minibuses go to the Southern slope - travel: 85 RUB, and in the spring on weekends there is a special flight for skiers for 65 RUB. The fare from Kirovsk to Apatity - by bus: 65 RUB, by minibus: 50 RUB.

Alpine skiing in Khibiny

The main ski areas in Khibiny are concentrated around Kirovsk. The northern slope of Mount Aikuaivenchorr is within the city limits, where the ski complex "Kolasportland" is located. On the southern slope of the same mountain there is a ski complex "Big Woodyavr" or BigWood. 25 km from the city, in the Kukisvumchorr microdistrict, on the mountain of the same name, there is a ski resort with the same name. All ski areas have trails for both beginners and professionals. The Kukisvumchorr skiing area is distinguished by long descents ranging from 2000 to 2500 m. There are freeride zones everywhere.

In case of bad weather there are two more options - "Snow Park" in Kirovsk itself, located between the street. Leningradskaya and st. Soviet Constitution, as well as the track on Sparrow Hill in neighboring town Apatity. These are illuminated, gentle and safe slopes.

In the Bolshoy Vudyavr ski complex, a ski pass for 2 hours will cost 700 RUB, for the whole day: 1550 RUB. A seasonal ski pass can be bought for 26,000 RUB. In the ski complex "Kolasportland" a ski pass for 4 hours costs 1050 RUB, and for the whole day - 1550 RUB. In the ski complex "Kukisvumchorr" high season prices: 700 RUB for 3 hours of skiing and 1200 RUB for the whole day. The cost of tickets for the ascents depends on the number - from 500 times - 60 RUB. Baby lift rides - for 1 day: 300 RUB. Renting a plastic ski pass card will cost 200 RUB.

Khibiny Hotels

Kirovsk hotels welcome their guests all year round. Hostel "Kukisvumchorr" at the foot of the complex of the same name offers tourists accommodation for 600 RUB per day. In the economy class hotel "Sport" you can rent a room with breakfast for 1000 RUB. In the sanatorium and health complex "Tirvas" you can not only stay for 2500 RUB per day, but also improve your health - there is water and mud therapy. Comfortable hotel "Gornitsa" offers its guests free WI-FI, organization of transfers, meals in a cafe-bar and use of a sauna: the cost of a standard room is about 4000 RUB. The cost of living in rented apartments depends on the season and ranges from 400 to 2000 RUB per day per person. Most cheap option accommodation at the Ryabinushka camp site for 25 km - prices are around 150 RUB per person per day, and the most expensive is in the city center at the Severnaya Hotel, a presidential suite can be rented there for 25,000 RUB per day.

For those who plan to ride on the North slope, it is better to rent an apartment on the street. Olympic, and lovers of cross-country skiing will find accommodation in houses on the street. 50 years of October and in the sanatorium "Tirvas".

What to bring

Souvenir shops offer ceramic plates with views of the Khibiny, paintings imitating petroglyphs, original geographic Maps, amulets made of bone, slippers made of deer skins, Sami figurines made of leather, horns, wood and fur, as well as magnets, key holders and photo frames made of firewood - a tree raised from the bottom White Sea and specially crafted. In addition to souvenirs, you can buy local pickles - cloudberry or blueberry jam, pickled lingonberries, pickled mushrooms, and dried Murmansk ruff for those passing through Murmansk.

Cafes and restaurants Khibiny

You can warm up and have a delicious meal after a successful skiing in the non-alcoholic cafe "Chocolate", which offers simple and hearty food - pizza, pancakes, a selection of hot dishes and salads. For visitors - milkshakes, different kinds coffee and tea, cakes, pies and pastries. The prices are nice. For example, a pizza portion costs 40 RUB, and a banana-strawberry fresh juice costs 65 RUB. There is a place to leave boards and skis. The restaurant "Severny" at the hotel of the same name offers, in addition to dishes of European cuisine, a separate menu with northern delicacies and treats. It includes Arctic cuisine dishes - Lopar strudel, Lovozero venison, cod cheeks, arctic salmon soup. A 5-course business lunch is served daily from 12:00 to 15:00 at a price of RUB 300 per person. A business lunch at the same time, but for 250 RUB, takes place in the Nikafe cafe, there is also a bar with a full range of alcoholic drinks. In the entertainment center "Big Woodyavr" there is not only a bar-restaurant, but also a bowling alley and a disco.

There are cafe-bars at all major ski points, but the choice there is small and prices are one and a half to two times higher than in the city.

Entertainment and attractions

On the Kola Peninsula, tourists are offered huge selection varied excursion programs all year round. You can go on a snowmobile safari, a ski tour, a jeep safari, an off-road expedition, take an ethnographic program, go ice fishing on the lakes, or just rent a wooden house in the wilderness and take a break from the bustle of the city, enjoying the pristine beauty of this region.

So, for example, you can go on a snowmobile tour in the central part of the Kola Peninsula to get acquainted with the life and life of the Kola reindeer herders, feel the atmosphere of the tundra, try local cuisine and stock up on many unforgettable experiences.

In order to purchase any program or excursion, please contact the tour operators of Kirovsk. Apart from ski slopes there is also a flat, 14-kilometer ski track where you can ride snowmobiles. You can also rent a helicopter and take a tour over the peaks of the massif. In general, entertainment - abound.

The beauty of the Arctic attracts tourists not only in winter, but also in summer. At this time of the year people come here to enjoy the silence of rocky gorges and see aquamarine lakes in rocky bowls. best time July is considered for long-distance hikes, and September is considered the most beautiful month for one-day trips. In addition to long hiking trips, there are also one-day routes available to everyone - on Blue Lakes, to the lake Maly Vudyavr, in the Shorokhov gorge, to the waterfall and Kupel lakes.

Polar Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute

Khibiny is the main attraction of the Murmansk region in itself. But even here there are many interesting places worth visiting. For example, the Polar Alpine Botanical Garden is the northernmost botanical garden, located on Mount Vudyavrchorr. Throughout botanical garden each other is replaced by valley tundra, spruce-birch taiga, birch crooked forest, alpine tundra and arctic desert. More than 400 species of plants grow in the garden - shrubs, tundra species, tree species. More than 2 thousand people visit the garden every year.

The Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden in Khibiny - the northernmost botanical garden - is located on Mount Vudyavrchorr. In total, there are three botanical gardens around the world, located beyond the Arctic Circle.

Museum and Exhibition Center

In the remarkable building of Kirovsk, the local "Big Ben", is located modern museum world-class - eight exhibition halls, two exhibition halls and one gallery. It features interactive layouts of mines and mines with sound and light accompaniment, a huge collection of minerals and an exhibition of historical materials. The museum regularly hosts art exhibitions, "quests", meetings with interesting people and free movie screenings.

Literary Museum of V. Erofeev

in the Central City Library. A.M. Gorky, an exposition dedicated to the talented fellow countryman of the Kirovites, Venedikt Erofeev, the author of the poem "Moscow-Petushki", was assembled. The exposition is distinguished by its original design: above the entrance door there is a map of the route Moscow - Petushki, the room takes the visitor to the beginning of the Brezhnev era, the tour is accompanied by the voice of the writer reading his satirical lines on Soviet reality.

snow village

A unique building called "Snow Village" is located in Kirovsk, near the botanical garden, and is a closed complex built of snow and ice. Here you will see amazing creations human hands using the ability of water to change the structure and shape: furniture, sculptures, slides, halls and rooms. On the territory of the "Snow Village" there is even a wedding hall - of course, also made of ice.

If you decide to visit the "Snow Village" in new year holidays then get ready that these days tourist centre attracts just thousands of visitors who want to celebrate the New Year almost in the real house of Santa Claus.