Our guests often ask how well ski kit will serve them on a climb of Elbrus.
Elbrus ski tours with accommodation and hire
Readers of the “Ski clothing for Elbrus” section can choose from three piste programmes run by Mountain Guide. Every departure ends on a Sunday, accommodation is in Terskol, and a basic set of skis or a snowboard is included.
- 2-day tour — Saturday and Sunday
- 3-day tour — Friday–Sunday
- 7-day tour — Monday–Sunday
The lift pass, travel and the instructor are paid for separately. An extra night, transfers, meals, single accommodation and lessons can be requested subject to availability.
On the whole — it will do. But there are a few things worth keeping in mind:
- The jacket and trousers of a ski outfit usually carry different amounts of insulation, whereas mountaineering models normally have no insulation at all. Where is the problem in that, you might ask? The trouble starts when you need a windproof and waterproof jacket on the first acclimatisation walks: you are strolling over grass at +20°C and all you have is a ski jacket with three layers of insulation. The same thing happens on the descent from the summit of Elbrus — on a clear, sunny day it can be very hot, and yet a nasty cold wind is blowing.
- The next problem is ventilation. Ski models are usually well behind mountaineering ones on that count.
- Then there is the “breathability” of the membrane itself — its ability to move moisture away from the body. The work rate of skiing down from a lift and the work rate of climbing Elbrus are simply not the same. And if your clothing gets damp from the inside you can freeze even in the warmest kit you own: insulating properties drop away sharply as the fabric wets out.
- Weight. On skis in winter hardly anyone gives it a thought. The difference can be several times over.
So, to sum all that up: you CAN walk up Elbrus in ski clothing. You simply have to pay closer attention, avoid even the slightest overheating and choose your layers carefully.