BACKCOUNTRY EXPEDITION
KAZYR — Backcountry in the Heart of Siberia
No lifts. No signal. Just Siberia.
The Place
Deep in Western Siberia, hidden within the Kuznetsk Alatau range, lies the Kazyr valley — a remote basin of pine-covered hills, frozen rivers, and quiet snow.
No crowds. No noise. Only rolling mountains, 400-meter descents, and the feeling that the world outside has stopped existing.
The Base
Our home for the week — Kazyr Hut Camp — sits on the bank of the Big Kazyr River. Wood-heated cabins, no phone signal, no running water, a small generator for the evenings.
We cut our own firewood, fetch water from an ice hole, and heat the banya ourselves. It’s simple, rough, and absolutely real.
The Approach
The journey starts in Novokuznetsk. Two hours on a local train take us deeper into the forest.
A river crossing, sleds for the gear, and a short skin track mark the place where civilization fades away.
The Ride
Five days of rhythm and snow. Two or three laps a day, 400–500 meters each, through untracked Siberian powder.
It’s not about vertical gain. It’s about silence, texture, and the feeling of being far away from everything.
The Ride II
Earned turns in quiet snow. Tree lines, open glades, and faces that let you draw long, clean arcs.
Two to three laps a day — enough to settle into the rhythm and keep hunger for the next morning.
The Slopes
Varied relief: protected tree runs, open bowls, gullies and couloirs. Enough pitch and structure to keep lines interesting all week.
We read the snow, pick clean fall-lines, and ride with intention.
The Evenings
After riding — banya, dinner, and laughter in the hut. Simple food, strong tea, and the kind of sleep you only get after real days outside.
You’ll leave smelling like smoke and pine, tired in the best way, with a new definition of quiet.
The Guide
Anton Loginov, certified guide (Russian Mountain Guides Association), photographer, and founder of Na Vysote / On the Height.
Years in these mountains — knows every ridge and turn. He cooks, teaches avalanche basics, and leads the group personally.
The Spirit. Kazyr isn’t about luxury or numbers. It’s about stripping things back to what matters — snow, fire, movement, and the people who choose to be here. Six days in Siberia will reset your sense of what’s real.