As cliche as it may sound, the Khibiny are primarily mountains. From the classical canonical peaks and to the cliffs lost in the clouds.
The ancient people had one habit characteristic of different races and civilizations: they all preferred to settle their gods on the inaccessible peaks of the mountains. Being at the heart of Khibiny, you begin to understand why the mountains became the abode of gods: here you can see the mountains lost in the clouds with your own eyes.
Strict scientists can write anything in books: mountains have always been and will be more convincing than any science. In fact, the mountains in the Khibiny are not just mountains. The mountains of the fabulous Lapland are hiding huge cauldrons. And the severe Saami spirits cook clouds and fogs in these cauldrons: they cook thoroughly and more than enough, so that there are some clouds and fog for everyone who wish and some clouds and fog for those who don’t. So if it rains somewhere, or the clouds have simply covered the scorching sun: we must thank Saami spirits.
Khibiny are a part of the territory called Lapland. That same Lapland where Niels was flying with the geese. That same Lapland, the domain of the Snow Queen.
Besides, of course, the Khibiny are a country of forests and streams. Water is everywhere. Streams and rivers, puddles and lakes – there are a lot of them in the Khibiny. Khibiny are simply permeated with water. All water in the Khibiny is drinking water.
The Khibiny forests are bright and friendly, it is very pleasant to walk through them. The majority of trees, of course, are coniferous, besides, you can meet classic pines, just like those painted on Japanese pictures.
Skiing in Khibiny
The main skiing areas in Khibiny are concentrated around Kirovsk. In the middle of the city is the North slope of Mount Aikuainwichorr, there is the ski complex "Kolasportland". On the southern slope of the same mountain is the ski complex "Big Woodyavr" or BigWood. 25 km from the city, in the Kukisvumchorr microdistrict, on the eponymous mountain there is a ski resort with the same name. In all areas of skiing there are trails for both beginners and professionals. The ski area of Kukisvumchorr is characterized by long descents extending from 2000 to 2500 m. There are zones for freeride everywhere.
In case of bad weather, there are two more options - "Snow Park" in Kirovsk, located between the streets Leningradskaya and the Soviet Constitution, as well as a route on the Sparrow Mountain in the nearby town of Apatity. These are illuminated safe slopes.
In the ski resort "Big Woodyavr", a ski pass for 2 hours will cost 600 rubles, for the whole day - 1300 rubles. Seasonal ski pass can be bought for 25 000 RUB. In the ski complex "Kolasportland", a ski pass for 4 hours costs 800 RUB, and for the whole day - 950 RUB.
Khibiny Souvenirs
Souvenir shops offer ceramic plates with Khibiny views, paintings with imitation of petroglyphs, original geographic maps, Saami figures from leather, horns, wood and fur, as well as magnets, and picture frames from the toplike - a tree raised from the bottom of the White Sea and specially treated.
In addition to mentioned souvenirs, tourists can buy local jam from cloudberry or blueberry, waxed cowberry, marinated mushrooms, and dried Murmansk ruff.
Author: Anna Dorozhkina