BAIKAL ICE CHALLENGE

Want to skate the biggest skating rink in the world ? Imagine black ice extending far into the horizon, as far as you can see.Not all ice is created equal – sometimes flawlessly smooth, sometimes coarse, often full of cracks and bubbles rigidly frozen under the surface. The woody hills of Pribaikalskiy ridge run along the shoreline, interspersed with sharp capes, precipitous cliffs and small sandy beaches. Due to the enormous volume of the lake, Baikal only starts to freezes in late January but in the space of just a few days, the ice can grow thick enough to support the weight of a man. And then, for one and a half months Baikal turns to a Nordic skate tour paradise. We can put together skating journeys across the lake of any length up to a week, completely tailor made around your requirements and budget – just let us know when and where and we do the rest. Please take a look to some latest FEEDBACKS OF OUR GUESTS after skating with us. Alternatively, below you can find a selection of our most successful skating tours, honed to perfection over many years. For more details please see "Baikal Marathons"

These are some videos made by our guests and friends when skating around Baikal with Baikal-Complex
2020 Skating Lake Baikal by Jenny Rosenius          Baikalsee 2020 - Mobil auf dem See | ÖAMTC

Black Ice

2-3 Days Moderate Skating the best Baikal Ice

Baikal Grand Marathon

205km of Natural ice. From Olkhon to Listvyanka

Skate Easy

1-2 Days Relaxing Nordic Skating Experience

Black Ice

3Days/ 2Nights tour to catch the fresh and the best of black ice in the mid part of Baikal near Olkhon Island

Part of the lake Baikal separated and protected by Olkhon Island is known as Maloe More. Due to less storms and smaller depths it freezes right after the New Year and keeps good ice till mid March. Half day drive from Irkutsk takes you to the mid part of the west coast opposite to Olkhon Island. Number of minor islands to visit, black ice with no cracks, great sunsets and stars reflection makes it unforgettable adventure experience. Overnights in a small guest house, en-suite room, full board, English speaking guide. Due to the ice and wind conditions the place and direction to skate may be changed, as well as duration 2-3-4 days. We can adjust the tour to meet you schedule and wishes

Photos of this tour

IF YOU LIKE SKATING,
BUT NEVER WERE ON THE MAIN SKATING RINK OF THE WORLD, YOU HAVE TO GO THERE – IT IS BAIKAL LAKE

1. If you were bothered to twist for hours monotonous circles at stadium, and you
want to enjoy hours-long run on tens of kilometers on natural ice with
constantly changing coastal landscape...
2. If you want to rush very long on the skates with a fair wind with a speed in 30-40 km/hour...
3. If you want to admire extremely beautiful and constantly changing Baikal ice,ice grottoes in coastal rocks, to soar over water as over a chasm on transparentice, and to admire patterns of penetrating ice microcracks...
4. If you like to test yourself by Baikal extreme...
5. And at supper enjoy Scotch whisky with the purest Baikal ice...

YOU HAVE TO VISIT BAIKAL LAKE IN WINTER

Baikal is one of the most grandiose skating rinks of the world. Its extent is 636kilometers (extent of Switzerland, for comparison – 457 kilometers). For skating well are appropriate, as a rule 280-350 kilometers "only" from the settlement of Listvyanka to the northernmost tip of Olkhon island along the west bank - there are no snow.

Day 1:

 Drive from Irkutsk to the Maloe More area. Check in Oltreck guest house. Try on the skates.

Day 2:

 Day skating around the islands of the Maloe More, ice and grots photography.

Day 3:

 Morning skate and departure to Irkutsk.
For booking or more information,
please contact us
travel@angara.ru
baikalcomplex@gmail.com
 

Baikal Wild Ice Grand Marathon

Unique chance to challenge more than 205km of Baikal’s wild ice. From Olkhon to Listvyanka, 8Days/ 7Nights.

Longest, most beautiful and challenging Nordic skates tour at Baikal. Groups are fully escorted by safety hovercraft. Usually Baikal freezes over at mid January and in a few days the ice grows thick enough to hold a man. It is followed by the period when the ice is mirror-smooth and one can hardly understand if the huge immensity is hard crystal or it is very still and quiet water. Later on, the snow will partly cover the surface, wind will make it hard and bumpy, cracks in ice will appear. February and early March is the ideal time when Nordicl skating fans hold a traditional skating tour along the western coast of Baikal. This several day tour is one of the most fascinating and extreme trips at Baikal. It requires good skating skills, winter travel experience and hunger for adventure. The tour starts in the settlement of Sakhurta and runs down south, passes along Ust Anga, Bolshaya Buguldeyka, Peschanaya Bay, Bolshoe Goloustnoe to Bolshie Koty and finally ends up in Listvyanka village. Overnights in guesthouses or small private hotels. En-suite rooms, full board, expert guides and safety hovercraft.

Photos of this tour

Day 1:

 Arrival to Irkutsk, transfer to Sakhurta near Olkhon island, 4 hours. Check in guesthouse.

Day 2:

 Day to try on skates, 40 km round trip along Olkhon Island.

Day 3:

 Start of a tour to skate north to Ust-Anga settlement, 40 km

Day 4:

 Tour skate north to Buguldeika town. 45 km

Day 5:

 Skating down to Bolshoe Goloustnoe town, 85 km

Day 6:

 Tour skate to Listvyanka settlement, 45 km

Day 7:

 Sightseeing tour in Listvyanka, visit Baikal museum, transfer to Irkutsk, short citytour.

Day 8:

 Departure from Irkutsk.
For booking or more information,
please contact us
travel@angara.ru
baikalcomplex@gmail.com

Skate Easy

A relaxing 1 or 2 days tour to combine Nordic skating and culture experience when stay in a small town on the lake.

This easy skate tour may be done in one day trip. When Listvyanka often has snow on the lake, Goloustnoe has good skating conditions for 2 months. A day trip includes transfers, lunch and hours of incredible Nordic skating experience.

Two hour drive from Irkutsk takes you to the Bolshoe Goloustnoe town. Former Buryat fisherman and sheep breading settlement, forest industry place in the Soviet time, now the town is quiet and relay more and more on tourism. Wondering around the settlement, visit to the town’s small Russian Orthodox church, skating and photographing Baikal ice followed by traditional sauna and dinner in the evening let one feel Siberia is amazing land. Unique nature, open character and hospitable people make it so much warmer. Overnight in guest house or family stay, full board, English speaking guide.

Photos of this tour

Day 1:

 Drive from Irkutsk to Bolshoe Goloustnoe town . Check in U Mikhalycha guest house. Skating, sauna.

Day 2:

 Sightseeing, skating, lunch. Departure to Irkutsk.
For booking or more information,
please contact us
travel@angara.ru
baikalcomplex@gmail.com