Activities in Russia that are well know are things such as :
Hiking
There is an abundance of spectacular trekking terrain, yet marked trails and maps can be hard to find. Therefore, getting information from locals is essential, so it’s best to hire a guide or learn a few words of the language. Lake Baikal, west Ural Mountains and Altay Mountains are prime hiking areas. The Far East offers dramatic volcanic peaks and steaming hot springs of the Kamchatka peninsula, along with oodles of wildlife. Expert and reliable guide companies have sprung up all over Russia in recent years, making expeditions to even the most remote regions possible for Western visitors.
Boat cruises
This is an excellent way to see historical sights, scenic wilderness and meet interesting people. The main route is the Volga River with boats going to/from Moscow, St Petersburg, Novgorod, Volgograd and many other attractive cities. Volgograd to Rostov-Don is one of the most interesting sections. Boat tours are the easiest and safest way to get around Russia, plus some tours offer on-board Russian language lessons. Boat tours run from June to September only. A reputable tour company is Intrav, offering Journey of the Czars River Boat Cruises.
Climbing
The Elbrus area, and the Caucasus, Altai, Sayan, and Stanovoy mountains all offer fantastic climbing; as do the peaks along the Kamchatka peninsula.
Fishing
Opportunities for salmon fishing are unmatched anywhere else on earth. Try your hand at catching salmon out east in Vladivostok and Khabarovsk. Veselovskaye Reservoir in the Rostov-on-Don region is noted for pike, perch, bream, gudgeon, bullhead and roach. There are many reputable companies that lead fishing expeditions.
Skiing
Ski areas are in the Caucasus, at Teberda-Dombay (west) and at Baksan Elbrus (north), and Kamchatka. As for the big cities, Moscow has a ski jump in the Vorobyevi Hills and days of cross-country skiing, with poles and boots provided, at Suzdal. There are at least 20 ski slopes within 80 km of Moscow and some can even be reached by metro.
Cross-country skiing is available outside Moscow at Olgino on the Gulf of Finland. Downhill skiing has a short season, generally from January to March. North of St Petersburg, in the wilderness of Karelia, cross-country skiing is routed through the taiga and over a terrain of frozen rivers and lakes including Ladoga and Onega.
Heli-skiing is now available in the Caucasus and Kamchatka where, it is claimed, the powder snow rivals that of Colorado and there is a guarantee of snow throughout the short season.
Skiing in Russia calls for much more fitness and skill than the average skier, as facilities are in need of modernization. However, they should improve rapidly in the next several years. The best facilities to be found are in the western Caucasus, around Dombay.
Hiking
There is an abundance of spectacular trekking terrain, yet marked trails and maps can be hard to find. Therefore, getting information from locals is essential, so it’s best to hire a guide or learn a few words of the language. Lake Baikal, west Ural Mountains and Altay Mountains are prime hiking areas. The Far East offers dramatic volcanic peaks and steaming hot springs of the Kamchatka peninsula, along with oodles of wildlife. Expert and reliable guide companies have sprung up all over Russia in recent years, making expeditions to even the most remote regions possible for Western visitors.
Boat cruises
This is an excellent way to see historical sights, scenic wilderness and meet interesting people. The main route is the Volga River with boats going to/from Moscow, St Petersburg, Novgorod, Volgograd and many other attractive cities. Volgograd to Rostov-Don is one of the most interesting sections. Boat tours are the easiest and safest way to get around Russia, plus some tours offer on-board Russian language lessons. Boat tours run from June to September only. A reputable tour company is Intrav, offering Journey of the Czars River Boat Cruises.
Climbing
The Elbrus area, and the Caucasus, Altai, Sayan, and Stanovoy mountains all offer fantastic climbing; as do the peaks along the Kamchatka peninsula.
Fishing
Opportunities for salmon fishing are unmatched anywhere else on earth. Try your hand at catching salmon out east in Vladivostok and Khabarovsk. Veselovskaye Reservoir in the Rostov-on-Don region is noted for pike, perch, bream, gudgeon, bullhead and roach. There are many reputable companies that lead fishing expeditions.
Skiing
Ski areas are in the Caucasus, at Teberda-Dombay (west) and at Baksan Elbrus (north), and Kamchatka. As for the big cities, Moscow has a ski jump in the Vorobyevi Hills and days of cross-country skiing, with poles and boots provided, at Suzdal. There are at least 20 ski slopes within 80 km of Moscow and some can even be reached by metro.
Cross-country skiing is available outside Moscow at Olgino on the Gulf of Finland. Downhill skiing has a short season, generally from January to March. North of St Petersburg, in the wilderness of Karelia, cross-country skiing is routed through the taiga and over a terrain of frozen rivers and lakes including Ladoga and Onega.
Heli-skiing is now available in the Caucasus and Kamchatka where, it is claimed, the powder snow rivals that of Colorado and there is a guarantee of snow throughout the short season.
Skiing in Russia calls for much more fitness and skill than the average skier, as facilities are in need of modernization. However, they should improve rapidly in the next several years. The best facilities to be found are in the western Caucasus, around Dombay.