While this week's Olympic Test Event in Sochi, Russia, may have suffered setbacks due to low snow conditions, in a typical winter, Russia's mountains can be plentiful with snow. Last winter, Kaj Zackrisson, Mike Douglas and Mark Abma went heli-skiing for Salomon Freeski TV in Russia's Caucasus Mountains, a rugged, glaciated mountain range between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.
Kaj Zackrisson in a large valley with a historical story behind it. While skiing powder, there were always stories of wars that had been fought in the area.
The Northern Caucasus Mountains are stacked with lifetimes of terrain. The area is known for a high amount of snowfall and steep terrain.
The heli ski operation was moved to this valley, which is close to the Sochi Valley, where all of the construction is going on to get ready for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
There's practically nobody else skiing for hundreds of miles in any direction.
Driving into Mikhail Gorbachev's old summer retreat, which is still guarded by the military.
Kaj Zackrisson, Mark Abma and Mike Douglas get ready for the sauna after a day of skiing.
The local town of Arkhyz, on the north side of the Caucasus range in southwest Russia. It's a humble city of a few hundred residents who mostly farm, have livestock or cater to the few travelers who come through town.
Finishing one of the runs with some extra local flavor.
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While this week's Olympic Test Event in Sochi, Russia, may have suffered setbacks due to low snow conditions, in a typical winter, Russia's mountains can be plentiful with snow. Last winter, Kaj Zackrisson, Mike Douglas and Mark Abma went heli-skiing for Salomon Freeski TV in Russia's Caucasus Mountains, a rugged, glaciated mountain range between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.
Kaj Zackrisson in a large valley with a historical story behind it. While skiing powder, there were always stories of wars that had been fought in the area.
The Northern Caucasus Mountains are stacked with lifetimes of terrain. The area is known for a high amount of snowfall and steep terrain.
The heli ski operation was moved to this valley, which is close to the Sochi Valley, where all of the construction is going on to get ready for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
There's practically nobody else skiing for hundreds of miles in any direction.
Driving into Mikhail Gorbachev's old summer retreat, which is still guarded by the military.
Kaj Zackrisson, Mark Abma and Mike Douglas get ready for the sauna after a day of skiing.
The local town of Arkhyz, on the north side of the Caucasus range in southwest Russia. It's a humble city of a few hundred residents who mostly farm, have livestock or cater to the few travelers who come through town.
Finishing one of the runs with some extra local flavor.
