Big Wood

The Kola Peninsula, like most of Finland, is known for a lot of snow without having so many mountains. However, there are a few mountains, and the town of Kirovsk, 21/2 hours south of Murmansk, offers real skiing opportunities. Almost in the middle of the city, the Bigwood ski area has its bottom at an altitude of 1312,3 feet, the ski area then extends up around 2624,7 feet to the highest point. A ski resort at that altitude in the middle of the Russian tundra is snow-sure, to say the least.

In the part of the ski resort that is closest to town, there are cross-country trails and a children's area. For those who want to get further up the mountain, it is possible to take the gondola lift up to the nearest peak, and the ski area then continues down into the next valley.

Contrary to many prejudices against Russia, Bigwood is a modern ski resort with modern lifts from well-known manufacturers such as Bartholet and Doppelmayr. The biggest difference from a regular alpine port is probably the size of the city and the lack of information for those who don't read Russian.