Kamchatka.

[steve shearer]

Did you get there Al?

Looks like good salmon fishing and vodka drinking at a minimum.

[Lucky Al]

not yet. a couple of years ago i found summer programs run by kamchatsky state university that looked like a good way to get there for a month or two, but now i can't find them anymore. recently i've noticed a fair few fishing tourism packages going there, very expensive though.

[alakaboo]

Don't go by helicopter, either.

[Lucky Al]

because it's bad for the environment alakaboo?

[alakaboo]

No, Al.
I have some mates who were pro snowboarders who did a heli-boarding trip there.
They said the helis were all former Aeroflot or military numbers, and they had some horror stories of drunk pilots and stalling engines. They all agreed it was some of the most amazing terrain they'd seen, and that there was absolutely no way they were coming back.

[Lucky Al]

Was just thinking about this again after seeing the recent Project Blank ad, looks very doable these days just need bags of cash: "We have already conquered many volcanoes. We have built a mountain sport & tourism complex ‘Snow Valley’ to make your stay in Kamchatka special. After the riding you can have a rest in a big hot springs pool, hot springs baths, sauna and cozy restaurant."

http://www.helipro.ru/en/regions/kamchatka_winter

[steve shearer]

Sounds nice.

[Lucky Al]

Let's rustle up some bags of cash and go Steve! I'll be your interpreter.

[steve shearer]

I'd probably never come home Al- I'm sure I would get on great with the local Kamchatkans.