Kirovsk offers plenty of opportunities both to explore the Khibiny and any winter activities practically within the city limits.
The Snow Village is an exposition built every year in a unique way by the best sculptors. This network of snow caves and tunnels with dozens of snow and ice sculptures and colourful illuminations creates a special New Year's feeling. It is listed in the Guinness book of Russia as the largest covered one-piece installation of ice and snow.
If you are in Kirovsk, you should not miss the opportunity to visit the Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden-Institute. Both specialists and casual visitors will find it very interesting. Each year the garden welcomes several thousand visitors. Here you can get to know the flora of different countries, their growth and development in conditions where frost and snowfall are possible on any day of summer.
For more information about the garden institute you can visit www.pabgi.ru.
There is also an eco-trail to the Botanical 'circus' of Vudjavrchorr mount in summer and autumn, where taiga, forest tundra and tundra alternate very quickly with each other.
The museum and exhibition centre of Apatity offers a unique opportunity to learn about the history of Kirovsk, the history of Khibiny exploration and mining. The mineral exposition contains many beautiful samples from all over Russia and the world. Visiting the museum is free of charge but you have to sign up for guided tour in advance.
A beautiful view of Kirovsk and the Khibiny Mountains opens up from the slopes of Mount Aikuaivenchorr (1010 meters), which can be reached by a ski lift.
On the way back, we can check out the Mysterious Forest art park.
In summer, small groups (up to 4 participants) can be delivered by an off-road vehicle to the heart of the Khibiny, the Kunijok river valley, to the Kuelporr rescue base.
From there you can take a short walk to Risjok waterfall and admire the majestic view of the mountains. Those who want to stretch their legs after a long day's ride can take a radial hike to the North Chorghorr pass with considerable altitude gain. A guide will be happy to accompany you on any route.
Attention! Not all the objects are available for both summer and winter visits.