A mining city in Russia's Arctic Circle, surrounded by the Khibiny Mountains. Known for its ski slopes and the world's first polar botanical garden.
Kirovsk sits at the base of the Khibiny Mountains in Russia's Murmansk Oblast. You can ski down 50-kilometer slopes at Bigwood resort, explore the world's northernmost botanical garden with its 1,100 Arctic plant species, or descend into the Mining and Geological Museum to see rare mineral specimens from local mines. The town's location above the Arctic Circle means you can ski from November through June.
Winter Sports in the Khibiny Mountains
From Bigwood's base station, you'll ride a gondola up 1,600 feet to access the eastern bowl's network of slopes. Advanced skiers can take a 30-minute hike from the top station to reach untouched powder runs with 1,500 vertical feet of descent. Beginners and intermediate skiers will find well-maintained runs in the eastern bowl area, accessed by T-bar lifts. Both Bigwood and Kukisvumchorr base areas have equipment rental shops, ski schools, and warm cafes where you can take breaks between runs.
Getting to Kirovsk
To reach Kirovsk, take a train to Apatity station, which connects directly to Moscow and Murmansk. Local buses run between Apatity and Kirovsk every hour from 6 AM to 10 PM. If you're coming from other regional cities, direct buses connect Kirovsk with Monchegorsk, Murmansk, and Kandalaksha several times daily.
Arctic Research and Nature
The botanical garden, established in 1931, grows and studies plants that thrive in polar conditions. Walking through its grounds, you'll see over 1,100 plant species adapted to survive harsh Arctic winters. The Kola branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences conducts research here year-round. At the Mining and Geological Museum, exhibits explain Arctic mining techniques through mineral displays and technical demonstrations.
Mining and Town Life
The 1929 discovery of apatite and nephelinite deposits transformed this tundra region from a seasonal reindeer herding area into an industrial center. Today, 26,000 residents work in either the active mines or tourism sector. You can see the mining operations from several viewpoints around town, with processing facilities and infrastructure integrated into the mountain landscape.
