Reviews

Since we got know each other on slopes and summit of Aconcagua 6 years ago, I knew the level of experience, serious attitude and passion to mountains of R'n'S. It was real pleasure to meet again and have a wonderful week on late snow of slopes just above Almaty.
– Maris, spring skitouring in Kazakhstan
Dima is one of the most knowledgeable and comfortable guides I know. He lives and breathes the mountains. He understands the group perfectly and does everything to ensure safe skiing. Dima has a great sense of humor and finds an excellent rapport with each group member. He's a reliable companion.
– Stepan, skitouring in Kyrgyzstan
Safe, comfortable, and a great experience overall — the Kazbek ascent went perfectly. Dima is an awesome guide; this was my first-ever mountain ascent, and he made it feel approachable from start to finish.
– Aleksandr, mount Kazbek
It was amazing and wonderful trip in my life with a great and very professional guide. I got an unforgettable good impressions from this climb for a lifetime. It’s just cool!
– Roman, mount Ushba
Ski Touring in Karakol: Thanks for the Best Freeride Weekend! We went ski touring in the Karakol area (Kyrgyzstan) in January. I want to give a special thanks to our guide, Dmitry. This was my first ski tour in Kyrgyzstan, and I was a little nervous. But the guide did everything he could to make the trip perfect.

What I liked:

1. Professionalism. He knows the terrain around Karakol perfectly. We didn't waste time searching for the "right" snow; from the very first day, we skied only on high-quality, safe slopes.

2.Safety. He constantly monitored the avalanche situation, took readings from the test blocks (he always let us try them ourselves, and explained the physics of snow). The group was confident that we were on the right route.

3. Adaptation to the group. One of us was going slowly, so the guide didn't rush ahead, but patiently waited for the one lagging behind. The faster guys didn't get bored either—he let them speed up on the descents on the safe shoulders.

4.Logistics. He helped with transfers from Bishkek and knows the best houses in Karakol (the flatbreads and tea were a lifesaver after long hikes).

Who would recommend him to: ski touring beginners and experienced freeriders. The snow in Kyrgyzstan is incredible: powder, sun, and no people. The guide completely captured the region. Thank you so much, we'll definitely be back!
– Anatolii, skitouring in Kyrgyzstan
There are plenty of mountain guides / but not so many that give you the feeling of safety and that you can trust them with your life! Guides are put to the test in dangerous conditions to make tough calls/ I would trust Dmitri on any mountain and recommend him strongly ! I’ve climbed Elbrus and many other mountains over the years and GOOD guides are hard to find!!!
— Emi, mt Elbrus South route
Dmitry Rybalchenko is probably the best mountain guide and instructor I’ve ever met. Huge thanks to Dima for the unforgettable vibes, all the handy tips, and those chill talks during breaks and on the lift <3
– Anna Volgina, ski touring in the Khibiny Mountains
Hey Dima,
It’s been a while since our climb, and I’ve only just started to realize what I achieved. I just wanted to say a huge thank you. You probably don’t even know how much you taught me. I’m so glad it was you who introduced me to the mountains. I’m sure we’ll meet again, I still have plenty to learn from you 😉
– Anton Lychagin, Elbrus from the South
I’m so happy I got to train with Dmitry for skiing! I learned so much in such a short time. Absolutely the max skills in the minimum amount of time! Now I’m truly loving every moment on the slopes 😁. Huge thanks to Dmitry! I totally recommend him to anyone who values technique, style, and safety on the mountain ⛷.
– Daria, Ski Training
Huge thanks for the ski lesson at BigWood! In just one hour, we tackled all my mistakes, and I got some great exercises to make sure I don’t repeat them in the future.

I’m self-taught, and this session was a real eye-opener. It’s so much better to fix bad habits with an instructor than to keep reinforcing them.

The lesson was intense but so worth it! I worked up a proper sweat because, for once, I wasn’t just skiing however I felt like. I was skiing properly, with Dima keeping a close eye on me and giving feedback every step of the way.

I absolutely loved it! The satisfaction I felt at the end was amazing. I can’t recommend Dima enough. He’s a brilliant instructor and a top-notch skier. So glad I got to learn from him!
– Elena, Ski Training
Dmitry! A huge thank you not just for sharing your skills and knowledge but for making sure they really stuck. I made it down the mountain and officially joined the ranks of skiers!

An extra big thank you from Irina, she’s so grateful that you didn’t let her give up and made her stick with it. And your motivational pep talk at the end was the cherry on top.

Wishing you success and students who aren’t completely hopeless!
– Andrey, Ski Training

It was an amazing trip with Dmitry from Rock'n'Snow! From start to finish, everything was perfectly planned and organized, which made the whole experience smooth and stress-free. Dmitry is a true professional who is always one step ahead, constantly thinking about the safety and comfort of his clients. His deep knowledge of the mountains, attention to detail, and calm confidence in challenging situations gave me complete trust throughout the climb. He carefully assessed conditions, adapted plans when needed, and made sure I felt prepared and supported at every stage of the route. Beyond his technical skills, Dmitry is also a great companion in the mountains — patient, encouraging, and genuinely passionate about what he does. He shared valuable techniques and tips that I will carry with me on future climbs. I can wholeheartedly recommend Dmitry and Rock'n'Snow to anyone looking for a serious, safe, and unforgettable alpine mountaineering experience. I'm already looking forward to my next trip with him!
– Kirill, mount Tetnuldi
From the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church at the bottom to the freezing, wind-blown summit at 5,047m—Kazbek is pure magic. It’s tough, unpredictable, and absolutely breathtaking. There's nothing quite like looking down at the clouds from the top of the Caucasus
– Mark, ski-mountaineering on Kazbek mnt
It was a great journey, within one week we ski toured in two locations: Chimbulak and Cosmostation. Everything was well organized and it was a pleasure to spend a time with a great team and experienced guide!
– Dmitry, spring skitouring in Kazakhstan
Dima is a true pro! We ski-toured Kazbek - we met all the deadlines, everyone reached the summit, and returned without injuries or incidents. Looking forward to our next adventure!
– Peter, ski-mountaineering on Kazbek mnt
Dmitry did a climbing course for our group, which was super fun and engaging. Also, he paid great attention to the safety aspect and self-protection when in the mountains
— Sanita Pukite, mnt Elbrus South route
To Whom It May Concern

I and five other climbers joined a 7-day climb on Elbrus in June 2021, led by mountain guide Dimitry Rybalchenko.

From the outset the entire team was extremely impressed by Dimitry’s knowledge of mountaineering, experience, patience, enthusiasm, communication skills and sense of humor.

Throughout our mountaineering training course, acclimatization rotations and summit push Dimitry exhibited an extremely high level of professionalism.

On summit day, and despite extreme inclement weather conditions, forcing all other climbers on the mountain to turn around, myself and one other climber pushed on for the summit, with the complete confidence that we were in the safe hands of Dimitry, summiting at 9.59AM on 16 June 2021. Without Dimitry we would certainly not have succeeded.

We very much look forward to our next climb with Dimitry and would have no hesitation in recommending Dimitry as a mountain guide.

Thank you Dimitry

Robin Brown

Scotland, Dubai and Kenya
— Robin Brown, mt Elbrus South route
Dmitry Rybalchenko is the best guide I’ve ever hiked with. Dima’s a total pro — tons of experience, big-time achievements, and just someone you can count on, even in the trickiest situations (been there, done that 😉). What I loved most was the vibe he created for the group — everything felt fun, easy, and just right. If you’re planning any kind of climb, no matter how tough, I can’t recommend him enough!
– Roman Raspopov, Elbrus from the North
Hi Dima!
Our summer adventure is behind, and I just had to say thanks for being our guide. Young, energetic, calm, and confident, you made us all feel like everything would be okay. You paced us well, didn’t let us slack off 🤪, and taught us so much with patience and humor.

The best part? Watching you work, we knew you were making smart decisions. No overthinking, no risks, just getting us to the top and back safely. With you, it’s never scary.

Thanks for the awesome time on Elbrus, our amazing guide.

P.S. One flaw though: you don’t play the "Svintus" game! 🤣
P.P.S. Sasha and Valera say hi, and don’t worry, we’re keeping tabs on you!
– The Family: Lyudmila, Alexander, and Valera, Elbrus from the South + Trekking
In January 2021, at the BigWood ski resort, Dmitry was the ski instructor for my daughter and son. We had tried lessons with other instructors before, but the kids liked Dmitry the most. From what they told me, it was the atmosphere during his lessons that stood out. Dmitry conducted the sessions calmly, without unnecessary pressure, and was great at figuring out what was working and what wasn’t. He could easily explain things in a way they understood.

Each lesson started with a warm-up, and during the session, they practiced a variety of techniques. From what I observed, Dmitry has a natural talent for connecting with kids. He even kindly gave up one of his days off to make sure we didn’t have to pause the training schedule.

All in all, I highly recommend Dmitry as an excellent ski instructor!
– Evgeny, ski training for my daughter Yevdokiya
Dima, I just want to thank you for your professionalism! You helped me overcome my fear and taught me how to really feel the skis. After training and chatting with you, all I’m left with is positivity and confidence!
– Kristina, Ski Training
I want to give a big thank you to Dmitriy for his top-notch training. He’s incredibly dedicated and gives it his all. Dmitry is a supportive and attentive coach, and with his guidance, you’ll be skiing in no time. I can say that from personal experience.
– Artyom, Ski Training

Since we got know each other on slopes and summit of Aconcagua 6 years ago, I knew the level of experience, serious attitude and passion to mountains of R'n'S. It was real pleasure to meet again and have a wonderful week on late snow of slopes just above Almaty.
– Maris, spring skitouring in Kazakhstan
It was an amazing trip with Dmitry from Rock'n'Snow! From start to finish, everything was perfectly planned and organized, which made the whole experience smooth and stress-free. Dmitry is a true professional who is always one step ahead, constantly thinking about the safety and comfort of his clients. His deep knowledge of the mountains, attention to detail, and calm confidence in challenging situations gave me complete trust throughout the climb. He carefully assessed conditions, adapted plans when needed, and made sure I felt prepared and supported at every stage of the route. Beyond his technical skills, Dmitry is also a great companion in the mountains — patient, encouraging, and genuinely passionate about what he does. He shared valuable techniques and tips that I will carry with me on future climbs. I can wholeheartedly recommend Dmitry and Rock'n'Snow to anyone looking for a serious, safe, and unforgettable alpine mountaineering experience. I'm already looking forward to my next trip with him!
– Kirill, mount Tetnuldi
Dima is one of the most knowledgeable and comfortable guides I know. He lives and breathes the mountains. He understands the group perfectly and does everything to ensure safe skiing. Dima has a great sense of humor and finds an excellent rapport with each group member. He's a reliable companion.
– Stepan, skitouring in Kyrgyzstan
From the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church at the bottom to the freezing, wind-blown summit at 5,047m—Kazbek is pure magic. It’s tough, unpredictable, and absolutely breathtaking. There's nothing quite like looking down at the clouds from the top of the Caucasus
– Mark, ski-mountaineering on Kazbek mnt
Safe, comfortable, and a great experience overall — the Kazbek ascent went perfectly. Dima is an awesome guide; this was my first-ever mountain ascent, and he made it feel approachable from start to finish.
– Aleksandr, mount Kazbek
It was a great journey, within one week we ski toured in two locations: Chimbulak and Cosmostation. Everything was well organized and it was a pleasure to spend a time with a great team and experienced guide!
– Dmitry, spring skitouring in Kazakhstan
It was amazing and wonderful trip in my life with a great and very professional guide. I got an unforgettable good impressions from this climb for a lifetime. It’s just cool!
– Roman, mount Ushba
Dima is a true pro! We ski-toured Kazbek - we met all the deadlines, everyone reached the summit, and returned without injuries or incidents. Looking forward to our next adventure!
– Peter, ski-mountaineering on Kazbek mnt
Ski Touring in Karakol: Thanks for the Best Freeride Weekend! We went ski touring in the Karakol area (Kyrgyzstan) in January. I want to give a special thanks to our guide, Dmitry. This was my first ski tour in Kyrgyzstan, and I was a little nervous. But the guide did everything he could to make the trip perfect.

What I liked:

1. Professionalism. He knows the terrain around Karakol perfectly. We didn't waste time searching for the "right" snow; from the very first day, we skied only on high-quality, safe slopes.

2.Safety. He constantly monitored the avalanche situation, took readings from the test blocks (he always let us try them ourselves, and explained the physics of snow). The group was confident that we were on the right route.

3. Adaptation to the group. One of us was going slowly, so the guide didn't rush ahead, but patiently waited for the one lagging behind. The faster guys didn't get bored either—he let them speed up on the descents on the safe shoulders.

4.Logistics. He helped with transfers from Bishkek and knows the best houses in Karakol (the flatbreads and tea were a lifesaver after long hikes).

Who would recommend him to: ski touring beginners and experienced freeriders. The snow in Kyrgyzstan is incredible: powder, sun, and no people. The guide completely captured the region. Thank you so much, we'll definitely be back!
– Anatolii, skitouring in Kyrgyzstan
Dmitry did a climbing course for our group, which was super fun and engaging. Also, he paid great attention to the safety aspect and self-protection when in the mountains
— Sanita Pukite, mnt Elbrus South route
There are plenty of mountain guides / but not so many that give you the feeling of safety and that you can trust them with your life! Guides are put to the test in dangerous conditions to make tough calls/ I would trust Dmitri on any mountain and recommend him strongly ! I’ve climbed Elbrus and many other mountains over the years and GOOD guides are hard to find!!!
— Emi, mt Elbrus South route
To Whom It May Concern

I and five other climbers joined a 7-day climb on Elbrus in June 2021, led by mountain guide Dimitry Rybalchenko.

From the outset the entire team was extremely impressed by Dimitry’s knowledge of mountaineering, experience, patience, enthusiasm, communication skills and sense of humor.

Throughout our mountaineering training course, acclimatization rotations and summit push Dimitry exhibited an extremely high level of professionalism.

On summit day, and despite extreme inclement weather conditions, forcing all other climbers on the mountain to turn around, myself and one other climber pushed on for the summit, with the complete confidence that we were in the safe hands of Dimitry, summiting at 9.59AM on 16 June 2021. Without Dimitry we would certainly not have succeeded.

We very much look forward to our next climb with Dimitry and would have no hesitation in recommending Dimitry as a mountain guide.

Thank you Dimitry

Robin Brown

Scotland, Dubai and Kenya
— Robin Brown, mt Elbrus South route
Dmitry Rybalchenko is probably the best mountain guide and instructor I’ve ever met. Huge thanks to Dima for the unforgettable vibes, all the handy tips, and those chill talks during breaks and on the lift <3
– Anna Volgina, ski touring in the Khibiny Mountains
Dmitry Rybalchenko is the best guide I’ve ever hiked with. Dima’s a total pro — tons of experience, big-time achievements, and just someone you can count on, even in the trickiest situations (been there, done that 😉). What I loved most was the vibe he created for the group — everything felt fun, easy, and just right. If you’re planning any kind of climb, no matter how tough, I can’t recommend him enough!
– Roman Raspopov, Elbrus from the North
Hey Dima,
It’s been a while since our climb, and I’ve only just started to realize what I achieved. I just wanted to say a huge thank you. You probably don’t even know how much you taught me. I’m so glad it was you who introduced me to the mountains. I’m sure we’ll meet again, I still have plenty to learn from you 😉
– Anton Lychagin, Elbrus from the South
Hi Dima!
Our summer adventure is behind, and I just had to say thanks for being our guide. Young, energetic, calm, and confident, you made us all feel like everything would be okay. You paced us well, didn’t let us slack off 🤪, and taught us so much with patience and humor.

The best part? Watching you work, we knew you were making smart decisions. No overthinking, no risks, just getting us to the top and back safely. With you, it’s never scary.

Thanks for the awesome time on Elbrus, our amazing guide.

P.S. One flaw though: you don’t play the "Svintus" game! 🤣
P.P.S. Sasha and Valera say hi, and don’t worry, we’re keeping tabs on you!
– The Family: Lyudmila, Alexander, and Valera, Elbrus from the South + Trekking
I’m so happy I got to train with Dmitry for skiing! I learned so much in such a short time. Absolutely the max skills in the minimum amount of time! Now I’m truly loving every moment on the slopes 😁. Huge thanks to Dmitry! I totally recommend him to anyone who values technique, style, and safety on the mountain ⛷.
– Daria, Ski Training
In January 2021, at the BigWood ski resort, Dmitry was the ski instructor for my daughter and son. We had tried lessons with other instructors before, but the kids liked Dmitry the most. From what they told me, it was the atmosphere during his lessons that stood out. Dmitry conducted the sessions calmly, without unnecessary pressure, and was great at figuring out what was working and what wasn’t. He could easily explain things in a way they understood.

Each lesson started with a warm-up, and during the session, they practiced a variety of techniques. From what I observed, Dmitry has a natural talent for connecting with kids. He even kindly gave up one of his days off to make sure we didn’t have to pause the training schedule.

All in all, I highly recommend Dmitry as an excellent ski instructor!
– Evgeny, ski training for my daughter Yevdokiya
Huge thanks for the ski lesson at BigWood! In just one hour, we tackled all my mistakes, and I got some great exercises to make sure I don’t repeat them in the future.

I’m self-taught, and this session was a real eye-opener. It’s so much better to fix bad habits with an instructor than to keep reinforcing them.

The lesson was intense but so worth it! I worked up a proper sweat because, for once, I wasn’t just skiing however I felt like. I was skiing properly, with Dima keeping a close eye on me and giving feedback every step of the way.

I absolutely loved it! The satisfaction I felt at the end was amazing. I can’t recommend Dima enough. He’s a brilliant instructor and a top-notch skier. So glad I got to learn from him!
– Elena, Ski Training
Dima, I just want to thank you for your professionalism! You helped me overcome my fear and taught me how to really feel the skis. After training and chatting with you, all I’m left with is positivity and confidence!
– Kristina, Ski Training
Dmitry! A huge thank you not just for sharing your skills and knowledge but for making sure they really stuck. I made it down the mountain and officially joined the ranks of skiers!

An extra big thank you from Irina, she’s so grateful that you didn’t let her give up and made her stick with it. And your motivational pep talk at the end was the cherry on top.

Wishing you success and students who aren’t completely hopeless!
– Andrey, Ski Training
I want to give a big thank you to Dmitriy for his top-notch training. He’s incredibly dedicated and gives it his all. Dmitry is a supportive and attentive coach, and with his guidance, you’ll be skiing in no time. I can say that from personal experience.
– Artyom, Ski Training