The ski resorts of Kyrgyzstan attract Kazakhstani tourists with relatively low prices and a fairly high quality of trails and service. In this article, we will tell you which resorts in the neighboring country have already earned this season, which are planning to do it in the near future, as well as what infrastructure these bases have and what they are unique about.
Snow in Kyrgyzstan lies from December to March, in the highlands – all year round. The weather in the area of most mountain resorts is usually warm. There are quite a lot of sunny days. Equipment, by the way, can be rented at almost all bases. In addition, most ski resorts have their own accommodation.
According to Kyyal Kenzhematova, Deputy Director of the Tourism Department at the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Kyrgyzstan, the winter season officially started in the neighboring republic on November 27. The opening was held at the Karakol ski resort. This resort is located seven kilometers from the city of the same name – on the slopes of the Tien Shan Mountains, surrounded by coniferous forests.
Karakol has a rich history. In Soviet times, athletes trained here, preparing for the Olympic Games. The resort experienced its rebirth after a major modernization in 2004 and immediately became a popular place for active recreation.
There are various trails at the Karakol ski Resort: for beginners, medium and high difficulty. The total length is more than 20 kilometers, the length of the slopes is from 400 meters to 3.5 kilometers. There are four chairlifts operating here.
The highest point of skiing is 3,040 meters. On a snowmobile, you can climb even higher – up to a height of 3,450 meters. From here you can enjoy stunning views of the Przhevalsky mountain peaks, Dzhigit, Karakol and Lake Issyk-Kul.
Usually, the services of snowmobiling are used by those who like to ride on puffy snow. But you can also take a walk through the forest on snowmobiles.
Also on the “Karakol” there is a special slope for sledding.
In addition, a skating rink is flooded at the ski base every season.
On the territory of the ski base there are three hotel buildings, chalet houses, a cafe and a restaurant.
The cost of the cable car – from 800 soms (about 4,000 tenge), equipment rental – 1000 soms (5,100 tenge).
Another ski hotel that has already opened this winter season is “Aktash”.
It is located in the village of Kashka-Suu, 35 kilometers from Bishkek, in the tract of the Oru-Sai gorge, at an altitude of 2,100 meters above sea level.
There are trails for skiers and snowboarders. Their total length is 1,800 meters. There are two cable cars. It offers a hotel, a cafe, gazebos. The base works daily.
The cost of the cable car – from 800 soms (about 4,000 tenge), equipment rental – from 500 soms (about 2,500 tenge).
“Kashka-Suu” is also located higher – the snow lies here, and you can already come for a ride. The ski base is located 35 kilometers from Bishkek – on the northern slopes of the Kyrgyz Alatau.
The base was created in 1976, when enthusiasts of the Alpine Skiing Club manufactured and launched an 870-meter-long cable car with a gasoline engine. Gradually, the base developed. And in the 90s of the last century, it did not cease to exist, but became a limited liability company (LLC) “Kashka-Suu Tourist Center”.
To date, the complex has a fairly developed infrastructure. There are several hotels, a restaurant, a bar, a sauna, a cafe, a winter skating rink, a sports ground and a parking lot.
There are seven ski slopes. Their total length is more than ten kilometers.
There are tow and chairlift cable cars.
The cost of the cable car – from 900 soms (about 4,600 tenge), equipment rental – from 700 soms (about 3,600 tenge).
The following databases are opened later. Before the trip, we recommend checking the opening status by contacting the database directly.
The ski resort “Too Ashuu” is located 130 kilometers from the capital, on the road from Bishkek to Osh.
Ashuu LLP is known as one of the best places in Kyrgyzstan for heli-skiing. A group of skiers are taken by helicopter to the top. They are accompanied by a guide who knows the specifics of the descent on certain slopes. As part of the program, skiers and snowboarders will have to descend virgin slopes in conditions of pristine, untouched by human invasion of nature.
Heli-skiing in the snow-capped mountains of the beautiful Suusamyr Valley begins in mid-January and lasts until April.
There are also three tracks with varying difficulty. Their total length is more than ten kilometers. In addition, the base is equipped with a modern lift. There are several places of accommodation, a cafe, a sauna.
Equipment can not be brought with you, but rented on the spot. The base is also suitable for beginners. Instructors who give lessons in alpine skiing and snowboarding work especially for them.
Orlovka is located 100 kilometers from Bishkek. There are nine trails of varying complexity and length from 150 to 2890 meters with a height difference from 30 to 560 meters. There are three chairlift and one tow cable cars.
What is noteworthy is that you can ride here not only during the day, but also at night.
On the basis of “Orlovka” you can rent equipment and get a lesson in skiing and snowboarding.
The infrastructure is quite developed. There are several accommodations, a restaurant and a sauna.
35 kilometers from Bishkek, in the Oru-Sai gorge, there is a ski base with the same name.
There are three tracks of different lengths and difficulty levels. There are three tow-type cable cars.
Instructors will help you choose equipment and teach skiing and snowboarding.
On the territory of the base, guests will find accommodation, a restaurant and a sauna.
The ski resort “ZIL” is one of the most popular places of winter recreation in the republic. The base is located 35 kilometers from Bishkek, in a picturesque place.
“ZIL” is famous for its cable cars. There are only five of them here. The first one with a length of 1.3 kilometers is a towing one. The second one is an armchair, with insulated seats, has a length of 1.5 kilometers. The third one is designed for confident skiers, the lift is carried out by the snail lift system, its length is 1.4 kilometers. The fourth is equipped with the same “snail” mechanism, its length is 1.2 kilometers. The fifth one is suitable for children and novice skiers. She’s a tow truck. Its length is only 400 meters.
The total length of the trails is about 2.5 kilometers. There is also a zipline (bungee), a high-speed descent on cables, tubing. The base is equipped with snow cannons. Ski equipment rental is functioning. There is a snowboard and alpine skiing school.
The Kentor Glacier is located five kilometers from the base. In the future, it is planned to install a cable car, and it will be possible to ski on the glacier all year round.
Guests will find accommodation here, parking lots, several cafes, including one that is located at an altitude of 2,300 meters above sea level. Equipment can be rented.
The Polytech ski resort is located 27 kilometers from Bishkek, in the Kashka-Suu tract. The base also owes its creation to enthusiasts, but this time to students. In 1976, students of the Frunze Polytechnic Institute independently built a lift, which was installed at the very entrance to the Kashka-Suu gorge. Then the students prepared a skating track, the length of which was 800 meters, and the width was 25 meters. In 1980, the base acquired a second cable car, and three years later – a third.
For more than 40 years of existence, the tracks have been constantly rebuilt and subjected to various innovations, which made them more comfortable and safer. To date, there are three of them. They are of varying degrees of complexity. Their total length is more than 12 kilometers.
Two tow-type cable cars and one stationary type “mop” operate at the base.
There is also a skating rink and skate rental on the base. Ski equipment rental, by the way, is also available. In addition, you can take a lesson in skiing and snowboarding.
There are no accommodations here, but there is a cafe.
The Chunkurchak ski Complex is located in the tract of the same name, 30 kilometers from Bishkek.
There are several trails here: both for beginners and for professionals, in particular, for those who know what freeride and skitur are. By the way, here is the longest track for pros in Kyrgyzstan, its length is about 10 kilometers. There are five modern chairlifts operating here. All of them have names and differ in colors.
A special zone has been allocated here for children under 12 years old. It’s fenced off. There is a special children’s lift – a ribbon travolator with a length of 100 meters.
On the territory of the complex, guests will find a sports equipment rental, a medical center, parking, a fast food cafe, a children’s corner.
Toguz-Bulak Ski Resort is located 40 kilometers from Bishkek, on the northern slopes of the Kyrgyz Ridge. The base was opened in 1978, but stopped working and received a new birth in 2003.
Tourists will find here nine trails of varying complexity and length – from two to three kilometers. A total of 40 hectares of rolled and uncoated (freeride) slopes. A pair-seat lift is working. The length of the ascent route is two kilometers.
There are various accommodation facilities, a sauna and a cafe on site.
Ski base “Ski-Tatyr” is located 25 kilometers from Bishkek, in the village of Tatyr. It’s new. There are no hotels and cafes here yet (there is a buffet).
The base has slopes for both professionals and beginners and children. The trails are gentle, well-groomed. There are also two tow-type cable cars.
There is a rental of ski equipment. You can take a lesson from ski and snowboard instructors.
Another new base is Ak Tyuz. It was opened in 2019. All the equipment installed here was imported from Europe. It was also built according to European standards.
There are also no placements here yet, but there is a food zone and parking.
There are several trails for beginners and professionals on the slopes. There is a playground. There are chairlift and towline cable cars. There is a playground.
Conditions of entry
From December 1, 2021, a certificate of a negative PCR test is required for all those entering Kyrgyzstan, regardless of the vaccination status.
The rules apply to crossing the border in any way – both by land and by air.
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