The new ski center, situated in the mountainous area of Markai near Kok-Jangak, is open to visitors even at night, as all slopes have a ski lift and lighting. Two runs of 450 and 250 meters in length are already open for skiers. For those who enjoy riding on inflatable sleds, a special 150-meter track has been created at the ski center.
According to one of the staff members, the ski center was opened on December 16, 2015, but it has only now become fully operational due to weather conditions. The Jalal-Abad region is significantly warmer than the Chui or Issyk-Kul regions, and therefore the snow melts quite quickly.
At the same time, precipitation occurs frequently on the slope where the center is located, and snow remains even at positive temperatures. Previously, locals used to slide down the slopes on plastic bags, tires, and other improvised means, but last autumn the slopes were cleared of stones, and poles for lighting and ski lifts were installed. Representatives of the center note that despite the rather modest facilities, the "Markai" ski center is actively visited not only during the day but also at night.
