Ski Resorts

In the last decade, places of true pilgrimage for passionate skiing tourists have become the Caucasus, the Carpathians, the Khibiny, the Urals, and the Sayan Mountains. Even in flat areas, artificial ski trails are being created through the efforts of enthusiastic amateurs. The wave of universal fascination has reached Central Asia: ski complexes have been established in the Zailiyskiy Alatau in Kazakhstan — "Chimbulak" and in the Pskem Ridge in Uzbekistan — "Chimgan." But are the conditions for the development of skiing in Kyrgyzstan any worse? On the contrary: they are better than anywhere else.

So, on one hand, there is the wealth of natural resources. With the efforts of individual organizations and skiing enthusiasts, some slopes of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too have been developed in Ala-Archa, Oruusai, Alamedin, Noorus, and Toguz-Bulak, where chairlifts and drag lifts are being constructed or have already been built. There is a recreation base for the residents of Bishkek called "Chon-Tash." Demand is steadily increasing. Even today, the capacity of the cable cars and snow trails is clearly insufficient.

Relatively high average winter temperatures (from -3 to -6 degrees Celsius), weak winds, with speeds not exceeding 2.5 meters per second, and a long duration of sunshine (averaging about 2590 hours per year) all create enormous advantages for the ski areas of Kyrgyzstan compared to many popular and widely recognized ski regions in the country. Compare for yourself. We have the most optimal relative humidity, averaging around 60 percent. In contrast, in the Caucasus, for example, it reaches 80 percent, which adversely affects the human body at altitudes of more than one and a half thousand meters, especially during descents on ski trails. An undeniable advantage of Kyrgyzstan is that, unlike the Caucasus or the Carpathians, skiing can be organized not only in winter but also in summer — for example, in the ridge zone of some areas where there are many glaciers and firn fields.

The main weather factors affecting skiers are cold, wind, and snow. Despite the fact that in our country they are most favorable, one should not neglect basic ski equipment. When actively skiing, a person sweats, and it is important that the clothing breathes well and wicks moisture away while preventing freezing. The main advice for tourists is to use quality lenses for ski goggles, as Kyrgyzstan is in a zone with increased ultraviolet radiation.

Valuable valley glaciers ranging from 4 to 10 kilometers in length are found on the ridges of the Kyrgyz and Terskey Ala-Too. Trails can be laid on them up to two kilometers long. The surface quality meets the best world standards. There is already some experience in using glaciers for skiing in Kyrgyzstan. A summer training base for athletes operates on the Big Ala-Archa Glacier of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too. It helps maintain good athletic shape throughout the year.

The following areas can be recommended for tourist development: Chon-Kurchak, Chon-Tash, Noorus, Toguz-Bulak, Shamsi, Belogorka, Tui-Ashuu in the foothills of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too and Chon-Kemin on the northern slopes of the Kungoy Ala-Too. The absolute altitude above sea level of almost all these areas corresponds well to the requirements of "indifference," meaning they do not provoke negative reactions in the bodies of residents from flat areas.



In all areas (except perhaps "Chon-Tash"), there are a variety of slopes in terms of length and steepness, allowing for a full range of ski trails — from leisurely and training to high-category sports trails. The snow cover, stable for 120–140 days a year, is within optimal limits — from 40 to 100 centimeters, which should contribute to the high profitability of mountain tourism complexes and cable cars. All ski areas (except Tui-Ashuu) are located in areas with low avalanche danger.

The Chon-Kurchak Area is located thirty kilometers from the capital of the republic and encompasses the upper part of the Tytir Valley, which represents a vast closed intermountain basin, as well as the slopes of the Oruusai Gorge. The altitude ranges from 1900 to 2800 meters above sea level. Convenient, wide slopes with a northern exposure are most preferable for organizing mass and sports skiing. Relatively flat areas are suitable for the construction of a hotel with a capacity of up to 5,000 places and a service complex. In the lower areas, it is quite possible to arrange a pond for refreshing swimming in summer and ice skating in winter.

The Chon-Tash Area is already popular among Kyrgyzstanis. Here, the snow cover is less than in other areas, and the period of its presence is shorter, which is insufficient for high-class skiers in terms of slope length. However, the slight distance from the city and good transport connections make Chon-Tash an indispensable place for mass winter recreation.

The Noorus and Toguz-Bulak Areas are located in the eponymous gorges near Bishkek and are situated a short distance from each other, which allows for the creation of a unified complex for winter and summer recreation based on them. The long, well-rolled snow slopes with a northern exposure, devoid of forest vegetation, meet the highest requirements for laying sports ski trails. There are conditions for both beginner skiers and for ski walks.

The Shamsi Area is located in the lower left tributary of the Shamsi River in the beautiful gorge of the Kyrgyz Ridge. Winters here are very mild, but a lot of snow falls, and it lasts for a long time. Some slopes are covered with dense forests of dark coniferous species such as Schrenk's spruce and pine, with juniper and birch thickets also present, while the slopes suitable for laying ski trails are free of forests and face the sun. Trails can be laid in various forms — from leisurely health trails to sports ones. And in the lower areas of the valley, there are all conditions for creating a natural ice rink. The area is located 85 kilometers from Bishkek.



The Belogorka Area is located in the Sokuluk Gorge on the northern slope of the Kyrgyz Ridge. It can be reached by an asphalt road, covering sixty kilometers from the capital of the republic. Here, long gentle slopes prevail, ready for mass skiing and the laying of various ski trails.

The Tui-Ashuu Area is located near the eponymous pass close to the busy Bishkek-Osh highway, 130 kilometers from Bishkek. Here, in the pre-ridge zone of the Kyrgyz Ridge, which faces the Suusamyr Valley at the upper boundary of the meadow-steppe zone, a lot of precipitation falls, so Tui-Ashuu surpasses all other areas of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too in terms of snow cover thickness and duration. Perhaps that is why a significant number of skiing enthusiasts prefer this place.

To the east of Bishkek, in the upper part of the eponymous valley on the northern slopes of the Kungoy Ala-Too, lies the almost unexplored area of Chon-Kemin for skiing enthusiasts. However, all natural and climatic conditions allow it to be classified as exceptionally promising. The only difficulty is the distance from the central regions of the republic. However, it seems that the 140 kilometers separating Chon-Kemin from the capital cannot be considered an insurmountable barrier.

The Issyk-Kul Basin offers even greater opportunities for winter tourism and skiing. In winter, its entire eastern part is covered in fluffy snow. In the hollows, the snow accumulates above waist height, while on the slopes, the snow cover reaches 60-80 centimeters. Green islands are scattered with Tien Shan firs and dense crowns of junipers, while under heavy snow caps, the fluffy spruce branches bend with unfallen, silver-frosted cones. In the forest, one can enjoy the frozen fruits of rowan and hawthorn, which numerous birds and animals feast on, leaving patterns of their tracks on the purely white snow.



Here, four ski tourism areas can be distinguished: Karakol, Chon-Kyzyl-Suu, Juu-Ku, and Barskaun on the northern slopes of the Terskey Ala-Too and Chon-Ak-Suu on the southern slope of the Kungoy Ala-Too. Each of them can be reached from the shores of Issyk-Kul within an hour. A well-developed network of recreational facilities, which are empty during the winter, is just waiting for skiing tourists.

The Karakol Area is located in the eponymous gorge, 10 kilometers from the city of Karakol via a dirt road. Some slopes in this gorge have already been developed and are highly appreciated by skiers. In addition to steep slopes, there are areas suitable for mass skiing.

The Chon-Kyzyl-Suu, Juu-Ku, and Barskaun Areas are not much different from each other, located in the eponymous gorges of the mid-mountain Terskey Ala-Too. One is 60 kilometers away, while the others are 90 kilometers from Karakol. The presence of long gentle slopes, devoid of continuous forest vegetation, allows for the development of all types of skiing and health-oriented winter tourism.

The Chon-Ak-Suu Area is located in the picturesque gorge of the Kungoy Ala-Too. There are many natural attractions — high-altitude lakes, waterfalls, and high peaks. The slopes, covered with a thick snow cover, vary in steepness and allow for the laying of ski trails of all categories — from training to the most difficult. It is 45 kilometers from the city of Cholpon-Ata — first on an asphalt road to the village of Grigorievka, then on a dirt road.

The conditions for ski walks are also magnificent on the western slopes of the Fergana Ridge, where the thickness of the snow cover, which lasts for three months, reaches two meters, and the air often warms up to 20 degrees Celsius. Here, the Kyzyl-Unkur area is highlighted, located in the picturesque gorges of Kyzyl-Unkur and Kara-Unkur above the massifs of the world-renowned nut forests. In the rocky hollows, there are long slopes suitable for laying ski trails. The area is accessible by a two-hundred-kilometer road from the city of Osh through the village of Kyzyl-Unkur.

As can be seen, the conditions for the development of skiing and winter tourism in Kyrgyzstan are excellent; it is only a matter of skillful utilization of these resources. It is also worth noting that tourists can always combine skiing with fascinating excursions, getting to know the historical and natural attractions of the region.