he Karakol ski resort is located at an altitude of about 2,300 m above sea level amid the coniferous forests of the Terskey Ala-Too (Tian Shan). From the tops of the cableway, panoramas of snowy mountains and the high-mountain Lake Issyk-Kul open up. Currently, the slopes are served by modern chairlifts (two triple and one double cableway), as well as two drag lifts for beginners.
The Karakol resort is one of the oldest ski centers in Kyrgyzstan. Back in Soviet times, a ski school operated here and all-Union competitions were held; the base was used for training the USSR Olympic alpine skiing team. After the collapse of the USSR, the lifts and infrastructure fell into disrepair, and only enthusiasts could ski. The situation changed in the late 1990s, when Russian and Kyrgyz investors laid the cableways anew and restored the runs. In 2009, the modern “Caprice-Karakol” hotel opened here - the first large hotel complex on the slope (since then it has been considered the best ski hotel in Central Asia). In 2004, a major modernization of the base was carried out - there appeared a hotel, chalet cottages, and updated services.
The base is located 7 km north of the city of Karakol (the center of Issyk-Kul Region). The Tian Shan mountains and the proximity of the warm lake soften the climate: even in winter, daytime temperatures rarely drop below -5°C, and clear weather is common. The ski season usually begins in mid-December and continues until late March-early April. During the season a stable snow cover forms on the slopes with a thickness of 1.5-2.5 m. For tourists staying on the territory of the complex, there is a ski equipment rental point and service, as well as instructor services and snowmobile rental.
Karakol offers more than 20 diverse runs with a total length of about 20 km. The length of individual descents varies from ~400 m to 3.5 km. The vertical drop is 740 m (from 2,300 to 3,040 m above sea level). The slopes are classified by difficulty: there are green runs for beginners, blue for confident amateurs, and red/black for experienced athletes. The maximum slope gradient reaches ~53%, the minimum is about 7%. Most descents run through pine forest, which creates excellent conditions for freeride and off-piste skiing. Groomed runs are regularly maintained by snowcats, ensuring good passability and safe descents.
Cableways (lifts): a total of 5 units - two triple chairlifts, one double, and two drag (rope tow) lifts. One of the cableways takes skiers up to the 3,040 m summit. The lifts operate from 9:00 to 16:00 (there is evening lighting only on certain runs for night skiing).
Variety of runs: very wide, gentle powder descents and well-kept steep runs with jumps and features for extreme disciplines (there are no snowboard parks, but there are many natural terrain variations). Along difficult routes there are stumps and trees, which further raise the adrenaline level while skiing.
Lift prices at the Karakol resort are moderate by world standards and vary depending on the day of the week and season. In the 2024/2025 season, an adult full-day ski pass costs approximately $15-20 per day. The children’s (up to 12 years) rate is about $10 per day. There are also cheaper half-day tickets (morning/afternoon shifts) - about $10-15 for half a day. Night skiing (from 18:30 to 22:00) on illuminated sections costs about $12.
Ski and snowboard rental: the rental point holds a passport as a deposit (1 set per 1 passport) and operates from 9:00 to 16:00. The cost of a full equipment set (skis or snowboard, boots, poles) is approximately $10-15 per day (depends on the age of the equipment). Children’s sets (for shorter height) are about $5 per day.
On the territory of the resort there is its own hotel complex and chalets where you can stay “on the slope” for convenience. The main accommodation options: the “Karakol” hotel (formerly the “Caprice-Karakol” hotel) with 48 double and 4 quadruple rooms, several buildings with 2-3-bed rooms, and family club chalet cottages (each chalet has 8-10 sleeping places.)
Prices: in the off-season, basic double rooms start from $30-40 per night. In high season (holidays, New Year vacations) the cost increases: for example, a double room may cost $40 and up. Chalet rental reaches $140-650 per day depending on size and period. Breakfast is usually not included.
In addition to accommodation at the base, the city of Karakol (7 km from the runs) offers more than 80 hotels and guesthouses for any budget. Transfers and scheduled buses are organized from Karakol to the lifts. The resort has canteens and cafés for a snack after skiing.
If you want to combine skiing with a trip around the Tian Shan, book an individual jeep tour. Many guests choose a route from Bishkek with a detour to the southern shore of Issyk-Kul: the road is scenic, along the way you can stop at viewpoints and canyons, and base yourself in cozy guesthouses at more favorable prices. The guide-driver handles all logistics: in the morning he takes you directly to the Karakol lifts, during the day helps with ski passes and rentals, and after skiing drives you to hot springs (Ak-Suu/Altyn-Arashan - depending on weather and accessibility). This format allows you to significantly save on transfers and accommodation, avoid wasting time on connections and queues, and also see more nature and make stops where you personally want.
Operating hours: The ski season lasts from November to April. Skiing is possible even in March-April thanks to deep snow (1.5-2.5 m thick). From late December to early January (New Year holidays) the base operates without day restrictions; at other times - mainly on weekdays (evenings and weekends at a higher rate).
You can get to the resort from Bishkek (distance ≈400 km, 5-6 hours on the highway through the Boom Gorge along Lake Issyk-Kul). Marshrutkas and intercity buses run regularly from the Bishkek bus station. You can also fly to Bishkek or Almaty and then continue by taxi/minibus.
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