Ski resorts on the slopes of Tien Shan

Kyrgyzstan abounds with ski resorts of various scales - from large centralized complexes to small local slopes near Bishkek. All of them are located in the Tian Shan, mountains, attracting winter sports enthusiasts with stunning landscapes and diverse conditions. High peaks and significant elevation differences create opportunities for both beginners and experienced riders. The country has no fewer than 17 ski bases, with the largest and most well-equipped resort being Karakol in the Issyk-Kul region, while many smaller bases are concentrated around Bishkek. Most resorts offer equipment rental, instructor services, accommodation options, and transfers. Although Kyrgyzstan is still a relatively unknown ski tourism destination, adding a day or two of skiing in the Tian Shan to your trip is an excellent idea. It should be noted that the winter season here can be inconsistent due to varying snowfall, but in Karakol the season reliably lasts from November to April, with snow cannons installed to maintain coverage.

Karakol (Issyk-Kul Region)

Karakol is the largest and most famous ski resort in the country, located on the slopes of the Terskey Ala-Too range (part of the Tian Shan) just 7 km from the city of Karakol and about 400 km from Bishkek. It is the highest-altitude ski base in all of Central Asia - the upper points of the slopes reach about 3,450 m, with lifts delivering visitors up to ~3,040 m. During the Soviet era, the USSR Olympic team trained on these slopes, and in 2004 the complex was completely modernized. Now Karakol offers excellent conditions for both professional athletes and leisure travelers. Surrounded by majestic coniferous forest and located near the high-altitude Issyk-Kul Lake, the climate here is mild: in winter, daytime temperatures rarely drop below -5°C, with many sunny days. Snow cover remains steady from November to April, reaching a thickness of 1.5-2.5 m. The combination of altitude and the lake’s influence creates unique natural conditions for skiing.

Karakol’s infrastructure matches its status as Kyrgyzstan’s main resort. The base operates 4 modern chairlifts (two- and three-seaters) serving more than 20 km of prepared slopes of varying difficulty. There are wide gentle runs for beginners (“green” slopes), training areas, as well as challenging “black” runs for experts - with a total elevation difference of ~740 m and slopes ranging from 7% to 53%. Many runs pass through dense coniferous forest, adding an element of extreme skiing (on difficult sections, riders must maneuver between trees), while panoramic views from the upper points reveal Tian Shan ridges and the shining expanse of Issyk-Kul Lake on the horizon. For freeride enthusiasts, untouched snowfields surround the resort. Experienced guides also organize comprehensive winter tours to Karakol, with visits to many scenic spots along the way.

The base offers everything needed for a comfortable stay: three hotel buildings and separate chalet-style cottages (accommodating up to 400 guests), a restaurant with European and national cuisine, a cozy slope-side café, an equipment rental and service center. For those new to skiing or snowboarding, a team of instructors is available (both group and individual lessons). For leisure variety, the resort offers snowmobile rides through the picturesque winter forest, and in the evenings guests can relax in a sauna or at the ice rink.

Orlovka (Chuy Region)

Orlovka is a popular resort located 100 km east of Bishkek (about a 2-hour drive along the Bishkek-Issyk-Kul highway). The base was founded in 1984 by a group of ski enthusiasts and has since grown into a modern year-round recreation center. Orlovka is situated on the northern slopes of the Kungey Ala-Too range (part of the Tian Shan) at an altitude of ~1,500 m. In winter, it operates as a modern ski complex covering ~50 hectares, while in summer visitors can enjoy other attractions, such as the longest alpine coaster (rodelbahn) in Kyrgyzstan, stretching 1.5 km.

Orlovka’s main advantage is its stable snow cover. It is one of the few resorts in the country equipped with an artificial snowmaking system (13 snow cannons). Therefore, even with scarce natural snowfall, the slopes remain covered, and the season lasts longer. Moreover, Orlovka is the only resort in Kyrgyzstan to offer night skiing under floodlights - on Fridays and Saturdays slopes are open until 22:00. The base has 9 slopes of varying difficulty, ranging from 150 to 2,890 m, with elevation drops from 30 to 560 m. The slopes are carefully groomed by specialists, ensuring excellent conditions. There are gentle training slopes for beginners, long sports runs for confident skiers, and untouched freeride sections. Ascents are via four lifts - two chairlifts (900 m and 500 m long) and two drag lifts. The total length of all runs is about 5 km, with the maximum elevation difference reaching ~590 m. Instructors are stationed at both lower and upper lift stations to assist beginners with boarding and exiting.

Orlovka’s infrastructure is well developed. The territory includes a hotel with comfortable rooms, a small lodge at the base, a café-restaurant with European and Asian cuisine, and a sauna for relaxation after skiing. A rental point offers a full range of equipment, so visitors can arrive without their own gear - specialists will help select everything needed. For children, Orlovka operates a ski sports school (founded in 1985), where young athletes from age 4 are trained for free by experienced coaches. Thanks to illuminated slopes, both children and adults can practice even in the evening. The summer attraction is also noteworthy - a thrilling ride on special sleds along a rail track laid down the slope through the forest: speed is controlled with a brake, reaching up to 70 km/h. This attraction makes Orlovka fun even in summer.

Chunkurchak (Chuy Region)

Chunkurchak is the largest ski complex near Bishkek, located about 30 km southeast of the capital in the picturesque Chunkurchak Gorge. It is a relatively new resort, opened in 2013 with subsequent infrastructure expansion. Currently, the base has five modern chairlifts (1 double, 1 triple, and 3 quad chairs), with a total cable length exceeding 4.5 km. The lifts take riders to slopes of varying difficulty - up to 10 km of runs in total, with a maximum elevation difference of about 370 m. There are gentle training slopes for beginners as well as steep sections for experienced skiers. Snow in Chunkurchak is usually sufficient from December to March (elevation ~2,060-2,220 m), though the season may depend on weather. Recently, a snowmaking system has also been introduced here in case of insufficient natural snow.

The base’s infrastructure is oriented towards family recreation and day trips. Accommodation is not available at the base itself, but all necessary facilities for a day of skiing are provided: ski and snowboard rental, a medical point, free parking, a cozy bistro-café for snacks, and even a children’s play area. For convenience, all lifts and slopes have names and color-coded difficulty levels. A day ski pass costs around $10 on weekdays and $15 on weekends. The road to Chunkurchak is usually accessible to all vehicles in winter; interestingly, the frozen dirt track in winter is sometimes easier to travel than in spring when meltwater washes out the gravel surface. Thus, Chunkurchak is perfect for quick escapes from the city: in just half an hour you find yourself in a winter wonderland of wide white slopes, skiing, and nature.

ZIL (Chuy Region)

Another popular resort near the capital is ZIL, located 35 km southeast of Bishkek, on the mountain slopes between the Chunkurchak and Issyk-Ata gorges. The full name is the ZIL Ski Complex, known for its proximity to the city (the drive takes ~40 minutes) and excellent views. It’s no coincidence that ZIL has been recognized for several consecutive years as the most popular winter holiday spot in Kyrgyzstan (based on visitor numbers and skier reviews). The resort is situated at altitudes of ~1,850-2,400 m, with good natural snow during the season (typically December to March).

ZIL’s infrastructure is among the most developed of the local bases. The access road is paved, with parking for 600-700 cars directly at the slopes, so there are no issues with arrival. The base operates 4 lifts (including several chairlifts) and offers up to 12 km of runs of varying difficulty. The vertical drop on the slopes is about 480 m. Standard services - equipment rental, instructors, medical point - are of course available. The complex also has a hotel for overnight stays and a panoramic restaurant to relax after skiing. Interesting details include a monument to Vladimir Putin at the entrance, and further in, busts of V.I. Lenin and Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov - a quirky photo spot for visitors. Besides skiing and snowboarding, ZIL offers tubing parks for inflatable sledding and an ice rink in winter. In summer, it transforms into an active recreation center, hosting open-air festivals, operating zip lines, horseback riding, and even courses in kumis therapy.

Kashka-Suu (Chuy Region)

Kashka-Suu is one of the oldest ski resorts in Kyrgyzstan, located about 35 km from Bishkek (Alamedin district). Its history began back in 1976, when enthusiasts from the "Kyrgyz Electric Motor" plant created a mountain skiing club. Already in the winter of 1977, they built and launched the first drag lift, 870 m long, powered by a gasoline engine. In the 1980s, a project was developed to expand the base with a hotel and a chairlift, but the collapse of the USSR suspended the plans. To preserve and develop the complex, in 1991 the company "Tourist Center Kashka-Suu" was founded, which managed to complete construction and officially open the resort. Thus, Kashka-Suu has been welcoming winter sports enthusiasts for over 40 years and is rightfully considered the "cradle" of skiing in the region.

Today, the "Kashka-Suu Tourist Center" has everything necessary for recreation: a hotel complex with 65 beds (rooms of different comfort levels), a conference hall for events, a café, a sauna, guarded parking, a sports ground, and an open skating rink. For skiers, there are two lifts: one chairlift (double-chair) about 1.5 km long, and one drag lift (with an elevation gain of 110 to 380 m). There are 6 trails prepared with a total length of about 10 km; the individual slopes vary from 200 m to 1 km, with both easy and challenging sections. The resort's elevations range from ~1870 m at the base to ~2270 m at the top, so the ski season usually lasts from December to March. In recent years, the base has been modernized: by the 2023-2024 season, a full artificial snowmaking system with pumps, hydrants, and snow guns was installed along the main slope. Although the weather does not always allow active snow production (several days of stable frost are needed), this innovation significantly improves snow reliability.

Kashka-Suu is located in a beautiful mountain gorge on the northern slope of the Kyrgyz range. The slopes are rather gentle and wide, which, combined with a friendly atmosphere, attracts many beginner skiers. On weekends it gets crowded: families with children, students, and older ski fans all come here. The base can be reached by car in about an hour; the last stretch of the road passes along a snowy dirt track next to the picturesque Alamedin River. If you don’t have your own transport, our tour club can organize a transfer in an off-road vehicle or even a jeep tour, combining the trip to the slopes with a small adventure over snow-covered hills.

Ak-Tyuz (Chuy Region)

Ak-Tyuz is a small high-mountain base in the north of the Chuy region, about 140 km from Bishkek, near the border with Kazakhstan. The name "Ak-Tyuz" translates as "white salt" - and indeed, snowfall here is abundant, with slopes often covered in a thick blanket of white snow. This resort is one of the newest in Kyrgyzstan: it was built in the post-Soviet era. The slope has an imported two-seat chairlift about 1700 m long and a drag lift about 1000 m long. The resort’s elevations range from about 2300 m at the lower station to 2800 m at the top, with a vertical drop of around 500 m. The slope is quite steep (maximum slope angle 45%), with an average gradient of ~27%. The total length of available runs is about 7 km, but all trails are unprepared - the slope is not groomed, which creates broad opportunities for freeride and deep-snow skiing. Off-piste enthusiasts highly value Ak-Tyuz for its soft powder and lack of crowds. However, it is important to be cautious and consider avalanche safety when skiing off-piste.

The base infrastructure is minimal: there is a ticket office (a daily ski pass costs about $15), but no hotels or rental services - Ak-Tyuz is designed for prepared skiers with their own gear, coming for the day. Nearby is the village of Ak-Tyuz, known for its abandoned Soviet mines, but it offers very limited tourist services. Therefore, visiting Ak-Tyuz is better planned with experienced guides. We organize special jeep tours to Ak-Tyuz for extreme groups, providing 4x4 transport (the road includes mountain serpentines) and guides familiar with the local terrain. Such a tour allows you to fully experience the wild spirit of skiing in the virgin snowy fields of the Tian Shan, far from mass resorts.

Too-Ashuu (border of Chuy and Naryn Regions)

Too-Ashuu is a high-mountain resort on the Too-Ashuu pass, located on the border of Chuy and Naryn regions. It is about 130-135 km south of Bishkek, at an altitude of about 3000 m above sea level, and is one of the youngest ski resorts in the country. The resort is built on the southern slope of the pass (Bishkek-Osh road, immediately after the Too-Ashuu tunnel there is a turn to the base). Thanks to its high altitude, the ski season here starts very early - sometimes as early as late October - and lasts until April. The snow cover on the Suusamyr plateau reaches 1.5-2 m during winter, creating excellent conditions for freeride and long off-piste runs. Too-Ashuu is famous for having the deepest snow and the longest season among all Kyrgyz resorts.

The resort has three main slopes of varying difficulty, with a total prepared slope length of about 7 km (one run stretches more than 5 km without interruption). The trails are served by several lifts: including double chairlifts. The slopes of Too-Ashuu are wide and open (no trees, surrounded by alpine meadows); one of the runs is ideal for beginners thanks to a relatively gentle gradient, while the others suit more experienced skiers. At the upper station (~3000 m) there is a viewing platform and a café, offering breathtaking views of the snow-covered Suusamyr valley below.

The Too-Ashuu base also provides accommodation: cozy wooden cottages are built on site, and there is a Russian sauna-bath for evening relaxation. You can come for a couple of days, combining skiing with overnight stays high in the mountains. Note that the weather on the pass can change very sharply - on a clear day you will enjoy stunning panoramas of peaks and sunshine, but in bad weather blizzards and winds are possible. The road from Bishkek to the base takes about 2-2.5 hours: most of the route is on a convenient highway (M41 road), the last stretch - the turn from the highway after the tunnel - is a mountain serpentine leading to the foot of the slopes. We organize group transfers to Too-Ashuu in comfortable SUVs, ensuring safety along the way. A day ski pass here costs about $15, and given the snow quality and slope length, Too-Ashuu is definitely worth it for advanced riders seeking new heights.

Toguz-Bulak (Chuy Region)

Toguz-Bulak is a small resort, cozily located on the northern slopes of the Kyrgyz range (Tian Shan), about 40-45 km southeast of Bishkek. The name translates as "nine springs." The base is located near the Issyk-Ata resort-sanatorium (about 8 km away) and was originally opened back in 1978. During the Soviet era, Toguz-Bulak was a popular spot for local skiers, but in the 1990s it fell into decline. After a long pause, the resort was revived in 2003 - the infrastructure was completely updated and the slopes were cleared. In 2005, a modern double chairlift was built and launched, which still operates, taking skiers to the start of the trails.

The skiing area in Toguz-Bulak ranges from about 1900 m at the lower station to 2230-2300 m at the top. Officially, there are 9 prepared trails of all difficulty levels, with a total length of about 9 km. In practice, many runs are relatively short (500-800 m), some are not always groomed, so after snowfalls there are plenty of off-piste areas for freeride. The slope of Toguz-Bulak faces north, which helps preserve snow. The base has only one lift (a chairlift) about 1800 m long, plus one snow groomer operates to maintain the main trails. The infrastructure is poorly developed: there is no equipment rental and no hotels, so it’s better to come with your own gear and plan on returning to the city in the evening. Nevertheless, there is a small café where you can have a snack (for example, a hot tea with samsa).

Toguz-Bulak attracts those looking for peaceful skiing near Bishkek and wanting to avoid crowded slopes. It is easy to get here by car in about an hour. We offer one-day trips for tourists to this base: in the morning we leave by jeep from the city, enjoy the views of the Alamudun and Issyk-Ata gorges on the way, spend the day on the slope (providing instruction if necessary), and return in the evening. For experienced skiers, we can organize guided skiing on the surrounding untouched valleys. Despite its modest size, Toguz-Bulak allows you to feel the atmosphere of a Soviet ski club and enjoy the nature of the Tian Shan without extra fuss.

Comparative Table of Main Resorts

Below is a brief comparison of the key characteristics of Kyrgyzstan's main ski resorts - their location, altitude, slope length, and number of lifts. For clarity, the distance from Bishkek is indicated so that tourists can estimate travel time.

Note: All the listed resorts are located on the slopes of the Tian Shan mountain system, within ~400 km of the capital. When planning a trip, it is recommended to check the current prices and slope conditions on official websites. Our travel service is ready to help organize individual tours to any of these resorts - from SUV transfers to booking accommodation and instructor services - so that your trip to the Tian Shan mountains is as comfortable and safe as possible. Enjoy your winter holidays in Kyrgyzstan!

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