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Fancy freeriding in Kyrgyzstan? We offer the best Kyrgyz backcountry experience! Join us for a remarkable trip to the Tien Shen mountains in Eastern Kyrgyzstan. We work exclusively with local guides and employees, allowing you to meet the wonderfully hospitable Kyrgyz people and taste all of what Kyrgyz culture has to offer.

The experience begins in Bishkek, where you will tour the capital before heading to the skiing hotspot of Karakol, driving across the Shamsy mountains and along the beautiful Lake Issyk Kul. Because of underwater hot springs, this gigantic lake doesn’t freeze, a fortunate phenomenon that causes a considerable amount of snowfall in Eastern Kyrgyzstan.

We offer a 5-7 day ski touring/splitboarding itinerary from our unique yurt camp, however, can tailor the experience to what you desire, offering a combination of other activities such as resort-based skiing, cat skiing or horse riding ski-tours. Below you will find an overview of the activities.

As always we are predominantly working with local partners and local guides. As a non profit tour agency we are supporting tourism in developing countries. That means that you will have a local experience and that locals have a decent income. Moreover do we help foster local initiatives to grow (winter)tourism.

Tour skiing/Splitboarding

There are several options for ski touring around Karakol. One option is the Ak Suu Valley, just east of the city. We have an established yurt camp in this spectacular location (at 2600 metres), from which there are plenty of couloirs and amazing runs. Last year we mapped (and named) many runs on the west-facing slopes. A local guide will assist you in organising trips in this valley.

The second touring location is the Jyrgalan Valley, which has a more accessible yurt camp and tends to receive more snow in the winter. The yurt is a traditional home for the nomadic Kyrgyz people, and we have adapted the yurts to the cold conditions, allowing you to comfortably sleep under a sky full of bright stars. Additionally, there is a banya (a Russian sauna, next to an ice-cold stream). In Jyrgalan you will find unlimited options from north-facing couloirs to gentle tree runs down to the village of Jyrgalan. Similarly, a daily program will be decided with the help of a local guide.

Ski resort Karakol

You can spend one or more days at the Karakol Ski Base, ascending from 2200 to 3100 metres. Just 15km outside of the city, this mountain resort was the training ground of the Soviet Olympic ski team. The challenging slopes are well-groomed and are serviced by snowmaking operations. Off-piste, you will find a vast array of tree runs and freeriding in the sidecountry. Additionally, you can skitour/splitboard from the top of the Panorama lift (3100m) to a further height of 3450m, where you will experience stunning views and spectacular powder runs. Evening activities will entail an après ski night with Karaoke or a visit to the natural hot springs in the village of Ak Suu. 

Cat Skiing

For several days you will have access to our very own Pisten Bully snowcats. Ascending comfortably in our covered cabins, you will be driven to different peaks in the Jyrgalan Valley, one of the most unspoilt areas in Kyrgyzstan freeriding with challenging terrain and views of Kazakhstan. These tours, however, can also cater to intermediate skiers on more gentle slopes, while experienced freeriders can try their skills on harder and steeper terrain. Our days will consist of 8-12 runs with lunch provided on-mountain.

For smaller groups, we can provide snowmobiles, taking scenic rides up the mountain before dropping-in to Jyrgalan.

Horseback riding with freeride run

After a short walk in the Jeti Oguz Valley, we will have lunch in the local village of Kyzyl Suu, eating traditional meat in a family home. After our meal, we will ready ourselves for a magnificent tour through pine forests, along red mountains and in deep snow. Your horse will take you to an altitude of 2500 metres as you cross various awe-inspiring landscapes. From here, we will dismount and freeride back down to Kyzyl Suu. Whilst this tour places less emphasis on freeriding and challenging terrain, you are instead offered a quintessentially Kyrgyz experience: riding between towering mountain peaks on horseback with your skis.

On the last morning (an optional experience), we will embark on a Karakol city tour with a visit to an ornate Russian Orthodox Church, the local bazaar and some more stores where you will have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs. After lunch of local cuisine, we will take the southern road back to Bishkek. During this journey, we will stop at the Fairytale Valley, home to colourful and majestic sandstone rock formations. In Bishkek, we will have one final meal at one of the best local restaurants before our famous Pyjama Party. At the Besh Spa Complex, you can unwind in the Russian banya and relax in the Turkish hammam, before receiving your set of pyjamas at the bar, complete with a karaoke stage (alternatively, if you would prefer a slow evening, you may receive a massage after your week of travels or simply rest up before your flight.

Freeride Kyrgyzstan for you?

  • Adventurers looking for something different than the Alps
  • Experienced skiers/snowboarders with freeride equipment (ABS, beacon, probe, shovel)
  • Powder and first tracks lovers

Included

  • A lot of fun
  • The best local knowledge
  • All transfers
  • Accommodation
  • All meals (+ non-alcoholic drinks)
  • Tour Bishkek city centre
  • English speaking guide
  • Local guides
  • Cat skiing / Snowmobile
  • Entrance fee hot springs
  • Visit Fairy tale valley
  • Russian banya
  • Ski passes

Not included

  • Additional food & drinks (apart from the 3 included meals)
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Tips & souvenirs
  • Ski or snowboard rental (€ 150 per week)
  • We do have a few tour skis/splitboards for rent
  • Travel insurance

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