Tour Ski / Splitboard Kyrgyzstan

Tour Ski / Splitboard Kyrgyzstan

Tour Ski / Splitboard in Kyrgyzstan? We offer the best Kyrgyz backcountry experience! Join us for a remarkable trip to the Tien Shan 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. There are endless options for ski touring and splitboarding in Kyrgyzstan but our pick would be the Issyk Kul province. The beautiful Lake Issyk Kul doesn’t freeze in winter because of underwater hot spring. A fortunate phenomenon that causes a considerable amount of snowfall in Eastern Kyrgyzstan. Even summer skiing on Peak Lenin or glacier skiing in Kara-Sai is possible.

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.

The tour ski and splitboard tours are available upon request. You can sign up as a group, but sometimes we also have spots available with existing groups. We work with experienced, locally certified guides. Call or message +31648729047 or send an email to mail@rycetravel.com. Below, we describe the most popular places for ski touring/freeriding in Kyrgyzstan.

Tour skiing/Splitboarding in Jyrgalan

There are several options for touring around Jyrgalan. Multiple routes depart from the village at 2200 meters. The most popular descents are at the base of the Gora Tavlytor peak (3652m). The upper section is quite wind-exposed, so we often choose the eastern descents that lead back to the Jyrgalan River. This area also includes the slope used for the Freeride World Tour in Kyrgyzstan.

At the top of the Jyrgalan Pass, there's a remote yurt camp where you can stay overnight during your tour. You will be taken to the yurt camp at 2600 meters either by touring or by snowmobile. You sleep in (heated) yurt tents and you have access to a Russian banya (a hot sauna). Meals are served in the central yurt, where you can also play games or make music. An experienced Kyrgyz guide accompanies the groups in the Jyrgalan mountains. Last year, some Canadian volunteers created a map of all the descents around the yurt camp. The terrain varies from 2200 to 3600 meters.

Ak Suu

Located in the impressive Terskey Alatau mountain range, Ak Suu offers pristine powder snow and breathtaking views. Guided by experienced local guides, you will explore remote valleys and challenging slopes. The diverse terrain, ranging from rolling hills to steep couloirs, ensures thrilling descents. It’s a paradise for freeriders seeking new adventures. The only option for accommodation is the yurt camp in Ak Suu. You can hike there with your skis/splitboard, or we can arrange a snowmobile transfer.

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. 

Kara Sai valley

At an altitude of 3800 meters, we can set up a private yurt camp in the spring. This base camp provides access to remote mountain peaks in the Ak Shirak and Borkodoi mountain ranges. At this height, we typically cover around 600-1200 vertical meters per day. We can even reach peaks of 4900 meters, so proper acclimatization is essential.

Suusamyr / Too Ashuu

In the west of Kyrgyzstan, Too Ashuu is the best place for touring. You can get there by taking the main road from Bishkek to Osh (the second largest city in the country), which takes you over a mountain pass at 3586 meters. From here, you have stunning options for off-piste descents. Around the village of Suusamyr, there are numerous possibilities for the experienced freerider. In Suusamyr, there are a few inexpensive homestays where you can stay. There are no trees growing here, so you are dependent on good weather conditions. However, it is definitely worth it if you want to stay in the west of Kyrgyzstan.

Cat Skiing / Snow mobile droppings

For several days you can have access to our very own snow cat (Pistenbully). 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. Our days will consist of 8-12 runs with lunch provided on-mountain. 

With snowmobiles, you can also freeride in the so-called 'Wet Valley' east of Karakol. The peaks where the drops take place reach up to 3200 meters. Some skiers will be towed behind the snowmobile with a rope, while others can ride behind the driver. Let us know in advance if you want to book a snowmobile or the Pistenbully. Click here if you want to book a custom cat ski trip.

Horseback riding with freeride run

Usually after a short walk in the Jeti Oguz Valley, we will have lunch in the local village of Kyzyl Suu, eating a traditional meal in a family home. After our meal, we will prepare 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 ski back down to Kyzyl Suu. Whilst this tour places less emphasis on freeriding and challenging terrain, you are offered a quintessentially Kyrgyz experience: riding a horse in beautiful scenery.

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