Chunkurchak Ski Resort Guide
A Family Friendly Ski Resort in Kyrgyzstan near Bishkek
Chunkurchak | Family-Friendly Snow Fun Close to Bishkek
This is what Skiing in Chunkurchak Looks Like!
Chunkurchak Ski Resort is Bishkek’s beloved backyard ski area, renowned for its family-friendly atmosphere and modern facilities. Located only about 30–40 km south of the capital of Kyrgyzstan in the Chunkurchak Gorge (part of the Alamedin Valley), this resort is the closest skiable mountain to the city. In around one hour’s drive, visitors can trade urban life for crisp mountain air and scenic snowy hills.
Chunkurchak (meaning “hollow” or “gorge” in Kyrgyz) sits at an altitude of roughly 2,060 m at the base, with slopes reaching ~2,440 m at the top. It offers 10 km of groomed slopes in total, making it smaller than Karakol, but every bit of that terrain is thoughtfully designed for enjoyable skiing. The resort has quickly gained popularity since its development thanks to its five state-of-the-art chairlifts, well-prepared runs, and convenient amenities.
It’s often touted as the ideal resort for beginners, families, and those looking for a leisurely ski experience rather than extreme challenges. In the summer months, the Chunkurchak area is a protected national biosphere reserve known for its beauty, and in winter that beauty transforms into a playground for skiers and snowboarders. If you’re new to skiing or have young children Chunkurchak Ski Resort is an excellent choice.
Why Ski in Chunkurchak?
Chunkurchak’s is very cheap compared to other ski resorts in the Alps or North America. Considering the quality of lifts and grooming, that’s a bargain. Half-day and hourly passes are also available if you only want a short session.
Many locals appreciate that they can take an inexpensive taxi or drive out, rent equipment, ski for a few hours, and be back home by evening – all without breaking the bank. The resort is also active on social media, often posting updates on snow conditions and special family events (like New Year’s celebrations on the slopes, or maybe a visit from “Ayaz Ata” – Santa Claus – for the kids).
These little extras demonstrate how Chunkurchak has built a community around it. It’s more than a ski facility; it’s where urban Kyrgyz families connect with their country’s winter nature.In essence, Chunkurchak Ski Resort is all about accessible enjoyment.
It’s the first place a local child might learn to ski, and it leaves such a positive impression that even as they grow into expert skiers, they remember Chunkurchak fondly. For tourists, it’s a perfect introduction to skiing in Kyrgyzstan – low effort, high reward.
You get to ski in a gorgeous mountain setting and experience local culture (you might end up eating laghman noodles for lunch and staying in a yurt at night) without a long expedition. The resort’s gentle slopes, modern lifts, and thoughtful amenities ensure that your time here is fun, safe, and memorable.
Chunkurchak Ski Season
| Year | Start Season | End Season |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 / 2016 | 20 Dec | 12 Feb |
| 2016 / 2017 | 25 Dec | Mid March |
| 2017 / 2018 | 29 Dec | 18 March |
| 2018 / 2019 | 23 Dec | 03 March |
| 2019 / 2020 | Late Dec | 15 March |
| 2020 / 2021 | 19 Dec | Mid March |
| 2021 / 2022 | 30 Dec | Mid March |
| 2022 / 2023 | Mid Dec | 08 March |
| 2023 / 2024 | 24 Dec | 17 March |
| 2024 / 2025 | 20 Dec | 09 March |
| 2025 / 2026 | 28 Dec | – |
You can see in the table when the ski season in Chunkurchak started and ended over the last ten years. As you can see, the dates change each year. There is no fixed ski season here — it all depends on the weather. This is good to know when you plan your trip.
The good news? For ten years in a row, Chunkurchak has always been open from late November until mid-March, except for one year when it had to close early on 12 February because there was too little snow. Still, in most years you can ski during this whole period. If you are in bad luck, Zil and Kashka-Suu are very near and these resorts have always been open until mid March.
Some years, Chunkurchak opens a bit earlier or stays open later. These early and late dates are great if you are already in the area and want a last-minute ski trip. Prices are lower, the slopes are calm, and you get a very relaxed ski day with lots of space.
How to Get to Chunkurchak
To get to Chunkurchak, you start by flying to Bishkek. From there, the resort is very close, about 45 km from Bishkek city. You can take a taxi for a direct and fast ride into the mountains. Shared rides also run from the city and cost less, but a taxi is the easiest.
The road to Chunkurchak is short but goes up into a wild, green (or snowy) valley. It feels like a small escape from the city, and you reach the ski area in about 40–50 minutes.
Find the best flights to Bishkek below!👇
Where to Stay?
Stay in Bishkek
If you stay in Bishkek, you enjoy low costs, big choice, and still reach Chunkurchak quickly. The drive is short, easy, and taxis are simple to arrange. Your hotel can help you book a ride or point you to cheaper ski rentals in the city.
Bishkek gives you full comfort after skiing: malls, cafés, shops, banks, and warm food spots everywhere. You can ski all day in Chunkurchak and come back to a clean room, good meals, and a lively city.
And the best part? From Bishkek you can also ski in Zil and Kashka-Suu with the same comfort. You can try a new resort each day if you like.
Look for a place to stay in Bishkek by clicking on the map below. 👇
Stay at Chunkurchak Ski Resort
If you stay near Chunkurchak, you start the day almost on the snow. No traffic, no stress — you walk out and reach the lifts in minutes. It is perfect if you want comfort and smooth ski mornings. Prices are a bit higher than in Bishkek, but you get peace, views, and ski days with no rush. And on another day, you can also visit Zil or Kashka-Suu, since both are close enough for a short trip.
Check the list of hotels at the ski resort below.👇
Hotels at Chunkurchak:
Chie Too Grand Hotel
Chie Too Grand Hotel gives you warm rooms, clean space, and calm mountain views. You sleep well, eat well, and reach the slopes fast. It’s simple, cozy, and the perfect base if you want comfort close to the ski lifts.
Supra Chunkurchak
Just a few minutes down the road (5–10 minutes drive) you find Supara Chunkurchak, a high-rated spot with upscale yurts and cabins. You stay in a warm, luxury version of a traditional Kyrgyz home, with calm views and real mountain charm. It has one of the best local restaurants in the area, so many skiers stop here for a hot meal on the way back.
Ski Pass Prices for Chunkurchak Ski Base
| Ski Pass Type | Weekdays (tue – thu) | Weekend (fr – mon) |
|---|---|---|
| Day Pass | 1500 Som ($17,15) | 1800 Som ($20,60) |
| Children (≤12) | 1000 Som ($11,45) | 1300 Som ($14,90) |
| Half Day Adult | – | 1500 Som ($17,15) |
| Half Day Child | – | 1000 Som ($11,45) |
| 1 Hour | 500 Som ($5,70) | 500 Som ($5,70) |
| 2 Hours | 1000 Som ($11,45) | 1000 Som ($11,45) |
| 1 Ride | 400 Som ($4,60) | 400 Som ($4,60) |
| Excursion Child | 400 Som ($4,60) | 400 Som ($4,60) |
| Elec. Card | 300 Som ($3,45) | 300 Som ($3,45) |
When you ski at Chunkurchak Ski Base, the ski pass system is simple and flexible, with weekdays offering cheaper skiing. Prices are split between weekdays (Tuesday to Thursday) and weekends (Friday to Monday, including public holidays), with weekday passes giving the best value and a quieter feel on the slopes.
On weekdays, Chunkurchak mainly offers affordable full-day passes, along with 1-hour, 2-hour, and single-ride tickets, making it ideal if you want cheaper skiing without crowds. Weekends are busier and slightly more expensive, but they include half-day passes for adults and children, valid before 12:00 or after 13:00.
Children aged 3 to 11 benefit from reduced prices, and there is also a children’s excursion ticket for going up the mountain without a full ski day. If you only want to enjoy the views, a single lift ride is available.
The resort operates every day from 10:00 to 16:00. All ski passes require a reusable electronic card, bought once and used at the lift gates. Please note that tickets are non-refundable, so choose the option that best fits your day and ski time.
Slopes and Terrain
Chunkurchak’s terrain is characterized by broad, gentle slopes with relatively mild gradients, especially on the lower half of the mountain. The vertical drop is around 370 m from top to bottom, with most runs having a friendly pitch that’s not too steep. This makes Chunkurchak a beginner’s paradise – the resort is frequently praised as the perfect place to learn skiing or snowboarding.
There are several green (easy) and blue (intermediate) runs that are very forgiving, with long straight segments and few abrupt turns, allowing novices to practice their technique with confidence. In fact, some sections of the slopes are almost flat in gradient, doubling as great areas for kids to play or for newbies to get comfortable sliding. For more experienced riders, Chunkurchak does offer a couple of red-rated (advanced intermediate) runs that descend from the top lift – these have a bit more steepness and are fun for carving turns, but even these would be considered moderate by international standards.
The maximum slope angle at Chunkurchak is about 19° (approximately 34% grade) on its steepest piste, which is not extreme. Most visitors will find that they can explore the entire resort in a day and feel progressively more confident on each run. An interesting aspect is that all lifts and trails are named and color-coded for easy navigation – a thoughtful touch that helps newcomers orient themselves. For instance, you might ski down “Blue Bird” or “Green Meadow” (hypothetical names) and know exactly which lift to take back up.
The runs collectively total around 10 km, but one notable thing is that the longest continuous trail can exceed 3 km by combining segments, allowing for a nice long descent without stopping. Off-piste opportunities at Chunkurchak are limited and avalanche risk can be considerable outside the groomed area, due to its location, so this isn’t a resort for hardcore freeriders. Instead, the focus is on safe, groomed fun.
The resort’s grooming team keeps the pistes in excellent condition; every morning, you’ll find corduroy tracks ready for smooth turns. Additionally, because of the gentle terrain, snow conditions tend to remain user-friendly – there are rarely icy or overly moguled sections, which further benefits beginners. To summarize, Chunkurchak’s slopes are ideal for learning, cruising, and family fun.
It’s a place where you can watch a 5-year-old take their first ski lesson, a group of teenagers snowboard together for laughs, and parents comfortably ski alongside their kids.
Lifts and Facilities
Despite being a relatively small resort, Chunkurchak shines in its infrastructure. It features five modern chairlifts, a remarkable number given its size. These include a mix of double, triple, and quad chairlifts (one 2-seater, one 3-seater, and three 4-seater lifts) that together cover the resort’s entire slope network. The lift system was designed and built with international standards, reportedly by a European company, and they’re fast and efficient.
Having multiple chairlifts means that even on the busiest weekends, lift lines are minimal and you can get plenty of runs in. The total length of all lifts combined is about 4.5 km, and each lift has a distinctive color and name, which not only is fun (kids often say “Let’s go on the red lift next!”) but also helps you remember which lift goes to which slope.
For the youngest skiers, there’s also a 100 m “magic carpet” conveyor lift in the base-area snow park – a simple belt lift that kids under 12 can ride to access a gentle kiddie slope. This ensures that children and absolute beginners have a safe, dedicated space to practice without the interference of faster skiers.
Chunkurchak’s on-mountain amenities are well thought out. At the base area, you’ll find a rental shop stocked with skis, snowboards, boots, and sleds (adult gear typically ranging from 600 to 1200 KGS per day to rent, depending on quality). Next door is a ski school office; many of Bishkek’s best ski instructors come here on weekends to teach, and lessons can be booked on the spot.
A first-aid post and rescue service are on standby (though, given the gentle terrain, accidents here are thankfully rare). One thing visitors often praise is the availability of free parking right at the base, and the fact that warm, clean bathrooms are available – a facility not to be taken for granted in Kyrgyzstan’s mountain areas! This attention to comfort signals that Chunkurchak is aiming to provide a hassle-free experience, especially for families.
When hunger strikes, a bistro-style café at the base offers quick bites and hot drinks, while a larger restaurant/lodge serves heartier fare like grilled meats, noodles, soups, and snacksPrices are reasonable and menus often include kid-friendly options. There’s a small “children’s corner” indoor play area as well, in case the little ones get too cold outside and want to play while parents finish lunch.
Still, it’s a mountain road with some steep sections, so having a 4×4 or good snow tires is recommended. Some local tour operators and the Trekking Union of Kyrgyzstan organize shuttle trips on weekends, since there’s no public transport directly to the resort.
Experience and Highlights
The vibe at Chunkurchak is incredibly welcoming. On weekends it feels like half of Bishkek’s young families have gathered here to enjoy the snow. You’ll see kids in puffy snowsuits wobbling on skis, proud parents taking photos, and groups of friends doing laps and laughing all the way down. The resort staff are friendly and used to introducing newcomers to snow sports – expect lots of encouragement and maybe even a high-five from a lift operator when your child successfully rides the lift alone for the first time.
There’s often upbeat music playing softly at the base, adding to the cheerful atmosphere. One of the understated highlights is simply the beauty of the Chunkurchak Gorge: the resort is within a national nature reserve, so the surrounding hills are unspoiled and peppered with rock formations. Skiing there, especially on weekdays when it’s quieter, you might spot an eagle soaring above or see footprints of a fox in the snow. The air is notably fresh and pine-scented – a wonderful change from city smog in winter.
Chunkurchak Ski Resort – Key Facts:
- Distance from Bishkek: ~40 km south of the city (1 to 1.5 hours by car, depending on road conditions). Located in Chunkurchak Gorge, a national biosphere reserve.
- Total Slope Length: About 10 km of trails. Predominantly easy (green) and intermediate (blue) slopes; a few advanced-intermediate sections. Excellent terrain for beginners and families.
- Elevation: Base ~2,060 m; top ~2,440 m. Vertical drop ~370 m. Surrounding peaks rise to ~2,500 m. Typically good snow cover from late December to March.
- Lifts: 5 modern chairlifts (capacity: 2-seat, 3-seat, and 4-seat chairs) covering different parts of the hill, plus a 100 m magic carpet for kids. Lifts operate 10:00–16:00; the resort is usually open daily in winter (December–March), though operations depend on snowfall.
- Ski Pass Cost: 1400 KGS per day on weekdays, 1700 KGS on weekends for adults (roughly $15–$20). Cheaper half-day and kids’ passes available. Rentals around 1200 KGS/day for skis or snowboard.
- Facilities: Ski school and instructors (many English-speaking) on-site; equipment rental shop; first aid station; free parking lot. Base area has a café (fast food, snacks) and a restaurant with indoor seating. Notably, heated restrooms and a children’s indoor play corner are available (a rarity in some regional resorts).
- Family Perks: Special children’s lift and gentle kids’ slope; tubing/sledding area; periodic family events (snow games, holiday celebrations). Safe, beginner-friendly environment – ideal for first-time skiers.
- Nearby Attractions: The Chunkurchak Gorge is beautiful for winter hiking or snowshoeing (if you have extra time). En route to the resort, the Supara ethnocomplex offers traditional Kyrgyz meals and lodging in luxury yurts – a great add-on to the ski trip.
- Note: Due to the shorter season and lower elevation, it’s best to check snow conditions. In early or late winter, some lower slopes might have thin cover, but the resort does its best with grooming and occasionally using snowmaking on critical areas (there are reports of a few snow cannons on site).
