Chimgan Ski Resort Guide
Uzbekistan’s Winter Playground near Tashkent
Classic Skiing in the Chimgan Mountains
Chimgan Ski Resort is the original icon of Uzbek skiing – a Soviet-era ski area that has been drawing local skiers for decades to the beautiful Chatkal Mountains. Located about 80 km northeast of Tashkent city in the Chimgan Mountains (western Tian Shan range), this resort sits at 1,600 m altitude amid breathtaking alpine scenery.
The surrounding region, with its fir forests and towering Greater Chimgan Peak (3,309 m), is often called the “Uzbek Switzerland” for its panoramic vistas and crisp mountain air. While Chimgan’s facilities are modest and currently offer fewer slopes than Amirsoy, the resort provides a charming, authentic ski experience – one that’s poised for major upgrades in the coming years.
Why Ski in Chimgan?
Where Chimgan truly shines is its natural setting and upcoming potential. Surrounded by peaks and crossed by mountain streams, the area is gorgeous year-round. Winter brings reliably snowy slopes from December to mid-March, and thanks to the north-facing aspect, snow can linger into April on higher trails.
Skiing at Chimgan gives you a sense of adventure – you’re skiing where few international tourists have gone, mingling with local Uzbek families and enjoying unspoiled mountain views. Recognizing this potential, the Uzbek government in late 2023 announced a $269 million development project to transform Chimgan into a world-class resort.
Plans include new gondolas and chairlifts, expanded runs up to 20 km of slopes, and a full base village with hotels and restaurants. The goal is to make Chimgan a serious contender among Central Asian ski resorts, in direct competition with Amirsoy (which is just 8 km away over the ridge). If these plans materialize, Chimgan will soon offer a vast ski domain reaching 3,300 m – the highest cable car-served point in all Central Asia.
Chimgan Ski Season
| Year | Start Season | End Season |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 / 2016 | 10 Nov | Late March |
| 2016 / 2017 | Mid Dec | Late March |
| 2017 / 2018 | Late Dec | Mid March |
| 2018 / 2019 | Late Dec | Late March |
| 2019 / 2020 | Mid Dec | Mid March |
| 2020 / 2021 | Mid Dec | Mid March |
| 2021 / 2022 | Mid Nov | Mid March |
| 2022 / 2023 | 10 Nov | Mid March |
| 2023 / 2024 | 13 Dec | Mid March |
| 2024 / 2025 | 08 Dec | Late March |
| 2025 / 2026 | 28 Dec | – |
The table shows the opening and closing dates for Chimgan over the last ten years. As you can see, the season never starts or ends on the exact same day. Chimgan’s ski season depends fully on the weather, so the dates shift each winter. This is important to know when you plan your trip.
Still, there is one clear trend: for the past decade, Chimgan has always been open from around late December to about mid-March. This makes these months the safest choice if you want to book your ski holiday in advance and be sure the slopes are running.
Some winters begin earlier or finish later. When that happens, it’s a great chance for a last-minute ski trip if you are already in the area. Early and late season days are quiet, the prices are lower, and you get a peaceful day on the mountain almost to yourself.
How to Get to Chimgan?
If you want to ski in Chimgan, getting there is very easy. You first fly to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. From Tashkent, you can reach Chimgan in a few simple ways.
The most relaxed way is a private taxi. It takes about 1.5 hours and brings you right to your hotel or the ski base. You can also choose a shared shuttle if you want to spend less. Or you can take the public bus towards the Chimgan area, which is the cheapest option.
The road from Tashkent to Chimgan is short but full of views. You pass small towns, wide valleys, and snowy peaks as you drive higher into the mountains. It feels like a mini trip before you ski.
There are no flights to Chimgan, but you don’t need them. The resort is close to the city, so once you land in Tashkent, you are almost there. A quick drive is all it takes before you reach the slopes and fresh mountain air.
Find the best flights to Tashkent below!👇
Where to Stay?
Stay in Tashkent
Staying in Tashkent to ski in Chimgan works, but it’s not the best choice if skiing is the main goal. The drive is long enough that you’ll miss part of your time on the slopes.
However, if skiing is only a small part of your holiday and you want to spend most of your trip enjoying Tashkent’s cafés, museums, bazaars, and nightlife, then it can still be a good fit.
Pick this option only if the city is your priority and a bit of skiing in Chimgan is just a bonus.
Look for a place to stay in Tashkent by clicking on the map below.👇
Stay in Chimgan
Staying in Chimgan is a good pick if you want calm mountain life with easy access to several ski spots. The Chimgan ski area is small but great for quick, fun runs — just know there is no hotel right at the ski lift. The nearest place to stay is ARCHAZOR Mountain Resort, about 1 km from the lift.
If you stay in Chimgan village, you’re a few kilometers away. You also have two other resorts close by: Beldersay is just down the road, and Amirsoy is not far either. This gives you plenty of choice each day. Plus, you’re right next to the beautiful Charvak Reservoir, which brings amazing views and a peaceful vibe to your trip.
Look for a place to stay in Chimgan by clicking on the map below.👇
About Chimgan Ski Resort
Chimgan’s ski area features a handful of groomed runs totaling only a couple of kilometers today. The main piste is a 1.5 km blue (easy) trail served by an old double chairlift (length 800 m, ~385 m vertical)Adjacent to that is a shorter 800 m red slalom slope for advanced skiers.
Beginners have a few gentle nursery slopes of 300–500 m length at the base with tow-lifts. In total there are roughly 10 marked trails of varying difficulty (mostly blue and red) weaving down Chimgan’s broad valley, but these trails are short – the combined groomed distance is around 2–3 km.
This makes Chimgan ideal for learning and casual skiing, although not (yet) a destination for those seeking extensive piste mileage. Off-piste enthusiasts, however, appreciate Chimgan for its accessible backcountry: you can hike or snowcat beyond the lifts to find fresh powder stashes on the surrounding hills.
Infrastructure at Chimgan is basic but functional. The chairlift is a slow open lift giving skiers a scenic 10-minute ride up to ~1,950 m elevation. A platter (hook) lift of 570 m serves one of the mid-mountain slopes with a 250 m vertical drop. Ski passes here work differently – there’s typically no unlimited day pass.
Instead, skiers pay per lift ride (about 12,000 UZS – roughly $1 – per chairlift ride in recent years). This pay-as-you-go system means a day of skiing at Chimgan is extremely cheap (even if you take 10 rides, that’s only ~$10). Equipment rentals and lessons are available on-site, albeit with older gear and limited English instruction, reflecting Chimgan’s primary role as a local ski hill.
A large hotel complex and cottages near the base offer around 700 beds for accommodationalongside a few cafes serving hearty Uzbek meals. Après-ski is low-key: think simple restaurants, maybe a disco or billiards in the hotel – a charming contrast to glitzy Alpine resorts.
Conclusion
For now, Chimgan remains a charming, budget-friendly ski spot with a nostalgic atmosphere. It’s perfect for a day trip from Tashkent (the 1.5-hour drive is scenic) or as part of a ski safari including nearby Beldersay – a smaller adjacent ski area 5 km away known for one long 3 km alpine run.
In fact, many visitors hit Chimgan in the morning and then take a short ride to Beldersay in the afternoon to experience both slopes. Between the two, you get a satisfying mix: Chimgan’s gentle bowls and Beldersay’s steeper descent from Mount Kumbel (2,300 m).
In summary, Chimgan Ski Resort offers an authentic taste of skiing in Uzbekistan. It may not have all the luxuries yet, but the scenic beauty, fresh mountain air, and friendly local vibe make it special.
As you ski down Chimgan’s simple slopes with the Tian Shan peaks around you, you feel a sense of discovery – and you’ll likely be dreaming of what this place will become in a few years. For travelers seeking something off the beaten path, Chimgan is both informative (a glimpse into local ski culture) and persuasive in its own quiet way: it invites you to be part of its story as it transitions from a humble Soviet ski base to a next-generation mountain park.
Chimgan Ski Resort – Key Facts
- Distance from Airport: ~80 km from Tashkent (Islam Karimov) International Airport (approximately 1.5 hours’ drive).
- Total Slope Length: Currently ~2.3 km of marked runs (longest single run is 1.5 km). Expansion underway: planned increase to 20 km of slopes in coming years.
- Ski Pass Cost: No fixed day pass; about 12,000 UZS (~$1) per chairlift ride (approx. $10 or less for a day of skiing). Bargain pricing compared to most ski resorts.
- Lifts: 1 double chairlift (800 m length) and 1 draglift (570 m), plus small beginner tows. (Nearby Beldersay resort has 1 long chairlift of 3,000 m.)
- Elevation: Base ~1,600 m; top of lifts ~1,975 m. Surrounding peak (Greater Chimgan) rises to 3,309 m (accessible by hiking/heliski, not lifts).
- Ski Season: mid-December to mid-March (natural snow, no snowmaking). Best snow in Jan–Feb; north-facing slopes retain snow well.
- Amenities: Basic hotel (700 beds) and cottages at base, a few cafes/restaurants, equipment rental (limited stock), ski instructors (mostly Russian/Uzbek speaking). Nightlife is minimal – emphasis is on daytime skiing and nature.
- Notable: Renowned for its scenery and local atmosphere – nicknamed “Uzbek Switzerland”. Popular combined with Beldersay ski area (5 km away) for a fuller ski day. Major redevelopment project approved in 2023, aiming to create a modern resort (new gondolas, 20 km of trails, 6,000 guest bed capacity) within a few years.