Your Winter Adventure in Central Asia

Kyrgyzstan’s towering Tien Shan peaks are covered in deep snow every winter, making this country a hidden gem for skiers and snowboarders. More than 90 kilometers of groomed slopes await winter enthusiasts, plus endless backcountry routes through pristine alpine terrain. Kyrgyzstan offers 5 ski resorts with more than 10 km slope, and a mega ski resort that will offer 250 km slope is currently under construction.

The snow in Kyrgyzstan is famously dry and fluffy thanks to its extreme continental climate, creating ideal powder conditions. This all adds up to an unforgettable ski experience – and it’s extremely affordable. For example, a full-day lift ticket at the Karakol resort costs only about 1400 KGS (~$16), a fraction of prices in Europe or North America and even cheap compare to other places in Central Asia.

On and off the slopes, visitors enjoy the warm hospitality of the nomadic Kyrgyz people and simple but hearty local cuisine (think plov, laghman noodles and mutton dishes). In short, skiing in Kyrgyzstan means untouched mountains, great snow, and friendly culture – all at a bargain price.

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Ski Conditions and Local Culture

The ski season in Kyrgyzstan is long. High-altitude resorts often open as early as November and stay snowy through April (Karakol, for example, operates from early November to late April), and in a good year some slopes remain skiable into spring.

Resorts are typically at 1,800–3,000 meters elevation, so snowpack can reach over a meter and melt very late. Average winter temperatures at altitude are often around –10°C, ensuring light, dry powder that ski tourers and freeriders love.

Equipment rentals, lessons and facilities are modest but improving. Lift infrastructure is being upgraded as ski-tourism grows. Importantly, prices remain extremely low: full-day passes usually run in the 10–20 Dollar range. For instance, Karakol’s adult day pass is about 1200 KGS (roughly $15). Even budget travelers can afford multiple days on the mountain.

Off the mountain, visitors enjoy warm Kyrgyz hospitality – locals are renowned for kindness and generosity – and can sample tasty traditional meals to refuel after skiing. Overall, Kyrgyzstan offers lots of ski for your money, with surprisingly good service, simple comfortable lodges, and a genuine cultural experience mixed in.

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Major Ski Resorts in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is dotted with ski bases in scenic valleys. The main alpine resorts (most developed during Soviet times) vary from family-friendly beginner hills to big-mountain freeride zones. Kyrgyzstan is building one mega ski resort as we speak, but this will take years to be completed. However, the first slopes are expected to open already in the 2026 / 2027 season.

Below we listed the 4 major ski resorts in Kyrgyzstan with a total of 10 km slopes or more. In our opinion, these resorts are worth it to book your holiday to, especially Karakol.

Ala-Too Mega-Resort (Under Construction)

An even bigger ski dream is now under way: The Ala-Too Resort project will unite three major peaks into a mega ski cluster. Construction began in 2025 under presidential direction. When complete, it will link Jyrgalan, Ak-Bulak and Boz-Uchuk mountains in the Issyk-Kul region with high-speed gondolas and lifts.

The plan is to build roughly 250 km of ski slopes – ten times more than any single current resort – making it the largest ski area in Central Asia. Officials say the first cable car (at Jyrgalan) should be finished by mid-2026, with the first ski trails opening in late 2026.

The remaining sections (Ak-Bulak and Boz-Uchuk) will be added by 2028. Ala-Too is designed for year-round use (using snowmaking and the high-altitude cold), and is projected to attract millions of visitors annually. In sum, Ala-Too will put Kyrgyzstan on the map as a top ski destination, drawing foreign tourists and investments. 👉Read more about Ala-Too Resort……..

Karakol Ski Resort (Issyk-Kul Region)

Karakol Ski Base has 20 km of trails. The country’s largest and most famous resort, just 10 km south of Karakol city. Karakol sits at 2,300–3,040 m and has four lifts, serving a mix of easy blues and long black runs.

It’s especially popular with experienced skiers and backcountry adventurers – it’s known for its challenging off-piste terrain and stunning valley views.

The town of Karakol provides ample hotels, restaurants and facilities for multi-day stays. 👉Read more about skiing in Karakol………

Zil Ski Resort (Chuy Region)

Zil Ski resort counts 10.5 km of trails. Located just 35 km north of Bishkek at 1,850–2,330 m, Zil is very accessible for city dwellers. It’s a newer resort known for its well-groomed slopes, snowboarding park, toboggan runs and even a zipline for thrill-seekers.

With 5 lifts and diverse terrain for beginners through intermediates, Zil is great for families. At the top you can see all the way into Kazakhstan on a clear day. The resort has restaurants and a cozy alpine lodge. 👉Read more about skiing in Zil………

Chunkurchak Ski Resort (Chuy Region, Ala-Too Valley)

Chunkuruchak Resort has about 10 km of slopes. Only ~40 km east of Bishkek, Chunkurchak is the nearest major ski area to the capital. It has gentle long runs and modern chairlifts (including a dedicated children’s belt lift), making it ideal for beginners and families.

With 6 lifts and 10 km of piste, it offers a convenient, low-key skiing option: locals often drive up for a weekend day trip. The valley panorama is beautiful, and basic cafés and rentals are available on-site. 👉Read more about skiing in Chunkurachak……….

Kashka-Suu Ski Base (Chuy Region)

Kashka-Suu Resort has 10 km of slopes. Near the village of Kashka-Suu north of Bishkek, this small resort offers about 10 km of mostly intermediate runs served by 2 lifts.

Kashka-Suu is known for reliable machine-groomed trails and is very affordable. It’s a good spot for improving skiers. You’ll find a couple of cafés and a relaxed atmosphere here. 👉Learn more about skiing in Kashka-Suu…….

Smaller Ski Resorts in Kyrgyzstan

At the moment we have listed 4 smaller ski resorts in Kyrgyzstan. These resorts are probably too small for a winter holiday on itself. However, they might be nice to visit to get some variation after a few days in a bigger resort, as a one day ski-trip from Bishkek or if you want to learn to ski.

Too Ashuu (Suusamir) Ski Resort (Chuy Region)

Too Ashuu has only 7 km of slopes. Situated on the 3,000 m Too-Ashuu pass south of Bishkek, this high resort is one of the coldest and snowiest in Kyrgyzstan. Its three lifts serve several runs (about 7 km total, including a mellow 3 km beginner trail and some steep zones for experts. The very high altitude means snowfalls early and spring lasts long – some years the season goes through May. Skiers must shuttle back up by chairlift or snowmobile. The rugged terrain and nearly 1.5 m average snow depth make Too Ashuu a powder paradise.

Orlovka Ski Resort (Chuy Region)

Orlovska ski resort has 5 km of trails. This resort lies ~90 km east of Bishkek in the Chong-Kemin Valley. After recent upgrades, Orlovka now has four lifts serving 9 slopes (total 13.6 km). Trails range from gentle beginner runs to a challenging 2.9 km black with 560 m vertical drop. Orlovka often enjoys good natural snow and is quieter than city resorts – a nice choice for those seeking intermediate pistes and scenic, pine-covered runs.

Ak-Tash (Ak-Tuz) Ski Resort (Kemin District)

This small ski resort has 5 km of trails. Opened in 2019, Ak-Tuz is a brand-new international-standard base north of Chüy Valley. It features modern Austrian lifts on slopes up to 2,500 m elevation, covering about 5 km total. The runs are high quality with reliable snow – even November snows there form a stable base. It’s still quite small but growing in fame.

Norus (Nooruz) Ski Resort (Issyk-Kul Region)

Norus has around 3 km of trails. As one of the lesser-known mountain ski areas, Norus sits at very high altitude (up to 3,048 m) on the slopes of the Terskey Ala-Too range. It has 2 chairlifts and boasts about 3 km of descent. Norus markets itself as Kyrgyzstan’s highest ski zone and even offers heliskiing opportunities. The terrain is steep and deep – an adventure for confident skiers.

Each resort has its own character, but all share clear weather and powder snow during winter months. Combined, the resort network in Kyrgyzstan currently offers around 90–100 km of pistes. This is modest compared to Alpine giants, but Kyrgyz slopes are uncrowded and wild. Skiers also love the backcountry tours available off-piste – the country has hundreds of kilometers more ski-touring routes in its remote valleys.