The Best Ski Resorts in Uzbekistan

Skiing in Uzbekistan offers an unexpected Alpine adventure. Nestled on the ancient Silk Road, the Uzbek mountains deliver breathtaking vistas and super-dry powder snow thanks to the country’s double-landlocked climate. International ski tourism only boomed after 2016, but the modern Amirsoy Mountain Resort – opened in 2019 – put Uzbekistan as a Central Asian country on the map for winter sports.

 For intrepid skiers it’s a dream: ski lifts are new and modern, slopes are pristine, and you often ride chairlifts with local families or snow-enthusiasts who are discovering skiing for the first time. The experience is enriched by Uzbek culture – from friendly, welcoming staff to roadside chai (tea) stands along mountain roads – ensuring any visitor feels right at home.

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Winter Conditions and Uzbek Hospitality

Season & Snow

 Uzbekistan’s ski season typically runs from December through March (with January–February as the peak months). Even before winter, some high-altitude areas can see snow, extending ski opportunities from late November in some years. Skiable terrain is still relatively modest: in total the country has about 19 km of alpine slopes served by around 15 lifts. But what the resorts lack in size they make up for in powder quality and adventure. Powderhounds describes the snow as “super dry” – ideal for off-piste thrills – and praises expanding options like freeride and heli-skiing tours into the Tien Shan peaks. 

Cost & Convenience

Wintersports in Uzbekistan is surprisingly affordable. For example, a full-day lift ticket at Amirsoy costs roughly 28.8 € (about the same as many Czech or Polish resorts). Accommodation and food are also good value, especially by international standards. The range of slopes means lift lines are short, and the all-inclusive vibe is welcoming – even on crowded weekends. 

Food & Hospitality

After a day on the slopes, enjoy hearty Uzbek cuisine and warm hospitality. Local menus (especially at resorts) feature familiar comfort foods like plov (savory rice pilaf), kazan kabob (braised meat), shashlik (grilled skewers), steaming soups and fresh bread. National Tourist Board sources emphasize that cuisine is “fragrant” and colorful, delighting visitors with unforgettable tastes.

Beyond the resorts, Uzbek people are famously friendly: guides note that “everyone who comes to this blessed land is welcome here” and that visitors often leave wanting to return. This warmth and the unique cultural experience add an extra layer of enjoyment to skiing in Uzbekistan.

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Major Ski Resorts in Uzbekistan

All of Uzbekistan’s ski areas lie within a few hours of Tashkent in the Western Tian Shan Mountains near the Kyrgyz border. There are three major ski resorts, one mega ski resort under construction and a few smaller resorts. We will start with the bigger ski resorts in Uzbekistan:

Amirsoy Expansion Project (Under Construction)

Uzbekistan has big plans to grow its ski industry. The visionary goal is to link the three main centers (Chimgan, Beldersay, and Amirsoy) into one massive ski area, rivaling the scale of France’s Trois Vallées or Canada’s Whistler. In fact, a government-supported project is underway to modernize the old Chimgan and Beldersay lifts and connect them with the new Amirsoy gondola network.

This “Central Asian Trois Vallées” plan would create 100+ km of interconnected runs across the Chatkal range. Beyond expanding existing sites, new destinations are coming. In late 2023, Uzbekistan approved a $300 million all-season resort in Gelon (Kashkadarya Region). Russian investors will build hotels, entertainment complexes and up to 8.6 km of gondola lifts in the Gelon mountains (near Shakhrisabz), aiming for partial opening by 2030.

Gelon sits at much higher elevation (up to ~3,000 m), promising long seasons and even summer mountain tourism. Other projects like the “Charvak Gates” development (around the famous Charvak Reservoir) and improved highway access are also in progress. In summary, skiing in Uzbekistan is at the exciting frontier – with modern resorts like Amirsoy already delivering comfort and steeps, and big expansions on the horizon. 

You will find dry Champagne powder, very low crowds, and an authentic cultural experience (friendly locals, delicious food, and Silk Road scenery). The blend of affordable lift tickets, new infrastructure, and Central Asian adventure make Uzbekistan a rising star for winter sports enthusiasts. 👉Read more about the Amirsoy Expansion Project….

Amirsoy Mountain Resort (Tashkent Region) 

Amirsoy is Uzbekistan’s newest and largest resort. Opened in late 2019 with ~€100 million investment, Amirsoy already boasts about 28 downhill runs totaling ~21 km (initially 11 slopes at 15 km plus additional runs added in 2020).

It offers a modern gondola and chairlift, 7 lifts in total, and well-groomed beginner/intermediate trails. The top station reaches about 2,275 m and the vertical drop is ~645 m. Resort facilities are upscale (chalet lodging, restaurants) and it’s just 65 km (≈90 min drive) from Tashkent’s airport. 👉Read more about skiing in Amirsoy….

Beldersay (Mt Kumbel) 

Beldersay Resort is just 5 km from Chimgan. It sits on the slopes of Kumbel Mountain. It has 2 lifts (one chair, one surface lift) and only about 3.2 km of downhill runs.

The trails here are steeper and more challenging than Chimgan’s, making Beldersay popular for intermediate skiers. (Weekends can be busy with local visitors.)

Lift ticket prices are low, but facilities remain very basic – a Soviet-era chairlift and a simple hill lodge. 👉Read more about Beldersay Ski Resort……

Chimgan Ski Resort 

Chimgan is the classic old resort about 80–100 km east of Tashkent. Chimgan offers a handful of ski lifts (including one quad chairlift) and several short beginner runs (the longest green/blue trails are around 1.5 km).

It’s picturesque, with views of Greater Chimgan peak (3,309 m) and the surrounding “Uzbek Switzerland” valley. Chimgan is great for families and novices but has limited terrain (about 0 advanced routes). It operates December–March. Note: riding in Chimgan’s old drag lifts or T-bar (locally nicknamed “shvabra”) adds to the Soviet-era adventure. 👉Read more about skiing in Chimgan….

Small Ski Resorts in Uzbekistan

Beside the major ski resort, there are some smaller ones too. They are suited for a nice day out or if you want something else after a few days on a bigger ski resort. You can find them below:

Zaamin (Zomin) Ski Area 

Located in Zaamin National Park (Jizzakh Region), about 3 hours’ drive from Tashkent. This high-altitude free ski zone has one long rope tow/zipline accessed via a gondola. It’s geared toward beginners and sightseeing – the single green trail starts at ~2,500 m and offers big valley views. The overall elevation range is 1,961–2,490 m, providing snow when lower resorts have none.

Pskem and Ugamskiy Ranges (Heli-Ski) 

For expert skiers, Uzbekistan is becoming famous for heli-skiing. Operators run heli tours from border regions (Pskem-Ugam National Park) north of Tashkent, dropping guests into virgin slopes up to 4,200 m. The Pskem region has a small lift area (2 lifts, ~3 km of prepared piste) suitable for intermediate runs, but its real draw is backcountry and heli-skiing. Uganda Sky tours highlight cheap day rates and exceptionally long descents on pristine powder.

Each resort has its own vibe, but all share friendly local staff and very low lift-ticket prices. For example, Amirsoy’s day pass (~28.8 €) is cheaper than most European resorts. With affordable equipment rental and on-site eateries serving plov and shashlik, even a long ski day in Uzbekistan can be very budget-friendly.