Uzbekistan’s Mega Ski Resort in the Making
Amirsoy Mountain Resort – already Uzbekistan’s largest and most modern ski area – is embarking on a bold expansion that promises to transform it into a mega ski resort rivaling those in the Alps. Dubbed the Amirsoy Expansion Project, this multi-phase development will dramatically increase the skiable terrain (aiming for around 100 km of slopes) and add world-class facilities in the snowy peaks of the Western Tian Shan.
Spearheaded by Uzbek authorities and private investors, the project is set to elevate Amirsoy from a newcomer (it opened in 2019) into a premier international skiing destination. Below, we delve into what this expansion entails, why it’s happening, and what it means for skiers worldwide.
Amirsoy Mountain Resort: From Newcomer to Ambitious Vision
Opened in December 2019, Amirsoy Mountain Resort was conceived as Uzbekistan’s first world-class, all-season ski resort. The initial development, backed by €100 million of investment, introduced modern infrastructure on 900 hectares of mountain terrain.
Phase 1 saw the installation of high-tech Doppelmayr gondolas and chairlifts spanning about 2 km, along with Poma lifts and magic carpets, serving 11 ski runs totaling ~15 km in length. The resort quickly earned a reputation as the most modern ski destination in Central Asia, even being described by Lonely Planet as “next-season St. Moritz”.
Despite opening with a respectable 645 m vertical drop and runs for all levels, Amirsoy remained modest compared to global standards. However, from the outset there was a bigger vision: to eventually link Amirsoy with the older Soviet-era ski areas Beldersay and Chimgan nearby, creating a Central Asian ski domain akin to France’s Trois Vallées or Canada’s Whistler Blackcomb.This vision is now accelerating into reality with the Amirsoy Expansion Project.
Surging Popularity Drives the Expansion
The push to expand Amirsoy comes on the heels of surging visitor demand. The resort’s general director, Saidvali Saidkhodjayev, revealed that Amirsoy’s infrastructure was initially designed for just 2,000 skiers per day, but the resort saw an average of 5,000 daily visitors last winter, and is expecting up to 10,000 per day in the upcoming season.
This meteoric rise in popularity – fueled by foreign skiers from the CIS countries, the Middle East (UAE), South Korea, the USA and beyond – has quickly outstripped the existing facilities. “Despite €130 million already invested, our current infrastructure is not enough to meet demand,” Saidkhodjayev noted, citing the urgent need for expansion.
Indeed, Uzbekistan’s broader tourism strategy has identified winter sports as a growth engine. There are more than 20 ski areas across Central Asia, and over $1 billion is being invested regionally to upgrade ski facilities in the next five years. With visa-free entry for many nationalities (including 30 days visa-free for British and EU passport holders) and new direct flights to Tashkent from Europe, international access to Uzbekistan’s slopes has become easier.
These factors, coupled with the area’s reliable snowfall, have led to a boom in skier interest – and Amirsoy is at the center of this boom, necessitating a massive expansion to stay ahead of the curve.
Western Amirsoy: New Slopes, Lifts and Luxury Amenities
At the heart of the Amirsoy Expansion Project is the development of a whole new sector of the mountain often referred to as “Western Amirsoy.” In late 2020, the Uzbek government formally approved this second stage of Amirsoy’s construction, allocating €75 million for the project. Now well underway, Western Amirsoy will significantly enlarge the resort’s terrain and facilities:
- Extended Ski Runs: The expansion carves out new trails including a 16.8 km-long ski slope – a single uninterrupted run that will be among the longest in Central Asia. This will dramatically boost Amirsoy’s total groomed piste length (Phase 1 had ~15–22 km of runs) to accommodate more skiers. Additional freeride (off-piste) areas are also being developed to cater to advanced skiers seeking untouched powder.
- More Lifts & Connectivity: To serve the new slopes, additional gondolas and chairlifts are being installed. Notably, plans include eventually linking Amirsoy’s lift network with the neighboring Beldersay resort – effectively connecting the ski areas into one circuit. If realized, this interlink would allow skiers to move between resorts by cable car, vastly expanding the skiable domain. (The integration with Beldersay is targeted within the next five years, according to Amirsoy’s management.)
- Hotels and Lodging: To host the influx of visitors, two large hotels are nearing completion: a new 4‑star hotel (105 rooms) and a 5‑star hotel (101 rooms), adding a combined 350 beds of on-site accommodation. These will complement Amirsoy’s existing chalet-style cottages and provide upscale lodging for international guests right at the mountain.
- Dining & Après-Ski: Western Amirsoy brings an expanded village center with four new restaurants (2,400 seats total), vastly increasing dining capacity. Visitors can expect diverse cuisine and après-ski venues that meet international standards – a big step up from the limited options when the resort first opened.
- Infrastructure & Services: A multi-level parking garage for 500 cars with retail space is being built to streamline arrivals. A multifunctional center will offer equipment rentals (ski gear, mountain bikes, etc.), ski school facilities, and possibly conference or event space. All these additions aim to deliver a seamless experience even on peak days with 10k+ visitors.
Rendering or early view of the Amirsoy resort area with new developments, including expanded lift systems and accommodations.
In total, €30–40 million is being invested in these infrastructure upgrades over the next few years. And the expansion isn’t just about winter: year-round attractions are part of the plan. The resort is constructing a water park for summer fun, and even a 2 km-long zipline that will offer adrenaline-fueled rides above the alpine terrain. This all-season approach aligns with Amirsoy’s goal of becoming a four-season mountain resort, drawing visitors for hiking, mountain biking, and leisure in the green months, and skiing in winter.
Toward 100 km of Trails: Connecting Amirsoy, Beldersay and Chimgan
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the Amirsoy Expansion Project is how it fits into a larger mega-resort vision for the entire region. The Uzbek government has launched a parallel initiative to develop the “Beldersay–Chimgan–Nanai” all-season resort, just next door to Amirsoy in the same mountain range.
This ambitious development (led by French company Montagne et Neige Développement) is backed by $485 million in investment and aims to create an interconnected network of ski areas that has been dubbed “the Alps in Asia”. It is slated to partially open by the 2025/26 winter season.
According to reports, the Beldersay-Chimgan project plans for 60 km of groomed runs, multiple new lift systems (including gondolas reaching 3,309 m elevation, the highest lift-served point in Central Asia), and extensive tourist facilities.
At Chimgan specifically, a new gondola and cable car will ascend to the 3,309 m peak, and 11 ski slopes over 20 km length are being launched in the first phase. Modern hotels, adventure parks, and attractions like alpine coasters and via ferrata are also in the works.
Crucially, this new Chimgan/Beldersay development is adjacent to Amirsoy – and the long-term plan is to link all these zones into one giant integrated resort. By physically connecting Amirsoy’s expanded area with Beldersay and Chimgan, Uzbekistan could offer a continuous ski domain approaching 100 km of slopes.
Such a combined resort would easily be the largest in Central Asia, on par with mid-sized European Alpine resorts. It’s no wonder the project has drawn comparisons to France’s legendary Trois Vallées ski area.
While full integration may still be a few years away, steps are being taken: Amirsoy’s expansion includes provisions to “combine the cable cars with the neighboring Beldersay resort” in the near future.
If/when this happens, skiers might be able to start their day on Amirsoy’s new 16.8 km trail, hop on a connected lift, and end the day cruising the long slopes of Beldersay or the high bowls of Chimgan – all on one ski pass. The prospect is thrilling, effectively turning the Tashkent region’s ski spots into one massive playground for winter sports enthusiasts.
A World-Class Ski Experience at an Affordable Price
For international skiers, the Amirsoy expansion and the greater Chimgan area development are opening up an enticing new destination – often at a fraction of the cost of an Alpine vacation. Skiing in Uzbekistan is surprisingly affordable: lift tickets and lessons at Amirsoy cost far less than in Western Europe or North America, making it attractive for families and budget-conscious travelers.
“Compared to Europe, skiing with a family in Uzbekistan is affordable. Ski passes and instructors are reasonably priced, which takes the pressure off the holiday,” says one expat skier based in Tashkent. This value proposition is a key persuasive point for drawing international visitors.
Another advantage is the resort’s manageable size and layout, especially for beginners and families. Even as the ski area grows, it remains well-organized. “The size of the resort is perfect for families… you will never get lost, so it’s possible to let older children ski on their own,” notes the same regular skier.
Unlike the sprawling, at times overwhelming mega-resorts in the Alps, Amirsoy’s connected zones are designed to be navigable and safe, with plenty of gentle slopes near the base and more challenging runs higher up – a layout that lets mixed-ability groups enjoy the mountain together.
Importantly, snow conditions at Amirsoy are exceptional. The Western Tian Shan mountains receive a generous supply of dry, fluffy continental powder. “Uzbekistan has the best snow of anywhere in the world… better than Japan,” asserts Thomas Thor Jensen, a former Alpine resort operations director who now manages Amirsoy.
This might sound hyperbolic, but it highlights how dry Central Asian climate yields powder snow with very low moisture content – meaning it stays light, soft, and floaty. Even on sunny days, the snowpack in these mountains resists melting thanks to low humidity and consistent sub-freezing temperatures at altitude.
Additionally, state-of-the-art snowmaking systems from TechnoAlpin (the same used in top European resorts) have been installed to guarantee coverage from November through April. For skiers and snowboarders, this all translates to reliably good surface conditions throughout the season.
The expanded Amirsoy is also positioning itself as an all-season adventure hub. In winter, beyond regular piste skiing, visitors can enjoy freeride zones and heli-skiing in nearby backcountry (the resort offers access to untouched off-piste terrain in the lofty Chatkal Range).
In summer, the new infrastructure will support hiking, mountain biking, zip-lining, swimming, and climbing activities. The idea is that Amirsoy won’t go quiet when the snow melts – instead, it will buzz year-round with outdoor enthusiasts. This four-season model follows examples set by North American resorts and is relatively novel in Central Asia.
What the Amirsoy Expansion Means for Uzbekistan and Skiers Worldwide
The Amirsoy Expansion Project is more than just a construction plan – it marks Uzbekistan’s emergence on the global skiing map. For decades, Central Asia’s ski spots were relatively unknown internationally, with minimal facilities from Soviet times. Amirsoy’s rise, and its continuing growth, signal that the region is now serious about competing for international ski tourism. Uzbekistan’s government has made tourism (especially adventure and eco-tourism) a priority, and world-class ski resorts are a cornerstone of that strategy.
For Uzbekistan’s economy and locals, the project brings investment, jobs, and infrastructure to the mountainous Bostanlyk district. The expanded resort is expected to accommodate 15,000+ visitors per day when fully realized across three stages, and to create hundreds of jobs in hospitality and services.
Improved roads, power supply, and communications are being built out to support the resort (early on, lack of roads and electricity were challenges, but massive improvements have since been made. Furthermore, by attracting foreign skiers in winter, Uzbekistan can boost occupancy in hotels and yurts across all seasons, spreading economic benefits to nearby villages and the capital Tashkent.
For skiers and snowboarders worldwide, the expanded Amirsoy and the integrated “Alps of Uzbekistan” concept offer a new, exotic option when planning a winter trip. Imagine carving down long, uncrowded slopes with a backdrop of Central Asia’s stunning peaks, then enjoying a traditional Uzbek plov or visiting the ancient Silk Road cities of Samarkand and Bukhara after your ski tour – a combination of cultural and adventure travel that few other destinations can match.
Specialized tour operators already offer “Ski the Silk Road” packages where you can ski at Amirsoy then hop on a high-speed train to tour UNESCO heritage sites in the same week. In essence, Uzbekistan is crafting a unique ski-and-culture experience.
Conclusion: A New Ski Frontier Approaches
As the Amirsoy Expansion Project progresses, Uzbekistan is poised to unveil a ski resort of unprecedented scale in its region. With dozens of new runs, state-of-the-art lifts, luxury hotels, and eventually up to 100 km of interconnected trails, Amirsoy and its connected neighbors will offer an experience that rivals established Western resorts.
With a distinctive Central Asian twist. The slogan “Alps in Asia” may sound ambitious, yet every passing season brings it closer to reality: by winter 2025/26, the first phase of the giant Beldersay–Amirsoy–Chimgan network is expected to be operational.
For adventure-seeking skiers, this emerging mega resort in the heart of the Silk Road is an exciting development. It blends the thrill of modern alpine sport with the discovery of a new destination rich in culture and scenery.
Whether you’re drawn by the promise of empty powder runs and cutting-edge lifts, the novelty of a 16-km downhill run, or simply the bragging rights of having skied in Uzbekistan, the Amirsoy expansion is putting this part of Central Asia firmly on the winter tourism map. Keep an eye on the Tian Shan Mountains – the next great ski frontier is being built there right now.