Gelon Ski Resort
A $300 million all-season mountain resort taking shape in Uzbekistan’s Hisor Mountains, combining modern ski infrastructure with Silk Road heritage and high-altitude Tajik mountain culture
$300M investment · 2027 Phase 1 target · ~100 km planned slopes · Kashkadarya Region
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About Gelon Ski Resort
Gelon ski resort is a planned project in Shahrisabz District of Kashkadarya Region in southern Uzbekistan. It sits near Shahrisabz, a UNESCO Silk Road city and birthplace of Timur. It is planned between the villages of Gelon and Sarchashma. No lifts or slopes are operating. For now, this is a project to watch, not a resort to book. The plan is being positioned as a future Uzbekistan ski resort. It is not yet developed as an operating destination.
Location and Geography
The site lies on the western slopes of the Pamir-Alay system. This part of the Hisor Mountains sits close to the Tajikistan border. The resort is being planned between the villages of Gelon and Sarchashma. No lifts or slopes are operating there today. The village stands at about 2000 m above sea level, with surrounding peaks above 4000 m. Hazrat Sultan, the highest peak in Uzbekistan, reaches 4083 m nearby. The area is about 80 km from the city. It is about 148 km by road from Samarkand.
A Tajik Mountain Village
Gelon is a predominantly ethnic Tajik settlement. Traditional architecture and local customs shape daily life. The village was closed to foreign visitors under a border regime. That restriction was lifted in 2018, restoring foreign access.
Project Status
Presidential Resolution PP-424 of December 2024 established a 2900 hectare tourism and recreation zone. The zone is set for a 30 year period. Preliminary investment is estimated at $300 million. The plan is spread across three stages from 2024 to 2030. Kazan Ropeways and the Gordeev Architectural Bureau from Tatarstan are project partners. The project is not yet under construction, and no lifts or slopes are operating. Keep this on your radar as a development to track. Do not book ski days here yet.
From Kazan Forum to 2027 Opening
Gelon ski resort runs from the Uzbekistan ski project agreement at the Russia-Uzbekistan Interregional Cooperation Forum in October 2023 to a target 2027 opening. Presidential Resolution PP-424 in December 2024 created the 2,900-hectare tourism zone and $300 million investment framework, with three Kashkadarya development stages for the Hisor Mountains resort running through 2030.
Initial agreement signed
Russian and Tatarstan partners discussed the project at the Russia-Uzbekistan Interregional Cooperation Forum in Kazan. Kazan Ropeways and Gordeev Architectural Bureau were later identified as participants.
Presidential Resolution PP-424
President Mirziyoyev established a 2,900-hectare tourism and recreation zone for 30 years. The resolution set a $300 million preliminary investment across three stages from 2024 to 2030.
Phase 1 details published
Project presentation revealed a 5.9 km gondola connecting Gelon and Sarchashma, four ski runs, 35 villas, a four-star hotel, visitor centre, restaurant, car park, and helipad.
Design nearing completion
Tourism Committee chairman Abdulaziz Akkulov reported design work was nearly finished but the master plan still required approval. At that point, the first phase was expected in late 2027 or early 2028.
President announces 2027 opening
On October 22, 2026, President Mirziyoyev stated the first phase should begin operating in 2027. This is the most recent public target, but a specific opening day has not been confirmed.
Phase 1 launch
The first phase is targeted to open with the gondola, four ski runs, hotel, and villas. This is a planning target, not a guaranteed opening date.
What’s Taking Shape in the Hisor Mountains
Gelon Ski Resort is a $300 million all-season mountain resort planned in Uzbekistan’s Hisor Mountains. The project is designed by Gordeev Architectural Bureau with lifts by Kazan Ropeways, a ropeway specialist from Tatarstan. The overall program spans Gelon, Sarchashma, and nearby villages across three development stages from 2024 to 2030.
Phase One — Targeted for 2027
The first phase targets a 2027 opening with a $100M investment. This stage focuses on the route from Gelon to Sarchashma, with a notably long 5.9 km gondola that serves as both lift access and scenic sightseeing. Plans call for 4 ski runs, 35 villas, and one 4-star hotel. A visitor centre with restaurant, a multi-storey car park, and a helipad complete the published Phase 1 package.
5.9 km
Gondola
Gelon to Sarchashma — lift access and scenic sightseeing in one.
4
Ski Runs
First ski runs on the Hisor slopes, terrain mix not yet disclosed.
35
Villas
Mountain villas alongside the 4-star hotel for Phase 1 guests.
4-star
Hotel
On-mountain accommodation with visitor centre and restaurant.
2027
Phase 1 Target
Announced by President Mirziyoyev in October 2026 — not guaranteed.
$100M
Phase 1 Investment
First stage of the $300M total across three development phases.
Full Build-Out — Through 2030
Phases 2 and 3 run through 2030 with a further $200M investment. These stages add 21 additional ski runs, bringing the total to about 25. The cableway plan includes a 3.8 km chairlift and a 2.9 km gondola. The full build adds 3 more hotels at 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star levels, plus 75 additional villas for a total of 110. Published attractions include an observation tower, zipline, rodelbahn (alpine coaster), and a sky park. The proposal calls for about 100 km of ski slopes and about 23 km of cableways, with capacity for up to 13,000 visitors at once and 4,000+ jobs.
~100 km
Envisioned Slopes
Ambitious planning target across all three phases — not confirmed built infrastructure.
~23 km
Cableways
Gondola, chairlift, and additional lifts planned through 2030.
13,000
Visitors at Once
Projected capacity when the full resort is operational.
4 hotels
Accommodation
3-star, two 4-star, and 5-star hotels across the full build.
110
Total Villas
35 in Phase 1 plus 75 added in Phases 2-3.
4,000+
Jobs
All-season employment including hiking, biking, and cultural facilities.
Wider Kashkadarya Vision
The Kashkadarya tourism program extends beyond the ski site to 6 mountain villages. These villages are set to receive $50M in tourism projects from March 2027. Taragay, Bashir, and Tatar villages are planned for ethno-tourism, while Sayyod and Suvtushar are planned for rafting and sport. The region targets 6 million tourists annually, with 2.5 million visitors since the start of 2026 and 500,000 to Gelon village alone.
⚠ Envisioned, Not Built
All Phase 1 figures are published plans, not verified opening-day inventory. The 100 km of slopes and 23 km of cableways are ambitious planning targets across all three stages through 2030, not confirmed built infrastructure. Gelon is a project to watch among Central Asian ski investments, not a resort to book yet.
Where Silk Road Meets Powder
Gelon sits near the Tajikistan border in southern Uzbekistan, on the western slopes of the Pamir-Alay or Hisor Mountains. Before 2018, the village was closed to foreign visitors for decades under a border regime. That regime was lifted in 2018, opening Gelon to the outside world. The village sits about 73 km from Shahrisabz, a UNESCO Silk Road city and the birthplace of Timur, and about 148 km from Samarkand, a major air and rail hub.
A Tajik Mountain Village
Gelon is a Tajik-populated village with traditional architecture, agriculture, and local customs that reflect Tajik mountain culture in daily life. The village sits at about 2,000 m elevation, with surrounding peaks above 4,000 m. Nearby mountain villages include Sarchashma, Kul, and Shut, each with its own distinct character.
~2,000 m
Village Elevation
Gelon village sits high in the Hisor range, with peaks rising above 4,000 m around it.
2018
Border Opened
The border regime was lifted in 2018, ending decades of restricted access for foreign visitors.
3 villages
Nearby Settlements
Sarchashma, Kul, and Shut are mountain villages near Gelon in the Kashkadarya highlands.
Food and Village Life
The local dish is ugro osh, a noodle dish with meat and root vegetables that reflects the agricultural traditions of village life. Village farming and local customs remain part of daily routine, with families working terraced fields at high altitude.
Peaks and Waterfalls
Suvtushar waterfalls are located near Gelon, a natural feature of the mountain setting. Hazrat Sultan peak rises to 4,083 m and is the highest mountain in Uzbekistan, standing above the surrounding highland landscape. The drop from the village at 2,000 m to peaks above 4,000 m gives Gelon a dramatic mountain profile. Day tours from Samarkand to Gelon village for sightseeing already exist, and the region targets 6 million tourists annually.
⏱ Suggested Itinerary
Fly into Samarkand → explore the Silk Road city → overland to Shahrisabz (Timur’s birthplace) → continue to Gelon and the Hisor Mountains. The full route covers about 148 km via Shahrisabz.
Snow and Ski Season
Gelon sits in the highlands of the Hisor region, where winter arrives in November and lasts into early May. The continental climate brings cold winters and dry, light snow. But the resort is not yet operating, so no ski season data exists for trip planning yet.
What We Know
Gelon village sits at about 2,000 m, higher than the Amirsoy base of 1,440 m. That higher elevation may mean a longer season, but this is not confirmed. For the Gelon ski season, target January and February for best conditions based on regional patterns.
What We Don’t Know Yet
No verified snow-depth records exist at the planned ski elevations. No snowmaking specifications have been confirmed. No operating calendar has been published. The resort has no operating history to check before planning, and future dates are not yet available.
How It Compares to Amirsoy
Amirsoy is the closest operational comparison in Uzbekistan. Its base elevation is 1,440 m, and its season runs mid-December to mid-March with about 70 percent snowmaking coverage. Gelon sits higher, but its season length remains unconfirmed. Use Amirsoy dates as a practical reference only — check for a confirmed operating calendar before booking travel.
❄ Best Time to Visit
Target January–February for the best conditions based on regional highland patterns. No operating calendar has been published — verify dates before planning your trip.
How to Get to Gelon
Samarkand is the main gateway to Gelon, about 148 km away by road via Shahrisabz. Samarkand International Airport receives flights from Istanbul, Dubai, Moscow, and other hubs, and high-speed rail connects Samarkand to Tashkent about 384 km to the northeast. A practical itinerary is to fly into Samarkand, explore the Silk Road city, then travel overland to Shahrisabz and continue to Gelon. Day tours from Samarkand to Gelon village for sightseeing already exist.
The Road from Shahrisabz
The road from Shahrisabz to Gelon covers about 73 km and takes 2 to 3 hours over steep, winding mountain roads. Allow more time than the distance suggests — the route is the final overland leg after Samarkand and Shahrisabz, and the mountain section slows the drive.
Samarkand Airport
Fly In
Flights from Istanbul, Dubai, Moscow, and other hubs. High-speed rail connects Samarkand to Tashkent.
~148 km
Samarkand to Gelon
Via Shahrisabz. The last 73 km from Shahrisabz takes 2–3 hours over steep mountain roads.
84 km total
Road Upgrades
21 km Gissarak road reconstructed, 33 km Khisorak-Gelon widened, 30 km Chirakchi-Shurkuduk upgraded.
Road Construction Program
Work is improving the approach to Gelon. A 21 km road from Gissarak is being reconstructed. 33 km of Khisorak-Gelon and Khisorak-Sarchashma roads are being widened to two lanes, and 30 km of Chirakchi-Shurkuduk road and Miraki-Khisorak highway are being upgraded to third-category. The program aims to reduce Samarkand to Shahrisabz travel time and open the Gelon corridor. Check current conditions before travel — mountain works and road construction can affect schedules.
How Does Gelon Compare?
Gelon is the largest planned ski project in Uzbekistan, with about 100 km of envisioned slopes, 23 km of cableways, and 4 hotels plus 110 villas when fully built. It sits about 148 km from Samarkand and 384 km from Tashkent. By contrast, Amirsoy is operational just 65 km from Tashkent with 22 trails and a 4-star on-mountain hotel, while Beldersay and Chimgan sit about 80 km from Tashkent with more limited accommodation.
| Resort | Status | Slopes | Lifts | Distance | Accommodation | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GelonPlanned | Not yet operating | ~100 km (envisioned) | 23 km cableways | ~148 km from Samarkand | 4 hotels + 110 villas | This page |
| AmirsoyOpen | Operational | 22 trails, ~25 km | 5 lifts, 6-seat Doppelmayr | ~65 km from Tashkent | 4-star on-mountain hotel | View → |
| BeldersayOpen | Operational | Established, more challenging | Cableways, 10-pers Doppelmayr | ~80 km from Tashkent | Limited | View → |
| ChimganOpen | Operational | Family / beginner | Multiple lifts | ~80 km from Tashkent | Limited | View → |
Ski Uzbekistan While Gelon Is Built
Gelon is a project to watch, not a resort to book — yet. While you wait for 2027, three operational ski resorts in Uzbekistan are ready to ski today.
Amirsoy
Uzbekistan’s newest and most modern ski resort, with a 6-seat Doppelmayr gondola and 22 trails across green, blue, red, and black difficulty. The 4-star on-mountain hotel makes it a full weekend destination.
Beldersay
A more challenging mountain with a new 10-person Doppelmayr gondola opened in 2024. Less resort-centric than Amirsoy but popular with experienced skiers who want steeper terrain and cable-car access.
Chimgan
The traditional mountain recreation destination, family and beginner oriented with multiple lifts and gentle slopes. Closest to Tashkent for day trips and a relaxed introduction to Uzbekistan skiing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gelon is still in planned development, so key details can change. Use the answers below for opening date, location, ski pass pricing, and how to get there.
Is Gelon Ski Resort open yet?
No. Gelon is a planned development project. No lifts or slopes are operating, and no skiing is available at Gelon itself.
When will Gelon open?
President Mirziyoyev announced a 2027 target for the first phase. This is a target, not a guaranteed date. The Tourism Committee chairman said design work was nearing completion in June 2026, with the master plan still pending. First phase could slip to late 2027 or early 2028.
Where is Gelon?
Gelon is in Shahrisabz District, Kashkadarya Region, in southern Uzbekistan. It sits on the western slopes of the Hisor Mountains, near the Tajikistan border, about 73 km from Shahrisabz and 148 km from Samarkand by road.
How big will Gelon be?
The full build-out calls for about 100 km of ski slopes and 23 km of cableways, with capacity for up to 13,000 visitors at once. Phase 1 starts with 4 ski runs and a 5.9 km gondola. These are planning targets, not confirmed built infrastructure.
How do I get to Gelon?
Fly into Samarkand International Airport (flights from Istanbul, Dubai, Moscow), then drive about 148 km via Shahrisabz. The last 73 km from Shahrisabz takes 2–3 hours over steep mountain roads. Day tours from Samarkand to Gelon village for sightseeing already exist.
Will ski passes be cheap?
No ski pass prices have been published — the resort is not operating. As a benchmark, Amirsoy charges about 500,000 UZS (~$39) for an adult day pass. Gelon passes may be in a similar range, but this is an estimate, not a confirmed rate.
Is Gelon bigger than Amirsoy?
On paper, yes. Gelon envisions about 100 km of slopes versus Amirsoy’s 25 km. But Gelon is a planned project while Amirsoy is operational with 22 trails and 5 lifts today. Gelon’s full build-out runs through 2030.
Can I ski in Uzbekistan now?
Yes. Amirsoy, Beldersay, and Chimgan are all operational. See our Uzbekistan skiing guide for details on all three.
What’s the snow like at Gelon?
The region has a continental climate with cold winters and dry, light snow. Winter arrives in November and lasts into early May in the highlands. But no snow-depth records exist at the planned ski elevations, and no snowmaking specs have been confirmed. Target January–February for best conditions.
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Read moreReady to Ski in Uzbekistan?
Gelon is a project to watch, not a resort to book — yet. While you wait for 2027, explore the operational ski resorts Uzbekistan has to offer today.
3 operational resorts · 1 mega project planned · Season Dec–Mar