Ski-tour of the Resorts in the Northern Tien-Shan

DURATION OF THE TRIP: weekend
DISTANCE: up to 600 km
SEASON: December-March

Come visit the ski camps of Zailisky and Kyrgyz Ranges, near the area’s biggest cities - Almaty and Bishkek. While based in these Central Asian “Bohemian oases”, it is easy to roam from one ski lodge to the other and discover new slopes every day. Kashka Suu resort is the proposed base camp in the vicinity of Bishkek. Dwelling conditions here are comfortable and reliable. In addition to several of the resort’s own downhill trails, the Kashka Suu mountain valley boasts 5 other lift-equpped ski slopes within 10 km around it.

Our proposed base camp in Almaty is at the recently renovated Medeu and Chimbulak alpine sports complex. From this Central Asia’s grandest ski resort, our riders can plan their ski tours to other slopes around. In addition to lots of downhill riding, our tours are filled with local excursions, cognitive and applied explorations of local culture. Specific itineraries will be adapted to suit the interests of each group of travelers. Every group is accompanied by an expedition doctor, ski instructor, and an interpreter as necessary. Presented below are short descriptions of the most popular ski resorts in the SEMIRECHIE region of Central Asia.

ZAILISKY Mountain Range

CHIMBULAK
The largest and the most prominent ski resort of Central Asia, is located within a 40 minute drive from the city of Almaty, above the Medeu ice-rink.

Chimbulak’s slopes are serviced by four chair-lifts, three pull-lifts and a baby-lift. The lifts operate daily: 10.00 - 17.00 during work days, and 9.00 - 17.00 on weekends. The chair-lift tickets price at 400 tenge (~$3) per ride, the pull-lift - 200, the kids’ lift - 100 tenge. To get to the highest point of Chimbulak’s trails - Talgar pass (3,163м = 10,377 ft), one needs to pay 1,200 tenge in lift tickets. A day pass costs 5,000 tenge (~$35), a half-day pass - 3,000 ($20). Сhimbulak offers different trails for professionals, beginners, snowboarders, and has a hill designed for kids. Total drop in elevation along the trails is over 1,000 m (3,280 ft). To get fit with gear (skis, bindings, poles, boots or a snowboard) for rent will cost 1,500 to 5,000 tenge. Prices may vary depending on the wear of equipment. An hourly charge for ski instruction during work days is $20, on weekends - $25. A group instruction (up to three participants) rate is - $15 on work days, and - $20 over weekends.

ALMATAU
Located 25 km (15.5 mi.) east of Almaty, near a village called Gornyi Sadovod. The lifts operate daily from 10.00 to 18.00. The resort features three trails ranging from 600 to 1,300 m (0.3-0.8 mi.), elevation drop: 300 - 350 m (984-1,148 ft). Absolute altitude of the most elevated point - 2,400 m (7,874 ft). The slope is serviced by two pull-lifts. A lift ticket costs 100 tenge for the 1,000 m lift and 60 tenge for the 450 m lift. Gear for rent: from 500 to 1,000 tenge/day, depending on the quality of gear. Instruction: one hour costs 1,000 tenge. Parking fee - 100 tenge.

Tse-S-Ka (ЦСКА)
Located in the Big Almaty gorge, a half-hour drive away from Almaty. Features a singe trail of 1,500 m (0.9 mi.) serviced by a pull-lift of 1,200 m, which is open to tourists on weekends from 10.00 to 17.00, on work days: 10.00 - 12.00 and 15.00 - 17.00. A lift ticket costs 100 tenge. Gear for rent - 300 tenge per hour for adults and 200 tenge per hour for kids. Instruction costs from 1,000 tenge per hour (group instruction) to 1,500 tenge per hour (individual instruction).

DYNAMO
Located at Kamenskoe plateau. Features a short single trail serviced by a pull-lift, which operates daily from 10.00 to 18.00. A lift ticket costs 200 tenge per hour for adults and 150 tange per hour for kids. Gear for rent: 200 tenge per hour (where the skis and boots are worth the price). Individual arrangements should be made for instruction. Parking fee - 50 tenge.

KYRGYZ Mountain Range

KASHKA SUU

Located in 35 km (21.7 mi.) south of the city of Bishkek, in a mountain valley called Kashka Suu. Elevation - 1,890 m (5,577 ft). The trails run in several directions allowing guests to ride in different styles and make speed-runs. There are 6 trails with an average altitude drop of 360 m. The slope is serviced by a chair-lift of 1,365 m and a new pull-lift - 861 m. A day-pass to all lifts costs $4, for kids - $2. The lifts operate from 10:00 to 16:00 in December, and from 10:00 to 17:00 by spring-time, a day off is Monday.

Gear for rent is of poor choice but costs - $8. There are 3 cottages with suites that sleep 2, 3 and 4. May host 67 people at a time. Lodging costs $7/day. Meals are served in a cafeteria, with a seating capacity of 60 at a time. Boarding with three meals per day menu costs $6-10. Kashka Suu resort features a sauna and a small ice-rink. Make sure to bring your own ice skates or book the correct size beforehand.

ORUU SAI
Located 40 km (24.8 mi.) from Bishkek, beyond the Kashka Suu ski camp, at an altitude of 2,200 m (7218 ft). Oruu Sai offers one beginner and one professional slopes, serviced by three pull-lifts of 750-800 m each. The elevation drops some 300-400 m (984-1,312 ft) over the course of trails. The lifts operate from 10:00 to 17:00 over weekends. A day-pass costs $4. On work days, one would have to pay an hourly charge. Gear is available for rent at $3 - $10/day. Lodging is suggested in the “Khizhina” (hut) in twin, 3 or 4 person rooms with hot shower. A day of stay here will amount to $10 - $50. Boarding at a cafe cost $5/day. The camp features a sauna, billiards, table tennis and a “valley of love.” In the vicinity of the camp, there are several other slopes, equipped with lifts and dwelling wagons.

ORLOVKA
Located 100 km (62.1 mi.) from Bishkek on the way to Lake Issyk-Kul. Three pull-lifts operate on weekends. A day-pass costs - 200 som (~$4). On work days one would have to pay an hourly charge. Gear is available for rent at 200 som (~$4) - $10/day. Instruction - 200 som/hour. Groomed trails run some 2500 m (1.6 mi.). A portion of the trail is illuminted at night. Lodging is available for up to 35 people in 2 or 3 person rooms. One may count on a three meal/day boarding. The camp features a sauna for 8 simultaneous visitors.

NORUZ
Located 45 km (28 mi.) to the South-East of Bishkek. Absolute altitude - 2,000 m (6,560 ft). Drop in altitude: 200-250 m (656-820 ft). The slope is serviced by two pull-lifts of 2,300 and 500 m each. A day-pass costs $5. Rent of gear - $7.

TOGUZ BULAK
Located in a mountain valley called Toguz Bulak (9 springs), 45 km (28 mi.) off Bishkek. The trail runs 2,800-3,000 m (1.9 mi.) and is serviced by a pull-lift. The slope’s width - 800 m (2,625 ft). A snowboard park and ramps are being constructed. The highest point - 1,900 m (6,234 ft). Altitude drops 400 m (1,312 ft) along the trail. Rent of gear costs $2 - $10/day.