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.