Freeride Skiing Kyrgyzstan
On this Freeride Skiing Kyrgyzstan trip from Azimut you can explore the new frontier that is Kyrgyzstan.
Highlights
- An all inclusive trip where all the logistics are looked after for you including transport and guiding
- Support from an English speaking host
- Great free riding areas that are renowned for getting plenty of snow
- Visit regions with very few inhabitants that are still very little-known
- Stay in comfortable yurts
- Technically and physically accessible to all skiers used to skiing in all kinds of snow
- Plenty of ascent assist with snowmachine transfers to freeride areas
- Visit the city of Bishkek including time at the vibrant Osh market
- Everything in Kyrgyzstan is unique: the hospitality; the food; and the culture
Program
The trip starts with some warm-up time at the Karakol Ski Resort. Don't have expectations for fancy cable cars or other infrastructure. You'll get to experience how the locals go skiing, except you'll be exploring some great freeride zones that are likely to be untouched. Close to the large Issyk Kul lake, the region scores excellent lake effect snow.
Further to the northwest near the Kazakstan/Kyrgyzstan border, you'll visit Karkara and its fabulous scenery, friendly local encounters, and endless virgin mountains. You'll stay in a comfortable and well insulated yurt camp in the heart of the Tian Shan mountain range, which is only accessible with a skidoo. Over a few days you'll get a ride up to the numerous mountain passes surrounding the yurt camp, through magnificent Siberian woodlands located on the Kyrgyz - Kazakh border. Nearly every run requires a little skinning (10 to 20 minutes maximum) to reach the ridge. The downhill should be epic, with virgin powder snowfields and gentle slopes. At the bottom of the slope, the snow machines are waiting for the group to head up again, then skin again for more fun.
Picnics, meals and logistics are all sorted out so this trip is as smooth as the powder you may be lucky enough to ski through. After a hard day's skiing, a shower or a Russian sauna, you will be well fed by the cook whilst you chat and relax in the mess yurt living room with the local team.
See the itinerary tab for more information on the program.
Group
You can join a mixed group scheduled date trip if you're a solo, duo or small group. The minimum group size for mixed group trips is 5 and the maximum is 8.
Or if you have your own posse you can request a private trip and customise it to your liking.
Guiding
This trip will be led by an AZIMUT mountain guide from France plus a local English-speaking guide. The local ski guide will introduce you to his country and acts as a liaison with the people and local teams, and will ski with the group.
Ability & Fitness
The Kyrgyzstan Freeride Tour is suited to good skiers who are confident and capable in all types of snow and can ski at a good pace. Slopes may include a few short steep sections.
There will be short ski touring ascents of no more than 45 minutes to 1 hour per day, and these won't be highly technical, requiring no previous mastery of ski touring techniques. Good physical condition is required and you should be prepared to ski all day long. This trip is an ideal transition for a good on-piste skier wanting to become a good freeride skier (off-piste).
If you have any questions
please get in contact.
Lodging & Meals
Depending on the composition of the group, you may be with someone of the opposite gender. You'll be staying in comfortable hotels and yurts. Bed linen and towels are provided. Dinners and breakfasts are taken in local restaurants and cafés or at the yurt camp.
A single room supplement (hotels only) of €130 is possible, subject to availability.
The yurt camp is quite comfortable. The cosy yurts are for two people with a toilet and bathroom.