Amirsoy is one of those ski resorts where the potential is obvious, but the results can be varied. Modern ski lifts, new accommodation and some cracking sidecountry terrain provide some of the ingredients for a great experience. But it was not all that it cracked up to be.

Sadly, despite a promising forecast prior to our arrival, it rained for most of our visit to the area. A little bit of snow up high was not enough. Top to bottom descents were possible on piste but off-piste was dangerous and elephant snot. We did enjoy a pond skim though! Not something to brag about in February. Would have been a lot of fun if it had snowed. There was a sense from the locals that snowfall throughout the Central Asian countries is diminishing every year, so timing on a visit here is everything.

As a foreign visitor to Uzbekistan, the first impressions of the ski area are that it is like a small, well-resourced North American 'cookie cutter' resort with a massive focus on real estate development. That's disappointing. Aside from the restaurant food there seems very little 'Uzbek' about it. Given the amount of wealth on display in the capital Tashkent, Amirsoy is likely not about attracting foreigners though, but more about giving the locals incentive to take up a new and evolving sport. That's great but it makes one question whether it's currently worthwhile travelling to Uzbekistan to ski in a resort like Amirsoy? Given the dearth of local freeriders, if one can guarantee powder, then sure it’s worth it. However given there are no such guarantees here, perhaps the answer is to apply elsewhere.

Whilst the lift pass is not too pricey for the two modern lifts & pistes on offer, accommodation on the hill is another matter. Generally overpriced, the Amirsoy Hills hotel rooms where we stayed are noisy and poorly constructed. There are more affordable options at the base of the hill (at the bottom of the first gondola) or beyond in Chimgan, but both locations are desolate and charmless. Food options at night in the resort village are limited to three restaurants, one of which is more of a bar than an eatery. And that’s fine, the food is good without being exceptional. The service at each was excellent. During the day a street stall in the car park with a traditional oven serves tasty treats, and the 'Paul' cafe has exceptional coffee and food (but at a premium rate!).

Beyond skiing, there is very little to do at Amirsoy. Walking around even proved awkward with security guards, boom gates and a general sense of soviet-style paranoia keeping visitors ramblings limited to a small central zone. Getting told repeatedly to not take photos in a ski resort is a 'WTF moment' for sure.

There appear to be grand plans to have an interlinked ski area with the (still developing) neighbouring resort of Beldersay. When complete the region may be worth a visit for those interested in using lifts to get around. For anyone wanting to earn their turns, the clock is ticking for this place, so going sooner will be better than later.
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