Ski Kyrgyzstan

There’s been mechanised skiing in Kyrghyzstan for at least 50 years with half a dozen ski areas, several of them established when the country was still part of the former Soviet Union, and several heliski operators in the Tien-Shan mountains. Now more than ever there are increasing opportunities to ski Kyrghyzstan.

In the past decade the country’s government has increased its interest in winter sports and supported developments that have installed chairlifts, in some case accessing some of the world’s highest slopes.

Wherever you go you can get the national beverage – “kumyz” which is reputed to improve your health.

One of the country’s oldest ski areas is Orlovka, which was founded in the late 1960s by a group of enthusiasts. It has a good mix of terrain and a reputation for well groomed slopes that dates back to Soviet times.

It also claims to be the first resort in central asia to introduce snowmaking soon after 2000 and in recent years has added a new chairlift, modern trail groomers, floodlighting for night skiing and even offers a snow guarantee.

Another of the country’s larger ski centres, Issyk-Kul has skiing up to 3000m and five lifts while Kashka-Suu recently installed one of the newest chairlifts at any Kyrghyzstan ski resort.