This trip combines the two most impressive ski touring regions of Kyrgyzstan into one great traverse of the central Tian Shan: we start in the Suusamyr valley west of Bishkek, a lonely high plateau with a dry, continental climate and wonderful light powder snow, and then travel right across the country to the east, into the backcountry around Karkara and Jyrgalan, with a night in a yurt camp and authentic nomadic culture along the way. Two completely different landscapes, one common denominator: 12 days of untracked slopes and endless scenery as far as the eye can see.
CHF 3'690.00
Kyrgyzstan is rightly regarded as the most varied country in Central Asia, and hardly any trip demonstrates this more impressively than the combination of Suusamyr and Karkara/Jyrgalan. In the west, along the legendary Tien Shan Highway, the Suusamyr valley lies at around 2600 m: a treeless, wide high plateau with a continental climate, low temperatures and exceptionally dry, light powder snow. Alpine tours in steep terrain await us here. In the east, closer to Lake Issyk-Kul, Karkara and Jyrgalan offer an entirely different world: wooded valleys, mountain passes and the legendary hospitality of the Kyrgyz mountain people. Plus endless amounts of deep snow.
From Bishkek we drive over the almost 3600 m high Töö-Ashuu pass into the Suusamyr valley, past the impressive Ala-Bel pass at 3175 m with its breathtaking view across the plateau. We move into our comfortable accommodation at around 2800 m. The touring possibilities here are practically inexhaustible. Every day we discover new, untracked slopes and flanks in a landscape of plain, wide and raw beauty.
After several days in the Suusamyr valley we set off on the long but scenically impressive drive eastwards, past Bishkek and along Lake Issyk-Kul to the area around Jyrgalan and Karkara. Here denser, more varied terrain awaits us, with tree skiing, wide slopes and the chance of an overnight stay in a winter yurt camp – an impressive contrast to the open expanses of the west and an insight into the traditional nomadic way of life of the region.
We take care of the entire trip planning including all transfers between the two regions, accommodation and local guides on site. Every morning we decide together with the team which slope aspect and altitude promises the best conditions, and adapt the day’s programme accordingly. With a group of no more than 6 participants per mountain guide there is enough time for individual wishes and for plenty of powder turns in both regions.
The slopes in both regions range from gentler terrain to steepness of around 35 to 40 degrees, with a great variety of characters, from wide open slopes and airy tree descents to gorges and couloirs. Confident skiing or splitboarding in open terrain as well as experience with changing snow conditions are a requirement.
The vertical gain of most of the ski tours is between 1000 and 1500 metres. On top of that comes a long travel day between the two regions. A good basic level of fitness for a whole week of ski touring days is necessary. In good conditions, longer tours or traverses can be considered.
Arrival in the Kyrgyz capital, a walking tour of the city with a visit to the Osh bazaar and to Soviet monumental buildings, dinner with local specialities.
We drive over the Töö-Ashuu pass into the Suusamyr valley and move into our accommodation at around 2800 m. The drive takes approx. 3:30 hours and is scenically very rewarding. In the afternoon we do a first warm-up tour in the area to get a feel for the structure of the snowpack.
Over several days we explore the inexhaustible slopes of the Suusamyr valley, with evening relaxation in the in-house sauna. Among other things we ski wide, open slopes and are probably the only ski tourers or splitboarders out and about in this region.
A long but scenically impressive day of driving via Bishkek and along Lake Issyk-Kul takes us to the powder area around Jyrgalan and Karkara. A short stop at Lake Issyk-Kul is a must, because this is the second-largest mountain lake in the world. Because of its salt content the waters of Lake Issyk-Kul never freeze, which allows an ice bath for the bravest participants.
We explore the varied backcountry in the east, with tree skiing, wide slopes and a night in a winter yurt camp. In good conditions we can also do a fun horse-drawn ski tour or a snowmobile-assisted ski tour. This allows us to push far into the backcountry and reach unique descents and ascents.
Drive back to Bishkek and farewell dinner. Sadly this is where our trip into wild Kyrgyzstan ends. It was great having you along!
In Bishkek we stay in mid-range hotels or accommodation. During the ski touring trip we stay in traditional yurts, chalets or guest houses with nomadic families.
Suusamyr and Karkara or Jyrgalan show two completely different faces of Kyrgyzstan: open, dry high plateau in the west and wooded, varied terrain in the east. Together they give a particularly many-sided picture of the central Tian Shan.
A full day of driving via Bishkek and along Lake Issyk-Kul, scenically impressive but with a correspondingly long journey time (about 10-12 hours)
Considerably colder than in the east; because of the continental climate, temperatures below −20 degrees are not unusual, but in return the dry air produces exceptionally light powder snow.
In the deep, light powder snow of the region, skis with at least 100 mm width underfoot make skiing considerably easier, especially in midwinter.
In comfortable chalets with sauna or guest houses in the Suusamyr valley, as well as in guest houses and one night in a winter yurt camp in the east of the country.
January and February bring the biggest amounts of fresh snow and the finest powder; from the end of February it gets warmer and conditions change to grippy firn until around the end of March.
We adapt the day’s programme flexibly and choose slope aspect and altitude according to the current conditions; we have enough alternatives available in both regions.
