Ski Adventure in the Tian Shan
13 days of ski touring on virgin slopes around Suusamyr, Karakol and Jyrgalan — far from the crowded resorts.
Who it's for
Confident off-piste skiers / splitboarders comfortable on skins for 4–6 hours and aware of avalanche basics. Not for beginners.
Guides
IFMGA / UIAGM-certified mountain guide plus French-speaking local lead. Daily avalanche briefing.
Accommodation
Rustic guesthouses and one yurt night; hot showers everywhere.
Luggage
Ski bag + duffel + day pack with avalanche kit.
Ski Adventure in the Tian Shan
13 days of ski touring on virgin slopes around Suusamyr, Karakol and Jyrgalan — far from the crowded resorts.
Ski Adventure in the Tian Shan — 13 days
Backcountry ski touring on virgin slopes around Suusamyr, Karakol and Jyrgalan — far from crowded resorts. Stable continental snowpack, long descents, traditional yurt evenings.
14 days, 14 camps
Bishkek to Suusamyr
Drive over Too-Achuu Pass to the Suusamyr Valley — Kyrgyzstan’s premier ski-touring zone.
Ski touring at Otmok
Day skiing the Otmok Pass area: classic 1,000-m descents through wide bowls.
Suusamyr — second day
Second day skiing the Kyzart valley side of Suusamyr.
Suusamyr to Tamga (transfer
Long transfer to Tamga on the southern Issyk-Kul shore.
Kyzyl-Suu Valley ski tour
Day touring in the Kyzyl-Suu valley above Tamga.
Tamga to Karakol
Transfer to Karakol; afternoon at the Karakol ski resort for one lift-served run as warm-up.
Karakol — Turgen Ak-Suu
Day skiing the Turgen Ak-Suu valley above Karakol.
Karakol to Jyrgalan
Short transfer up to Jyrgalan, Kyrgyzstan’s prime ski-touring base — community-run yurt camp evenings.
Jyrgalan ski tour day 1
Touring above Jyrgalan in the Boz-Uchuk valley. Long alpine descents.
Jyrgalan ski tour day 2
Second day in the Jyrgalan zone. Longer ascent toward the upper basin.
Jyrgalan to Karakol — Bishkek
Descent to Karakol, long drive back to Bishkek along Issyk-Kul.
Karakol to Bishkek — return flight
Transfer to Manas Airport for the international return flight.
Notes
- All days subject to avalanche risk assessment; guide may modify or cancel a tour.
- Bring full ski-touring rescue kit; rentals possible on request.
5 stops
Included
- National-park permits and entry fees
- Accommodation throughout the trip
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Local guide on each day
- All ground transport during the trip
- La location of the horses : day 5
Not included
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips for guides and drivers
- La location of the matériel de ski de rando
Where you sleep
Bishkek hotel; rustic guesthouses in Suusamyr, Tamga, Karakol; community yurt camp at Jyrgalan. Hot showers throughout.
Ulan
Ulan is the co-founder and executive director of our tourism company. Passionate about mountains, nomadic culture, and sustainable tourism, he has been guiding travelers across Kyrgyzstan for many years, sharing both the natural beauty of the country and the daily life of local communities. Specialised in adventure travel, trekking, horseback expeditions, and ski touring, Ulan combines deep field experience with strong organisational skills and a modern vision of responsible tourism. Fluent in Russian, French, and English.
See all tours led by this guide →Things people ask
To book an EcoNomad tour, fill out the contact form with your dates, group size and the tour you have in mind. We send a tailored quote within 48 hours. Your booking is confirmed once a 30% deposit is paid; the balance is due 30 days before departure.
A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date is required. Citizens of the European Union, Switzerland, Canada and Australia travel visa-free for stays of up to 60 days. Some border zones (China, Tajikistan) require a special permit — EcoNomad helps you arrange these.
The main season runs from May to October. June–August is ideal for nomadic tours and high-altitude jailoos (summer pastures). July–August suits the high passes (above 3,500 m). March and April offer quieter spring landscapes. EcoNomad also runs ski-touring trips from December to March.
Our tours come in three grades: Easy (2–4h of walking a day, little elevation gain, family-friendly), Moderate (4–6h of walking or riding a day, passes above 3,000 m) and Demanding (technical hikes of 6–8h a day, passes above 3,500 m). Each tour page states the level required.
Accommodation varies by tour and stage: traditional yurts in the high mountains (summer), guesthouses or homestays in the villages, and 3-star hotels in the cities. This mix is intentional — it brings you closer to local people and the nomadic way of life.
All our tours include full board. Kyrgyz cuisine is generous: soups, grilled meats, fermented dairy and home-baked bread. Vegetarian diets are catered for on request at the time of booking. In the mountains, meals are prepared at camp by our team.
Travel insurance covering medical costs, repatriation and outdoor activities is mandatory. We recommend providers such as World Nomads, Allianz Travel or an equivalent. Make sure your policy covers horse riding and high-altitude trekking.
Several of our tours reach passes or camps above 3,500 m. Altitude sickness (AMS) is rare when acclimatisation is gradual — our itineraries build in gentle ascent days. Your guide explains the symptoms from day one and carries a first-aid kit and a pulse oximeter.
The local currency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). Bishkek, Karakol and Osh have ATMs accepting Visa and Mastercard. In the mountains and remote villages, only cash is accepted. Bring the equivalent of €200–300 in soms for personal expenses.
4G covers Bishkek and most towns. Remote valleys and yurt camps have little or no signal. Your guide carries a satellite phone for emergencies in areas without coverage. Take the chance to truly disconnect.
Bring a day pack (20–25 L) and a soft duffel or travel bag for baggage transfers. A detailed packing list tailored to your tour is sent once your booking is confirmed. Golden rule: walk in already broken-in boots, not new ones.
Standard cancellation terms: 30% non-refundable (deposit), 50% of the total between 60 and 30 days before departure, 100% under 30 days. Free changes before the deposit is paid. In case of force majeure (extreme weather), we offer a postponement or a credit note.
