January 30, 2015

Kyrgyzstan Travel Information: Where to Find Ski Equipment

semeynaya-gostinica-prokat-lig-vidacha-1A lot of people ask me when the best time to travel in Kyrgyzstan is. That’s a tough question to answer. Every season has its advantages for travelers. Extreme sports tend to draw people to Kyrgyzstan either in summer or winter even though extreme sports are available during every season.   If you’re a fan of cold weather sports, then wintertime is the best time to travel in Kyrgyzstan because the country gets excellent snowfall. Ski resorts usually boast a snow depth of 1.5 – 2.5 meters, providing a picturesque setting for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy.

KYRGYZSTAN: TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR SKIERS & SNOWBOARDERS

Ski tours in Kyrgyzstan ranging from heli-skiing and freeriding to slope skiing and cross country skiing are all excellent wintertime options in Kyrgyzstan. (All of these tour options are also available for snowboarders except cross country.) Travel costs in Kyrgyzstan are relatively low compared to most European countries, making tours and independent travel very affordable for international travelers.

5436If you’re planning to go on either ski or snowboarding tours in Kyrgyzstan and want to get a better idea of what your travel costs in Kyrgyzstan will be, know that the price of your tour will probably not include the rental of ski equipment/snowboard equipment. However, as far as acquisition, your local Kyrgyzstan travel agents will be able to help you acquire all the equipment you’ll need (assuming you’re not bringing your own). Kyrgyzstan’s larger ski bases will have snowboarding and ski equipment available for rent on site and if you’re visiting areas other than ski bases, your local travel agents will be familiar with where you can rent ski equipment should you need it. Prices vary for equipment, so make sure to ask your local travel agent in Kyrgyzstan what to expect depending on your needs.

WHERE TO RENT SNOWBOARD & SKI EQUIPMENT IN KYRGYZSTAN

Sadly, a lot of the online travel information for Kyrgyzstan related to ski/snowboard rentals in English is rather outdated. If you’re an independent traveler in Kyrgyzstan and are in need of snowboard or ski equipment, I’ve recently compiled a list of businesses that are currently open (Dec 2014) and rent out skis and snowboards either in Bishkek or Karakol. The list is not exhaustive, but should at least give you a several good options to check out. I did not include all the on-site stores at major ski bases since those will be easy for you to access. Enjoy! (The following stores are listed in no particular order.)

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1 day

Heli-skiing / boarding tour in Kyrgyzstan

Wherever possible we accept private bookings from individuals for single heli day to join our guaranteed departure groups of skiers/riders. Due to several reasons we cannot accept more than ...

From 
$499
The price depends on a group size. The price 499 USD per person is available for groups of 12 people.
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8 days

Heli-skiing / Snowboarding Vacations in Suusamyr 8 days

The Suusamyr Valley is considered one of the most unusual ski resorts in Kyrgyzstan and is contained on all sides by protective mountains with summits that can measure over 4,500 meters. Fr ...

From 
$4190
The price depends on a group size. The price 4190 USD per person is available for groups of 13 people.
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5 days

Heli-skiing / Snowboarding Vacations in Karakol 5 days

Karakol heavenly ski resort is widely known for its great snow conditions. The region has mild winters with average temperatures of -5-15 Centigrade, long lasting season, loads of deep powde ...

From 
$2699
The price depends on a group size. The price 2699 USD per person is available for groups of 13 people.
More info
6 days

Heli-skiing / Snowboarding Vacations in Karakol 6 days

Karakol is by far one of the most popular heavenly ski resort in Kyrgyzstan. Located near Lake Issyk Kul, the world’s second largest alpine lake, the Karakol Ski Base is one of the best in C ...

From 
$3395
The price depends on a group size. The price 3395 USD per person is available for groups of 13 people.
More info
9 days

Ski and Snowboarding Vacations on Issyk Kul

Ski in one of the best unusual ski resorts in the world! Stay in a hotel that’s just a few meters away from a ski lift. Here you’ll find slopes for children, beginners, and expert skiers ali ...

From 
$1550
The price depends on a group size. The price 1550 USD per person is available for groups of 4 people.
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9 days

Skiing and Snowboarding Vacations in Suusamyr

Kyrgyzstan is one of the unique places where you can combine impressive ski adventures and culture exploring. As a country where 94% of the territory is mountainous, and where the population ...

From 
$675
Price from 675 USD to 1215 USD per person (the price depends on a group size). The price 675 USD per person is available for groups of 8 people.
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1 day

Backcountry skiing in Jergalan region

Ski your heart out in Kyrgyzstan's Tien Shan wilderness that is bursting with opportunities for great powder skiing.  Whether you are an experienced skier/rider or just starting out in the s ...

From 
$265
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8 days

Skiing Holiday and Snowboarding Vacations in Irdyk

Nothing beats a powder-filled adventure with good friends in the Kyrgyz Tien Shan Mountains and this yurt-based backcountry ski/splitboard experience in Kyrgyzstan is like none other. Handcr ...

From 
$
The price depends on a group size.
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5 days

Heli-skiing / Snowboarding Vacations in Suusamyr 5 days

Suusamyr is vast valley south of Bishkek - Kyrgyzstan's capital and biggest town. The place is known for its epic snow conditions created at 3,000-3,500 meters above sea level under really l ...

From 
$2176
The price depends on a group size. The price 2176 USD per person is available for groups of 13 people.
More info
8 days

Heli-skiing / Snowboarding Vacations in Karakol 8 days

Heliskiing around Karakol is popular because Karakol sits adjacent to the world’s second largest alpine lake, Lake Issyk Kul. The lake itself is 6,236 km² and rests at an elevation of 1600 m ...

From 
$4750
The price depends on a group size. The price 4750 USD per person is available for groups of 13 people.
More info