€1860 / 6 days skiing
Dreamy snow-laden village vibes.
Ski-in/Ski-out wooden lodge.
Hearty home-cooked Turkish meals.
Vast terrain for touring.
Day tours, 800-1,200m vertical p/day.
Zero lift infrastructure, untracked snow.
Affordable flights via Istanbul.
Skiing in Turkey? Sounds almost like surfing in Switzerland — but it’s the real deal! The Kaçkars get hammered by storms off the Black Sea, bringing consistent dumps of maritime powder through early winter, then clear skies in spring — perfect for touring.
The best thing about skiing in the Kaçkar Mountains, Turkey, is the terrain. Come here for big mountain lines! Multiple north-facing alpine bowls with skiable faces and chutes are accessible on day tours straight from your lodge. Basically, everything you see is skiable. Daily vert ranges from 1,000 to 1,400m, and you’ll top out around 3,200m.
Two cosy lodges await in the villages of Yaylalar (1,900m) and Olgunlar (2,100m), run by warm-hearted locals. Expect twin ensuite rooms and roomy common areas heated by wood-burners. Turkish buffet breakfasts are monumental, and the evening meals don’t disappoint either.
Logistics are a no-brainer — fly to Trabzon via Istanbul with Pegasus, a budget airline, from any major European city, then enjoy a scenic 5-hour drive from the coast into the mountains.
Ski touring in Turkey: wait, what?!
Kyrgyzstan is a land-locked country slightly larger than Austria tucked between China and Kazakhstan in the middle of the Eurasian continent. Once part of the Soviet Union, today it is an independent country relying on tourism, perhaps the most liberal in Central Asia.
With the ‘celestial mountains’ of Tian Shan and Pamirs taking up to 65% of its territory, Kyrgyzstan is a perfect playground for outdoor enthusiasts, enjoying minimal regulations well away from the crowds.
Photos by Penny Kendall at Ski Zinal.
The country boasts an inland ‘sea’ of serene beauty — Issyk-Kul, the world’s second-largest mountain lake. It never freezes due to high salinity and underwater hot springs, which results in abundant snowfalls in the mountains around the lake’s southeast shore.
That is where the tiny mining town of Jyrgalan is located — 2,300m above sea level, some 60km away from Karakol ski resort and roughly 6 hrs drive from the capital’s international airport. With a population of just over 600, Jyrgalan exudes a charmingly rustic vibe — with cows, sheep, and horseback locals wandering around the main street.
Over the last few years, the settlement has grown in popularity with local and Western skiers seeking untracked snow while still based at the popular ski resort in Karakol nearby. They discovered Jyrgalan, with its textbook ski-touring terrain — countless gentle buttresses for safe uphill travel and downhill slopes for any weather, avalanche conditions, and ability of a group, including steeper wind-sheltered couloirs, shallow and fun fields, wide ribs, and forest runs.
Jyrgalan receives more precipitation than any other mountain valley around Issyk-Kul Lake. While not as light and fluffy as the ‘cold smoke’ powder of Siberia and not as deep as in maritime regions such as British Columbia, Kyrgyz ‘bottomless sugar’ snow is a delight to ski for many days after the snowfall.
Yurt-based skiing in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is the land of nomads, and for 3 days we will be skiing while based in a traditional yurt, purpose-erected for skiers and heated overnight with a coal-burning stove. You can bring your sleeping bag or one can be provided.
Located at 2,900m, 600m higher than the village and 11km away from it, the yurt camp enables access to untracked slopes as private as it gets. Getting there is a fun yet gentle 40-minute ride behind a skidoo holding onto a rope while our backpacks and other gear travel in sleds. There are a few passenger seats for anyone concerned about riding in tow.
The camp boasts a steam sauna, a power generator (located well away to keep things quiet!), a dedicated kitchen yurt also used as a common dining space, and a talented cook who never stops surprising! The absence of 4G signal contributes to the unique experience of sleeping in the heart of the mountains.
1 day of horseback-accessed skiing. No kick-turns.
During our ski trip in Kyrgyzstan, you will have a unique opportunity to experience skiing in Kyrgyz nomad style — horseback-accessed! There are slopes in Jyrgalan that are not normally used for ski touring yet can be easily accessed by well-treated local horses over gentle south-facing ridges with shallow snowpack, followed by ski descent in a shaded couloir with good snow. A peaceful and scenic ride will take us about 700 meters above the village in about 3 hours without breaking a sweat, offering a refreshing break from the previous 5 days of human-powered ski touring — all while minimizing your eco-footprint!
Rest assured, your skis will be securely carried by a dedicated pack horse, leaving you to enjoy the ride with just your backpack. No prior riding experience? No worries! Our experienced local horsemen will provide all the necessary guidance, and they’ll handle the horses’ return journey.
In case you have an allergy or just don’t tolerate horseback riding for whatever reason, a second ski guide is normally available to take you on a ski tour elsewhere.
Emma Lloyd-Davies2025-05-02Andrey is a great guide. He was incredibly helpful with tips and advice re kit etc before we even met for our trip and on the tour he was clear in his communication, considerate of all group members and adaptable to changing snow conditions and group situations. I'd happily recommend him to anyone looking to do some ski touring. He's particularly knowledgeable about central Asia and Georgia.
Fiona Hipkiss2025-04-07Giving you the punchline first, this was a fantastic trip in an incredible country. I’m always very careful selecting ski touring group trips with a focus on safety and quality of guiding. I’m pleased to say that Andrey has a sensible risk tolerance and looks after his group extremely well, while also of course making sure that everyone is having a good time. It’s a hard balance to strike. I respect his ability to do so. This is my first time skiing in a country that isn’t an obvious ski destination. I love that ski touring can be used to explore new cultures and remote regions. My particular highlight was staying in Ushguli, a UNESCO Heritage site, which felt like a huge privilege to experience before inevitable change comes its way. The mountains there are Alpine with the most incredible view to the mountain “wall” on the Russian border. If you’re looking for the absolute best snow and the deepest powder this trip is probably not for you but for adventure and cultural experience it is an absolute winner.
Catherine havard2025-04-02Andre not only took good care of us in the mountains, he also shared his passion and knowledge of the culture and food and his recommendations were excellent. A great trip which was well organised. Thank you!
Simon Baxter2025-03-23Skied with Andrey in Ridder. Long way to go from UK but epic snow made it very worthwhile. Excellent local knowledge for accommodation and eating. Get there soon before everyone makes the trip. Thank you Andrey and the team from Primal Scapes.
Christoph Keimel2025-02-23I just got back from a great trip to Kazakhstan with Andrej. It was perfectly organized, the food was great and the snow was spectacular!
Grant Fletcher2025-02-19Have just returned from an excellent trip in Kazakhstan, Andrey is a very competent and organised guide who I highly recommend. He was focused on delivering the best possible experience for his customers, and despite my mis-behaviour he was at all times professional and friendly. Thank you Andrey.
hewli1232025-02-17I spent a fantastic month ski touring with Andrey in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in 2025. Andrey and his local guides led us to some great snow and always paid particular attention to group safety and avalanche risk assessment. Logistics for the trip were very well organised. We stayed in a mixture of guest houses, yurts and log cabins, eating local food which added to the overall adventure. I look forward to joining him on another trip.
Jessika Ziegler2024-08-20It was a great trip. In German we would say: "It was a well-rounded affair". Thanks Andrew
Luna Ziegler2024-08-12We went with Andrew on a hikking trip in the Fan mountains in Tadschikistan. The scenery and the whole trip was amazing. Andrew was such a perfect guide, he spoiled us every day with amazing food, wonderful camping spots and it was so amazing that you can feel that not only the people who booked the trip were enjoying it also himself. he is living this adventure live at its fullest. we can only recommend you to go on an adventure with him!! thanks a lot for that time we will never forget
SHORT OF VACATION DAYS? Consider joining us for the second week of the itinerary only, at a slightly reduced price. Flying out from Europe on Friday gets you in Kyrgyzstan on Saturday morning, immediately followed by a private transfer to Jyrgalan to join the team. You then start skiing from Day 7 of the itinerary.
Upon arrival in Bishkek, typically around 5AM, you’ll be greeted by a driver holding a name board at the airport. A short transfer brings you to a centrally located upscale hotel, where a hearty breakfast awaits. After a few hours of rest, in the afternoon, an English-speaking guide takes you on a tour through the city, unveiling its Soviet-era brutalist architecture and sharing insights into its rich history.
Following breakfast, we embark on a scenic drive to Karakol along the picturesque shores of Issyk-Kul, the world’s second-largest alpine lake. En route, we stop to witness the ancient Kyrgyz tradition of eagle hunting, where the acclaimed master and his apprentices demonstrate feats of archery and falconry. The spectacular show lasts about 1.5-2hrs after which we are treated to a home-cooked lunch before continuing on to Karakol.
The town was founded as an outpost of the Russian empire in late 19th century and today is known for its ski resort. Upon arrival in Karakol, we check into our hotel, check our ski gear, run a safety briefing and enjoy dinner.
Weather permitting, we venture into the Tian-Shan Mountains, exploring routes in Boz-Uchuk, Aksu, or Turgen valley. A minivan takes us to the start of the route in 30-45 minutes. The roundtrip ski tour distance is about 10km with a total vertical of 1,000-1,200m and skiing with great views of Issyk-Kul lake and the surrounding mountains.
In the afternoon we visit 19th century Orthodox wooden cathedral and Dungan mosque styled as a wooden Chinese pagoda. In the evening, we unwind with a refreshing round of drinks at a foreigners-friendly bar in Karakol.
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Karakol and embark on our journey to the charming village of Jyrgalan. Along the way, we pause for a roadside ski tour, skiing the untracked powder of Kyrgyzstan mountains.
Jyrgalan is a cosy mining village with a population of just about 600 residents, with endless possibilities of ski touring right from the village.
We pick out spots depending on the current weather and snowpack conditions. Some routes start right from our lodge while other require 10-15 minutes drive to another end of the village. Most ascents follow gentle ribs up to scenic ridges, while descents are usually on fun 20-30 degree slopes. There are some tree runs as well. Usually we’ll have 2-3 runs per day with total elevation drop of about 1000-1200m.
As a rest day, we enjoy some laidback skiing accessed with about 3hrs of horseback riding — a unique experience that is only possible in Kyrgyzstan. One thing we can promise — no kick turns today! 🙂
If you don’t like horses, a second guide can take you for a day of a conventional ski tour at a different spot.
The yurt camp is located on a snow plateau at 2,900m a.s.l., some 600m above the village and 14km away from it into the mountains enabling exclusive access to high mountain terrain from warm and comfortable accommodation. It takes about 40 minutes of gentle ride behind a skidoo on a rope while our bags travel in sleds. There are a few passenger seats on skidoos for those who absolutely do not tolerate being towed by a skidoo.
The yurts are heated with coal-burning stoves and come with delicious and filling full-board cooked meals and invigorating steam sauna. Thanks to the absence of 4G signal, internet detox comes as a pleasant bonus.
Today we head for a longer run, potentially with views of 7,000m peaks on the skyline!
After a day of ski-touring we enjoy piping-hot meals in the yurts and head back to our lodge in Jyrgalan village.
A private minivan takes us back to Bishkek around the North shore of Issyk-Kul thus concluding the circumnavigation of the lake. On the way we stop for a quick excursion at Nomad Civilization Center near Cholpon Ata. We may also have time to soak at Keremet-Suu/Oruktu thermal pools.
Your guides
Andrew Golovachev, an IFMGA aspirant ski guide within the guides’ association of Kyrgyzstan, an avid alpine climber, and devoted adventure photographer.
Ran treks, climbs, ski tours and expeditions to Tajikistan Pamirs, Patagonia, Peru, Morocco, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Siberia, Caucasus and Kamchatka. A full member of the British Alpine Club. Professional avalanche education: equivalent of Canadian Avalanche Association Level 1 certificate.
Visited over 40 countries, lived in the UK for four years. Certified first-aider.
Kayaking on the tranquil waters of Issyk-Kul lake on the last day of the trip:
Accommodation and food
Based on our experience, the accommodation standards we offer on this Kyrgyzstan ski trip tend to exceed everyone’s expectations!
In Jyrgalan we will be staying at a classy hostel, offering full board delicious home-cooked meals, rejuvenating hot showers, and reasonably fast Wi-Fi. Subject to availability and our group size, we may have the entire hostel to ourselves, featuring cosy 4-bed dorm rooms and ski in & out access to the slopes on most days.
Food is hearty and keeps surprising us every day thanks to our skilled cook. While Kyrgyzstan’s national cuisine predominantly features free-range meat dishes, we’re happy to accommodate your preferences and intolerances. Just let us know in advance, and we’ll work with the guesthouses to provide a selection of delicious vegetarian dishes for you! Refreshing bottled beer is available both in the hostel and higher up in the yurt.
While based in Karakol, we will be staying in a small family-run hotel in European style with ensuite twin or double rooms and daily breakfasts included. We will dine out in the nearest restaurant that offers a fantastic selection of both European and Kyrgyzstan national dishes. Also, there’s a foreigner-focused apres-ski bar nearby! In Kyrgyzstan’s capital of Bishkek we will be staying at a centrally-located 3-star hotel with ensuite twin or double rooms and breakfasts provided.
Booking terms
Sounds exciting? It truly is! We love the place and would be happy to share it with you. Should you have any questions, please check out our FAQ section below. Alternatively, don’t hesitate to send us your inquiry using the contact form or WhatsApp.
We require financial commitment from the participants in a form of 20% deposit paid via a SEPA bank transfer or Paypal. The remaining amount is paid in cash or wire transfer upon arrival.
Cancellation policy
We promise a 14-day risk-free booking window: you can cancel at any point within two weeks after you put down the first deposit. This buys you time to sort out vacation and flights, to bring in your friends, etc. and not have to worry about someone else taking your spot on the trip.
In case of cancellation of the trip by the participant due to any other personal circumstances any deposits made are NOT refunded. At our sole discretion we may put them towards your future trips with us.
The minimum group size for this trip is 4 participants plus the guide. Should there be less, the trip will be cancelled and all deposits made will be returned in full.
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