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Anyone skied Kyrgyzstan or Kazakhstan?

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Skiing in the Kyrgyz Republic aka Kyrgyzstan is pretty good. Plenty of places to stay. It takes a bit to get used to things and easy to get overcharged. (Ripped) If you are planning to come over these parts of the globe. Let me know and I can point you in the right direction. Be Safe.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I live and work in Bishkek - Kyrgyz Republic aka Kyrgyzstan. Good skiing, if you anyone is coming across and need pointing in the right direction, accommodations etc. Drop me a note.
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
We (a group of Dutch friends - good skiers) are planning a 10-12 day ski trip to Kyrgyzstan and/or Kazachstan early March 2012. We want to do a combination of lift assisted off piste skiing, ski touring (maybe a multi day tour) and/or heli skiing (if it brings us to interesting places).

One idea is to fly to Almaty and ski near Almaty first (Chimbulak?) and then cross the mountains into Kyrgyzstan. Not via Bishkek but via the pass that leads to the Karakol area. Does anyone know if this is possible in winter (by 4WD)?

We would welcome suggestions on areas to go in Kyrgyzstan and Kazachstan. What are the best areas for off piste skiing? Any interesting summit or crossing we could attempt? Good heli options?

I read the posts here and am getting the idea there must be some great gems to find. I have been to Kyrgystan twice but both times were in Summer. Now looking foward to experiencing this beautiful country in Winter.

Thanks for help!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
http://www.snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=81126&highlight=
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
I would start in Almaty:

http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=1819389&highlight=#1819389

Big buzz for skiing there this year with hosting the asian winter games. Lots of new infrastructure and easy to get to the resort from the town then what looked to be some great glacier skiing to be had as you climb above the main resort high point.

Not skiied there yet but heading back in Feb. I loved the city.

Chimbulak is actually spelled Shymbulak Smile a first for me correcting someone elses spelling Toofy Grin

http://www.shymbulak.com/en/

You will need a visa from the london embassy if you are planning coming back into the country more than once, but if your just staying in the country then you can get a single entry visa for $95 (US dollars cash only) from the consulate services desk at the airport And make sure you get TWO stamps on your entry card ( most hotels will sort this out for you) if you dont then the police will give you a hefty fine.

For my money Id do the trip to the london embassy and get a multi entry visa to give you the flexibility as they are quite strict on keeping tabs on visitors.

The roads upto the Shymbulak resort are in good condition (better than many in UK) but beyond that they looked to be fairly 'interesting' to say the least and even in the summer our driver was not happy taking his hilux further than the resort (mind you is was brand spanking new)


Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Sun 6-11-11 21:12; edited 1 time in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
Thanks Roga and Kevin for quick replies! And thanks for correcting my spelling of Shymbulak Very Happy! I skied there one day in 2002. We planned to hike but it dumped 50cm powder so we had no other choice than to change our hiking booths for rented ski boots..

As for 40tribes, I am in touch with them but we probably opt to not stay at Karakol all week. I have been there 10 years ago as part of a fantastic one month travel in Kyrgyzstan (2002). Spent another 5 weeks in Kyrgyzstan to climb Pik Lenin (1997). What we are looking for now is great skiing and adventure. We prefer to do a combination of places. A friend is guiding for 40tribes and has been there last year as well. He says it's great. So curious to hear your experiences. BUt we will try other places.

So anyone with other ideas - please shout!
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
A visa is no longer required for entry into Kyrgyzstan if you are a citizen of most "high GDP" countries, including the UK. I'd assume that the Netherlands is one of those:)

The passes from KZ to KG near Lake Issykul are often blocked by snow in winter, but road improvements are always ongoing so who knows? Maybe ask on the Lonely Planet forum as folks there are pretty knowledgeable:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forum.jspa?forumID=13

Cheers.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Kazahstan still needs a visa so if you are starting in Almaty you will def need a multi entry visa. Good to hear that Kygy is relaxing the visa requirements though may mean that KZ follows suit
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 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
abartelds wrote:
We (a group of Dutch friends - good skiers) are planning a 10-12 day ski trip to Kyrgyzstan and/or Kazachstan early March 2012. We want to do a combination of lift assisted off piste skiing, ski touring (maybe a multi day tour) and/or heli skiing (if it brings us to interesting places).

One idea is to fly to Almaty and ski near Almaty first (Chimbulak?) and then cross the mountains into Kyrgyzstan. Not via Bishkek but via the pass that leads to the Karakol area. Does anyone know if this is possible in winter (by 4WD)?

We would welcome suggestions on areas to go in Kyrgyzstan and Kazachstan. What are the best areas for off piste skiing? Any interesting summit or crossing we could attempt? Good heli options?

I read the posts here and am getting the idea there must be some great gems to find. I have been to Kyrgystan twice but both times were in Summer. Now looking foward to experiencing this beautiful country in Winter.

Thanks for help!


Did you ever go to Kyrgyztan last year and how was it?
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
finkelberry, I went with 40 Tribes Backcountry last year and had a very enjoyable trip - look them up on Google and/or Facebook. They have had a bit of media attention over the last couple of months so there are links .

I posted a report of my trip on this website, but all the pictures don't work since the service which hosted them was removed (.mac by apple rolling eyes ) and I haven't bothered to put them back up. It was a great experience though. You can find a writeup and photos by the trip organiser here (see the sidebar for links to the Kyrgyz stuff)

http://offpisteskiing.blogspot.co.uk/2012_03_01_archive.html
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
this is a fun thread. Makes a change from "shall I go to La Rosiere or Ellmau?" wink
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