KYRGYZSTAN
Contact for Dates
Ski Touring and Splitboarding
Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan
Itinerary
Day 1:
Fly from your location to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Rendezvous at IST with Terry, Rich and the team.
TBC Fly Turkish Airlines flight to Bishkek Airport (FRU).
Day 2:
02:45 Arrive Bishkek.
Transfer to Yurt Village.
Lunch & team meeting.
Possible short ski tour, orientation, and snowpack assessment.
Day 3,4,5
Ski Touring in the mountains around the main camp Area.
Day 6, 7, 8:
Move to ski and tour from the higher, more remote camp
Day 8:
Move Back to the main camp
Day 9:
8:00 Depart camp.
11:00 Spa/Hot Springs (Karakol, Ak Suu)
18:00 Arrive at hotel, Bishkek
20:00 Dinner at Navat Restaurant
Day10:
05:00 Taxis to the airport
TBC Turkish Flight TK Bishkek - Istanbul.
The Expedition
This is a skiing 'expedition' rather than a skiing holiday. A small team of up to 8 skiers embarking on a trip of a lifetime with 2 TDCski coaches, Rich Jones and Terry James Walker. Please contact us for more information or to book the trip.
We are heading to a sleepy ex-Soviet mining town in the Issyk-Kul region. There is still some mining activity, but the 350 residents are mostly subsistence farmers. We will be staying at a Yurt camp run by Slava, a local resident. Rich and Terry have skiied this trip many times and know the remote terrain well. Seeking and finding a uniquely beautiful mountainous area for ski touring in solitude. Crowded slopes leading to noisy apres-ski clubs, and cobbled streets strewn with perfume shops, is not what this trip is about!
The Camp
The camp offers warm, comfortable, communal living, with two sleeping/storage yurts and one cooking/dining yurt. There is a steam room/sauna and plenty of snow for the brave to roll in.
The camp is at around 2400m with daily trips up to approx 3000m. Temperatures can drop to -30 at night with daytime remaining below 0. A base layer and mid-layer should be sufficient for touring uphill.
The village and mountains have been a popular summer destination for a few years now, but Winter still has a relaxed vibe. This is a place to get away from modern life for a short while. There is phone signal, wifi and power (European sockets), however, we want to focus on skiing, wilderness, card games, relaxation and good whisky rather than social media.
The Ski & Snowboard Touring
We will tour each day from Camp, either returning for lunch or spending the whole day on the mountain. Longer days may include1000m (3-4 hours) ascent. This is not an 'Extreme ski' trip. We will be looking for interesting but mellow terrain and good snow. The highlight of the last trip, for Rich, was skiing powder in widely spaced trees.
Weather permitting we will go out night skiing by the light of the moon and stars.
This trip requires a good level of fitness and a love of the mountains more than expert skill levels for steep terrain.
Equipment
Skis: Go as wide and light! We recommend something 115 underfoot. The snow is dry and unconsolidated, making a floaty ski far easier more enjoyable.
Boots: Lightweight and comfortable with pin binding inserts for the bindings. You should be happy touring in all day in them.
Bindings: Some sort of Pin setup, for weight restriction. I.e. Plum Guide, Dynafit TLT Radical, Diamir Vipec, Salomon MTN.
Please ask for any further information, a full kit list will be issued. We may also be able to help with ski, snowboard, binding rental.
Costs
Price £3500. 30% deposit to reserve your place. Balance to be paid on 1st November 2021. Bookings to be made through terryjameswalker@gmail.com. Contact us for any further information, we would like a pre-booking phone call with all potential team members.
The expedition cost includes:
Return transport from Bishkek airport to the Yurt Camp.
3 Hot meals a day, Tea, Coffee and a Cook for the Camp.
Yurt Accommodation, with Saunas.
6 Days Ski Touring and coaching in a max ratio of 1:3.
Snowmobile transfers between camps.
Coaching in planning, performing and risk assessing a ski tour in a remote location. Coaching in remote navigation, communication and mountain hazards.
Spa, hot springs visit on route home.
Hotel and restaurant meal in Bishkek.
What is not included:
Return Flights to Bishkek via Istanbul.
Ski, Boot, Binding, Kit hire.
Personal Travel insurance we recommend www.world-first.co.uk
FAQs, Information & Links
The trip has a minimum number of people required to run. We will advise on buying flights as soon as the minimum participants are reached.
30% deposit is non-refundable. Balance is non-refundable unless we are able to re-sell your place.
Travel Advice is available on this link.
Health advice is available on this link.
Alpine & Ski Travel insurance is recommended from the BMC.
There is no pharmacy or medical centre in the village, therefore please bring any medication with you. Our first aid kit will also be extensive.
Video link for photos of the trip are here.
Video link to some of the skiing in the area here.
Video link to the camp tour here.
This section will be updated as more questions come into us.
Warm Yurts for Cold Nights
Dry Powder back to Camp
Earn Your Turns
Rich (and Tom), 2018
