Karakol guided backcountry skiing tour

Explore the untouched slopes around the Karakol ski resort for 4 to 10 days, on this backountry skiing trip along with KMGA mountain guide Andrey.

Tian Shan

+1 Days

Jan - Mar, Dec

Intermediate

Description

Karakol is one of the best ski bases of Kyrgyzstan, with a wide range of slopes and good snow conditions. Today I invite you to join me for 4 to 10 days and enjoy a fantastic backcountry skiing trip in Kyrgyzstan.

Karakol is also the name of the fourth largest city in Kyrgyzstan, near the eastern tip of Issky Kul Lake. The Karakol ski base is located 7 km away from this city, on the northwestern ridge of the Terskey Ala Too mountains.

The Karakol slopes are suitable for all levels, from beginners to professional riders. The ski base has 4 ski lifts ant the base altitude is 2300 meters. Also, the ski base offers good accommodation options (you can check below this text).

The season begins in November and lasts until April, although the best time to go there is from mid-December until the end of March. During winter, daily temperatures range between -4 and – 7 C.

Most important, there is no reason to worry about snow, since the cover thickness is usually about 1.5-2.5 meters.

Find this backcountry skiing trip tempting? Then send me a request and we will start planning this great backcountry skiing adventure in Kyrgyzstan together. You can also check out my Ak Tash guided backcountry ski day tours!

Price includes

Guiding fee

Price details

The prices listed above are per day, per person.

Details

More info

Minimum group size: 3 people

There is a restaurant on the ski base. A three-time meal costs 30USD per person a day. There is also a ski rental on the base: equipment service and fixing, snowmobile YAMAHA V540.

Meeting point

About the guide

-Andrey

5.0

(11)

Mountain Guide

I was born in what is now Bishkek, the Capital City of Kyrgyz Republic (used to be Frunze, the Capital of Kyrgyz Soviet Socialist Republic) and live there ever since.

I started guiding professionally in 2004. I guide groups and individuals in technical and high altitude climbing, ski-tours, backcountry skiing, rock-climbing, ice climbing. I can also provide training facilities and organize trekking programs.

My main priorities in guiding are client safety and expedition success and therefore, my professional motto is “Never climb with strangers”.

In 2011, I finished my training with the Kyrgyz Mountain Guide School. The school is supported by Mammut and the Swiss and British Mountain Guide Associations and follows the IFMGA standards. Upon completion of the course and passing necessary tests I was qualified as a Mountain Guide. I am also qualified in mountain rescue and first aid by Mountaineering Instructor School in Kyrgyzstan (2012) and a member of the Kyrgyz Mountain Guide Association (KMGA) since the Autumn of 2009 where I serve as an instructor and examiner for the National Mountain Guide courses.

In my 13 years of guiding, I have worked all over Tien-Shan and Pamir in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and China and East Sayan and Lake Baikal areas in Russia. I have arranged several ski tour and backcountry skiing programs in the Ala Archa national park, Suusamyr valley, Kyrghyz Ala Too, Chong Kemin gorge, Kumtor glacier, and Terskey Ala Too.

In 2009-2016 I worked as a high altitude guide at the Lenin Peak (7134 m), Khan Tengri Peak (7010 m), Pobeda Peak (7439 m), and Muztag Ata Peak (7546 m). As a mountaineering expert, I also have participated in 6 expeditions.

Presently I have over 100 ascents of different difficulty. The most significant of them are: Pobeda peak (7439 m) 1 ascent; Lenin peak (7134 m) 13 ascents; Muztag Ata (7546 m) 1 ascent; Khan Tengri (7010 m) 1 ascent; Korona peak 1st tower ED2 Smirnov route, winter conditions; Free Korea peak ED1 George Lowe route, winter conditions; Bachachekey peak 4 routes ED1 Kusmenko, Shwab, Polik, Ilyshenko; Ak-Too peak TD route, first ascent, winter conditions; Tarasova(Slovenia) TD route, winter conditions; Simagina peak TD+ route, winter conditions.

My sport climbing level: 7a-7b on sight, 7c-8a red point.

Please get in touch with me if you are interested to come and discover the mountains of my region.

Languages

Russian | English

Certificates

KMGA | IVBV | UIAGM | IFMGA

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What people are saying about -Andrey

magnus

Great experience in Jyrgalan Kyrgyzstan - Very competent end experienced guide. Very involved in making sure we got the best experience. A must do and highly recommend it!!

I had an awesome climb with Andrey to the summit of Peak Khan Tengri in August 2019. Andrey is a terrific guide and climbing companion. This climb was a huge challenge for me, both technically and physically. Andrey was outstanding in his focus on having a safe climb while at the same time doing everything possible to enable me to reach the summit. He showed excellent judgment and resourcefulness in planning our itinerary and making adjustments when needed. He was extraordinarily patient with my shortcomings. His friendly and engaging personality was a great benefit as well. I can honestly say, my positive experience on Khan Tengri was due in no small part to Andrey. I look forward to climbing with him again someday.

I climbed the Pobeda Peak with Andrey in 2011. It was something very difficult to achieve but we did it. The most difficult part of the trip was the section from the highest camp to the summit because of the altitude (more than 7000m). That was also the longest section of the climb. Andrey and I worked together up to the summit. I trusted 100% in Andrey during the climb because I knew him very well. He is a real professional climber!

Martina

For our rock climbing week Andrey had put together a programm which was ideally tailored to our skills. He handled everything in a very professional and trouble-free way. Under his guidance we learned a lot and gained confidence to undertake more challenging tours for ourselves in the future. At the same time, Andrey is also a really nice guy to hang out with. We had lots of fun during our tours and in the evenings. Thanks Andrey!