Every part it is advisable learn about touring and snowboarding in Jyrgalan, the last word winter vacation spot in Kyrgyzstan for skiers, snowboarders and mountain lovers.

In case you’ve ever daydreamed about carving down untracked slopes, bouncing out of bottomless powder and chopping lap after lap on first ascents, all whereas being in a distant a part of the world that only a few skiers or snowboarders have ever heard of, then it’s time to ebook a flight to Kyrgyzstan.

Having spent weeks and months snowboarding and snowboarding in Kyrgyzstan myself, together with Jarryd the co-founder of this journey web site on his personal adventures to his favorite nation, I can attest to simply how superior it truly is right here.

Whereas this Central Asian nation is already off the crushed observe, for an actual distinctive backcountry snowboarding and freeriding expertise, you may’t miss slightly city hidden within the peaks referred to as Jyrgalan.

Jyrgalan is an previous Soviet Coal mining village within the far East of Kyrgyzstan, on the foothills of the Tian Shan mountains.

It’s maybe greatest generally known as a summer time vacation spot, serving as a base for mountain climbing, mountain biking, and horse driving.

Nonetheless, it is usually rising in recognition as a winter vacation spot attributable to its superb backcountry snowboarding alternatives.

READ MORE: Take a look at our full full information to all of the issues to do in Kyrgyzstan in Winter!

Whereas ski touring is slowly gaining popularity, it’s nonetheless a picturesque sleepy little village.

You’re more likely to be sharing the pores and skin observe with some horses or cows than different skiers.

For people who need to escape the crowds, expertise Kyrgyz tradition, and have an journey exploring a wild panorama with many beforehand unskied traces there may be nowhere higher!

Snowboarding in Jyrgalan – Ski Touring Routes

There are numerous backcountry ski routes that may be accessed instantly from the village.

These vary from brief average angled slopes, to for much longer extra technical dedicated routes.

Listed below are 3 instructed starter routes, which all supply nice viewpoints the place individuals new to the world can get their bearings and scope out traces for future days, and a few enjoyable however not overly technical down hill snowboarding.

Char Jon Peak

• Uphill distance: 5km
• Uphill elevation: 800m
• Descent: South going through

It is a traditional summertime day hike, however works simply in addition to a half or full day ski tour relying in your health.

Route discovering is extraordinarily simple – simply comply with the apparent ridge up from the North of the Village on to the height.

From the highest you will have lovely 360degree panoramic views – Kazakhstan to the North, Jyrgalan village with a backdrop of the Tian Shan mountains to the South, and to the East it’s even potential to see Issyk Kul on a transparent day.

From the highest there are a number of choices for descent. You possibly can ski again alongside the ridge or drop both aspect of it.

The bowl on the West aspect of the ridge presents some good mellow powder meadows.

Dropping to the East aspect of the ridge requires a bit extra navigation, so ensure that to scope your line out upfront.

Competitors Face

• Uphill Distance: 4.5km
• Uphill elevation: 800m
• Descent: North Going through

This was the face used for the 2022 Silk Street Freeride Competitors, therefore the title.

From Jyrgalan village head West over the bridge. Climb as much as the plateau and head in direction of to huge rock (this rock known as Tulpar Tash, and a part of the Manas Legend). From there comply with the route proven within the photograph. 

The primary summit, “Heli-Ski Peak” is a pleasant brief tour of its personal with a number of choices for descents on North and East going through slopes.

Nonetheless persevering with on throughout a saddle and climbing as much as the upper peak to ski Competitors Face is very really useful.

The “traditional” descent is the north face of the height, which presents a pleasant brief however steep run (some sections are 55degree pitch).

For a better route it’s potential to return down the ridge slightly earlier than becoming a member of the identical north face however at a extra mellow gradient.

Chunkor Tor Peak

• Uphill distance: 8.6km
• Uphill elevation: 1100m
• Descent: North going through

An extended tour, however providing a superb viewpoint and quite a few descents.

Head West out the village, earlier than turning South to the apparent ridge working as much as the Chunkor Tor Bowl.

There may be typically a cat observe right here making for straightforward skinning and navigation. Don’t fear the cat can’t attain the height itself so you’re normally assured recent traces!

When you get nearer to the height flip off the cat-track and make your approach as much as the summit (see photograph).

The final part it’s typically simpler to take your skis off and bootpack up.

From the summit you will have incredible views of the Tian Shan mountains and Teresky Alatau vary.

The simplest descent is instantly again the best way you got here up. Alternatively proceed across the ridge for some extra technical traces (see photograph).

It’s potential to do a number of laps, snowboarding down from the ridge into the bowl after which skinning again up, selecting a extra technical/difficult line every time.

Jyrgalan Snowboarding Information – What You Have to Know

Let’s dive into the logistics of snowboarding in Jyrgalan, reminiscent of how one can get right here, the place to remain and extra.

How Do I Get to Jyrgalan?

Bus quantity 331 leaves 3 occasions per day from Ak-Tilek Bazaar in Karakol (08:30, 11:30, and 17:30).

Buses return from the village to Karakol 3 occasions per day (07:30, 11:30, 17:30).

Alternatively you may prepare a non-public automobile switch by means of Vacation spot Jyrgalan ([email protected]).

READ MORE: See what else you may stand up to within the nation with our private information to the highest issues to do in Kyrgyzstan!

Accomodation in Jyrgalan

There are quite a few decisions of accomodation to go well with totally different tastes and budgets. They are often considered and reserved by means of the Reserving.com web site.

Ala Kol guesthouse is a selected winter favorite attributable to its glorious banya (Russian type sauna).

The homeowners Emil and Gulmira are additionally incredible individuals, and have turn out to be good buddies of ours over time from us at all times staying right here after we’re on the town.

It’s additionally the preferred place to remain in Jyrgalan, so be sure you ebook forward.

Backcountry Ski Yurts

For an much more distant expertise it’s potential to journey out the village deeper into the mountains and keep in a backcountry yurt.

Tyup Valley and “Jyrgalan Heights” (a summer time jailoo positioned round 9km from the village up the Jyrgalan valley) are the preferred decisions.

For enquiries/bookings contact Ryce Journey ([email protected]).

Are There Chair Lifts in Jyrgalan?

There aren’t any chairlifts/gondolas in Jyrgalan, nevertheless for these seeking to exert rather less vitality there are a selection of alternate methods up.

Horse Snowboarding / Skidoo / Cat Snowboarding in Jyrgalan

For the true Kyrgyz nomad expertise it’s potential to journey horses up and ski down. A extra fashionable and sooner strategy is to make use of skidoos.

Each these choices might be organised by means of Vacation spot Jyrgalan ([email protected]).

Alternatively for bigger teams there may be the choice to make use of a snow cat (Pistenbully 300 Polar with a hand-crafted cabin that may transport as much as 16 individuals).

For enquiries and reservations contact Ryce Journey ([email protected])

When is the Greatest Time to Go Ski Touring in Jyrgalan?

The snow sample for Jyrgalan tends to be one huge dump each 1 or 2 weeks slightly than plenty of common smaller storms.

This works completely because it maximises clear days for ski touring, and there are so few skiers it’s simple to search out recent tracks even 2 weeks after the final storm.

A complete 4-6m of snowfall over the winter is regular, with the perfect time for snowboarding in Jyrgalan normally being mid-January to mid-March. 

Temperatures for this time vary from as little as -15 celsius to round 0 celsius. So it is advisable come ready with clothes for each chilly and comparatively delicate.

READ MORE: Take a look at the perfect day hikes in Jyrgalan should you are available summer time!

Can You Lease Snowboarding or Snowboarding Gear in City?

Most ski tourers convey their very own gear, and having acquainted gear you’re comfy with is beneficial.

Nonetheless, it’s actually not unimaginable to search out good ski gear from high Western manufacturers in Kyrgyzstan.

Ski/splitboard alternative is a private factor, however one thing designed with good float in delicate powder is really useful.

In Jyrgalan you may lease backcountry security gear (transceiver, probe, shovel) and there’s a restricted provide of skis and cut up boards accessible to lease.

As a result of restricted provide it’s greatest to order upfront by means of Vacation spot Jyrgalan to keep away from disappointment ([email protected])

A wider collection of skis, for each rental and buy, is on the market in Karakol which is the final huge city on the street to Jyrgalan.

Security

Backcountry snowboarding is doubtlessly harmful. Try to be conscious of avalanche hazard, carry appropriate gear (transceiver, shovel, probe) and know how one can use it.

If you’re not skilled sufficient to make protected backcountry choices it’s nicely value utilizing an area information.

We’ll say it once more for the individuals within the again – If you’re not skilled and skilled with avalanche rescue and backcountry security, rent a information who’s!

Guiding

A information just isn’t obligatory on this space. Nonetheless, an skilled information can actually assist make for a extra pleasant journey, discovering the perfect snow situations, and displaying you areas you won’t have in any other case found by yourself, and preserving you protected.

Lydia Zvozikova is one extremely really useful and skilled native information.

She could be very conversant in the Jyrgalan space, in addition to a earlier Silk Street Freeride Competitors winner.

You possibly can contact her instantly by means of:

• WhatsApp: +996 555 62 18 41
• Instagram: @Lidiia_guide

Different Winter Actions in Jyrgalan 

Whereas this text focuses on ski touring, there are many various winter actions for non skiers reminiscent of snowshoeing, horse driving, and snowmobiling.

For any questions or additional details about all issues Jyrgalan, each winter and summer time, Vacation spot Jyrgalan is the perfect contact level.