Karakol Ski Week from Bishkek: 5 Days, 3 on the Slopes of the Tian Shan

5 daysPrivate tour

Three days of skiing at Karakol, one of Kyrgyzstan's biggest ski bases (2,300–3,040 m), with a private car and English-speaking driver-guide from Bishkek and four nights at a hotel in Karakol with breakfast and dinner. Mid-December to mid-March.

Karakol Ski Week from Bishkek: 5 Days, 3 on the Slopes of the Tian Shan — 1 / 11

Karakol Ski Week from Bishkek: 5 Days, 3 on the Slopes of the Tian Shan — 2 / 11

Karakol Ski Week from Bishkek: 5 Days, 3 on the Slopes of the Tian Shan — 3 / 11

Karakol Ski Week from Bishkek: 5 Days, 3 on the Slopes of the Tian Shan — 4 / 11

Karakol Ski Week from Bishkek: 5 Days, 3 on the Slopes of the Tian Shan — 5 / 11

Karakol Ski Week from Bishkek: 5 Days, 3 on the Slopes of the Tian Shan — 6 / 11

Karakol Ski Week from Bishkek: 5 Days, 3 on the Slopes of the Tian Shan — 7 / 11

Karakol Ski Week from Bishkek: 5 Days, 3 on the Slopes of the Tian Shan — 8 / 11

Karakol Ski Week from Bishkek: 5 Days, 3 on the Slopes of the Tian Shan — 9 / 11

Karakol Ski Week from Bishkek: 5 Days, 3 on the Slopes of the Tian Shan — 10 / 11

Karakol Ski Week from Bishkek: 5 Days, 3 on the Slopes of the Tian Shan — 11 / 11

1 / 11

About this trip

Karakol ski base lies in the spruce forests above the town of Karakol, at the eastern end of Lake Issyk-Kul: more than 20 km of runs between 2,300 and 3,040 m, four chairlifts, and lift passes among the cheapest in the region. January and February usually bring the best snow.

This is a private trip from Bishkek: your own car and English-speaking driver-guide for the long drive along the lake, the run up to the ski base every morning, and the way back.

The week at a glance

Day	Plan	Night
1	Bishkek to Karakol along the north shore of Issyk-Kul, about 400 km and 6–7 hours	Karakol
2–4	Skiing at Karakol ski base, 7 km from town; your car takes you up and back	Karakol
5	Karakol to Bishkek, drop-off at your hotel or Manas airport	—

Not skiing every day? Day 4 can be spent in Karakol instead: the Dungan mosque, built without a single nail, and the wooden Holy Trinity cathedral.

Good to know

Lift passes and rental are not included. In 2025–26 a day pass cost 1,400 som on weekdays and 1,700 som at weekends, and rental 700–900 som a day. Card machines at the base may not take foreign cards, so bring som.
The road along Issyk-Kul has no high passes, but snow and ice can slow it, so your driver-guide sets the timing.
A room to yourself: add it as an option when you book.
Flights: in winter 2025–26 there were flights from Bishkek to Karakol four times a week. If you would rather fly one way, ask us on WhatsApp.

Prefer the lake and the mountains without skis? See our Issyk-Kul tours.

Day by day

Day 1
Bishkek – Karakol
Your driver-guide collects you from your hotel in Bishkek or Manas airport at 08:00 for the drive east along the north shore of Issyk-Kul, with stops for lunch and the views of the lake and the snowy Kungey Ala-Too. Evening arrival in Karakol, about 400 km and 6–7 hours.
Day 2
Karakol ski base
The car takes you up the valley to the ski base, 7 km from town. Lift pass and equipment at the base's counters, then a full day on the slopes. Back to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 3
Karakol ski base
Another day on the mountain: the upper chairlifts reach 3,040 m, with long runs down through the spruce forest.
Day 4
Skiing, or a day in Karakol
A third day on the slopes, or a day in town instead: the Dungan mosque, built without nails, and the wooden Holy Trinity cathedral.
Day 5
Karakol – Bishkek
The drive back along the lake, with a stop for lunch on the way. Drop-off at your hotel in Bishkek or at Manas airport in the evening.