Last January, we embarked on our first ski mountaineering trip,to distant Kyrgyzstan. Despite its remoteness, daily flights from Istanbul simplify the journey. During our 12-day stay in the Kyrgyzstan mountains, we skied for 9 days, experiencing incredible “cold smoke powder” snow for 8 of them. The snow in this continental country remains in its initial form due to minimal humidity impact and low temperatures.The only transformation that snowflakes undergo,is their fragmentation,initially due to their own weight and later as skiers pass through. This creates a spectacular sight at every turn, forming a cloud of “smoke”! Of course, for maximum enjoyment, wide skis are necessary (those with a center width of 105 millimeters are recommended as a minimum dimension)!

Kyrgyzstan’s winter tourism is in its early stages, with minimal tourist infrastructure. Early reservations are necessary due to high demand. Most villages we visited,had no more than 2-3 accommodation options . Our experience peaked,with a stay in traditional yurts at 2900 meters altitude, which we reached after a 14-kilometer, 40 minutes, snowmobile pulling journey.

The Kyrgyz hospitality and unique experiences, such as Russian-style saunas in the midst of nowhere, exquisite meals, and skiing in this valley, made it a rare and memorable adventure. Throughout our mountain days, we encountered no one else.

Transitioning from Gyrgalan to Karakol, we were hosted by a family of champion eagle hunters. After showcasing their eagles and a hunting demonstration, we shared a meal with them. Their hospitality was evident with warm smiles.

At the end of our journey, we visited Ashlan Bob, a village with over 10,000 residents primarily living off harvesting thousands of tons of walnuts.I’m this area we come across one of the world’s largest forests. Last season,the harvested crops were calculated over 3.000 tons.

These walnuts are known as Greek walnuts and as legends says, the first walnut trees in Central Asia, sprouted from nuts carried by Alexander the Great’s troops during their expedition.

Kyrgyzstan’s combination of natural beauty, cultural elements, and snow quality,positions it among the world’s top destinations for ski mountaineering. We will undoubtedly revisit in the future!