Where
The location of the Kyrgyzstan stop is Jyrgalan, in the very east of the country. The trainings will be held in the ski resort of Karakol, 60km further west. It’s a very mountainous terrain with an abundance of snow fall. The massive Lake Issyk Kul creates a micro climate which is unique to Central Asia. The majestic lake doesn’t freeze in winter because it is fed by underwater hot springs. This phenomenon is causing an increase in precipitation in the eastern part of Kyrgyzstan. That’s exactly where you will be going. The snowy valleys of the Eastern Issyk Kul region.
When
The dates are fixed for 17-20 January 2023. The first two days we will organize training and avalanche courses. This will be done in the ski resort of Karakol on the 17th and 18th of January. The evening program is hosted in the Ryce Travel office on Zhamansariev street in the city center of Karakol. Please check the full program here
Who
The Silk Road Freeride competition is open for all freeriders along the Silk Road. These are the people we are supporting during our events. But to keep the spirit of the Silk Road alive, registration to the event is open for a limited group of international freeriders as well. We love to exchange knowledge, ideas and equipment. So you can book a tour to one of the Silk Road Freeride competition here.
Cost of Participation
Locals Two Day
Cost of entry: 150$
Includes: competition days, transfers (Karakol, Jyrgalan), access to prizes, event food
Locals Four Day
Cost of entry: 350$
Includes: 2 training days at Karakol Ski Base, Lift passes, competition days, access to prizes, event food, transfers (between Karakol, Skibase, Jyrgalan)
International Athletes
Athletes from non-SilkRoad countries
Cost of entry: 1400 euro
Includes: 7 days of guided experience in Kyrgyzstan, see contest program here, all accommodation, food, transfers (Bishkek, Karakol, SkiBase Jyrgalan), and competition entry.
Sunday January 16:
06:00 am Arrival of flights at Bishkek Airport (from Moscow/Istanbul)
07:00 am Breakfast near Ala Too square, Bishkek
08:30 am Photo moment Ala Too Square
09:30 am Transfer to Cholpon Ata
12:30 pm Lunch in Cholpon Ata
14:00 pm Transfer to Karakol
17:00 pm Check in guesthouse Karakol
18:30 pm Dinner in guesthouse
Thursday January 20: Fourth Day Silkroad Freeride Competition
08:00 am Breakfast in yurt/guesthouse
09:30 am Gather at Ice Bar Jyrgalan
10:00 am 1st official run for Freeriders
13:00 pm Lunch at Icebar
14:00 pm 2nd official run for Freeriders
17:00 pm Price Ceremony yurt camp
18:30 pm Dinner in yurt camp
19:30 pm Relax
Monday January 17: First day Silkroad Freeride Competition
07:00 am Breakfast in guesthouse
08:00 am Transfer to Karakol ski resort
08:30 am Welcome by the organization, coffee/tea @Kapriz
09:00 am Introduction of Freeriders, formation of groups
09:30 am Handing out skipasses and start of training
13:00 pm Lunch at Kapriz
14:00 pm Free afternoon
16:00 pm Après ski @ Kapriz
17:30 pm Transfer to Ryce Travel Hub
18:30 pm Shashlik/beer/presentations
Friday January 21: Optional Day Silkroad Freeride Competition
08:00 am Breakfast in guesthouse
Free day, most likely cat skiing with a small group
16.00 pm transfer yurt camp to Ak Suu hot spring
17.00 pm hot springs Ak Suu and continu to Karakol
19.00 pm check in guesthouse and dinner local guesthouse
Tuesday January 18: Second Day Silkroad Freeride Competition
07:30 am Breakfast in guesthouse
08:00 am Transfer to Karakol ski resort
09:00 am Training of freeride groups
13:00 pm Lunch at Kapriz
14:00 pm Free afternoon
16:00 pm Workshop at Kapriz
18:00 pm Return to Karakol, dinner in guesthouse
Saturday January 22:
08:00 am Breakfast in guesthouse
09:30 am Packing and leaving to city center
10:00 am City tour Karakol, Bazaar, souvenirs, photos/videos
12:00 pm Lunch and transfer to Fairy Tale Canyon
15:00 pm Short hike in the Fairy Tale Canyon
16:00 pm Continue to Bishkek
20:00 pm Check in Spa Complex and final dinner
22:30 pm Final words of organisation
23:30 pm Optional massage and having a nap in business class seats
Wednesday January 19: Third Day Silkroad Freeride Competition
07:00 am Breakfast in guesthouse
08:00 am Transfer to Jyrgalan
09:30 am Check in yurt camp
10:30 am Gather at Ice Bar Jyrgalan
11:00 am Start of cat skiing/ski doo training
13:00 pm Sandwich and drinks at Ice Bar
14:00 pm Cat skiing/ski doo training
17:00 pm Return to yurt camp/guesthouse Jyrgalan
18:30 pm Dinner (explanation of competition day)
20:00 pm Sauna / Shower / Games
Sunday January 23: return
01:30 am Transfer to Bishkek Airport
02:30 am Check in for return flight
WINNERS JYRGALAN 2020
Men
1 Timur Gubaev (Kyrgyzstan)
2 Aleksey Balybyn (Kyrgyzstan)
3 Vasily Nemshenko (Kyrgyzstan)
Men (intermediate)
1 Vasily Bhazninov (Kyrgyzstan)
2 Michael Kuzmin (Kyrgyzstan)
3 Timur Jumabekov (Kyrgyzstan)
Women
1 Lidia Zvoznikova (Kyrgyzstan)
2 Yuliya Polyakova (Kazakhstan)
3 Nataliya Kozyreva (Kazakhstan)
Karakol
The first two training days will be held in the ski resort of Karakol. The resort is situated at an altitude of 2300 meters and the top lift ascents till 3100 meters. From the panorama lift we will hike a little bit further up to reach the northeastern powder field. This will be the training venue. The ski resort has 3 chairlifts and we will arrange lunch at Hotel Kapriz, just down at the beginners slope.
Jyrgalan
On Wednesday we will move to the former mining village of Jyrgalan. The village is situated at 2200 meters and it’s one of the snowiest valleys of Central Asia. We will take all the participants up by snow cat and snow mobiles. To the finish line of the competition venue. We will do our best to have at least one test run before the qualifaction run. You will either sleep in yurts or in a local guesthouse to prepare for the final competition day on Thursday.
Transfers / Lodging
We can help you with accommodation and transfers. International freeriders can book our Silk Road Freeride package. Locals can contact us for accommodation or transfers from Bishkek or Almaty. There will be buses driving up and down to the ski resort of Karakol. And there will be buses shutteling between Karakol and Jyrgalan on Wednesday and Thursday.