11 DAY RESORT & BACKCOUNTRY TOUR IN UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan lies in the heart of the shadowy Central Asian ‘Stan’ states, bordered by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. For over two millennia it has been the center of the region’s culture and part of the Silk Road that connects Europe with China.
Tourism in Uzbekistan is relatively new and ski tourism is even more recent with the first ‘international’ resort opening in 2019. The other ski areas are Soviet era relics with aging communist hotels, rickety lifts and an après culture that’s limited to cheap vodka shots dished out by locals. On this trip you’ll visit old and new ski areas which is all part of the adventure. There’s even an opportunity to spend a day heliskiing in a Russian Mi-8. If you’re not familiar with this machine, imagine an old school bus, put some rotor blades on the roof and at the rear end and you now have a Mi-8. They shake, they rattle, they roll and they carry up to 15 people for the cheapest heli-skiing you’ll find in the world.
Sightseeing in both Tashkent and Samarkand is a non-negotiable for any Uzbek trip. Tashkent was once the fourth-largest city in the USSR. It’s a wild and chaotic mess of socialist-era mosaics, monuments, modernist concrete patterns, street markets, and richly decorated metro stations. Samarkand is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. You’ll reach the town via the high-speed Afrosiyob Express train and spend the day exploring the ancient mosques, mausoleums and madrassas.
DATES
14 - 24 February, 2025
Tour Type
Freeride - Resort and Lift-accessed backcountry
Price
USD 3,550 per person
ABILITY LEVEL
Advanced
WHY TRAVEL WITH MINT
It’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. Mint Tours is a registered travel agent and a member of AFTA and IATA and conduct business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct.
WHERE YOU'LL EXPLORE
RESORTS
The resorts you’ll visit are all situated in the western Tien Shan Ranges. Due to its continental location far from the ocean, the snow is dry and stable, even on steep slopes. The topography is diverse - from slightly sloping clearings to aggressive gullies and long descents that can be over 2,000 vertical meters. Our local guides will make sure the descents are the best of your season, or maybe even your life.
RESORT - AMIRSOY
Amirsoy Mountain Resort is the biggest ski resort in Uzbekistan and doesn’t attract many international powder seekers so there’s no powder frenzy. The only potential crowds are of the sight-seeing variety which can easily be bypassed. There’s plenty of options for off-piste riding in the sub-alpine terrain. With a split-board set-up the backcountry options are plentiful, with ridges and bowls just a short traverse from the gondola.
RESORT - CHIMGAN
Chimgan is located at an altitude of 1200 - 1600 m above sea level and is surrounded by mountains. The greater Mount Chimgan (3,309 m) is the main peak and towers over the entire valley. The resort is equipped with several ski lifts and the length of the routes range from 700 - 1000 m.
RESORT - BELDERSAY
The ski area is situated on the slopes of Mount Kumbel. Just a 15-minute drive from our base camp, there is an archaic chairlift over 3 km long. It allows for a variety of descents near the resort and beyond its borders. Amazing views of the entire West Tien-Shan range are guaranteed.
TASHKENT
We start and finish in the capital Tashkent - the capital of Uzbekistan and also the largest city in Central Asia. In Tashkent, you can see both ancient monuments and modern mosques, stroll through oriental bazaars, learn about the history and culture in the capital's museums and, of course immerse yourself in the city's culture.
SAMARKAND
Samarkand founded in around 700 BCE, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, a crossroads of cultures and a hub of learning and trading – especially during the heyday of the ancient Silk Road, which passed through the city. A visit here is a non-negotiable for any Uzbekistan tour. You'll reach the town via the high-speed Afrosiyob Express train and spend the day exploring the varied sights, including ancient mosques, mausoleums and madrassas.
TOUR INFO
INCLUSIONS
✔ 8 nights accommodation (twin share), in a 3-star hotel, Chimgan
✔ 2 nights accommodation (twin share), in a 3-star hotel, Tashkent
✔ 7 days of resort and lift-accessed backcountry guiding with English speaking guides
✔ Sightseeing in Tashkent
✔ Sightseeing in Samarkand via the high-speed Afrosiyob Express train
✔ All breakfasts
✔ All lift tickets
✔ Airport transfers on arrival and departure day
✔ Transport throughout the tour
✔ English speaking local snowboard guides
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
✘ Avalanche safety equipment
✘ Flights to/from Tashkent
✘ Heli-ski
✘ Travel insurance / trip protection
✘ All lunches – expect to pay USD $5 – $20 per meal
✘ All dinners – expect to pay USD $10 – $30 per meal
✘ Any meals, drinks, snacks not listed
✘ Guide gratuities
DATES
Arrival day – 14 February, 2025
Departure day – 24 February, 2025
PRICE
Price per person – USD $3,550 per person, twin share
Single room supplement + USD $850
TERRAIN
On this tour you will ride a combination of in-bounds resort terrain, as well as lift-accessed backcountry. At times short boot packs may be necessary. Snowshoes/ Verts are optional. Guests will need to bring their own avalanche safety equipment. No rental equipment is available for this tour.
ABILITY
This terrain you’ll ride on this tour is suitable for advanced snowboarders and skiers with prior backcountry riding experience. You should be comfortable on black diamond runs, frequently ride/ski off-piste at a resort or in the backcountry, can confidently navigate any alpine and treed terrain and maintain a continuous rhythm and pace, even through traverses and flat sections.
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL DAY
Welcome to Uzbekistan. Make your way to the meeting point where your driver will meet you and take you to the. Check in opens at 4:00 pm. After check in, you’ve got some free time to settle in to your room. In the evening, meet your guide for an info and welcome session. Your guide will explain what’s in store for the tour, the current weather, run through equipment and answer any questions you have. Then join your guide for dinner at one of the local restaurants. It’s a great opportunity to get to know everyone on tour as most guests are travelling solo.
DAY 2 – SIGHTSEEING IN TASHKENT, DRIVE TO CHIMGAN
After breakfast check out of the hotel. This morning you will spend the day exploring Tashkent, the capital with your guide. The city was once the fourth-largest city in the entire USSR. It’s a wild and chaotic mess of socialist-era mosaics, imposing monuments and memorials, modernist concrete patterns, meandering street markets, and richly decorated metro stations. You’ll visit a huge bazaar where traders offer everything from clothing, fur hats and sultanic robes to electronic accessories from the founding era of mobile phones and fake football shirts. Stallholders seduce with fragrant spices piled into pyramids and stacks of pita bread, while women hawk cottage cheese and cream cheese in large plastic laundry bowls.
In the afternoon you’ll transfer by bus to your hotel in Chimgan. This is your base for the next 8 nights. On arrival, check in to the hotel, unpack and set-up your equipment for the adventure ahead. Then join the crew for dinner at the hotel.
DAY 3 TO 9 – RIDING IN CHIMGAN REGION
You’ll spend the next 7 days riding the surrounding resorts – Amirsoy, Beldersay and Chimgan. The tour itinerary is flexible so you can ride at the best resort on the day. Your guide will monitor conditions to ensure you’re scoring the best conditions as weather and snowfall affect each resort differently. Each day will follow a similar format:
Mornings – Enjoy breakfast at your leisure. Your guide will advise the departure time the evening before which is typically around 8:00 am. Each morning your guide will explain the weather and snow conditions for the day and advise the group where you’ll be riding. Load up the van and drive to the resort.
Throughout the day – Once at the resort the aim is to spend a full day on-mountain. Your guide will take the guess-work out of it and give you a locals perspective from day one. The plan for each day is different and you will do a combination of resort and backcountry riding accessed by lifts.
Evenings – On return to the hotel, you’ve got free time. Head to the hotel spa or sauna to relax, grab a drink in the lobby bar, or hang out with the crew. In the evenings join the crew for dinner before turning in for the night.
DAY 10 – SAMARKAND DAY TRIP
Check out of the hotel, load the van and the group will be dropped at the train station with your guide to take the high-speed Afrosiyob Express train to Samarkand. Samarkand founded in around 700 BCE, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, a crossroads of cultures and a hub of learning and trading – especially during the heyday of the ancient Silk Road, which passed through the city. A visit here is a non-negotiable for any Uzbekistan tour. You’ll spend the day exploring the varied sights, including ancient mosques, mausoleums and madrassas. After sightseeing, take the train back to Tashkent and check in to your hotel for the final night. Join your guide for the final night dinner at one of the traditional restaurants.
DAY 7 – DEPARTURE DAY
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check out. All good things must come to come to an end, and after a big week of riding, your guide will drop you back at the airport or train station and say goodbye.
HOW TO BOOK
To reserve your spot, email info@minttours.com with your preferred dates and one of our travel managers will send you a quote, availability and further information for the tour.
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS
A 50% deposit is payable to secure your booking. The balance is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
View our terms and conditions HERE