About Uzbekistan

A New Dawn for Kyrgyz Tourism: Ski Resorts and Economic Growth
29 January 2025
A New Dawn for Kyrgyz Tourism: Ski Resorts and Economic Growth

Kyrgyzstan has long been dubbed the “Second Switzerland,” a title that dates back to the era of the country's independence. With its alpine meadows, snow-covered slopes suitable for any level of skiing, and picturesque gorges ideal for hotel construction nestled among coniferous forests at the foot of snow-capped mountains, the vision that was once mere talk 30 years ago has now begun to take shape.

This shift began when the head of state took personal interest in the matter, visiting ski resorts in other countries. Given Kyrgyzstan's unique natural landscape, only a handful of ski resorts and recreational areas—mostly established during the Soviet era—have operated, with the most renowned being in Karakol.

President Sadyr Japarov has taken the initiative into his own hands. In the current year alone, he has made two trips where, in addition to addressing political issues, he personally studied the experiences of partners in creating modern ski resorts. The Amirsoy complex near Tashkent served as the venue for an informal high-level meeting between the presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

During his visit, President Japarov sought to learn from the establishment of first-class tourism facilities where winter recreation meets high standards. He shared his impressions on social media, stating, “Ninety-four percent of our country's territory is mountainous. Each of our seven regions could host such ski resorts. Yet, we have virtually none. Why? Because since gaining independence, from ordinary citizens to presidents, we have focused solely on politics. We had daily protests and celebrations. Important sectors like the economy and tourism were neglected.”

Reflecting on his visit to the Amirsoy ski base, he expressed his amazement: “My colleague, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, built this high-level facility from the ground up. There are no words to describe it. It's impressive. So many people are employed here! Millions of tourists come to relax. The service level rivals that of Europe. Everything is top-notch, just half an hour from Tashkent.”

In mid-January, the president visited Altai, where he explored the operations of the Manzherok tourist complex. The landscapes there closely resemble those of Kyrgyzstan. Culturally and historically, this Russian region is also akin to Kyrgyzstan. “In Altai, you can still find place names, mountains, and regions that resonate with our toponyms, which holds significance. For Kyrgyz people, Altai is yet another ‘golden cradle,’ a sacred land that connects us with our history and inspires us spiritually!

I visited Altai and toured the new ski resort ‘Manzherok’ (translated into Kyrgyz as ‘Miin Jurok,’ meaning ‘Thousand Hearts’). Proper names generally do not undergo semantic translation into Russian; they are conveyed through practical transcription, transliteration, or the principle of etymological correspondence (transposition). This new leisure destination is partially completed, with the remaining sections under construction. It was essential for me to personally see the infrastructure, services, and guest house construction. I am now sending our chief architect and builders there so they can witness everything firsthand,” said Sadyr Japarov.

At the president's initiative, domestic specialists are being dispatched to missions in distant countries, primarily in Europe, which have extensive experience in constructing and equipping ski resorts. This is crucial, as emphasized by the president, in light of the commencement of the largest project in modern Kyrgyz history, “Three Peaks.” This project will create a tourist town featuring dozens of hotels—a cluster with a broad range of services and convenient transfers to the ski slopes of Jyrgalan, Ak Bulak, and Bozuchuk, where trails of varying difficulty (spanning a total of 250 km) will be established, along with lifts, cozy cafes, and other infrastructure for recreation and skiing. It is anticipated that this complex on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul will welcome its first guests by the end of 2025.

There are no comparable tourism projects of this scale in Central Asia. “Three Peaks” is expected to accommodate around 850,000 guests annually, create 4,600 jobs, and generate tax revenues in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Political analyst Timur Saralaev notes that a comprehensive approach entails the development of various economic sectors. “We cannot focus solely on resource extraction or tourism. By concentrating on just one area, the country risks becoming dependent, as was the case with Kumtor. Therefore, all sectors must work together, complementing and stimulating

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