KYRGYZSTAN

SELF-GUIDED SKI & SPLITBOARD TOURS

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For the most diehard ski bums, we offer self-guided yurt reservations. All self-guided stays are fully catered, so you and your crew can spend long days getting after it, enjoy the luxury of returning to warm yurts and a mighty meal, and not worry about whose turn it is to get the morning coffee fired up!

REQUIREMENTS

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GROUP SIZE

Min 4-Max 6 (please contact us to discuss groups larger than 6)

MINIMUM STAY

4 nights/5 days

EXPERIENCE

Participants must be advanced to expert level skiers or snowboarders, with at least 3 years off-piste/backcountry experience. All group members must have completed a level 1 (or equivalent) avalanche safety course and wilderness medical training is additionally recommended. Glacier travel/ski mountaineering experience is not required.

PHYSICAL FITNESS

Participants must be in excellent physical condition and comfortable touring for long distances carrying their own backcountry packs. Single tours from the yurts typically range from 400-1000m in vertical gain, to maximum elevations of around 3,600m.

GEAR

We strongly recommend fat powder skis (minimum 115mm underfoot…the fatter the better!) and splitboards for snowboarders. Trust us on this one. Kyrgyzstan’s "bottomless" continental snowpack is one of the most unique in the world. You must be able to float big freeride-style turns, at speed. All group members must additionally be prepared with essential touring, avalanche safety, and emergency response gear. Group medical kit and satellite phone or emergency beacon also recommended.

DATES & AVAILABILITY

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The Jalpak Tash Yurts are open to self-guided reservations for a select number of weeks each season. For 2026 we are offering 2 weeks in March, immediately following our guided season. This is typically a great time of year with a deeper and more consolidated snowpack, warmer temps, and longer days. While chances are slim that you’ll be the first to ride the classics, the deeper/more technical lines typically don't get touched by our guided groups, so for the right crew who is strong and motivated, there will be plenty of options to sniff out first tracks. And even if you don’t plan on venturing far, the great thing about these weeks is that essential skintrack infrastructure will already be in place, meaning easier route finding and increased efficiency, and there will be plenty of visual clues indicating how the snowpack has been behaving and what has been riding well.

WINTER 2026

WK1: March 8-14 (BOOKED)

WK2: March 15-21 (AVAILABLE)

Please inquire about custom dates.

Dates marked “available” are yours with a 20% deposit. Dates marked "requested" will become available again if the requesting group is unable to confirm their reservation within 3 weeks. If your preferred week is either requested or booked, you are welcome to submit a waitlist inquiry.

EXPERIENCE & PHOTO GALLERY

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We have dedicated an entire page to describing the experience of a week spent at our yurts. For an even deeper look, be sure to scope these photo galleries from guided weeks past.

HIRE A LOCAL GUIDE

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The Kyrgyzstan Mountain Guides Association (KMGA) was established with help from Mammut and the IFMGA, who initiated a training program for local guides in 2008. Today the KMGA is a resource for groups looking to hire a local ski/mountain guide. We are happy to offer self-guided pricing to all groups who hire a KMGA certified guide, however the requirements we have set forth for all group members will still apply. Check out the “Find a guide” tool on the KMGA website, or contact us if you would like us to connect you with KMGA guides who have been to and guided from the 40 Tribes yurts.

WHAT ELSE

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THE YURTS ARE ALL YOURS!

Our private yurt camp—the most epic basecamp setup in all of Central Asia—is all yours when you book a self-guided stay. The camp features 3 yurts: one kitchen/dining yurt and separate sleeping yurts, all heated by wood burning stoves and cared for by our local partners. The location of our camp provides immediate access to the surrounding terrain from a starting elevation of 2,550m.

VILLAGE STAY

Our self-guided packages include an overnight stay with our partner family on night number one. The homestay experience includes an amazing traditional dinner, comfortable sleeping arrangements, and breakfast before you begin your tour up to the yurts the next morning.

GUIDED ACCESS/HORSE SUPPORT

No need to worry about route finding or shouldering all of your gear on your way up to the yurts. One of our local yurt hosts will meet you in the village, assist with prepping horses to porter your gear, and guide you on the 6km tour up to the yurts. Your bags (and a hot lunch) will be waiting for you on your arrival.

GOOD FOOD...AND LOTS OF IT

That’s right, self-guided stays are fully catered. Our local partners will accompany your group to host, cook, clean, and manage yurt chores. Our Chief Chef, Nurbek, absolutely kills it in the kitchen yurt, fixing up Western-inspired breakfasts (complete with french press coffee) and mouthwatering traditional Kyrgyz dinners. Portions are large, and there is always a variety of snacks and hot tea available.

APRÈS SKI

Who doesn’t love a little après ski session? We will provide snacks at the end of each day to pair with whatever beverages you’d like to have portered up with your bags. There’s an excellent selection of beer and bottles available in Karakol. We recommend the local cognac and vodka (when in Kyrgyzstan!), but you’ll also find whiskey and wine.

FRONTCOUNTRY LODGING & TRANSPORT

All of your frontcountry lodging and transport—from airport pick up to drop off—will be arranged by us as well, ensuring your trip is as seamless as possible.

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS

New for 2026 we are offering a couple of exciting add-ons. These include: Riding horses from the village up to the yurts (vs. touring), and watching a traditional match of Kok Boru (headless goat polo). Just let us know if you would like to add on!

BOOKING POLICY

A 20% deposit is required to secure your spot, with the remainder due 4 months prior to the tour start date. Our cancellation/refund policies can be found here.