KYRGYZSTAN SPLITFEST

A SPLITBOARD-ONLY GUIDED WEEK

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Splitters unite! Our 7th Annual Splitfest—a guided week by splitboarders, for splitboarders—is slated for February/March 2023 (exact dates TBA). As with all of our guided tours, we will base out of our winter-ready yurt camp and spend 7 days exploring the surrounding mountains which offer everything from trees to open powder fields to cruiser ridgelines and big mountain faces. The uniqueness of being with a splitboard-only crew is that everyone is on the same page—on the skintrack, during transitions, and especially in how we look at the mountains and the way they should be ridden. Plus it’s always a good time and good vibe when a bunch of splitters get together! The week is open to experienced splitboarders as well as riders who can hold their own on a snowboard but are new to the touring aspect of backcountry riding. For those new to touring, we will help you quickly nail down the mechanics and work with you to advance your skills as a splitboarder, highlighting efficient skinning, proper kick turns, and quick transitions.

DATES

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WINTER 2023

TBA FEBRUARY/MARCH (6 SPOTS AVAILABLE)

As with all of our guided tours, we require that you arrive one day before the start date and depart two days after the end date. The extra days are for transport to/from our partner village. We will provide additional information to help you book the correct flights and to answer any Qs about arriving early and/or staying afterwards.

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.

GUIDES

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Our 2023 Splitfest will be lead guided by TBA. Meet our guides.

We employ Canada and US-based professional splitboard guides to provide our clients with the best quality backcountry experience possible, and each week is staffed with both Lead and Tail Guides for a 1:3 guide-to-client ratio. While we are intimately familiar with local guiding associations such as the Kyrgyzstan Mountain Guides Association (KMGA), and know/know of many locals who are guiding in the backcountry, we stand behind our decision to keep our guiding “in house.” This is for a variety of reasons, most of which are experience and safety-related. We also see huge benefit to having native English-speaking guides for our predominantly English-speaking clientele—and while half of your trip is spent out in the mountains, the other half is spent at the yurts and we try our best to create a fun, comfortable and familiar vibe, which just comes naturally for our guides. Don’t get us wrong, this is not about being insulated from the local culture and local vibe! All of our partners down in the frontcountry as well as our camp staff are locals, and with their presence and involvement in your stay you will not forget where you are in the world.

WHAT ELSE

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YURT-BASED TOURING

Splitfest is based out of our Jalpak Tash Yurts—the most epic basecamp setup in all of Central Asia. The location of our camp provides immediate access to the surrounding terrain from a starting elevation of 2,600m. The camp features 3 traditional Kyrgyz yurts—one kitchen/dining yurt and separate client and guide yurts—all heated by wood burning stoves and cared for by our local partners.

VILLAGE STAY

Splitfest includes an overnight stay with our partner family on night number one. The homestay experience includes an amazing dinner, comfortable sleeping arrangements, and breakfast before we begin our tour up to the yurts the next morning.

HORSE SUPPORT

No need to worry about shouldering all of your gear on the way up to the yurts. We will arrange horses to porter group gear for the 6km tour between the village and 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, guided stays are fully catered. Our local partners absolutely kill it in the kitchen yurt, fixing up Western-inspired breakfasts complete with french press coffee and traditional Kyrgyz dinners, cooked over the wood burning stove. 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? Our yurt bar features tallboy beers and bottles of local vodka and cognac.

BOOKINGS

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USD $3,100/PERSON

7 DAYS RIDING/10 DAYS TOTAL

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ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE REQUIREMENTS

Participants will need to arrive in Bishkek (airport code FRU) early morning TBA. We will return to Bishkek by late afternoon/evening on TBA for departures on TBA.

PRICE INCLUDES

40 Tribes Lead and Tail Splitboard Guides; Private round trip transport between Bishkek’s Manas Airport and Karakol (approx 400km/6 hrs each way); Private round trip transport between Karakol and Ichke-Jergez village (approx 30km/30 min each way); 1 night village home stay, dinner and breakfast included; Snowmohorse transport for group/personal gear between the village and yurts; 6 nights yurt lodging and all meals, snacks and drinks during stay; Services of our local partners who host, cook, clean, and manage yurt chores; 7 days of epic guided splitboarding!; Celebratory final night bonfire party; 1 night guesthouse lodging in Karakol and 1 night hotel lodging in Bishkek on the tail end prior to departure.

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

International airfare and baggage fees; Visa fees, if applicable (60-day visa on arrival available for most nationalities); Medical/evacuation insurance; Meals in Bishkek/Karakol; Alcohol (beer, vodka and cognac offered at an extra charge from the yurt bar); Tips for guides and local partners.

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.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Our general terms & conditions can be found here.

RELEASE & WAIVER OF RIGHTS

All participants are required to sign our Release and Waiver of Rights.