About Amirsoy ski resort
If you happen to be in Tashkent in winter and like alpine skiing or snowboarding, you are in luck. An international ski resort called Amirsoy is located just 65 km away from Tashkent (1.5 hour drive), making it a perfect day trip. If you want to stay there overnight, it’s also possible: several hotels are located nearby. In particular, Le Chalet by Amirsoy and Amirsoy Hills hotels are located right near the slopes (these are not cheap options, however).
Amirsoy ski resort, which covers the area of 900 hectares, opened its doors in 2019 and already won the hearts of many people living in Tashkent, as well as tourists. Both locals and foreigners frequent this resort, so it’s never empty. It has good infrastructure, is easy to get to, and prices for skiing and equipment rentals are quite low by Western standards. I highly recommend this resort for anyone who is interested in skiing.
As an expat living in Tashkent, I’m always looking for fun things to do, especially during the colder time of the year. This is the time when Tashkent often has bad air quality, so it’s a good idea to go to the mountains whenever possible. Fresh mountain air is a great treat.
Getting there
Getting to the Amirsoy ski resort is easiest by contracting a taxi. It will cost you about $20 from Tashkent. The taxi will drop you off by the cable car which will take you up the mountain where the ski resort is. The cable cars are all closed off and quite easy to get on. They go rather slowly, so it will take you about 10-15 minutes to go half way (this is the stop for beginners). If you are an advanced skier, you have an option of going to the top of the mountain, but you still have to get off at the first stop.
When paying for the cable car (adult ticket $8), you also have an option to pay for some ski activities. Keep in mind that you can also pay for these services at the resort directly. No need to carry cash. They accept credit cards.
At the Amirsoy ski resort
Equipment rental is available at the resort. They have everything you might need: skis, helmets, ski clothes (jackets, pants), ski boots, and sunglasses. There are both adult and children’s sizes. Rentals of a full equipment set and an outfit for a child will cost you about $15. You can buy a full day pass for skiing and also hire a coach. For 1 hour of coaching for my daughter, we paid $35, which I think is quite affordable. They work with kids and adults of all levels and teach all the basics one needs.
Once you have all your equipment and possibly an instructor, you can head to the beginner’s slope which is not steep at all. There is also a flat area where you can practice if you are not yet confident of your ability to go down the slope. If you are an advanced skier, you will need to take a ski lift, which is available nearby.
When you get tired and want to take a break, there is plenty of stuff to do. There is snow tubing and also an ice-skating rink (although it was closed while we were there).
In terms of food, you won’t go hungry. The resort has several restaurants which offer excellent food (soups, salads, meat, fish etc.) Keep in mind that restaurants do get crowded at popular times, but they are rather large and serve food quickly. We had a nice lunch for about $30 for two people. Outdoor and indoor seatings are available.
Best time to visit
During the winter season, the best time to go to Amirsoy is late November till early March. But keep in mind, this is an all-season mountain resort, so you can go there anytime. In the warmer part of the year, you can do hiking (there are many hiking trails available) and also enjoy the outdoor pool.
If you want to go skiing, my recommendation is to come to the Amirsoy ski resort during the week. It’s very crowded on weekends. Sunday is especially busy, as in Tashkent many people work Saturdays, and Sunday is the universal day off. Also, try to come in the morning, as the resort gets more crowded as time goes by. Crowds mean not only challenges with getting around the resort, but also more limited access to coaches and equipment. You might end up not having the skis of your size.
In relation to skis, there are also a couple of ski shops on the way to Amirsoy, so in theory, you can also rent equipment there is bring with you on the cable car. But then the downside is that you won’t be able to return it after skiing and have to carry it around.
The final word
One of the things I like about Tashkent is the variety of fun activities one can do in close proximity to the city. A day trip to Amirsoy is quite easy to organize and it will definitely put you in a great mood. When the weather is dull and gray in Tashkent, there is nothing better than going to the mountains and marveling at the white sparkling snow covering the ground.
How interesting! I never knew there was a ski resort near Tashkent. Would you say it’s better suited to beginners?
There are slopes for both beginners and advanced skiers. We spent our time in the beginners’ area, and this is where a lot of other visitors went as well. But we also watched advanced skiers coming down higher slopes. There are opportunities for all levels.
Uzbekistan is a country I would love to visit and it’s good to know that they have beautiful ski resorts. Thanks for sharing
I have never been to Uzbekistan, but it’s on my list, so it’s great to know there are amazing ski resorts like this!
My brother-in-law is an avid skier and is looking for great winter destinations around the world. Never heard of Tashkent but the Stans are on our bucket list! Thank you for the detailed guide. Love the vlog.
Wow this looks stunning though the Alps don’t look so high..
Hello I am a tour guide with car in Tashkent. Wa.me/998999003040
Hello, is there much snow in the beginner area mid march or second half of march, do you know?
I think it depends on a year. Oftentimes, full scale spring comes to Uzbekistan in early March (especially with global warming). I think it’s best to aim for February.