An emerging ski destination in Central Asia is taking another step toward becoming a serious global player. Kyrgyzstan has announced plans to open a new tourism and training school near its Ala-Too cluster of ski resorts near Issyk-Kul, as part of a broader effort to develop a world-class mountain tourism industry.
Ala-Too is slated to become the first modern ski resort in the history of Kyrgyzstan. Groundbreaking for the ambitious project started in August 2025. Once completed, it will consist of three ski resorts — Jyrgalan, Ak-Bulak, and Boz-Uchuk—that will be interconnected upon completion to boast a total of 250 kilometers (155 miles) of groomed runs. Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous, landlocked country located between Kazakhstan, China, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. It is often described as one of the most rugged countries in the world — more than 90% of its terrain is mountainous. The proposed tourism school will be located in the Ak-Suu district near Issyk-Kul, one of Kyrgyzstan’s main tourism hubs.
The initiative follows a recent meeting in Austria between Kyrgyz Education Minister Dogdurkul Kendirbaeva and representatives from Salzburg’s professional ski instructor association, signaling a clear intention to align Kyrgyzstan’s training standards with established Alpine models. The meeting in Austria was followed up with a video conference with representatives of the Austrian Agency for Economic Cooperation and Development, Dorothea Auer, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance, Michael Mathiaschitz, the Klessheim Tourism College, and the Austrian Technology Corporation. Austrian lift maker Doppelmayr has been hired to produce the ski lifts for the Ala-Too project and is also involved in planning the resort layout through its subsidiary Input Projektentwicklungs GmbH.
According to government statements, the school will focus on training international-level service professionals, including ski instructors, hospitality staff, and tourism operators. It will also offer retraining programs for educators, short-term certification courses, and a validation center to standardize qualifications—key components for building a competitive tourism workforce.
Kyrgyzstan has long been a hidden gem for adventurous skiers, offering deep snow, vast backcountry terrain, and relatively low costs. However, one of its biggest limitations has been a lack of infrastructure and trained personnel compared to established destinations in Europe or North America. The government of Kyrgyzstan is aiming to change that and turn Ala-Too into a global ski destination. The planned school is tied directly to the development of the Ala-Too ski cluster, which is back by the government. Improving service quality — everything from instruction to lodging and guest experience — is seen as critical to attracting foreign visitors.
Kyrgyzstan is not alone in this push. Neighboring Kazakhstan has also been investing in ski infrastructure, particularly around Shymbulak Ski Resort, as Central Asia positions itself as an emerging player in global winter tourism. Kazakhstan has hosted FIS Freestyle World Cup races as well as the 2025 Freestyle Junior World Championships. Meanwhile, nearby Tajikistan is working on expanding its only ski resort Safed-Dara, which is just over an hour’s drive north of Dushanbe. Over the past five years, the resort has seen significant development, and now features 14 kilometers (9 miles) of groomed slopes serviced by three lifts.
With high elevations, reliable continental snow climates, and relatively untapped terrain, the region offers significant potential. But as Kyrgyzstan’s latest move shows, building a ski industry is not just about lifts and mountains — it also requires trained professionals who can meet international expectations.
