The Ski School
of Jyrgalan, Kyrgyzstan

JYRGALAN, THE STORY

In the remote reaches of Kyrgyzstan, where the towering peaks of the Tian Shan mountains touch the sky, lies the village of Jyrgalan (2200m). Once a quiet settlement known only to a few, Jyrgalan had long been a place where time seemed to stand still. The villagers, mostly herders and farmers, lived in harmony with the land, embracing the simplicity of life in the mountains.

Once the coal mining completely stopped, the locals left the village. By the development of tourism, the tables slowly turned. The bitterly cold winters are attracting skiers from around the world now. These are mostly freeriders who come for the cat skiing, ski touring and horse skiing. The local community didn’t have the chance to catch up yet. The Ski School of Jyrgalan is changing that. As a non-profit we are supporting the start of a community project. With the goal to make the locals benefit from the ski developments and to make the freeriding safer.

Vision

Nestled in the breathtaking mountains of Kyrgyzstan, Jyrgalan Ski School is more than just a place to learn how to ski—it’s a community development project dedicated to fostering a thriving ski culture in the heart of Central Asia. Whether you’re a beginner looking to take your first steps on the snow or an experienced skier eager to explore untouched slopes, we are here to make your skiing experience unforgettable.

Our vision is to build a thriving ski community in Jyrgalan, developing local talent and sharing the beauty of Kyrgyzstan with skiers from around the world. We believe that by investing in the potential of our region, we can create a sustainable and vibrant future for Jyrgalan and its people.

YOUR HELP PLEASE

Non-profit
As a non-profit, the goal is the establish a thriving ski community in Jyrgalan, Kyrgyzstan. The village has made it’s first steps in attracting (foreign) skiers. At the moment the locals are not benefiting from the growth in ski tourism. As a non-profit we are teaching locals to ski and train them to become professional guides. At the same time the growth of ski tourism should be sustainable and safe.

Donation of gear
To start the ski school we are looking for (second hand) skis and snowboards. For the 2024-2025 season we are opening a Kids Village with easy access for local kids. Ideally we will need a magic carpet, obstacles, clothing, gloves, helmets and bibs. For the older children we want to install a (second hand) rope lift.

Donation of ski lift
To start improve the level of skiing we will quickly need a drag lift of 500m-1000m long. This lift will be installed in the village of Jyrgalan and it will give free access for local kids.

Donation of safety/avalanche equipment
To improve the safety on the nearby mountains, the local instructors/guides of the ski school will need safety and avalanche equipment. At the moment we have about 20 sets of transceivers, probes and shovels. We are also setting up a local rescue service which needs support from you. Think about first aid, walkie talkies, rescue sleighs, communication systems, webcams, snow reports, etc.