Горнолыжная база Кашкулак, Kashkulak ski resort

Kashkulak is a compact but genuine mountain ski area in the foothills of the Kyrgyz Tian Shan, in the Kashka-Suu tract a short drive south of Bishkek. It is one of several small resorts strung along this valley that together make the range an easy winter getaway from the capital, and it stands out for its relatively new infrastructure and powerful lighting for night skiing. The terrain is modest — a handful of pistes served by a lift — and the mood is friendly and local rather than international. Sitting well up in the mountains it enjoys a proper Central Asian winter with dry continental snow, best from roughly December to March. It suits day-trippers, families and skiers keen to sample Kyrgyzstan's fast-growing snow scene.