Backcountry in Uzbekistan    Mountain resorts Chimgan and Beldersay. Backcountry skiing in Uzbekistan

Backcountry is for those who is confident out of ski-track and is ready to get serious physical activity for the sake of special downhill. Backcountry combines elements of alpinism and snowboarding with elements of extreme (ski jumps from rocks and cornices etc.). Depending on skiers level different options can be offered. Mountaineering is during 1-2 hours (except mountain approach and downhill). Special alpinism skills are not required.

Backcountry is another point of view on skiing out of ski-tracks. After climbing the place of start (downhill) afoot you will feel the value of this place differently. Backcountry is the opportunity to find your own particular downhill, to plunge into the world of the great Tien Shan Mountains and snows, coming off completely from people's world.

Season for backcountry: Januar - March.
Place: Mountain ski resorts Beldersay and Chimgan.
Program: skiing and snowboarding on out of ski-track slopes of Kumbel mountain range and Chimgan tract.
Accommodation: comfortable hotels and exotic guest houses in Beldersay and Chimgan.

A region of skiing is characterized by a great variety of mountainsides with enough height of snow blanket (up to 1.5 m). There are also a lot of wonderful mountain forests, gorges and tables with a big amount of sunlights and acceptable temperatures. For additional payment there is an opportunity for heliskiing on Big Chimgan Mountain (3308 m above sea level).

Characteristics of slopes:

Beldersay: slopes of northern side of Kumbel ridge in the area of skiing have smooth relief (steepness is to 40 degrees) without deep gorges and canyons. The slopes are covered with coniferous and deciduous woods alternating by open fields. Rise to the highest point of Kumbel Mountain is made on a ski lift (2500 m length) and then on a rope elevator (700 m). Three ski-tracks (registered in FIS) for mass skiing are made along these lifts. Free downhill begins from western and eastern parts of Peak of Kumbel and finishs by exit to the bottom of landing station of the ski lift. Average width of slopes for free downhill is 200 m and the length is 5 km.

Chimgan: slopes of Chimgan ridge are quite steep (more 30 degrees). They represent alternation of counterforts and deep gorges. The most convenient for free downhill are counterforts safe from avalanches. Rise to the Chimgan ridge begins in Big Chimgan direction. Downhill finishes right in the bottom of landing ground of the ski lift. Overfall of altitude is more than 1 km. Length of downhill is 3 km.

Backcountry in Chimgan

Big Chimgan Peak, 3309 m (Spurs of Chatkal range)

1. Northern side

1.1 Central gorge
Height of start point is 3309 m, forepeak ridge of Big Chimgan.
Height of finish point is 1650 m, Aksay ravine.
Overfall of altitude - 1659 m.
Average steepness of slopes ~ 27 degrees.
Downhill along central gorge is possible in different combinations at the beginning. Slopes characteristics: there are snowfields in the wide gorge, having one narrow spot (rock gate) and two gaps. In Aksay ravine there is a smooth snowfield.

Prices for programs of the first cycle
Number of persons	Price per tourist for a program (US$)
2 persons	87
3-5 persons	66
6-8 persons	56
9-10 persons	43

Prices include guide services and avalanche beeper rent for every participant. Special discounts are available for the group of more than 10 persons.

2. Northwest ridge of Big Chimgan 2.1 Downhill through Black Waterfall
Characteristics of slopes: at the beginning of downhill there is a narrow ridge with cornices, then wide snowfields with steepness in 30 degrees, in a middle part of downhill there is a narrow gorge (300 m) with steepness in 40 degrees, then there is a smooth surface in Aksay ravine.
Height of start point is 2850 m, on northwest ridge of Big Chimgan.
Height of finish point is 1650 m, Aksay ravine.
Overfall of altitude h - 1200 m.

2.2 French Downhill along counterforts
Characteristics of slopes: wide snowfields with steepness in 30 degrees. In Aksay ravine there is a smooth snowfield.

2.3 Downhill on "Guitar" along counterforts
Characteristics of slopes: wide snowfields with steepness in 30 degrees. In Aksay ravine there is a smooth snowfield.

2.4 Downhill along a ridge to the rope elevator
Downhill goes through the ridge with exit to Aksay ravine. In Aksay ravine there is a smooth snowfield.
Steepness of slopes is 27 degrees.

For all three downhills 2.2 2.3 2.4:
Height of start point is 2350 m, on northwest ridge of Big Chimgan.
Height of finish point is 1650 m, Aksay ravine.
Overfall of altitude h - 700 m.

Prices for programs of the second cycle
Number of persons	Price per tourist for a program (US$)
2 persons	41
3-5 persons	28
6-8 persons	23
9-10 persons	18

Prices include guide services, avalanche beeper rent for every participant. Special discounts are available for the group of more than 10 persons.

Backcountry in Beldersay

In the beginning skiers rise on the ski chairlift (20-25 min) from Belbersay gorge to Kumbel Peak (2307 m). Then not long rise on foot is to the ski lift leading out to the peak. There is a weather station on the peak. Going by the weather station upward, skiers find themselves on a dome of the peak (20 min). From the dome two counterforts separated by big gorge go down.

1. Dome of Kumbel Peak (2307 m) 1.1 Downhill from left counterforts to the ski lift
At the beginning downhill goes on wide snowfield, then through a forest crossing a little river rises upwards. Downhill finishes on the skiing track of Beldersay.
Height of start point is 2307 m, the dome of Kumbel Peak.
Height of finish point is 1530 m, the bottom of landing ground of the ski lift.
Overfall of altitude h - 800 m.

1.2 Downhill from right counterforts to the ski lift has the same parameters

2. Maygashkan Peak (2310 m)
To reach Maygashkan Peak, it is necessary to go to Kumbel Peak (see description above). The peaks are joined by ridge with lowering in the middle part. Route along the ridge is not complicated but has several snow cornices. Crossing of the ridge takes 1,5 - 2 hours.

2.1 Downhill on counterforts to a small mountain village
At the beginning downhill goes on wide snowfield, then through a forest. Finish is right to the road. In this place skiers are taken by car that carries them to the ski lift in Belbersay.
Height of start point is 2310 m, Maygashkan Peak.
Height of finish point is 1500 m, a small mountain village.
Overfall of altitude h - 800 m.

Prices for programs in Beldersay
Number of persons	Price per tourist for a program (US$)
2 persons	25
3-5 persons	19
6-8 persons	13
9-10 persons	10

Prices include guide services and avalanche beacon rent for every participant. Special discounts are available for the group of more than 10 persons.

In case of this program in Beldersay it is possible to make 2 or more downhills.

Equipment:
Avalanche beeper, avalanche spade, first-aid set, snowshoes. It is advisable to have radio contact between participants of a group and avalanche probe. During mountaineering to Big Chimgan it is necessary to have rope 50m x 9mm, harness, carbines (4 items), helmet.

Weather and snow conditions in winter (average value):

January. The weather in January is changeable at list in first two decades. Snowfalls are changed by snowstorms, frosts - by thaw. Snow conditions are unstable (heightened probability of avalanches) in all regions, in all heights offered in places of skiing. High probability of avalanches is in the places with friable snow. In this period density of snow is low, friable; there are many stones and rock covered with snow slightly. In January there are more days with so-called "flat lighting''. And it is necessary to take into account that the light day is rather short in January.
Recommendation: backcountry can be carried out only according to the rules of safety appliances. Downhill can be made only from ridges and strongly marked counterforts in well-known and good-skiing places.

February. The weather in February remains settled. Snowfalls are rare. It is not sudden changes of the weather. Air temperature rises in daytime, but comes down below zero in nighttime. Blanket of snow becomes more stable, but probability of avalanches still exists.
Recommendation: backcountry can be carried out only according to the rules of safety appliances. Downhill can be made only from ridges and strongly marked counterforts in well-known and good-skiing places.

March. The weather in March characterizes with its recurrence. Long period of bad weather follows by same long period of good weather. Air temperature rises in daytime to considerable plus level, but in nighttime comes down below zero. Blanket of snow becomes stable during good weather. In period of bad weather the probability of avalanches rises sharply.
Recommendation: backcountry can be carried out only according to the rules of safety appliances. Downhill can be made only from ridges and strongly marked counterforts in well-known and good-skiing places.

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