ZiL, the ski base with a kids' school 35 km from Bishkek

If you're taking a child who has never skied to ZiL, book them into the base's ski school in advance: in 2024/25 the trial lesson cost 3,000 som and later lessons 2,500. The school has been running since 2018, and for many Bishkek families it's where skiing starts. The base itself is 35 km from the city, has operated since 2010 and is fairly big by Chuy region standards, with parking for 700 cars, a sauna and three cafés.

The slope starts at 1,810 m (per 24.kg) and climbs to 2,330 m according to skiresort.com, which also lists 4 lifts and about 10.5 km of pistes, while the base itself talks about 5 runs. The zil.kg website shows almost no text, so for details you're better off phoning.

How to get to ZiL from Bishkek

1. Check that it's open. The numbers in the government register are +996 701 555 555 and +996 555 583 010, and the office is in Bishkek at 119 Grazhdanskaya Street. In 2024/25 the opening was delayed by a lack of snow, so a call in December is especially worthwhile.
2. Choose your transport. It's about 35 km. We couldn't find a scheduled bus, so people drive, take a taxi or hire a driver for the day.
3. Allow extra time at weekends. A 700-car car park tells you how busy Saturdays get. Weekdays are quieter and cheaper.
4. Buy the card and your pass. The lift card cost 300 som in 2024/25, and the pass is loaded onto it.

How much is a lift pass at ZiL?

The base hasn't published new prices, so these are the latest known, for 2024/25 (24.kg, February 2025). Skiresort.com lists 1,600 som with no year.

On weekdays in 2024/25, ZiL was 200 som cheaper than Chunkurchak and Kashka-Suu. For the full comparison, see our overview of ski resorts in Kyrgyzstan.

Is ZiL getting a new cable car?

In January 2023 the base's general director, A. Roziev, told economist.kg about plans for a 5 km cable car up to a hotel at 3,000 m. The cost was put at about €9 million and the timeline at two years, if financing could be found. Skiresort.com lists a planned eight-seat gondola called "Cantor Glacier" with the date 2026. We found no confirmation that construction has started, so for the 2026/27 season expect the existing lifts.

ZiL and its neighbours in the Kashka-Suu valley

ZiL sits in the Kashka-Suu valley, where three other bases operate close by. If one is short of snow or packed, the next one isn't far, though it's still worth phoning ahead.

Rental, food and where to stay

Rental, three cafés and a sauna are on site. Our sources say nothing about a hotel at ZiL, so people sleep in Bishkek. For a bed by the slope, look at Kashka-Suu or Orlovka.

Who ZiL suits

Above all, families with children learning to ski: there's the school, child rental and child passes from 800 som. Adult beginners will be fine here too, and confident skiers will get a decent day out of five runs. For longer descents and more altitude, head to Too-Ashuu or Karakol afterwards.

Safety

Before the 2024/25 season, ZiL was inspected by the Department of Tourism, the Emergencies Ministry and local authorities along with Too-Ashuu, Orlovka, Chunkurchak and Kashka-Suu, and all five were declared ready. There are no patrols outside the runs, and the emergency number is 112. For avalanche risk and the gear you need, read our avalanche safety guide.