Skiing in Tajikistan
Whilst some of the other Central Asian countries such as
Uzbekistan,
Kazakhstan and
Kyrgyzstan are emerging destinations for intrepid skiers and snowboarders, skiing in Tajikistan takes it to another level. It’s the destination to visit if you want to do something completely out of the ordinary. It’s definitely a new frontier for ski tourism and ideal for those who like trips with high adventure.
Like various other “Stans” and places on the Silk Road, Tajikistan combines a rich ancient Persian history, Muslim religion, and more recent Soviet influences. Post USSR independence in the 90s, a civil war wracked the country and more recent unrest continued to pressure an already poor country. Now Tajikistan is shaking off some of its woes and opening more to tourism and it certainly provides an interesting backdrop for a ski trip.
Where is Tajikistan?
Tajikistan is situated in the heart of Central Asia. It’s land locked, with
Kyrgyzstan to the north,
Uzbekistan to the west and north,
Xinjiang in China to the east, and Afghanistan to the south.
The Tajik heartland and capital of Tajikistan is Dushanbe, which is in the west of the country and only 300km from the ancient city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan.
Flights into Dushanbe originate from Istanbul with Turkish Airlines,
other Central Asian cities, and also Russian cities.
Country of Mountains
Part of the allure of Tajikistan for ski mountaineering is that it’s one of the most mountainous countries in the world. More than 90 percent of Tajikistan is covered in mountains, and much of the terrain is rugged and wild, and far away from ski guiding networks that can rescue you in the event of mishap.
In the east of Tajikistan are the Pamirs Mountains that soar above 7,000 metres and are a continuation of the Himalaya. To the west are the Fann Mountains, which are remote yet possibly a little more ski touring friendly.
Tajikistan Ski Resort – Safed Dara
So far, the country only has one ski resort, which is about 1.5 hours drive from the capital. The ski area known as Safedorak opened in 1976 during the Soviet-era and at some point is was known as Takob. It reopened in 2016 as the Safed Dara Ski Resort and the hotel at the base was fully renovated.
Safed Dara (which means “white valley”) continues to develop and has a few lifts including a gondola. Elevations are from 2,400 to 3,100 metres, and whilst it has a range of piste, the real drawcard is the lift-accessed sidecountry and backcountry zones. Thanks to its lifts and new infrastructure, Safed Dara offers easy access to untouched freeride terrain.
Safety
Considering the country hasn’t had a long peaceful history, it’s always wise to check the relevant travel advisories before heading to Tajikistan. It’s common that these advisories recommend to exercise a high degree of caution (e.g. Level 2) and you should continue to monitor the media for any updates regarding security, particularly if you’re crossing any borders. Get travel insurance that covers Tajikistan, including any disruptions.