The ski season is usually November-December to March-April. Good areas for skiing are the Kyrgyz Alatau valleys, especially Ala-Archa, south of Bishkek. Summer skating is also popular at Karakol on Lake Issyk-Kul. Some travel firms organize ski-mountaineering trips in Central Tian Shan in July and August, and in the Alatau ranges between Almaty and Lake Issyk-Kul from February to April. Heli-skiing is also on offer.

Other activities include mountain bike trips, bird watching and botanical trips, trekking and hiking.