France to Support Development of Kyrgyzstan’s Largest Ski Resort

Kylychbek Rysaliyev, President of Kyrgyzstan’s Tourism Development Support Fund, recently met with French Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Nicolas Faye to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation in tourism. During the talks, Ambassador Faye reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting the development of a major skiing complex in the Issyk-Kul region. Highlighting the importance of the Three Peaks Ski Complex project, Ambassador Faye described it as a priority for the French Embassy, promising France’s expertise in its design and execution. “The lack of direct flights between Kyrgyzstan and France currently hinders a broader influx of tourists,” noted Ambassador Faye, emphasizing that improving air connectivity could significantly boost tourism potential. Rysaliyev underscored the value of French expertise, pointing to France’s robust tourism industry, which is a key driver of its national economy. He expressed confidence that collaboration on the Issyk-Kul ski complex would facilitate valuable knowledge exchange and elevate Kyrgyzstan’s position as a global tourist destination. The Three Peaks Ski Complex, a flagship initiative announced by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, is already in its preparatory phase. Infrastructure improvements, including road construction, power supply, and water systems, are underway. The state-owned company Kyrgyz Courchevel has been tasked with overseeing the project’s development. The first phase of the resort, set to open by 2030, will include 60 kilometers of ski tracks out of an anticipated 200 kilometers, six ropeways, and a range of facilities such as hotels, restaurants, ethno-towns, and conference halls. The project is expected to position the Issyk-Kul region as a premier skiing destination, fostering economic growth and attracting international visitors.

Silk Road Treasures: Almaty’s Mountains

Under the banner of "Silk Road Treasures", TCA's people -journalists, editors, authors- share their personal experiences of Central Asia and her people, and by listing their favorite places, literature, films, architecture and archaeological sites, alongside encounters with customs and traditions, provide pointers for readers wishing to visit the region. Vagit Ismailov, Journalist The first thing a travelers notice when descending at Almaty International Airport are the towering snow-capped peaks of the Zailiyskiy Alatau mountains. However, alongside their majestic presence which make this city unique, the mountains harbour a constant threat which anyone who has experienced an earthquake whilst inside a high-rise building, will both well understand and fear. Almaty, capital of Kazakhstan until 1997, is one of those cities whose growth is independent of either metropolitan status or the presence of large enterprises. Now one of the most dynamic cities in the post-Soviet space and, perhaps, one of the most prosperous in Central Asia, the ever-evolving city absorbs money from other regions and boasts a wealth of amenities, high-end restaurants and cosy cafes to welcome customers day and night. Inevitably, the population continues to rise and as commented by one of Almaty's akims (mayors), every day, the number of people entering the city is equivalent to Latvia's population of over 1.5 million. As a result, the roads are constantly clogged with traffic, again showing the megacity's restless energy and the potential for further growth. Amidst the boom in development which has spurred the construction of modern residential and business complexes, the city center remains quintessentially Soviet in style, flanked by streets of  familiar communist apartment blocs from the sixties and seventies. Today's new builds reach for the sky but under the Soviet regime, high-rise construction was forbidden in Almaty. The only exception was the Kazakhstan Hotel, which standing 102 meters high, is now the city's third tallest building. Constructed in 1977, it was designed to withstand zone 9-point seismic activity, but nevertheless, its survival of several earthquakes is regarded as miraculous. [caption id="attachment_22785" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Hotel "Kazakhstan" Image: @iStock[/caption] The proximity of the mountains and unspoilt natural landscape, provide residents and tourists alike, a perfect place to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. The nearby resorts of Shymbulak and Medeo, home to  the world's largest ice rink which sits like a diamond in a box of green velvet, offer a range of winter sports facilities. Cable cars traversing deep gorges, operate all year round, aiding access to the high pastures, and panoramic views of the Tien Shan ranges, and numerous, graded hiking trails wind through passes to lakes and waterfalls. Scenery aside, visitors can experience more of what Kazakhstan has to offer by sampling local fayre in various venues and watching demonstrations of eagle hunting, and for lovers of antiquity, there are petroglyphs to be discovered, carved on red rock, and the famous Boroldai Saka Burial mounds, dating back to V-VIII BC. [caption id="attachment_22786" align="aligncenter" width="540"] Medeo. Image: @iStock[/caption] But the threat of the Zailiyskiy Alatau is ever-present. In 1887, ...