The Plan and Progress of Kyrgyzstan’s Massive Ski Resort Q2 2025 Report
If you’re looking for an exciting new destination to explore, invest in, or even visit for a ski vacation one day, the Three Peaks Ski Resort in Kyrgyzstan is a name you should remember. This is more than just another resort project—it’s one of the most ambitious tourism developments in Central Asia. Designed to compete with the best in Europe, the resort aims to transform the way the world sees Kyrgyzstan.
In 2024, the Kyrgyz government officially launched this mountain tourism project in the Issyk-Kul region, a breathtaking area already known for its natural beauty. The idea is simple but bold: connect three mountain peaks—Jyrgalan, Ak-Bulak, and Boz-Uchuk—with over 200 kilometers of ski trails, lift systems, and resort villages to create the largest ski resort in Central Asia.
The plan was set in motion with the direct support of President Sadyr Japarov, who introduced the project as a top national priority. French experts from S3V (Société des 3 Vallées)—the team behind France’s famous Courchevel resort—were brought in to help design the concept. Soon after, the government formed a state-owned company called Kyrgyz Courchevel to manage and operate the entire project.
What You’ll Find at Each of the Three Peaks of The Ski Resort
Each of the three mountain peaks will have its own unique resort village with hotels, activities, and special features designed to appeal to different types of visitors.
Jyrgalan Resort
This is where the action starts. Jyrgalan will be the first resort to open and is planned to host up to 9,000 guests at once. You’ll find a wide variety of 3-star to 5-star hotels, a 1,500 m² spa, restaurants, a shopping area, an ethnographic village, and even a panoramic restaurant with stunning views. Jyrgalan will also include 17 ski lifts and around 120 km of trails, making it the largest of the three.
Boz-Uchuk Resort
This peak is designed with families in mind. You can look forward to a 2,000 m² thermal bath complex, a horse-riding center, falconry shows, and almost 4,900 beds across different lodging options. It will also have 6 ski lifts, and its location makes it perfect for relaxing while still being part of the adventure.
Ak-Bulak Resort
Ak-Bulak will focus on expedition-style tourism and host year-round events like festivals and sports competitions. It will feature 13 ski lifts, mountaineering and trekking facilities, and offer accommodations for nearly 5,000 guests. This peak is designed for more adventurous travelers and those looking to explore the wild mountain terrain.
Three Peaks Will be A Resort That Works Year-Round
Three Peaks won’t just be a winter destination. Thanks to its altitude and climate, this resort will operate for 10 months out of the year, making it nearly year-round. Whether you’re skiing in the winter or hiking, attending a festival, or enjoying spa retreats in the summer, there’s always something to do.
To support all this activity, the project includes 20 kilometers of new roads, parking for up to 4,000 vehicles, and essential utilities like water, electricity, internet, and sewage systems. There are even cultural touches built in, such as a mosque with traditional Kyrgyz design in Jyrgalan and themed “ethno-towns” with yurts and glamping sites.
Once fully complete, Three Peaks is expected to attract up to 850,000 tourists annually and create nearly 5,000 jobs. For the Kyrgyz government, this project is about more than tourism—it’s about economic transformation. President Japarov has even compared it to Kumtor, the country’s largest gold mine, saying that Three Peaks could become just as important for the nation’s future.
From Planning to Construction – How Three Peaks Project is Moving Forward
In mid-2024, French specialists from S3V visited the Issyk-Kul region to conduct land surveys and environmental studies. By November 2024, all the technical groundwork was finished, including land approvals, environmental impact reports, and official designs.
The real construction began soon after. Roads were the first priority. Two major highways are now under construction:
- A 4-lane road from Karakol to Boz-Uchuk (around 46 km)
- A 2-lane connector road from Boz-Uchuk to Jyrgalan (about 14.5 km)
These roads are crucial to opening up the region for future visitors.
Meanwhile, the first resort facilities at Jyrgalan are getting underway in 2025. Eight 3-star hotel blocks are planned for the initial phase, alongside six ski lifts and 60 kilometers of ski trails. Construction is timed to avoid the snowy season, so most of the heavy lifting happens from spring to fall each year.
Even if you’re eager to visit, you’ll want to know that the resort is being opened in phases. The first guests may be welcomed to Jyrgalan as early as late 2025, but a full-scale experience will take time. The first complete development phase is now expected by 2030, with Boz-Uchuk following around 2035 and Ak-Bulak by 2040.
How the Three Peaks Resort Is Being Funded – Public Spending, Private Opportunities
If you’re wondering how a project this big is being paid for, here’s the simple answer: the Kyrgyz government is leading the charge with public funding, but they’re leaving the door wide open for private and foreign investors to join in.
Public Financing for the Foundation
The initial phase at Jyrgalan alone is expected to cost around €165 million. That includes everything from the first 60 km of ski trails and 6 lifts to hotels, restaurants, and roads. But the full project — all three peaks, lifts, base villages, infrastructure — is projected to cost about €1.2 billion over the next 15–20 years.
To get things started, the Kyrgyz government set aside 916 million soms (roughly $10.5 million USD) in the 2025 state budget. This money is focused on building essential infrastructure like roads, water and sewage systems, electricity, and even some hotels.
In fact, a government-owned company called Kyrgyz Courchevel has been set up specifically to manage this project. They hold the land rights to 1,624 hectares in the Ak-Suu district and act as the official client for major construction contracts. The company reports directly to the Presidential Administration, highlighting just how important this project is to the government.
Expert Help from France and Austria
Kyrgyzstan isn’t building this resort alone. French company S3V was hired to create the resort’s master plan, which cost the state €1.6 million. They’re not investors, but they bring world-class experience from managing France’s Courchevel resort.
And in April 2025, the Austrian ropeway company Doppelmayr was chosen to design and install all the gondolas and ski lifts. Their contract starts with Jyrgalan and lasts for 18 months, covering all cable car and chairlift systems. This deal came shortly after Kyrgyzstan pitched the project to Austrian investors, which likely helped seal the partnership.
What’s in It for Private Investors?
Once the infrastructure is in place, private investors will have the chance to build the hotels, restaurants, spas, entertainment venues, and other tourist attractions.
You won’t need to finance an entire mountain. Instead, you can partner with Kyrgyz Courchevel to build individual hotels or clusters of buildings, usually under long-term lease or concession arrangements. There’s a clear vision for what the resort should look like—Kyrgyz architecture meets Alpine village style—but you’ll have freedom in designing interiors and operations.
In Jyrgalan alone, the plan includes 49 hotels ranging from 3-star to 5-star, some of which will be built directly by the government, and others by private investors. This mixed model lowers your risk—you’re not building in the middle of nowhere, but in a resort that already has roads, power, and thousands of visitors on the way.
Director Zharkynbek Maksutov of Kyrgyz Courchevel has said that multiple investors from Italy, Austria, and even Russia have already expressed strong interest. A number of global ski lift manufacturers have also shown they’re ready to compete for future contracts.
Global Partnerships and Geopolitical Balance
This project doesn’t just have local importance—it’s attracting global attention and forming international partnerships that are shaping how Kyrgyzstan positions itself in the world.
France and Austria Are Key Players
France has been a valued partner from the start. S3V’s role has gone beyond just drawing blueprints; they’ve shared strategies from their decades managing high-end ski resorts. Their advice helped shape everything from ski lift positioning to village design and even visitor experience.
Austria now plays a critical role through Doppelmayr’s involvement. Not only are they supplying the lift infrastructure, but their presence also opens the door for future Austrian tourism or construction investors.
What About Russia?
While France and Austria are official partners, Russia’s role is more informal—at least for now. In January 2025, President Japarov visited the Manzherok ski resort in Russia’s Altai region and was seen alongside top Russian business leaders, including Sberbank CEO Herman Gref and former Kyrgyz Prime Minister Omurbek Babanov.
This has led to speculation that Russian banks or investors may be quietly exploring involvement. However, no formal agreements have been announced. Some observers have raised concerns that if sanctioned Russian entities fund parts of the project, Kyrgyzstan could risk secondary sanctions. So far, the government hasn’t commented publicly, and it’s clear they are trying to balance relationships—welcoming Russian interest while making concrete deals with non-sanctioned European partners.
Kyrgyzstan Wants More Global Investment
The government has publicly stated its goal to attract up to $20 billion USD in mountain tourism investment in the coming years—not just for Three Peaks, but for ski resorts across the country. That makes this project a flagship for international investors looking for a foothold in emerging tourism markets.
Timeline, Progress, and What You Can Expect Between Now and 2040
When you look at a massive project like this, one of the first things you probably ask is: “When will it actually be ready?” The answer is—it’s already happening, but full completion will come in stages.
From Paper to the Mountains – The Early Steps
The idea for Three Peaks was introduced in early 2024. By April 29, 2024, President Japarov reviewed the project plan developed by S3V. Just over a month later, on June 7, 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers officially created Kyrgyz Courchevel, the state company responsible for getting the resort built.
In August 2024, over 1,600 hectares of land were reclassified and transferred to Kyrgyz Courchevel. This area was originally state-owned forest and pastureland near Jyrgalan, Ak-Bulak, and Boz-Uchuk. By late 2024, all legal, environmental, and land-use documents were finalized, and construction was ready to begin.
Infrastructure First: Roads, Power, and Water
Between late 2024 and early 2025, the focus shifted to groundwork and infrastructure. This means access roads, electrical substations, water sources, sewage treatment, and internet connectivity.
A new 4-lane highway from Karakol to Boz-Uchuk (46 km) and a 2-lane connector to Jyrgalan (14.5 km) were approved in early 2025. These roads will make the entire ski area easily accessible for travelers, tour buses, and supply trucks.
By April 2025, Chairman of the Cabinet Adylbek Kasymaliev had personally visited Issyk-Kul to inspect the planned road routes, and work was already kicking off. These roadworks are critical—not just for tourists, but for moving heavy equipment and building materials into the mountains.
Laying the First Bricks at Jyrgalan
The first mountain to be developed is Jyrgalan, and 2025 marks the year that visible construction begins. The national architecture agency approved Jyrgalan’s resort village plan in January 2025. Construction will start with:
- Eight 3-star hotel blocks
- Six ski lifts
- 60 km of ski runs
The initial phase of building is scheduled mainly for spring through fall to avoid delays from snow and harsh winter conditions.
A February 2025 tender was launched to select the primary construction company for ski base infrastructure. By April 2025, Austria’s Doppelmayr had already signed on to install the lift systems.
Opening Day? Late 2025 – With a Phased Rollout
So, when can you book your stay?
If things stay on track, some parts of the Jyrgalan resort could be ready to host visitors by late 2025—likely small-scale at first. Think beginner ski runs, a few hotels, and limited services. Enough to give tourists a taste of what’s to come.
But don’t expect the full resort experience until later in the decade.
Originally, the government hoped to finish Phase 1 by 2026, but that was too optimistic. Now, the realistic target for completing all of Jyrgalan’s core infrastructure is 2030. Boz-Uchuk is expected by 2035, and Ak-Bulak by 2040. This phased strategy allows for better financing, more measured development, and steady progress without over-promising.
In the meantime, Kyrgyzstan is committed to making progress every year. Even partial openings (like an “ethno-town” village with 49 hotels on 58 hectares) will help bring in early revenue, attract tourists, and build international credibility.
Jobs, Tourism, and the Long-Term Payoff
When fully complete, Three Peaks is expected to become one of the largest employers in the region. Up to 4,800 jobs could be created, not just in hotels and restaurants, but also in construction, ski services, guiding, retail, and event management.
From an economic standpoint, the government projects up to €146 million in tax revenue over the resort’s lifetime. And that’s not even counting the indirect effects: more flights into Issyk-Kul, more businesses serving tourists, and a stronger tourism brand for Kyrgyzstan.
The hope is that Three Peaks becomes the country’s second “Kumtor”—not another gold mine, but a tourism-powered economic engine.
And for you? Whether you’re a future traveler, investor, or tour operator, there’s opportunity here. You could book a ski trip to a brand-new Central Asian resort, open a boutique hotel, or be part of one of the most exciting tourism developments happening right now anywhere in the region.
Respecting Nature and People – Environmental Care and Local Impact
Any time a massive development like Three Peaks is planned in the mountains, people naturally worry: What about the environment? What about the local communities?
These are fair questions. But the project’s planners have been trying to address them seriously from the start.
Environmental Responsibility at the Core
If you care about the environment, you’ll be relieved to know that Three Peaks has built-in protections. Environmental impact studies were conducted in 2024 before any construction began. The team from S3V, along with Kyrgyz environmental agencies, carefully chose trail locations and resort facilities to minimize ecological disruption.
The government has committed to following environmental standards, and the Ministry of Natural Resources is involved in overseeing the project. Officials have said all work will follow environmental regulations, and the construction process includes reforestation plans, wildlife protection measures, and eco-friendly design elements.
Issyk-Kul, where the resort is being built, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, so protecting nature isn’t just good PR—it’s required. So far, no major environmental protests or legal challenges have been raised. NGOs are monitoring the project, but most of the public message has focused on eco-tourism potential, not environmental harm.
As tourism grows, so does awareness of sustainability—and Three Peaks is positioning itself to be part of that movement.
Involving Local Communities
You might wonder how locals feel about a massive resort being built in their backyard. In short: most are supportive.
The areas around Jyrgalan and Ak-Suu are sparsely populated, and the land used was mostly state-owned pasture and forest land, meaning no large communities had to be relocated. That helps avoid the common problems of displacement or land grabs.
In March 2024, officials held public meetings in Ak-Suu district to explain the project and get local feedback. Residents were told what to expect in terms of construction, road access, tourism traffic, and job opportunities.
Locals in Jyrgalan, in particular, already have a small adventure tourism economy thanks to freeride skiing and mountain hiking. For them, Three Peaks represents a chance to grow, gain year-round income, and access better infrastructure like roads and internet.
So far, there have been no reports of strong public resistance, and many residents seem excited about what’s to come.
Timeline Adjustments, Public Expectations, and Political Support
Let’s face it—when governments announce huge projects with ambitious deadlines, it’s normal to be skeptical. That’s exactly what happened with Three Peaks.
From “Ready in 2026” to “Full Opening by 2040”
When it was first announced, officials talked about opening the resort’s first phase (Jyrgalan) by 2026. But with a project this size, that timeline raised eyebrows. People knew it would take longer.
By the end of 2024, the government began adjusting expectations. Instead of promising a complete resort in just two years, they started emphasizing a phased approach:
- Late 2025: Small-scale opening in Jyrgalan (a few lifts, beginner runs, and hotels)
- By 2030: Completion of the full Jyrgalan zone
- By 2035: Boz-Uchuk resort development finished
- By 2040: Final completion at Ak-Bulak
This realistic approach has been welcomed by experts and investors alike. It gives the government more time to build infrastructure, raise funds, and avoid the risk of half-finished facilities.
It also helps maintain public trust. Better to underpromise and overdeliver than to announce a flashy opening date that gets missed by years.
Support from the Top
One of the reasons this project is moving steadily forward is that it has strong backing from President Japarov himself.
In January 2025, he told the media that he had sent teams of Kyrgyz architects and engineers to Courchevel in France to learn how world-class resorts operate. He’s also made several ski-related trips, including to Russia’s Altai region, where he was photographed with Russian elites and potential investors.
He has publicly compared Three Peaks to Kumtor, the country’s biggest economic engine, suggesting that this resort is just as important for Kyrgyzstan’s future.
This high-level attention brings both pressure and progress. On one hand, expectations are now sky-high. On the other hand, having the president personally backing a tourism project is a huge advantage when it comes to cutting red tape, securing funding, and building international partnerships.
Key Takeaways – What You Need to Know About Three Peaks Ski Resort
To sum up, here’s what makes the Three Peaks Ski Resort one of the most exciting and ambitious projects happening today in Central Asia:
- It’s big: With up to 250 km of ski trails, this will be the largest ski resort in the region, built across three mountain peaks.
- It’s real: Planning started in 2024. Construction is underway in 2025. Hotels, lifts, and roads are being built.
- It’s phased: First guests expected in late 2025. Full Jyrgalan completion by 2030, with the entire resort finished by 2040.
- It’s public and private: The government is paying for infrastructure. Investors can build hotels and attractions.
- It creates jobs: Nearly 5,000 local jobs. Year-round tourism means long-term employment, not just seasonal.
- It boosts tourism: The resort is expected to attract 850,000 tourists per year once fully operational.
- It protects nature: Environmental safeguards are in place. Officials are working to ensure sustainability.
- It has global support: Partners include France’s S3V and Austria’s Doppelmayr, with future opportunities for other international investors.
- It has political power behind it: President Japarov is personally invested in its success.
- It’s open to you: Whether you’re a traveler, business owner, investor, or just curious, Three Peaks has a role for you in the future of Kyrgyz tourism.