- Title: Kyrgyzstan mountains attract world ski lovers
- Date: 2nd December 2016
- Summary: NEAR KARAKOL, KYRGYZSTAN (NOVEMBER 28, 2016) (REUTERS) TOP VIEW OF PEOPLE SKIING THROUGH SNOW-COVERED FOREST VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SKIING WOMEN ON SKIS TALKING PEOPLE SKIING (SOUNDBITE) (English) DEPUTY TOURISM AND CULTURE MINISTER OF KYRGYZSTAN, AZAMAT ZHAMANKULOV, SAYING: "In the past, Kyrgyzstan was mostly summer season (tourism) country, also winter season country too. That's why investments, tourists are coming and developing coming to winter season too. And I think it's very important tourism section in the future for us." SNOWBOARDERS ADJUSTING SHOWBOARDS SNOWBOARDER TAKING OFF SNOWBOARD, WALKING AWAY PEOPLE SKIING (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. CITIZEN WHO LIVES IN KYRGYZSTAN, CLEMENTE FREDRIKSON, SAYING: "It's absolutely beautiful here. It's a place you don't want to miss. Karakol has one of the best skiing tourist industries of anywhere I've been - I've skied in California and other places and its well-worth coming to Karakol to ski. Today it's been fabulous, it's been snowing, there is lots of powder. The runs are fantastic, the lifts are good. I highly recommend you come to Karakol." PEOPLE SKIING TOP VIEW OF SKIER MOVING DOWN SLOPE PEOPLE OUTSIDE TOURIST BASE SKI LIFT PEOPLE SKIING (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. CITIZEN WHO LIVES IN KYRGYZSTAN, HEIDI STIRLING, SAYING: "I came here to Karakol, to (tourist base) Kapriz to ski today and it's a beautiful day. Kyrgyzstan has wonderful skiing in the winter and yeah, I really enjoy it. This is my second time here and I hope to come back many more times this season." PEOPLE SKIING VARIOUS OF PEOPLE PLAYING GAME TO FIND PRIZE UNDER SNOW
- Embargoed: 17th December 2016 10:32
- Keywords: Karakol Kyrgyzstan moutains ski snowboard tourism
- Location: NEAR KARAKOL, KYRGYZSTAN
- City: NEAR KARAKOL, KYRGYZSTAN
- Country: Kyrgyzstan
- Reuters ID: LVA0015B6Y5VD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Renowned for its mountainous terrain, Kyrgyzstan tries to raise its profile as a winter tourist destination in Central Asia.
Skiing season in Kyrgyz region of Issyk-Kul in the country's north-east started earlier this year thanks to autumn snow which covered the sloped in mid-November. On the shores of the lake Issyk-Kul, 7 km away from the town of Karakol, hundreds of skiers took to the pistes, enjoying the sunshine.
The region aims at increasing the number of tourists and is searching for ways to make area's infrastructure more attractive for visitors all the year around - not only in summer.
"In the past, Kyrgyzstan was mostly summer season (tourism) country, also winter season country too. That's why investments, tourists are coming and developing coming to winter season too. And I think it's very important tourism section in the future for us," deputy tourism and culture minister of Kyrgyzstan Azamat Zhamankulov told Reuters.
Mountain scenery with conifer forests at 2300 meters (7545 feet) above the sea level and skiing infrastructure lures not only locals, but tourists from abroad to Karakol.
"It's absolutely beautiful here. It's a place you don't want to miss. Karakol has one of the best skiing tourist industries of anywhere I've been - I've skied in California and other places and its well-worth coming to Karakol to ski. Today it's been fabulous, it's been snowing, there is lots of powder. The runs are fantastic, the lifts are good. I highly recommend you come to Karakol," Clemente Fredrikson from the U.S. said.
Mild winter climate with temperatures not falling lower than -5 degrees Celsius is another advantage of the site.
Perhaps the greatest obstacle to Kyrgyzstan's tourism ambition is lack of money to invest.
The former Soviet republic has felt growing financial pressure after faltering oil prices damaged the Russian economy, sending shockwaves across its neighbours. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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