Friday, February 28, 2014

Heliskiing in Uzbekistan


The Ugam, Pskem and Chatkal ranges of the Western Tien Shan with their comparatively mild climate and great powder offer ideal conditions for heli-skiing and heli-boarding. The Western Tien Shan with pristine expanses of virgin snow from the high mountain peaks and passes and its continental climate the is one of the best skiing areas in Asia. 
 
The area is known for its stable sunny weather conditions. Usually in five out of seven days, the sun is out making for comfortable skiing. In winter, the temperatures are about -12° C. Ski conditions are ideal its deep powder adheres well on the steep slopes from October up until early May each year.

The Chimgan-Charvak-Beldersay” resort area has become a popular location for Heli-Ski being located conveniently less than 100km from Tashkent. The beautiful mountain slopes of Chimghan tract, at altitudes from 2500 to 4200 m above sea level have runs with an amplitude drop downhill of up to 2 km finishing in the valley.




Chatkal Range
Point
Region / reference
Altitude difference start/finish points of descent, m.
Δh, m
Length, km.
1
Big Chimgan
3300 - 1700
1600
6
1a
Crest of Chimgan
2200 - 1700
500
3
2
Akkul
2890 - 2000
900
6
3
Kyzylnura
3300 - 2400
900
6
4
Aktahta natural boundary
3320 - 2200
1100
5
5
Turasai Akbulak
3200 - 2300
900
6
6
Davan pass
3150 - 2300
850
7
7
Muz Ter pass
3450 - 2300
1150
6
8
Peak 3504
3500 - 2300
1200
6
9
High pass
3800 - 2500
1300
4
10
Peak 3582
3500 - 2500
1000
5
11
Peak 3582
3500 - 2500
1000
5

Photo: Uzbekistan Airways Mi-8 MTV Helicopter.










Pskem range
PointRegion / referenceAltitude difference start/finish points of descent, m.Δh, mLength, km.
1Padyr pass3200 - 170015008
2Padyr pass3300 - 170016007
3Kaptarkumysh3350 - 160017008
4Pskemsai3000 - 200010006
5Pskemsai3600 - 200016006
6Ikhanch3000 - 23007005
7Oygaing3400 - 230011006
8Oygaing3400 - 230011006
9Barkraksai4000 - 300010008
10Barkraksai3800 - 30008006
11Barkraksai3900 - 30009006
12Akkapchagai3900 - 290010005
Helicopters used on the Range
The Mi-8 with some 50,000 helicopters so far built is by far the largest helicopter make in production world wide. The Mi-8MTV powered by two Klimov TV3-117VM high altitude turboshaft engines has  a hovering ceiling of 6,000 m and a load capacity of 4,000 kg external load. 
Designed to operate in a wide range of ambient air temperatures and so is ideal for mountain use. Able to carry cargoes of up to four tons and has a winch with a capacity of 150 kg the helicopter's cargo cabin is equipped with a heating and ventilation system and has collapsible seats for up to 24 passengers. It can also be converted for air ambulance duties or as a rescue machine with an electric hoist with a boom, over the movable door of the fuselage. Its maximum speed with normal take-off weight is 250 km/hr. Cruise speed with normal take-off weight is 230 km/hr with a flight range with fuel in main tanks of 650 km. Requires a crew of 2-3 (two pilots, one mechanic).