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
Point	Region / reference	Altitude difference start/finish points of descent, m.	Δh, m	Length, km.
1	Padyr pass	3200 - 1700	1500	8
2	Padyr pass	3300 - 1700	1600	7
3	Kaptarkumysh	3350 - 1600	1700	8
4	Pskemsai	3000 - 2000	1000	6
5	Pskemsai	3600 - 2000	1600	6
6	Ikhanch	3000 - 2300	700	5
7	Oygaing	3400 - 2300	1100	6
8	Oygaing	3400 - 2300	1100	6
9	Barkraksai	4000 - 3000	1000	8
10	Barkraksai	3800 - 3000	800	6
11	Barkraksai	3900 - 3000	900	6
12	Akkapchagai	3900 - 2900	1000	5

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).