Altyn Arashan after skiing: hot springs in the snow

Karakol is busy in winter. The local tourism office counted about 265,000 visitors in the 2025–2026 winter season, most of them for the ski base above town. After four or five days on the slopes, legs want a rest. A hot pool in a valley full of snow is the obvious answer, and Altyn Arashan is the nearest place where you can have one in proper mountain scenery.

How our winter departures work, and when the road closes, is on Altyn Arashan in winter.

This guide is honest about what winter changes: colder air, a harder road, and less certainty. It is still one of the best days you can have around Karakol.

Why go in winter

• Contrast. Sitting in water at 35–41 °C while the air is well below zero is the whole point. Steam, snow on the spruce, quiet valley.
• Few people. Summer brings trekkers heading to and from Ala-Kul. In winter the valley is close to empty.
• It fits a ski holiday. The trip takes one day, start to finish, and works as a rest day between ski days.

A traveller who walked up in late October 2019 described hiking through snow, finding a guesthouse open with a wood stove and dinner, and soaking for two hours at a time between breaks in the cold air. That matches what we hear from drivers: the springs do not stop in winter, but everything around them gets slower.

Winter weather

Long-term climate averages for Altyn Arashan look like this:

Winter is also the driest period, so many days are clear and sunny. Sun at about 2,500 m is strong even in January. Snow on the ground is normal from late autumn until spring.

The road in winter

The track from Ak-Suu (Teploklyuchenka) up to the springs is about 12–17 km of unpaved road along the Arashan River. It is steep in places and rough all year. Road guides note that snow can block it until well into the summer season at higher points. Even in good conditions it takes about two hours by UAZ.

In winter, conditions change day by day. Fresh snow, ice on the steep sections or a cold snap can stop vehicles. Our partner drivers decide on the morning whether it is safe to go. We do not send a car up a road they do not trust. Read more in our guide to the road to Altyn Arashan.

Before you plan a winter trip, check the live status:

How the winter day works

The schedule is the same as in summer:

1. 07:50
   Meet at Giraffe Coffee

   Zhusaeva St, central Karakol

2. 08:00
   Depart

   16 km of riverbed track with fords, 2–2.5 hours

3. ~10:30
   In the valley, about 5 hours

   Hot springs, walks, lunch at a guesthouse. The driver waits.

4. 16:00
   Back down
5. ~18:00
   Karakol

You meet at Giraffe Coffee on Zhusaeva Street at 07:50 and leave at 08:00. The jeep reaches the valley around 10:30. You have about five hours for the pools, a walk in the snow and lunch. The jeep heads back at 16:00 and you are in Karakol around 18:00. In mid-winter it is dark by then, so the last part of the drive is in the dark.

A seat costs 3,750 som return. A departure needs at least 2 paid seats. If there are not enough people, or the road is closed, you get another date or a full refund. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.

Karakol ⇄ Altyn Arashan

A seat in a 4×4, round trip. The driver waits.

• Out08:00
• Back16:00

3 750 somper seat, round trip

Pick a date

Book a seat

Private UAZ for ski groups

Skiers often travel in groups of four to eight. A whole vehicle can be simpler than shared seats, especially if you want to choose your own start time or stop on the way. A UAZ-469 for up to 4 people costs 25,000 som, and a UAZ-452 for up to 8 people costs 31,000 som. Private cars can be booked any time, including for today, subject to the road. Details on the private jeep page.

What to wear and bring

Dress as for a ski day, not a city day:

• insulated boots with good grip (you will walk on packed snow and ice between the car and the pools);
• warm layers, a hat and gloves you can take off and put back on quickly;
• swimwear and a quick-dry towel;
• a dry bag or plastic bag for wet swimwear;
• sunglasses and sunscreen;
• a thermos with something hot;
• cash in som. There is no ATM and no mobile signal in the valley.

Plan on about 300 som for the national park fee and about 250 som for a pool, both in cash. These are not included in the seat price. Food is not included either. Our packing list has the full checklist.

Staying the night in winter

Some guesthouses have been open outside summer, but we cannot confirm which ones will be open on your dates. Ask before you go. If you plan to stay, book one-way seats (2,750 som each way) instead of the day trip. See where to stay for the options.

Before you book

1. Check the road status above, or message us on WhatsApp.
2. Book seats for a date with some slack in your plan, in case the road closes.
3. Bring cash and warm clothes.

Ask in WhatsApp

For more about the springs themselves, read the hot springs guide. For a wider winter picture, see our winter page.