Guided Ski Touring in Central Asia & the Caucasus

Plan Your Dream Mountain Journey

SnowMonkeys runs guided ski touring and mountaineering from New Zealand: Altai and Almaty in Kazakhstan, Jyrgalan and Lenin Peak in Kyrgyzstan, Svaneti in Georgia, Amirsoy and the Silk Road in Uzbekistan, plus Mamay and the Kurils. We create small-group adventures defined by untracked terrain, world-class guiding, and seamless logistics. Our IFMGA-certified guides bring deep regional expertise and an uncompromising focus on safety, so you can focus on the skiing and the experience.

Ski Touring in Western Altai, Kazakhstan – Ridder Expedition

Eight days of expedition-style ski touring in Ridder's Western Altai—navigating committing backcountry terrain

Ski Touring in Siberia – Mamay Backcountry Expedition

Eight days of ski touring in the Mamay Valley near Lake Baikal—exploring the snow-rich Khamar-Daban range

Ski Touring in Jyrgalan Valley, Kyrgyzstan – Tien Shan Powder

Eight days of ski touring in Kyrgyzstan's Jyrgalan Valley—a backcountry haven at the foot of the Tien Shan

Ski Touring in Svaneti, Georgia – Greater Caucasus Expedition

Eight days of ski touring in Svaneti—navigating the dramatic Greater Caucasus where iconic peaks like Tetnuldi and Ushba tower above pristine alpine terrain

Ski Touring in Tuyuk-Su, Kazakhstan – Glacier & Couloir Expedition

Nine days of expedition-style ski touring in Tuyuk-Su—navigating glaciated terrain and steep couloirs beneath the Trans-Ili Alatau peaks

Ski Touring Shymbulak Valley, Kazakhstan – Glacier & Yurt Camp

Eight days of ski touring in the Shymbulak backcountry and beyond in Kazakhstan's Northern Tien Shan

Climb Lenin Peak, Kyrgyzstan – 7,134m Expedition

Twenty days of high-altitude mountaineering on Lenin Peak (7,134 m)—navigating the vast snow slopes and glacier terrain of the Pamir mountains

Kuril Islands Ski & Sail Expedition – Volcanoes & Wilderness

Fourteen days of ski & sail expedition through the Kuril Islands—navigating one of the world's most remote volcanic archipelagos, where smoking peaks rise straight from the Pacific.

Uzbekistan Ski & Culture Expedition – Tien Shan Powder & Silk Road

Ten days of skiing and cultural discovery in the heart of Central Asia—carving powder in the Tian Shan then following the Silk Road to Samarkand and Bukhara

Cross Turkmenistan — Khiva Border to Bukhara Border

Eight days from the Khiva border to the Bukhara border: Darvaza, Ancient Merv, Koytendag and Dayahatun.

Looking for Something Different?

Didn't find exactly what you're after? Get in touch—we'll tailor the itinerary to match your preferences, group size, and schedule.

Explore by Destination

Not sure which trip to start with? Read the destination guides first — snow, season, and which expedition fits — then pick a date.

Kazakhstan Georgia Kyrgyzstan Russia Uzbekistan Turkmenistan

About Us

SnowMonkeys is a New Zealand-based specialist in guided backcountry ski touring and mountaineering expeditions across Central Asia and the Caucasus. We focus on remote, high-quality terrain that still feels wild — places where good snow, strong guiding, and authentic local experiences matter more than volume.
Our trips are led by IFMGA-certified mountain guides with deep regional knowledge. We keep groups small, handle the logistics properly, and prioritise safety without removing the sense of adventure. Whether you’re skiing untracked powder in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, exploring the Caucasus, or aiming for a high peak, we design trips that are well-organised, genuine, and memorable.
Your adventure. Our expertise. All included.

Meet the Team

Mountains are our passion. Safety is our foundation. And creating unique experiences is what gets us up before dawn. Meet the team behind the adventure.

Sergey Shutov

Founder & Director

After years of skiing from Japan's backcountry to the high Himalayas, turned adventures for friends into a trusted operation built on extraordinary places and shared experience.
Nikita Pechersky

IFMGA Mountain & Ski Guide

Professional ski guide with 12 years of experience leading remote adventures across Antarctica, Siberia, the Kuril Islands, Caucasus, Himalayas, and Central Asia.
Dmitry Rybalchenko

IFMGA Mountain & Ski Guide

Elite ski-mountaineer & guide. Piolets d'Or nominee & Snow Leopard Award recipient. 10 years leading expeditions across Siberia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

Reviews

New Name. Proven Expertise.
Real Stories and Meaningful Feedback From People Who Have Traveled With Us

There are plenty of mountain guides / but not so many that give you the feeling of safety and that you can trust them with your life! Guides are put to the test in dangerous conditions to make tough calls/ I would trust Dmitri on any mountain and recommend him strongly ! I’ve climbed Elbrus and many other mountains over the years and GOOD guides are hard to find!!!

Emi

Mount Elbrus South Route

I and five other climbers joined a 7-day climb on Elbrus in June 2021, led by mountain guide Dimitry Rybalchenko.

From the outset the entire team was extremely impressed by Dimitry’s knowledge of mountaineering, experience, patience, enthusiasm, communication skills and sense of humor.

Robin Brown

Mount Elbrus South Route

Since we got know each other on slopes and summit of Aconcagua 6 years ago, I knew the level of experience, serious attitude and passion to mountains. It was real pleasure to meet again and have a wonderful week on late snow of slopes just above Almaty.

Maris

Spring ski touring in Kazakhstan

Get in touch

Have questions or ready to book? Contact us today, and let our experts help you craft the ultimate mountain adventure.