How to get from Tashkent to Amirsoy ski resort
Shuttle, taxi, your own car or a shared ride: how long it takes to reach Amirsoy in winter and summer, where to park and how to plan a day in the mountains.
Amirsoy is the most modern mountain resort near Tashkent: gondola lifts, groomed runs, chalets and hotels in the foothills of the Chatkal range. It sits in Bostanlyk district, close to Chimgan and Charvak Reservoir, about 65–70 km from the capital. The resort is open all year, but the drive feels very different in winter and in summer. Here are all the ways to get there and how to avoid losing half a day on the road.
The route at a glance
The road to Amirsoy is the same as the road to Chimgan and Charvak:
- Tashkent — Chirchik on a wide highway.
- Chirchik — Gazalkent along the Chirchik river.
- After Gazalkent — the climb into the mountains and the signposted turn-off to the resort.
In good weather and without traffic the trip takes about 1–1.5 hours. On winter weekends allow 2–2.5 hours: lines of cars build up on the climb, and after snowfall everything slows down.
The resort shuttle
In different seasons the resort runs a shuttle from Tashkent — buses that leave the city in the morning and return in the evening. It is a convenient option if you are going skiing without a car and do not want to hunt for a taxi in the mountains. Timetables, pick-up points and prices change from season to season, so check them on the resort's official channels in advance, and on public holidays book a seat a few days ahead.
The downside of the shuttle is its fixed schedule: you cannot leave early or stay late.
Taxi
A taxi from Tashkent to Amirsoy is the simplest get-in-and-go option. The fare depends on which part of the city you start from and on the day of the week; on winter weekends and holidays it is noticeably higher. Agree on the return trip straight away: finding a car at the resort on a busy evening is hard, and drivers who come up specially will ask you to pay for the empty run.
Shared ride
If you are travelling alone or as a couple, it is cheaper to share the trip. On Yo'ldosh the Tashkent — Chirchik route is popular: some drivers continue into the mountains, which you can see in the trip description or ask about in the chat. You book a seat in the app, pay only for yourself, and drivers are verified. If the trip you need ends in Chirchik, you can take a local taxi from there to the resort — much cheaper than a taxi all the way from the capital.
Your own car and parking
Driving is the most convenient choice, especially for families with skis and children's gear. A few things to know:
- Parking. The resort has a car park next to the lower lift station. On sunny winter weekends it fills up by 10–11 am, and latecomers have to park further away and walk up or wait.
- Winter tyres. You cannot do without them on the climb after snowfall, and in a blizzard you will need chains too. In heavy snow traffic into the mountains may be restricted.
- Fuel. Fill up in Tashkent or Chirchik — there are few petrol stations in the mountains.
- The way back. On Sunday evenings everyone returns to the city at once. Leaving before 3 pm or after 7 pm saves an hour or two.
Winter versus summer
| Winter | Summer | |
|---|---|---|
| Travel time | 1.5–2.5 h | 1–1.5 h |
| Main risk | snow, ice, queues of cars | heat in the city, Charvak traffic |
| Parking | full by mid-morning | usually easier |
| What to do | skiing, snowboarding, walks | gondola rides, trails, cycling |
The resort does not empty out in summer: the gondola takes you up to viewpoints over the mountains and Charvak, hiking trails are open, and up top it is a few degrees cooler than in Tashkent. However, the road shares traffic with crowds heading to the reservoir, so weekend jams happen in July too.
Planning your day
A sample schedule for a winter day trip:
- 7:00–7:30 — leave Tashkent while the road is clear.
- 9:00 — arrive, park, buy a ski pass or rent equipment.
- 9:30–13:00 — ski while the snow is still fresh.
- 13:00–14:00 — lunch at the resort.
- 14:00–16:00 — a couple more hours on the slopes.
- 16:00–16:30 — set off so you are down the mountain road before dark.
In summer you can leave later, but in the hot months it is nicer to go up in the morning before the midday heat.
What to check in advance
- Ski pass, rental and food prices at the resort vary by season and day of the week. Look up current rates before you go.
- Dress in layers: it may be sunny at the bottom and windy at the upper stations.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen are needed in winter too — it is easy to get burnt on snow.
- If you have children with you, bring spare clothes and gloves: everything gets wet faster than you expect.
In short
Without a car, the easiest options are the resort shuttle or a ride with a driver heading into the mountains. Start your search with the Tashkent — Chirchik route — some drivers go further — and find other destinations across Uzbekistan on the routes page. Leave early: at a mountain resort, the first to arrive always wins.
Cover photo: Iplossusvulpes19, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
