The first stage of the Gelon ski resort in Uzbekistan is planned to open in 2027

First stage of the "Gelon" ski resort in Uzbekistan intended to open in 2027

On October 22, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, speaking at a meeting dedicated to the socio-economic development of the Kashkadarya region, announced plans to launch the first stage of the "Gelon" ski resort in 2027.

According to the head of state, Kashkadarya possesses all the opportunities to attract 6 million tourists annually. Since the beginning of 2026, 2.5 million tourists have already visited the region, with 500 thousand of them visiting the mountain village of Gelon alone.

The first stage of the ski resort, which is being created in cooperation with Tatarstan, is planned to be commissioned next year.

The President also emphasized the tourism potential of other mountain settlements in the region. In particular, it is proposed to turn the villages of Taragay in the Chiroqchi district, Bashir in the Kitab district, and Tatar in the Yakkabag district into ethnotourism centers.

In the villages of Sayyod and Suvtushar in the Shahrisabz district, it is proposed to develop rafting and sports tourism using mountain rivers.

Responsible departments have been instructed to prepare a single master plan for tourism development in six villages, including Gelon, within a month, and to begin implementing projects with a total cost of 50 million dollars from March 1, 2027.

In addition, it is planned to hold the "Lola va kabob" ("Tulips and Kebabs") gastronomic festival in the Guzar district every spring, and the "Chiyal yakhna" festival in the Kukdala district.

The project of the international all-season resort "Gelon" is being implemented in the Shahrisabz district of the Kashkadarya region with the participation of Russian investors. The preliminary cost of the project is 300 million dollars.

The initial agreements were reached in October 2023 at the 3rd Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan in Kazan ("Kazan Cable Cars" and the "Gordeev" architectural bureau).

In December 2024, the President signed a decree establishing the "Gelon" tourist-recreational zone covering an area of about 2,900 hectares. It is envisioned to be established for 30 years, with the possibility of extending this period.

At the first stage, until January 1, 2027, the investor planned to invest 100 million dollars, and at subsequent stages — another 200 million dollars.

In the second and third stages, it was planned to build another 21 ski slopes, several cable cars, three hotels ranging from three to five stars, 75 villas, an observation tower, and entertainment facilities, including a zipline and a skypark. The creation of more than 4,000 jobs was expected.

In June 2026, Abdulaziz Akkulov, Chairman of the Tourism Committee, told the "Tatar-inform" agency that design work was nearing completion, after which the master plan for the resort would be approved. According to him, the launch of the first stage was expected at the end of 2027 or the beginning of 2028.

The June presentation of the project also provided for about 100 km of ski slopes and 23 km of cable cars. Upon full completion of construction, the resort is expected to be able to accommodate up to 13 thousand tourists simultaneously.

A separate program provides for the construction of access roads and engineering infrastructure. According to the 2024 decree, 280.6 billion sum was expected to be allocated for these purposes in 2024–2026.

In particular, it provides for the reconstruction of a 21 km road from the village of Hissarak to Gelon and a 12 km road from Hissarak to Sarchashma, as well as the development of electricity supply, water supply, and sewerage networks.