Some of these countries might not have all of the amenities you are used to when you go skiing, but have you ever thought about going skiing in the Middle East, Africa, or even Antarctica?

Well, maybe it is time to reconsider your options! Here are the 10 best places to ski around the world.

The Best Places To Ski In The World Are:

1. Tochāl, Iran
2. Bansko, Bulgaria
3. Thredbo, Australia
4. Oukaimeden, Morocco
5. Masikryong, North Korea
6. Alyeska, Alaska
7. Antarctica
8. Val-d’Isère, France
9. Niseko, Japan
10. Bariloche, Argentina

Now let’s dig deeper into each one of these amazing ski resorts!

1. Tochāl, Iran

The Alborz mountain range looms over Tehran and is easily accessible via metro. While Iran may not be the first place you think to go skiing, the country actually has several top-notch ski resorts. Tochāl is just north of Tehran and makes for a great day trip.

Tochāl’s peak is tall standing at 3,694 meters (12,119 feet) above sea level and the ski resort sits atop the mountain. The peak is easy to get to as a gondola can bring you up.

The best part about skiing in Iran is that there is snow for 7 months out of the year. If you go during the week, you can usually have the slopes all to yourself.

If skiing in a unique location in the Middle East is on your bucket list, Tehran is a great option.

2. Bansko, Bulgaria

Situated 2 hours south of Sofia, Bansko is a hidden skiing gem in Europe. While the continent is known for its incredible skiing, Bansko is a breath of fresh air with its affordable prices and friendly locals.

With UNESCO protected Prim National Park next door, the skiing in this destination is not only fun but beautiful as well. The park is filled with animals including wolves and bears.

Bansko has consistent snowfall from December to March so it is always a good time to go skiing here in winter. The best part about Bansko is eating and enjoying an apres-ski. Once your done skiing for the day, the town is well worth exploring. It has plenty of affordable options to enjoy yourself and fuel up for the next day’s ski session.

If you are searching for a budget ski option in Europe, look no further than Bansko, one of the world’s best places to ski!

3. Thredbo, Australia

I know what you may be thinking, but yes, Australia really does have a ski resort. Located south of the Australian capital of Canberra and near Kosciuszko National Park, Thredbo allows those that live in the Northern Hemisphere to ski during summer months.

The ski season at Thredbo runs from June to October so you can hit the slopes while your friends dream about the upcoming ski season.

Not only are the appropriately named Snowy Mountains great for skiing, but they are also considered some of Australia’s highest peaks. This Southern Hemisphere skiing trip is bound to make all of your friends jealous.

4. Oukaimeden, Morocco

If you have never thought about Africa as a continent with awesome skiing, it’s time to change your mind. Africa actually has quite a few places where you can ski, but the infrastructure is not in place in many countries for the casual skier. In many places, you have to hike hours just to reach the summit to then ski.

But some of the best runs and facilities to go along with it lie in Morocco.

Oukaimeden, located about an hour south of Marrakech, is a beautiful ski resort 2,650 meters (8,690 feet) high in the Atlas Mountains. The pistes are not the most well marked, but for $10 USD for a lift ticket, no one is complaining.

Whether you are experienced or just trying skiing for the first time, Oukaimeden is sure to be an adventurous day.

5. Masikryong, North Korea

This may be the most surprising ski destination on this list! North Korea’s Masikryong is on many adventurous skiers bucket list due to the difficulty of just getting there.

If you do decide to visit Masikryong, you’ll have to do it through a state organized tour.

Although the peak is not that high standing at 1,360 meters (4,461 feet), you’ll be rewarded with almost no wait time for the lift. It’s said if you get access to the slopes, you will most likely have the entire resort to yourself. The whole complex is massive. It has 10 total ski runs that each vary in length.

For a ski spot that few have actually gone to, Masikryong is the place to go.

6. Alyeska, Alaska

One of the best parts about winter in Alaska is the skiing opportunities. Fortunately for Alaskans, Alyeska is one of the best ski areas around. However, skiing at Alyeska is not for beginners, you won’t find any Bunny Hills here in the Chugach mountain range.

With annual snowfall reaching upwards of 650 inches per year, there is plenty of fresh powder to explore in Alyeska. However, the skiing is more suited for those that are used to backcountry skiing. Avalanches are common in this part of southern Alaska.

One of the unique parts about skiing at Alyeska is that it is possible to view glaciers from the top of the mountain on clear days. The views are absolutely breathtaking.

If you consider yourself a fan of the outdoors and an advanced skier, Alyeska is waiting to welcome you.

7. Antarctica

Did you know that it is possible to ski every continent on planet Earth? Yes, that means you can even ski Antarctica!

Imagine using every form of transportation just to get to the mountain and then having to hike past penguins and seals. Skiing in Antarctica is not for the faint of heart or beginners.

It’s possible that you may even be the first person to ever ski some of the slopes you’re on! It’s a unique opportunity that not many skiers can claim.

Be ready to bring all of your own equipment. There is no pre-existing infrastructure for skiing so this is truly for those that want a once in a lifetime backcountry skiing experience.

8. Val-d’Isère, France

Definitely the most cliché and typical in this list of the best places to ski in the world, Val-d’Isère is nonetheless a classic ski resort that fully deserves its reputation as one of the World’s top skiing destinations.

Open from late November to early May, and consisting of 300 kilometers of ski runs and reaching a height at its highest point of 3197 meters, it’s understandable why this unforgettable ski resort in the French Alps, towards the border of Italy, is so popular.

Its infrastructure is well-established with an extensive network of chairlifts and the careful planning for tourists that went into this ski resort makes it one of the more comfortable ski resorts on offer. Moreover, its slopes can cater to both beginners and experts.

9. Niseko, Japan

Fancy skiing while seeing the Mount Fuji of Hokkaido (Mount Yōtei) in the background? If so, this is the ski spot for you!

Located in Japan’s northernmost main island, Hokkaido, the region is covered with volcanos, natural hot springs and, of course, ski areas!

It can get quite cold (especially in January), but it is because of this that Niseko is blessed with an abundance of fluffy powdered snow that falls at an average of 15-18 meters per season. Its infrastructure is also a bonus with families being taken care of because of childcare. ski lessons for kids, and babysitting that are all on offer with English-speaking staff.

Moreover, the town of Niseko features wonderful restaurants, good shopping opportunities and a general “good vibe” of the village.

10. Bariloche, Argentina

This ski resort in Argentina’s lake district, Catedral Alta Patagonia, is definitely worth considering.

With more than 40 ski lifts, 1480 acres to ski in, and a summit of 7152 feet, this ski resort that features the only full-service base village in South America is understandably on the pricier side, but is well worth it, and is also sure to be fun just for yourself or your family included.

With a general opening season of late June to early October, 9am-5pm, this ski resort is perhaps better overall for the less-advanced skier, but will still offer a challenge for the more-able skiers out there too.

These were our top 10 ski resorts in the world, do you agree? Feel free to comment below with your own additions or thoughts on the best places to ski in the world!

Suggested next reading: 5 Best Ski Resorts In Austria That Are Perfect For This Winter

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If, like me, you’re unable to watch highly-trained athletes fly head-first down a mountainside on a metal tray without some small, reptilian part of your brain thinking, “I could do that”, well—sorry. You really couldn’t.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t try some adrenaline-pumping, alternative sports this Winter. There are actually loads of ways to enjoy the season beyond the usual sledding, skiing and snowboarding options, many of which require little to no experience to try.

We’ve pulled together a list of our 7 favorite underrated winter sports to help inspire you on your way. They’re not all Olympic sports—at least not yet—but they’re all guaranteed to give you experiences you’ll never forget.

1. Bobsled

For adrenaline-seekers, there can’t be many experiences to compete with the thrill of battling 4g centrifugal forces as you rush down the ice at 90mph, your head clattering around like an egg in a washing machine, the sound of thunder in your ears.

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It’s amazing to think that couch-potatoes like us could be allowed to try such things, but indeed we are. That doesn’t mean you’ll get to drive or brake, of course, but there are two vacant spots waiting for you and another fearless friend in the middle of the sled, for around $115 per person.

Our European readers can book their experience with Olympiaworld in Innsbruck, Austria; or with the Olympia Bob Run in St. Moritz, Switzerland. North American readers can try the Whistler Blackcomb run near Vancouver, Canada.

2. Wok Racing

The sport the world never knew it needed, Wok Racing, the brainchild of German TV presenter Stefan Raab, is quickly gaining a devoted following. Part of the appeal no doubt comes from the fact that it’s a safer and less bone-rattling alternative to the luge, but I’d wager an even larger part of the appeal is that it makes for an awesome story to share over a festive dinner.

”What did you do over the holidays?“

“Not much. Slid down an Olympic bobsleigh track in a wok. The usual.”

Book here.

3. Ski Jump

Ski jumping is such a niche skill, you have to wonder how people come to learn it. The good news is you don’t have to join a club or practice from an early age to get started. The Skisprungschule, in Austria, provides budding aeronauts with the chance to test their mettle—and their knee joints—on a number of jumps throughout Austria.

Granted, you won’t be jumping from anything like the height you see on the TV, but you will jump from 10 meters to begin with or 20 meters by the end of the day if you pick up the skills. Get it right and you’ll be a hero to your friends; get it wrong and you’ll be a photo opportunity for your friends. Either way, you’ll have a blast.

Details here.

4. Ski Biking

To be totally honest, I’d never even heard of Ski Biking until recently. Now that I’ve seen it I can’t believe it’s not everywhere. As someone whose enjoyment of winter sports is tempered by the fact I can NEVER remain VERTICAL, Ski Biking is a bit of a revelation. It’s kind of hard to describe in words, so I’ll let the experts show you how it’s done.

It’s a relatively new sport but, given that it’s basically possible for anyone who can ride a bike, it’s an easy way to enjoy the slopes if you’re not much good on your own two feet. Many ski resorts rent out bikes for around $30 a day, so search online for a destination near you if you want to be ahead of the next trend.

Four skis good, two skis bad.

5. Ice Driving

Cars are dangerous objects that require us to be responsible adults, but imagine you could get behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 rally car and slide it around on a frozen lake in Scandinavia; all the pressures of adulthood melt away like fresh-fallen snow and you’ll be as giddy as a child again.

You’ll get to test your driving skills to the limit and pick up some tips from the professionals while you’re at it. However, it’s not cheap. At around $1000 for a day’s driving you’ll need to dig deep, but it’s a truly bucketlist worthy experience that you’ll never stop talking about afterward.

There are a few operators working in Norway and Sweden, but we’d suggest booking with Ice Driver.

If money really is no object, then you can even pay for the privilege of putting the McLaren 570S supercar through its paces, deep in the Arctic circle. It’s quite literally one of the coolest driving experiences ever.  

6. Dog Sledding

If you prefer your alpine thrills a little more organic, dog-sledding is the obvious choice. The relationship between people and dogs have been tested in these harsh climates for hundreds of years and the fact that dogs are still used in many parts of the world, even in this technological age, is a testament to the bond we share with our furry friends.

Dog sledding is a serene and mindful way of experiencing the world around us, and lucky riders may even have their patience rewarded with the glimpse of a wolf, moose or even an arctic fox. European readers can try short or multi-day opportunities in Kiruna, Sweden, whereas North American readers can head to Winterlake Lodge, Alaska, or Whitehorse, Canada, for the best experiences.

7. Biathlon

Most of the winter sports we’ve mentioned so far have been pretty high-octane, but that doesn’t mean they all have to be. If you’re looking for an activity that will get you some exercise in the great outdoors whilst testing your endurance, patience and mental strength, why not consider having a go at the biathlon?

Even if you consider yourself a bit of a sharp shot, you’ll find it’s a whole different challenge keeping a steady hand in icy conditions after skiing several miles.

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Whether you hit the targets or not, next time you settle down in front of the Winter Olympics you’re sure to have a whole new level of appreciation for the athletes you’re watching. There are loads of places to try your hand in Europe, from Scotland down to Austria. North Americans are equally well provided for.

Which other underrated winter sports should be on the list? Let us know in the comments below.

Suggested next reading: 5 Best Ski Resorts In Austria That Are Perfect For This Winter

The post 7 Underrated Winter Sports You Need To Try This Year appeared first on Modern Trekker.

Each area covers large ski domains, which sometimes span over several valleys, glaciers, and mountains. If you are a beginner, it’s not so important where you choose to go since each resort has easy ski pistes where you can learn the first steps. The big challenge, though, comes when skiing is one of your biggest passions—you’re a ski aficionado, and you want to go to a ski region that offers you as many possibilities as possible.

I’ve heard many of my Romanian friends say that after you ski in Austria, you don’t want to ski in Romania. It is so true. Austria has such a countless diversity of ski slopes, spanning to the infinite, that you’ll truly fulfill all your winter holiday’s desires in one week of skiing all day long.

There are many ski regions in Austria, each of them with their own unique scenery and charm. Here are some of the best ones to consider that also contain the best ski resorts in Austria:

1. Zillertal Valley

The Zillertal Valley is a vast region of no less than six separate ski resorts linked together within the same ski pass. It consists of approximately 550 kilometers of ski slopes and, if you stay in the valley, you can ski in a different place each day.

When you enter the Zillertal Valley from Jenbach town, the ski resorts succeed in this order: Fügen-Kaltenbach, Zell-Gerlos and Zillertal Arena, Mayrhofen-Hippach, and tucked away at the end of the valley is the Tux-Finkenberg with its Hintertux Glacier.

If you want to have easy access to all of the ski resorts, it is better to stay in the center of the Zillertal Valley—in Zell am Ziller village. One of the highlights of Zillertal is than you can go by ski bus to Gerlos Pass in the morning, ski half day in the area, traverse by ski lifts to Zillertal Arena, and ski the rest of the day in a different area. The idea is that you start in a place in the morning and, come afternoon, you’ll be down on the other side of the mountain after a full ski day.

To pique your curiosity, when I discovered the Zillertal Valley, I went skiing there for three consecutive years. As a ski lover, I very much appreciate being able to ski with the same ski pass in a different resort each day. If the ski areas are interconnected at higher elevations, that’s even better!

2. Sölden

In the Ötztal Valley (near the border with Italy), Sölden features a vast ski resort with a total of 144 slope kilometers. Ski lifts and gondolas whisk skiers up to 3000 meters of altitude from where you can choose a different route and continuously ski down for almost one hour.

Sölden features two breathtaking glaciers—Rettenbach and Tiefenbach, where ski aficionados can have fun from October to May. While skiing on the glaciers, the wild alpine scenery is jaw-dropping, with hundreds of snow-capped mountains and tiny restaurants refurbished in cozy wooden huts.

However, the disadvantage of Sölden is that if the weather is not good. The mountain lifts that go up to the glaciers sometimes don’t work and you have to limit to half of the ski slopes—and this may happen for several days in a row.

3. Zell am See–Kaprun

Zell am See is idyllically situated on the shores the Zeller See Lake. The ski domain totals approximately 140 kilometers of pistes, which spread over three mountains. The Schmittenhöhe lies high above the Zell Lake, while Maiskogel Family Mountain in Kaprun village is a good opportunity for beginners. The icing on the cake is the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, which offers skiing opportunities from October to May.

Free ski buses run between the ski resorts and the advantage is that you can choose to ski in different scenery every day during your holiday. Staying in Zell am See offers not only a good location close to the ski pistes but also a charming and historical mountain town that is so typical of Tirol. This really has to be one of the best ski resorts in Austria.

4. St. Anton am Arlberg

St. Anton am Arlberg is a vast holiday region that spans over five ski resorts where you can enjoy your winter holiday with the same ski pass—the Alberg Card. Ski Arlberg has been officially nominated as the largest connected ski area in Austria. The region summarizes approximately 305 kilometers of marked ski runs, meaning a wide range of choices for ski lovers who want something different each day.

The ski resorts that are part of this region are St. Anton am Arlberg, Pettneu-Schnann am Arlberg, St. Christoph, Flirsch am Arlberg, and Strengen am Arlberg. St. Anton is the gateway to the Alberg ski region, which spans over the mountains to Warth-Schröcken, near the border with Germany.

St. Anton and the nearby St. Christoph are definitely the most popular places to stay. However, if you want to be at an equal distance to all of the ski resorts, it may be a wise decision to choose the less popular but more picturesque villages of Lech Zürs or Stubenbach. As an additional little help, Lech Zürs am Arlberg is among the twelve Alpine villages which have been voted as the “Best of the Alps”.

5. Skiwelt Wilder Kaiser–Brixental

Skiwel Wilder Kaiser is one of Austria’s largest interconnected ski areas in Tirol. No less than nine villages provide direct access to a wide range of ski pistes, consisting of more than 284 kilometers. The villages that make up the Wilder Kaiser ski area are Itter, Söll, Scheffau, Ellmau and Going (on the left side valley) and Kleschau, Hopfgarten, Westendorf, and Brixen im Thale (on the right side valley).

The most popular and convenient choice for passionate skiers is to stay somewhere in the heart of the region—in Söll village, thus having easy access to both sides of the ski region.

One of the highlights of Skiwelt is than you can go by ski bus to Going in the morning and then ski all the way back to Söll, Iter or Hopfgarten while also taking ski lifts. If you do this grand traverse, it’s practically impossible to ski twice on the same routes. You can ski wherever you like and have more fun exploring the countless ski runs high in the mountains and, as the ski pistes begin to close, get down to the nearest village. This flexibility is a great feature which passionate skiers appreciate very much.

Moreover, Skiwelt Wilder Kaiser has the largest night skiing area in Austria, so if you haven’t skied enough during the day, you have the chance to consume all your energy during the night run.

Suggested next reading: 6 Of The Absolute Best Places For Sandboarding Around The World

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All you need for sandboarding is shorts, a T-shirt, and an open mind. With that, you will be well on your way to mastering sandboarding.

While it looks pretty easy, it is actually much like snowboarding…except you won’t hurt your butt as much when you fall. The interesting part about sandboarding is that you have to wax your board before each run or else you won’t be able to slide on the sand. (Don’t worry, I forgot to wax my board a few times too when I first tried sandboarding last year.)

It takes the same ability to maneuver and guide the board to excel at the sport. Once, you have it down, you’ll want to sandboard all over the world and it will take you to some pretty spectacular spots.

From Chile to Japan, here are the 6 best sandboarding locations around the world:

1. Atacama Desert, Chile

The Atacama Desert is a pretty special place. It’s strangely fascinating. It is considered the driest place on planet Earth and has incredible natural landscape. It’s also quite high at 2,400 meters (7,840 feet) above sea level. It is a vast difference from the Chilean Patagonia region at the southern tip of the country.

For a massive desert, it surprisingly has a lot of nature and wildlife roaming around. Regardless, in between sightseeing, sandboarding is a major draw in the Atacama Desert. It’s truly a unique experience. Imagine holding your board and looking out on a landscape that looks more like Mars than Earth.

There are endless sand dunes for you to board, but it’s best to go with a tour company as they provide all of the equipment. There are plenty of companies that provide the service in the nearby town of San Pedro and they all offer the same service.

Be sure to bring plenty of water since the combination of dry air, altitude, and heat can quickly make you dehydrated. Luckily, the tour companies provide refreshments.

2. Cerro Negro, Nicaragua

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Nicaragua is one of those countries that has quickly become a go-to destination on many travelers bucket list. In my opinion, it’s for good reason too.

The Central American country has built a reputation among adrenaline seekers. They often come to the 728 meter (2,388 foot) Cerro Negro (Black Mountain) Volcano to get their thrill-seeking kick. The volcano is actually one of 19 active volcanoes in the region that make up a chain running from northwest to southeast.

Located an hour drive from Leon, you can actually do a whole range of activities on the mountain. One of those activities is sandboarding down the mountain.

You first have to put on a ridiculous space suit and goggles. You actually sandboard from the top of the volcano by hiking up the rocky part and sandboarding down the sandy side.

Be prepared to wipe out on your run down the mountain and catch a mouth full of lava. You’ll definitely get it in your hair so it may take a few days to wash out. Sandboarding down Cerro Negro is a great daytime activity if you find yourself in Leon, but plan to be gone the whole day.

3. Huacachina, Peru

It’s hard to talk about sandboarding and not mention this small desert town. Huacachina has become famous for its sandboarding. Some would argue it is the best of all the sandboarding locations in the world, but that is always up for debate.

The tour has been available for over 12 years and involves a thrilling dune buggy ride out into the desert. If you only visit one of these six sandboarding locations, this should be it.

4. Port Stephens, Australia

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Our next sandboarding location takes us across the world to Australia. Located north of Sydney, Port Stephens is unique in that you can sandboard and go watch dolphins or whales on the same day.

Australia is a great country for sandboarding since it has a lot of massive dunes throughout the country. It’s one of the more scenic sandboarding locations since it is right on the water and if it gets too hot you can jump right in the water. Port Stephens cannot be missed!

5. Negev Desert, Israel

Covering half of Israel’s total land, the Negev Desert is massive and is filled with more sand than anyone knows what to do with.

The landscape is similar to that of the Atacama Desert except that the Negev is actually a rock desert so there are less flat and sandy areas to choose from.

As a result, the tour groups must drive into more remote and less accessible parts of the desert. The area where you can sandboard is actually the only place in the entire Negev where you can safely do the activity.

There are tour groups that do sandboarding but be aware that it is quite expensive. However, they do provide tea in a Bedouin-style hut after sandboarding so that makes the experience worth it.

6. Tottori, Japan

What comes to mind when you think of Japan? I bet adventure sports, especially sandboarding, is not what pops up, but you’d be surprised that Japan actually holds one of the best lesser-known sandboarding locations in the world.

The sandboarding culture is certainly not as big in Japan so you’ll find fewer people doing it, which is great news for you.

Tottori, located on the beautiful northern coast of the Sea of Japan, holds the largest sand dune in the region. The spot is idyllic and sandboarding here is almost a “Zen-like” experience.

The runs are open from March to December due to bad weather during the other months, but reservations should be made ahead of time to guarantee your spot. Also, there is no transportation except bus to the sand dune. Sandboarding and sushi… Sign me up!

Know of any more awesome sandboarding locations? Leave a comment below!

Suggested next reading: 10 Awe-Inspiring Hikes You Need To Do In Your Lifetime

The post 6 Of The Absolute Best Places For Sandboarding Around The World appeared first on Modern Trekker.

The Location:

Kyrgyzstan: a country of 6 million inhabitants nestled in the mountains of Central Asia. A land with a thousand-year history and a crossroads for civilizations and cultures on the Silk Road. For a long time under foreign domination, geographical isolation has nevertheless preserved its ancient nomadic culture. Kyrgyzstan is a pearl of rare brilliance that shines with its different legacies: Persian, Turkish, Mongolian and Russian. However, independent of the fall of the USSR in 1991, Kyrgyzstan has been scourged by years of ethnic and political conflicts, economic stagnation and rampant poverty.

A unique country where the sweet taste of beauty seems to be accompanied by the bitter aftertaste of fatality, as on the pristine shores of Lake Ysyk Köl where, just beyond it, looms the dominating mountain range of Tian Shan. A majestic place considered to be the historic epicenter of the Black Death which decimated Europe between 1347 and 1352. Here, as a tourist center in the Soviet era, the World Nomad Games—the games of the nomadic peoples—are held from 2014 on a biennial basis. An international event that carries out the mission of both protecting and reviving the traditions and identity of the peoples of Central Asia, through the strengthening of cultural ties between the participating nations. The idea, proposed in 2012 by the then president of the Kyrgyz Republic, Almazbek Atambayev, with the support of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, is an important showcase and an opportunity for tourism development within the whole country.

The History:

The first edition of the World Nomad Games took place from September 9th to 14th, 2014. 583 athletes from 19 countries competed in 10 sports. For a total spending of over 3 million dollars, the games were accompanied by a rich program of cultural festivities and entertainment events. The great interest the games generated pushed Kyrgyzstan to propose a second edition in 2016. Held from 3 to 8 September, it included a total of 23 sports and saw the participation of about 1000 athletes from 63 countries.

This year hosts the third edition, the World Nomad Games 2018, which takes place from the 2nd to the 8th of September. And this year is bigger than ever before: 80 participating nations, 3000 athletes and 36 sports from different disciplines of horse riding, dueling and other traditional games such as archery, hunting and strategy board games, etc.

The Mission:

The goal of the games is to revitalize the nomadic sports, giving them international relevance.

The competitions are held in different types of sports, such as Mas-wrestling, archery, or the ordo, in which bones are used.

But the most famous is the equestrian sports, in particular, the buzkashi or kokpar, a sort of central-Asian version of polo, with a notable difference: the aim is to reach the goal with the decapitated carcass of a goat.

More Than Sport:

But the World Nomad Games are not just about sport, it’s also a time to celebrate the cultural heritage and traditions of these peoples. Since the time of the Silk Road, the nomads have welcomed other cultures, while also sharing their own unique traditions with others.

Always in the spirit of cultural exchange, competitions are held for cooking and construction of yurts, the typical Asian mobile home among the various regions of Kyrgyzstan.

The aim of the games is not only to increase dialogue between cultures and to showcase disciplines that otherwise would not feature in other sports competitions, but also to help preserve the nomadic cultural heritage of Central Asia and Kyrgyzstan in an era of globalization. In this regard, in fact, a series of side events have accompanied and enriched the event. Within almost 300 yurts, you’re able to listen to music or attend traditional theatrical performances, fashion shows with clothes for both sexes, as well as a conference discussing the future of the nomadic civilization.

But, with the constantly expanding nature of the event, who knows what additional surprises will be in store this year at the World Nomad Games 2018!

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The Essential Info:

When: September 2-8, 2018

Where: Cholpon Ata, Kyrgyzstan

Tickets: Tickets can be purchased through the World Nomad Games 2018 mobile app or by other trusted retailers. Different types of tickets are also available.

Price: from 8 dollars up to 90 dollars

Top Tips:

1. Book in advance – This is, obviously, one of the first things you should do to make sure you can attend the Word Nomad Games 2018! Book your tickets for the event first, book your flight and hotel afterward. As you’ll know, booking in advance also saves money and time, allows one to be more flexible, and will make for a smoother trip.

2. Have a plan – Use a map and don’t underestimate the distances—Kyrgyzstan is a big country—in order to get there on time for the events. Make sure to find nearby accommodation and figure out beforehand the easiest ways to move around the area. Schedule everything but try to get to the venue a little bit early in case there are any changes to the program.

3. Use public transportation – Relying on public transportations such as local buses that steadily go back and forth from the camp is the best option to keep things cheap and safe. In case you are forced to rely on taxis, ask for the price in advance.

4. Try to keep things authentic! – Experience authentic and traditional things by trying local foods and connecting with the local people. Kyrgyzstan is a unique place, so be sober yet open-minded.

5. Some basic Russian would be helpful – Unfortunately, English is not widely spoken in the area so a little phrasebook or translator app should be considered to avoid unpleasant misunderstandings and to always have a backup plan when things get tricky!

6. Pack for the right things! – Wear comfortable clothes to keep things relaxed and practical. Bring a mask or a bandana as dust is all over the place. Bring solar cream and make sure to stay hydrated!

We really hope you found this guide useful and enjoy your adventure at the upcoming World Nomad Games 2018!

Suggested next reading: Hiking Into The Clouds With The Hill Tribes Of Northern Vietnam

The post Your Ultimate Guide To The World Nomad Games 2018 appeared first on Modern Trekker.