EST. 2010
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40 Tribes was founded in 2010 with an interest in discovering the next far out, exotic, untouched destination for backcountry skiing and splitboarding. The little known and hugely misunderstood Central Asian Republic of Kyrgyzstan—once developed by the Soviets for skiing—grabbed our attention right away as the new frontier. During two seasons scouting the endless Kyrgyzstani backcountry, we realized the potential to utilize entirely native resources—yurts, mountains, snow, and motivated locals—to help foster a more innovative and adventurous edge to the country's emerging winter tourism industry. The result: Kyrgyzstan's first fully-winterized yurt camp, set in a remote corner of the Terskey Ala-Too Mountains, run in partnership with local families who live in the villages at the base of the very peaks we ride in. A wickedly comfortable basecamp, authentic local flavor that still caters to Western tastes, and world-class terrain right out the back door. A place and an experience that's so wildly different from anything you've imagined before, it's sure to be one you'll never forget.
Kyrgyzstan will always be at the heart of 40 Tribes, but it’s clearly in our blood to pioneer the next next-level adventure.
In April 2015 we spearheaded the first basecamp expedition of its kind at 78° North on the arctic archipelago of Svalbard. In February 2016 we introduced a village-based expedition in the Caucasus mountains in Georgia's Upper Svaneti region. In April 2017 we ran our first expedition to the Russian Far East—Kamchatka—where we basecamped amongst the perfect birch forest of the Ganalsky Range and rode from the summits of active volcanoes. In August 2018 we launched a summer shredventure in an exclusive zone deep in the Chilean Andes (which has since evolved into multiple itineraries) and then boarded the shred train in Western Siberia just a few months later for an early season pow smashing mission of epic proportions. In 2020 we unveiled the first in our series of Mystery Trips, where the only information disclosed ahead of time was where to meet and when (not the final destination). That trip—which took place in Ptor’s Backyard above La Grave, France—was just too rad not to be added to our list of regular offerings and inspired our new series of Backyard Expeditions, promising adventures unlike any you’d ever find on solo trips to the special spots our guides call home. In February 2022, clients on our second Mystery Trip joined us (unknowingly at first) in exploring a new zone in Georgia, Racha, where our partners have created one of the most luxurious basecamp scenarios we’ve ever experienced. Later that year we realized a long-held dream of ours and ran two mindblowing sessions based from a traditional hunting village on an island off the east coast of Greenland, using snowmobiles to tow across the ice and boats to push across open fjords to access our lines. The dream destination theme has continued ever since, using the Mystery Trip as a means of unveiling our newest operating areas: the Spanish Pyrenees (unveiled February 2023) and the Lofoten Archipelago in Northern Norway (unveiled April 2024). For 2025 you better believe we’ve got another amazing mystery destination lined up. If you've got a taste for unthinkable, one-of-a-kind backcountry adventures, take your pick!
2024/25
OFFERINGS
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Villages. Horses. Yurts. Ancient cultures. Active volcanoes. Arctic couloirs. Polar bears. First descents. Not exactly your typical descriptives when talking about your most recent trip into the backcountry.
SVANETI, GEORGIA EXPEDITION
FROM THE GUESTBOOK
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“Guiding and running my own adventure travel company, I was so impressed how you have dialed this remote location. Every aspect has been well thought-out and I cannot say enough about the attention to detail each step of the way. It was so well done! Great job on building an incredible experience over such a long run! I will certainly be back.”
“I could go on and on. I loved it! All of it.”
“Without question, one of the best trips I’ve ever done. An amazing life experience all round.”
“Thank god there are people like you in the world designing trips like this to keep the stoke alive! Thanks for everything. It was a trip that I will never forget.”
“Hands down the best trip I’ve had. Amazing location, great food (noodle dynamics) and above all, great people. Thanks a lot for sharing this amazing place with us!”
“With some dreaming and anticipation of what this trip would be like, we honestly don’t think we could’ve asked for a more profound, adventurous and epic trip. 40 Tribes and their partners delivered. Thank you so much for sharing this place with us, it’s truly a privilege.”
“Unreal mountains, unreal lines, unreal guides, and an unreal crew. 40 Tribes made this crazy trip seamless, all I had to do was focus on the shreds. Couldn’t have asked for a better week. This is a must for any adventure-seeking skier. Thanks to everyone who made this once-in-a-lifetime trip possible.”
“Before Kyrgyzstan/after Kyrgyzstan. That’s how my splitboarding will be noted. Thanks to the whole team for an incredible experience. Much dedication goes into crafting this type of adventure and much commitment is required in advance from all - guides, chef, skiers who dedicated years of their lives to become proficient enough to pull this off. This isn’t a vacation; it’s a lifestyle, transported overseas. And it’s fucking awesome.”
“Epic skiing with an awesome crew to support and guide the way. Will definitely be talking about this trip for the rest of my life.”
“Thank you all for a wonderful time in the hills. I’m going home a very happy kid. ”
“What an incredible treat to spend a week in Kyrgyzstan with such gracious and talented hosts. Every part of our journey was carefully considered and very well executed. My deepest gratitude to the guide team for sharing your expertise with us, keeping us safe and taking us out for some great skiing!”
“40 Tribes team: Thank you for an AMAZING week. Loved your spirits, high energy & positivity. Thank you for getting us into some of that epic kyrpow. The food was dee-lish!! Our bellies were smiling 24/7. We will absolutely be back for another 40 Tribes ski adventure in the future :)”
“This trip was absolutely bomb. The pre-trip setup was as pro as it gets, Kyrgyzstan is a mind altering experience on all fronts (culture, history, geography, snowpack, culinary wizardry), Akim and Nurbek are saints, and the snow still has me reeling. Thank you!”
“Ryan: I’ve completed a few ‘organized trips’ and your product is by far the best thus far. You pay attention to detail and that makes a big difference from start to finish. I love that you are living your dream and sharing it with others. Thank you for one of my favorite vacations thus far!!! Epic!”
“By far the most interesting and amazing place I have been on a snowboard. There wasn’t just one thing that made it great, it was the trip overall - the place, food, people, snow. Any trip I do in the future will be compared to this one and I’m not sure if they could be any better!”
“Con’t imagine a more authentic backcountry ski trip. Between the traditional yurts, the stellar ski terrain, Nurbek’s tasty cooking, and a last night with a bonfire and accordion music under a night sky plastered with stars. Right on, 40 Tribes!”
“I can’t imagine a better guided ski experience. Everything was beyond my expectations. Great guides, conditions, food and culture. Thanks so much for this never-to-be-forgotten experience!”
“Epic week in an incredible country. The terrain that is accessible from the yurts is second to none. Ryan has done an incredible job of capturing the Kyrgyz culture into one week in the mountains. Hope to make it back again in the future.”
“Amazing time here - great touring, riding and company. Hard work by everyone at 40 Tribes has made it all a fairly luxurious experience. My son called while I was here and is anxious to come next year. I sure hope to make that happen!”
“Incredible week of skiing kyrpow with these guys. Great food, friends and hospitality. I would come back in a heartbeat. No one knows these mountains better than Ryan and the guides. I would recommend to anyone.”