The prefecture where he once chased sheep on fur skis is renowned for its long snow season of about 180 days a year, abundant powder and steep terrain.

In recent years, the winter sports boom prompted the local authorities to promote skiing culture, hoping to develop the area as a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders nationwide. That ambition has brought resort complexes to slopes once traced only by herders' paths.

It also changed Meyirbek Xigis' life. Since 2018, he has worked at the Koktokay International Ski Resort. Two years later came the turning point, when a visitor to the resort noticed Meyirbek Xigis' traditional fur skis and introduced him to competitive ski mountaineering. He gave it a try, and his native endurance, honed over mountainous pastures, gave him an immediate edge.