Ski Adventure Kazakhstan

Your next ski adventure takes you to Kazakhstan, one of the most surprising and underrated destinations in the world. Over the course of a week in the Almaty region, you’ll experience a dynamic mix of modern ski infrastructure, untouched landscapes, and raw Central Asian culture.

Forget outdated resorts or predictable ski trips. Here, you’ll ride ultra-modern gondolas high into the mountains, carve through fresh powder, explore remote valleys, and even encounter camels along the way. Off the slopes, Almaty offers a vibrant nightlife and a welcoming atmosphere that adds a whole new dimension to your trip. From cat skiing in remote terrain to exploring dramatic landscapes like the “Valley of Castles,” this journey is about much more than just skiing. It’s a unique blend of adventure, culture, and discovery. Set against the backdrop of the majestic Tian Shan mountains.

As always, we work predominantly with local partners and guides. As a non-profit tour agency, we support tourism in developing countries, providing you with an authentic local experience while ensuring that locals earn a decent income. Additionally, we help foster local initiatives to grow (winter) tourism.

Shymbulak

You will probably fly into the biggest city of Kazakhstan, Almaty. With the mighty Ala Tau mountains as a backdrop, we make our way to the city center, which will serve as our base for the rest of the week.

Several ski resorts are located around the city, and we’ll visit the three most exciting ones: Ak Bulak, Oi Qaraqai, and Shymbulak. We’ll stay in a local hotel in the center of Almaty. After our arrival on Sunday, we will take a short walk in the city center. Almaty has a relaxed, almost European feel, with leafy boulevards, cozy cafés, and a lively food scene. What makes it truly unique is how quickly you can go from city streets to high alpine terrain—it’s a rare place where urban energy and mountain adventure blend seamlessly.

Shymbulak

On Monday morning, after a short drive from the city centre, we arrive at Shymbulak, the largest ski resort in Central Asia. It hosted the 2017 Winter Universiade—the Olympic Games for students—and offers challenging terrain reaching up to around 3,200 meters.

Shymbulak, the most famous ski resort in Kazakhstan, is connected to the Medeu ice skating stadium by a modern gondola that takes you from 1,600 to 2,200 meters in about 20 minutes. The resort has hosted numerous FIS competitions, and in 2024 it welcomed the first Freeride World Tour event in Central Asia.

With a vertical drop of over 1,000 meters and a top elevation of approximately 3,250 meters, the skiing here is both varied and impressive. One of our favorite spots, Bar 3200, offers stunning views of the Talgar Glacier (5,017 meters). The ski area is ultra-modern and equipped with the latest lift systems, and on clear days, you can even enjoy views over the city of Almaty as you ski down.

Lesnaya Skazka (Oi Qaragai)

Lesnaya Skazka, also known as Oi Qaraqai, is one of the newest ski resorts in the Almaty region and offers a completely different atmosphere compared to the larger, more established areas. Often referred to as the “fairytale forest,” the resort is set among quiet, wooded slopes lined with deciduous trees, creating a peaceful and almost magical setting.

The surroundings are truly beautiful, with rolling terrain and scenic forest runs. Despite its charm, Oi Qaraqai is still relatively undiscovered, meaning you’ll often have plenty of space to explore. The modern lift system is fast and efficient, giving you more time on the slopes and making it easy to lap your favorite runs. It’s an ideal spot for enjoyable tree skiing, relaxed cruising, and soaking in the unique landscape.

Ak Bulak

On Wednesday morning, we set off early for the ski resort of Ak Bulak. It’s time to leave Almaty behind and head out into the vast open landscapes of Kazakhstan.

Our first stop is Ak Bulak, a resort known for having some of the most challenging terrain in the country. While the number of lifts is limited, there are plenty of ungroomed runs to explore.

A fast gondola takes you quickly from 1,650 to 2,050 meters. From there, a two-seater chairlift continues up to around 2,700 meters. At the top, there are no groomed pistes, offering great opportunities for off-piste skiing, while below 2,050 meters you’ll find perfectly groomed runs.

Hot Springs

After Ak Bulak, we continue our journey across the Kazakh steppe to a hot spring near the village of Chundzha. Along a quiet, dead-end road close to the Chinese border, you’ll find several pool complexes fed by natural thermal water that rises close to the surface.

Outside, the conditions can be harsh and freezing, with temperatures often dropping below -20°C. Fortunately, we have access to multiple hot springs where you can warm up and relax. We’ll stay in twin rooms located around the pools.

Cat Skiing

The next morning, we drive to the border village of Karkara. In this remote mountain region, we’ll have a PistenBully at our disposal for two full days. Normally used to groom ski slopes, this powerful machine is fitted with a heated cabin for up to 15 people and will take us deep into the mountains, accessing untouched powder runs.

We’ll stay in an authentic mountaineering camp at the foot of the Karkara range, at around 2,100 meters. It’s a truly special location, complete with a sauna, a relaxation area, and a cozy, social atmosphere. Local Kazakh cooks will prepare delicious, hearty meals throughout our stay.

Each day, the PistenBully departs directly from the camp, bringing us to a variety of slopes in the surrounding mountains. The runs are chosen based on the group’s level, but are generally accessible to a wide range of skiers and snowboarders. A local guide will lead the way, ensuring we find the best lines and make the most of the terrain.

Charyn Canyon

On Saturday morning, it’s time to leave Karkara.. We are going to the deepest point of our journey, the Charyn canyon. A 370-meter gorge looms from ground level. The gorge is called the Grand Canyon of Kazakhstan, and during a short hike, you will understand why. Stretching over 90 kilometers, this majestic canyon features vibrant red rock formations, intricate cliffs, and deep gorges sculpted by the Charyn River over millions of years. The most famous section, the Valley of Castles, boasts towering rock structures that resemble ancient fortresses. We will explore the canyon on foot, taking in the breathtaking views and unique geological formations. Charyn Canyon is definitely a must-visit destination. With this, we almost bring this unique journey to an end. Fortunately, we still have one more evening in Almaty ahead of us.

Return to Almaty

In Almaty, we’ll enjoy an extensive farewell dinner. Those who still have some energy left can head out and experience the city’s nightlife, while others may prefer to get a good night’s rest. Unfortunately, this is where our journey together comes to an end. You’ve no doubt gotten to know Kazakhstan a little better—and we hope we’ve had the chance to get to know you as well. We’ll arrange your transfer to the airport and hope to see you again next year, wherever that may be.

Ski Kazakhstan for you?

• Adventurers looking for something different than the Alps
• Easily tackle a ‘red slope’
• Lovers of other cultures and rituals

Included

• All transfers
• 4 nights in a local hotel in Almaty City Center (twin rooms)
• 1 night in a bungalow in Chundzha (twin rooms)
• 2 nights in Mountain Lodge Karkara (twin rooms)
• Half board (breakfast/dinner)
• City Tour Almaty
• English speaking guide
• 2 days of Cat skiing
• Entrance fee Charyn Canyon
• Ski passes Shymbulak, Lesnaya Skazka and Ak Bulak

Not included

• Flights (Turkish Airlines – €300-€500 from Europe)
• Lunch
• Alcoholic drinks
• Tips & souvenirs
• Ski or snowboard rental
• Travel Insurance

Don’t book any flights yet!

As soon as we have reached the minimum amount of reservations (5), we will send you an e-mail. If we don’t have enough participants, we will send you an e-mail 40 days before departure. 

*We recommend flying Lufthansa or Turkish Airlines as they have a generous baggage allowance

ARRIVING (TURKISH AIRLINES)
SUNDAY
01:20 IST Istanbul Airport – 08:55 ALA Almaty

RETURN (TURKISH AIRLINES)
SUNDAY
09:55 ALA Almaty – 14:40 IST Istanbul Airport

*We did not have to cancel any trips due to a lack of reservations so far.

Travel as a group?

If you want to travel as a group of at least five people, you can request a tailor-made trip. Other departure dates are always possible in consultation. Please contact us via mail@rycetravel.com or WhatsApp at +31528447050. 

Ski adventure Kazakhstan