Ski resort
Shymbulak Mountain Resort
Almaty’s main ski resort, right above the city: gondola from Medeu, runs up to Talgar Pass and night skiing.
Winter and skiing in Almaty
The mountains start right behind the city: you can reach the slopes in an hour and be back for dinner. For each place — how to get there, season, prices and rental, from the official websites.
Ski resorts
Ski resort
Oi-Qaragai Mountain Resort
A resort 40 minutes from the city: a 10-seat gondola to 2,140 m, 26 runs and English-speaking instructors.
Skating rinks
Skating rink
Medeu High-Altitude Sports Complex
Closed for reconstruction. According to the Almaty akimat, work is due to finish in Q4 2027.
The famous high-altitude skating rink at the gateway to the mountains — currently under reconstruction.
Ski and snowboard rental
Rent gear in the city and travel up light, or rent right at the resort.
Rental
Extremal — ski, snowboard and skate rental
Rental in the city: skis, snowboards, skates, warm clothing and sledges — as a set or separately.
Rental
Free Life ski & snowboard rental
Rental in the city: pick up skis or a snowboard with clothing and travel to the resort light.
Heli-skiing and freeride
A helicopter drops you on untouched off-piste slopes, with a mountain guide.
Heli-skiing
Heliski.kz — heli-skiing near Almaty
One-day heli-skiing in the Northern Tien Shan: helicopter, guide and up to six descents a day.
Snowcat freeride
Kan Tengri — snowcat freeride in Karkara
A snowcat instead of a helicopter: a full freeride day in Karkara, up to 10 runs of up to 4 km.
Related tours
Active
group
Medeu, Shymbulak and the Cable Car
A high-altitude skating rink, a cable car ride up to Talgar Pass and views over the city from above.
Mon, 9 NovTue, 10 NovWed, 11 NovThu, 12 Nov
from 15,000 ₸per person≈ $33
demo
Before you head up
Mountain weather changes fast: on the day, check the resort’s official website to see which lifts and runs are open.
Ski-pass and rental prices depend on the season and day of the week — see the resort’s site for current ones; we note which season our figures are for.