Yes! The mountain range around Almaty offers suitable ski tours and freeride adventures for both beginners and advanced skiers: From gentle tours around the Shymbulak ski area, Pik Furmanov (3029 m) and Big Almaty Lake to advanced tours around Pik Talgar (4979 m), Pik Soviets (4317 m) and Pik Kumbel (3200 m), there is something for everyone!

In Almaty, we stay in mid-range hotels. Depending on conditions, we can offer accommodation in local lodgings in the side valleys of the mountain range.

The region around Almaty offers a fascinating variety of experiences that go far beyond ski mountaineering. Here are a few possibilities:

The Almaty region scores highly in terms of scenery, with a number of highlights:

– The Ile-Alatau National Park is an oasis with breathtaking mountain panoramas.

– Charyn Canyon, just a few hours’ drive away, surprises visitors with its bizarre rock formations and is often referred to as the ‘Grand Canyon of Kazakhstan’.

Culturally, Almaty offers an impressive contrast between traditional and modern elements:

– The colourful Green Bazaar is a must for all the senses – here, Kazakh craftsmanship, local specialities and lively market activity come together.

– Zenkov Cathedral, built entirely of wood without a single nail, is a testament to the architectural creativity of times past.

– In Panfilov Park, you can explore the history of the region while soaking up the atmosphere of the city.

Culinary delights await us on a journey of discovery through Kazakh cuisine and Asian specialities:

Traditional restaurants serve specialities such as beshbarmak and kumys. Local teahouses invite you to enjoy convivial gatherings and offer insights into the hospitality of the region. Street food markets and small snack bars promise authentic taste experiences.

Traditional vegetarian dishes: Kazakh cuisine has a number of plant-based specialities that are often overlooked. Particularly popular are dishes such as manty – traditionally filled with meat, but also delicious when prepared with potatoes, pumpkin or vegetables. Baursaki, small fried dough balls, are a vegetarian snack that is perfect for teatime.

Vegetables and salads: Kazakh salads are rich and flavourful. Achichuk, a spicy tomato and onion salad, and potato salads with fresh herbs are particularly recommended. Olivier salad, a local version of the Russian classic, can easily be prepared vegetarian.

Bread specialities: Local bread plays a central role. Nan, a traditional flatbread, is often freshly baked in tandoori ovens and is simply divine. In many cafés and restaurants, it is served with various dips and herbs.

Vegetarian soups: Düsche – a warm vegetable soup with various seasonal ingredients – is a delicious option. Carrot and pumpkin soups are also very popular in Almaty’s restaurants.

Other popular vegetarian dishes:

• Samsa with potato filling
• Vegetable plov (traditional rice dish)
• Aubergine dishes with tomatoes and herbs
• Stuffed peppers with rice and vegetables
• Herb pancakes

The historical background of skiing in Kazakhstan and around Almaty is closely intertwined with Soviet sporting history and the geographical characteristics of the country.

Origins of skiing: The development of skiing in Kazakhstan began in the 1920s and 1930s during the Soviet era. Originally, skis were primarily a means of transport for border guards, geologists and researchers in the remote, mountainous regions of Central Asia. The rugged topography of the Tian Shan Mountains made skis an indispensable means of transport.

Military significance: During the Second World War, ski units were trained in the Kazakh mountains. Soldiers not only learned how to move on skis, but also how to fight and survive in extreme conditions. This military tradition shaped the country’s early skiing culture.

Sporting development: In the 1950s and 1960s, skiing began to develop systematically as a competitive and recreational sport. The Medeo Ice Stadium in Almaty, opened in 1972, became the centre of winter sports. It is located at an altitude of 1,697 metres and was for a long time the highest speed skating rink in the world.

Soviet promotion of winter sports: The Soviet Union invested heavily in winter sports infrastructure. Almaty became a centre for ski training and competitions. The Shymbulak ski resort, founded in the 1960s, was a prestigious project of the Soviet sports administration.

International recognition: Kazakh athletes won international medals in various winter sports disciplines. The Olympic Committee of Kazakhstan actively promoted winter sports, with Almaty at the centre of these efforts.

After independence: Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, winter sports faced major challenges. Economic difficulties and the disintegration of state sports structures threatened the skiing infrastructure. However, the 2000s saw the beginning of a renaissance in skiing.

Modern development: Almaty bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics (ultimately awarded to Beijing) and invested in modern skiing infrastructure. International investors and growing interest in winter sports contributed to the development.

Ski touring and mountaineering: While organised skiing has long been the focus, ski touring has only developed in the last 20 years. Local mountaineers and international expedition teams have opened up routes in the Tian Shan.

Kulturelle Bedeutung: Skifahren wurde mehr als nur Sport – es wurde Teil der nationalen Identität. Die Verbindung zur Berglandschaft, traditionell wichtig für Nomadenkulturen, fand eine neue Ausdrucksform im modernen Skisport.

Current situation: Today, Almaty is an international centre for winter sports. Modern lifts, well-groomed slopes and untouched backcountry routes attract winter sports enthusiasts from all over the world.

The ski touring boom: Since around 2010, interest in ski touring and freeriding has been growing. Exped Tribe, as an international tour operator, and a growing community are contributing to this development.

This story shows how skiing in Kazakhstan has evolved from a military means of transport to a modern recreational sport and an important part of the national identity.