Advanced, confident on all snow types.
A ski touring trip in the wild region of the Trans-Ili Alatau, a range belonging to the Tian Shan massif, south of Almaty, the country’s former capital. An incredibly vast and barely explored area awaits ambitious ski tourers, among peaks and glacial landscapes that rise into the sky to almost 5000 m, right next to the city’s skyline!
CHF 3'290.00
In the midst of the majestic foothills of the Tian Shan range lies Almaty, Kazakhstan’s vibrant metropolis. An up-and-coming hub for ski touring and ski mountaineering in Central Asia. The city, nestled between modern skyscrapers and traditional bazaars, is the perfect starting point for ski tours in the imposing Trans-Ili Alatau range, which rises like a natural fortress to the south of the city. The peaks in the area are demanding but rewarding objectives in both spring and summer, with hardly any crowds, and they reach almost 5000 m in altitude!
The ski touring eldorado begins with Pik Furmanov (3029 m), a popular starter peak that impresses with moderate ascents and wide-open descents. Located directly above the well-known Shymbulak ski resort, it offers a perfect combination of accessibility and high-alpine character. Mighty Pik Talgar (4979 m), the highest peak in the region, draws experienced ski mountaineers with its demanding routes and spectacular descents through untouched powder slopes.
A special highlight is Big Almaty Peak (3681 m), which rises above the turquoise Big Almaty Lake. Its north-facing slopes offer ideal ski touring conditions from December to April, with descents that give you a breathtaking view over the lake and the city. Pik Kumbel (3200 m), on the other hand, is known for its versatile routes and is considered a perfect objective for moderately demanding day tours.
For ambitious ski mountaineers, Pik Soviets (4317 m) offers some of the technically most demanding routes in the region. Its steep couloirs and exposed ridges call for both skiing ability and alpine experience. Pik Turistov (3954 m) also attracts with its combination of technical ascents and long powder descents.
Almaty itself, with its 1.9 million inhabitants, offers a fascinating blend of Soviet past and modern lifestyle. The city lies at an altitude of 700 to 900 metres and enjoys a unique microclimate thanks to the mountains. After a day in the mountains, numerous restaurants serving Kazakh and international cuisine await, traditional tea houses invite you to relax and the lively bar scene offers entertainment into the small hours.
The best time for a shared ski touring trip is between February and May. Thanks to the altitude and the continental location you can expect very cold, dry powder snow – ideal conditions for unforgettable descents in one of Central Asia’s most exciting and wild ski touring destinations.
Advanced, confident on all snow types.
Generally fit for ascents of 900 to 1500 vertical metres per day
Arrival by plane from Zurich or Milan. We are happy to arrange an alternative journey if you prefer. Via Istanbul we fly to Almaty, where we move into our accommodation and discuss the tours and areas for the following days. Tomorrow we get straight to it!
Every day we pick exciting ski tours with the best snow and views around the city of Almaty, chosen according to the conditions and the level of all participants. In the evening we return to our accommodation or visit a local mountain hut, depending on the objective. From ski mountaineering tours to powder skiing at lower altitudes, here we find everything imaginable in terms of exciting ski tours and freeride experiences!
We explore the city of Almaty one last time, buy the last souvenirs or eat something delicious, and finally take the return flight to Switzerland.
In Almaty we stay in mid-range hotels. Depending on the conditions we can offer accommodation in the side valleys of the range, in local lodgings or in mountain huts in the region.
The best time for a ski touring trip around Almaty is between December and March, with a few specific nuances:
Ideal months:
Meteorological particularities:
Yes! The mountain range around Almaty offers suitable ski tours and freeride adventures for beginners and advanced skiers alike: from gentle tours around the Shymbulak ski area, Pik Furmanov (3029 m) and around Big Almaty Lake, through to the more advanced tours around Pik Talgar (4979 m), Pik Soviets (4317 m) and Pik Kumbel (3200 m) – there is a suitable adventure for everyone!
Scenery: Ile-Alatau National Park, Charyn Canyon.
Culture: Green Bazaar, Zenkov Cathedral, Panfilov Park.
Cuisine: Beshbarmak, kumys as well as vegetarian options such as manty, baursaki, salads, nan bread and dushe soup.
In Almaty we stay in mid-range hotels. Depending on the conditions we can offer accommodation in the side valleys of the range, in local lodgings.
In culinary terms a journey of discovery through Kazakh cuisine as well as Asian specialities awaits us:
Traditional restaurants serve specialities such as beshbarmak and kumys. The local tea houses invite you to sociable 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 wonderful with potatoes, pumpkin or vegetables too. Baursaki, small deep-fried dough balls, are a vegetarian snack that goes perfectly with tea time.
Vegetables and salads: Kazakh salads are rich and full of flavour. Particularly recommended are achichuk, a spicy tomato and onion salad, and potato salads with fresh herbs. 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 baked fresh in tandoori ovens and is a delight. In many cafés and restaurants it is served with various dips and herbs.
Vegetarian soups: dushe – a warm vegetable soup with various seasonal ingredients – is a delicious option. Carrot or pumpkin soups are also very popular in Almaty’s restaurants.
Other popular vegetarian dishes:
The historical background of skiing in Kazakhstan and around Almaty is closely interwoven with Soviet sporting history and with the country’s geographical particularity.
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 range made skis an indispensable means of travel.
Military significance: during the Second World War, ski units were trained in the Kazakh mountains. Soldiers learned not only to move on skis, but also to fight and survive in extreme conditions. This military tradition shaped the country’s early ski culture.
Sporting development: in the 1950s and 1960s the systematic development of skiing as a competitive and leisure sport began. The Medeo ice stadium in Almaty, opened in 1972, became the centre of winter sports. It lies at 1697 m 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 area, founded in the 1960s, was a prestige project of the Soviet sports administration.
International recognition: Kazakh athletes won international medals in various winter sports disciplines. Kazakhstan’s Olympic Committee actively promoted winter sports, with Almaty at the centre of these efforts.
After independence: after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, winter sports faced major challenges. Economic difficulties and the disintegration of state sports structures threatened the ski infrastructure. But in the 2000s a renaissance of skiing began.
Modern development: Almaty bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics (ultimately awarded to Beijing) and invested in modern ski infrastructure. International investors and the growing interest in winter sports contributed to this development.
Ski touring and mountaineering: while organised skiing was the focus for a long time, ski touring has only developed over the last 20 years. Local mountaineers and international expedition teams opened up the routes in the Tian Shan.
Cultural significance: skiing became more than just a sport – it became part of the national identity. The connection to the mountain landscape, traditionally important for nomadic cultures, found a new form of expression in modern skiing.
Current situation: today Almaty is an international centre for winter sports. Modern lifts, well-groomed pistes 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 history shows how skiing in Kazakhstan developed from a military means of transport into a modern leisure sport and an important part of the national identity.
