6 Ski Trips in Almaty Worth Booking

1.Medeu and Shymbulak ski resort private excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $147Our pick

This private half-day outing takes you from Almaty to Medeu skating rink and Shymbulak ski resort, with hotel pickup, private transport, a guide, bottled water, and a cable car ride to 3,200 meters. Guide Nursultan is noted for clear explanations and helpful support, including assistance with ski lessons.

“and overall, it was a fantastic way to explore some of the most iconic landmarks in the area. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, giving us not only the history behind each place but also some local insights that we would have missed Read more”

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2.Private Trip to Medeu Ice Skating Rink and Shymbulak Ski Resort

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 28 reviews · from $215

This private seven-hour trip takes you from Almaty to Medeu Ice Skating Rink and Shymbulak Ski Resort. You will climb the Stairs of Health, ride cable cars to Shymbulak’s third-level station, and see the Tien Shan mountains. Guide Miras may lead the outing, bringing strong knowledge of Almaty’s history, nature, architecture, and people.

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3.One Day Ski Tour Near Almaty

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $277

Join certified guide Max of Silk Road Guiding for a private backcountry ski tour in the Zailijskij Alatau near Almaty. You’ll skin along a mountain ridge, choose routes suited to your fitness and riding level, and ski wild slopes away from resort crowds. The 6 to 10-hour outing includes private transport, but meals and avalanche safety gear cost extra.

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4.Yurt Based Shymbulak 4-day ski-touring and split-boarding trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $1,100

Join Powder Nomads for a demanding four-day ski-touring and split-boarding trip from a heated yurt at 3,163 meters. Guides including Sasha, Igor, Darya, and Alex have led routes near Bogdanovich Glacier and Karlytau. Expect long uphill days, simple yurt sleeping, Kazakh meals, and high-altitude descents.

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5.Private high mountain ice rink Medeo and ski resort Shymbulak tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $143Best value

Start with Almaty's 1,691-meter Medeo ice rink, where winter visitors can skate with equipment included. Climb the 842-step Health Stairs to the Medeo Dam, then ride cable cars into Shymbulak and possibly the 3,200-meter Talgar Pass. This private 4 to 6-hour tour includes transport, water, facility fees, and a mountain guide such as Ilyas.

“It was a magnifique experience of something you cant miss in Almaty. Our guide Elias was very good, csrong, concerned about our necesities and times and good at explaining rhings within or outside the tour. Totally recomended tour.”

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6.5 Days Shymbulak Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $907

Join FrozenRocks Backcountry Adventures for five days of ski touring above Shymbulak. You’ll ride from Talgar Pass at 3,150 meters, sleep in a yurt, and explore couloirs and summits around the Bogdanovich glacier with a private ski guide. Strong piste skills, off-piste experience, and good fitness are required.

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