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 Forget outdated resorts or predictable ski trips.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.
From the trip description by Ryce Travel
On-snow support
- Independent: Below this trip's level of support
Ski or ride independently, without trip staff accompanying you on the mountain.
- Hosted: With your guide
Trip hosts ski or ride with the group, help everyone get oriented, and share local knowledge.
- Guided: Included
Professional guides lead the group and select suitable terrain and routes based on conditions and ability. Instruction is not included.
- Coached: Not confirmed
Professional coaches lead the group, select suitable terrain, and provide instruction and personalized feedback to help you improve.
- 2 days on snow with staff
- Backcountry guidingPartly includedEnglish speaking guide; on the two cat ski days "A local guide will lead the way"
Terrain, ability and who it is for
- 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.
- 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.
- It’s an ideal spot for enjoyable tree skiing, relaxed cruising, and soaking in the unique landscape.
- 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.
- 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.
- Adventurers looking for something different than the Alps
- Easily tackle a ‘red slope’
- Lovers of other cultures and rituals
- Sport
- Ski + Snowboard
- Max group size
- 15 guests
From the trip description by Ryce Travel
What the price includes
Included
- Lodging
- Lift pass
- Meals · partly
- Transfers
- Entrance fee Charyn Canyon
- 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
Not confirmed by the operator: Lesson.
Day by day
- Step 1: SundayArrival Almaty / City TourAccommodation: hotel Almaty
- Step 2: MondaySki resort Oi QaraqaiAccommodation: hotel Almaty
- Step 3: TuesdaySki resort ShymbulakAccommodation: hotel Almaty
- Step 4: WednesdaySki resort Ak Bulak / hot springsAccommodation: hotel Chundzha
- Step 5: ThursdayPistenbully droppings / cat skiingAccommodation: mountain lodge Karkara
- Step 6: FridayPistenbully droppings / cat skiingAccommodation: mountain lodge Karkara
- Step 7: SaturdayCharyn Canyon / farewell dinnerAccommodation: hotel Almaty
- Step 8: SundayReturn
From the trip description by Ryce Travel
Where you stay
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.
We’ll stay in twin rooms located around the pools.
Getting There
- 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
From the trip description by Ryce Travel
Pins show the approximate main trip area—not a route, meeting point, or full itinerary. Confirm exact locations in the company's trip details.
Dates and prices
- Jan 24 – Jan 31, 20272026/27 · 8 days1,795 EUR€1,795 per person; half board, excl. flights; group 5–15; runs once 5 reservations are in (Ryce confirms at least 40 days before departure)AvailableChoose these datesBook on company website
- Feb 14 – Feb 21, 20272026/27 · 8 days1,795 EUR€1,795 per person; half board, excl. flights; group 5–15; runs once 5 reservations are in (Ryce confirms at least 40 days before departure)AvailableChoose these datesBook on company website
Prices, taxes and fees, required extras, inclusions, availability, and booking terms can change. Confirm the current price and trip details on the company website; source last reviewed September 24, 2026.
Good To Know
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.
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.
From the trip description by Ryce Travel
Reviews
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