When one thinks of ski resorts, Kazakhstan isn’t the country that usually springs to mind. However, skiing is one of the most popular tourist activities in the country, as there are many ski resorts scattered throughout the mountainous regions. Kazakhstan offers a variety of ski resorts that cater to skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels and budgets.

Here are some of the top ski resorts in Kazakhstan:

• Shymbulak Ski Resort – Located in the city of Almaty, Shymbulak Ski Resort is one of the most popular ski destinations in Kazakhstan. With a summit elevation of 3,238 meters (10623 ft), the resort offers a wide range of skiing and snowboarding options for beginners and advanced skiers alike. The resort also features a variety of restaurants, cafes, and shops for visitors to enjoy. Click on the resort’s name if you want to learn more about it.

Address: Almaty, 558/1 Kerey-Zhanibek khandar St. (the lower cable car station)

• Oi-Qaragai Mountain Resort provides an array of exciting winter activities with its 20 ski tracks, varying in complexity to cater to different levels of experience, along with four toboggan routes, three cable cars, and a range of ski passes. For those looking to learn or improve their skiing and snowboarding skills, the resort offers professional lessons. Aside from skiing and snowboarding, visitors can enjoy horse riding, rope park, and zipline. Notably, the resort boasts the largest zipline in Asia and the third-largest in the world in terms of total length of routes. For those looking to unwind, the UMAI ethno-spa is the perfect destination. The spa's traditional Kazakh yurts offer a unique ambiance, and guests can indulge in various procedures and treatments.

Address: Almaty Region, 225 Oi-Qaragai Gorge.

• Ak-Bulak Ski Resort is a great option for those looking for a more budget-friendly ski vacation. With six ski runs and a ski school for beginners, the resort offers a fun and affordable skiing experience. The resort also offers horseback riding and walking tours, ATV rental, saunas, hotel, restaurant, and a children's summer camp.

Address: Almaty Region, Talgar district, the village of Ryskulovo

• Tau-Turan Ski Complex may not have the longest slopes (up to 800 meters or 875 yd), but it is still highly sought after by winter sports enthusiasts. The complex offers everything you need for a relaxing winter getaway, including ski, snowboard, sled, and snow tubing rentals. Experienced instructors are available to help you hone your skills on the slopes. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, the complex also boasts cottages and comfortable saunas and bathhouses, which make it an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful and rejuvenating retreat.         

Address: Almaty Region, Talgar district, Bel-Bulak Gorge

• Located in the southern region of Kazakhstan, Tau Samaly Ski Resort is a year-round mountain destination with a 1,800-meter-long (1970 yd) slope. In the winter, visitors can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and tubing, with equipment available for rent at the resort. In the summer, the resort offers a variety of outdoor activities, including ATV rides, catamaran tours, motorcycle rentals, and horseback riding. In addition to these activities, the resort features a pool with water slides, a trout farm, saunas, and trampolines for children. For those seeking a unique perspective on the area's natural beauty, hot air balloon rides are also available.

Address: Turkistan Region, Tolebi district, the village of Naysanbek.

• Altai Alps is one of the most renowned ski resorts in East Kazakhstan, offering a variety of trails for skiers of all levels of expertise, from freeride to slalom. The resort boasts cable cars, cafes, equipment rental, cottages, and spa facilities, including a sauna and spa treatments. In addition to skiing, visitors can enjoy fishing for trout, testing their nerves on the rope park, or experiencing the benefits of pantotherapy, a unique form of treatment that Altai is famous for. Accommodation options at Altai Alps include hotels, cottages, and cozy warm gazebos for rent.

Address: East Kazakhstan Region, Glubokovsky district.

• Nestled in the picturesque East Kazakhstan region, Nurtau Sports and Entertainment Complex is a premier winter destination offering skiing, snowboarding, and snowtubing. With a longest route of 2000 meters (2187 yd), the complex is perfect for both beginners and advanced winter sports enthusiasts. Equipment can be rented on site, making it easy for guests to hit the slopes. After a day of skiing, visitors can unwind in one of the cozy cottages or warm gazebos with barbecues. The resort's electronic payment system ensures seamless access to the lifts, with real-time updates on the number of affordable rises available. With excellent climatic conditions and stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, Nurtau is one of the most attractive mountain resorts in the region.

Address: East Kazakhstan Region, 35 km (mi) north of Ust-Kamenogorsk

• At STARDUST CAMP, guests can enjoy a range of skiing and snowboarding trails suited to all levels of experience, including routes for freeriding. The resort also features a sauna, hotel, parking, equipment rental services for skis, sleds, ice, and tubing, as well as a variety of cafes. For those seeking a unique winter adventure, cross-country vehicle rentals are also available on site.

Address: East Kazakhstan Region, the village of Verkhnyaya Khariuzovka

• Situated in the beautiful Bayanaul National Park, Myrzashoky Ski Resort is one of the newest skiing destinations in Kazakhstan. While still in the development phase, the resort boasts a route length of approximately 1300 meters (1422 yd), providing guests with plenty of opportunities to ski and snowboard through the stunning national park scenery. For those looking to extend their stay, guest houses are available on site, providing comfortable and convenient accommodations.

Address: Pavlodar Region, Bayanaul National Park, north of the village of Karazhar

• Elikti Park Resort is the perfect winter getaway for anyone looking to enjoy a range of winter sports and activities. From skiing and snowboarding to snowtubing, the resort has everything guests need for an unforgettable winter vacation. For those new to skiing, the resort also boasts experienced instructors who can teach beginners the basics. With five routes of varying difficulty levels, ranging from 400 to 700 meters (437-465 yd) in length, the resort is well-suited to skiers and snowboarders of all levels. When it's time to unwind, guests can retreat to the modern hotel on site, complete with a restaurant serving a wide variety of cuisine. The resort also offers equipment and clothing rentals, making it easy for guests to get everything they need for their winter adventure.

Address: Akmola Region, Zerenda district, the village of Sadovoye

You can book one of our freeriding, backcountry, and heliskiing tours to make the winter weekend unforgettable.

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