Mountain-skiing resorts in Kazakhstan - an excellent option for an inexpensive holiday at any time of year

Kazakhstan is only gaining popularity in the tourist sphere, remaining for many terra incognita. Great potential for year-round recreation is provided by magnificent lakes, healing springs, and seaside zones. But the most famous for tourists are the ski resorts of Kazakhstan.

Geography of winter holidays in Kazakhstan

At the moment most of the ski runs are arranged in the eastern part of the country. In the south-east resorts are built on the ridges of the Tien Shan and Tarbagatai, in the Altai Mountains. Residents of Alma-Ata have chosen nearby ranges: Zailiysky and Dzungarsky Alatau, located in the southeast of Kazakhstan. There is a small resort in the north - Elektau in the Kokshetau mountains.

Mountain skiing resorts in Kazakhstan can not boast of an ideal service, but they also have routes of different levels of complexity. On most slopes only 2-3 routes are prepared, only a few resorts can boast a great variety.

The snow cover, depending on the resort, lasts from November-December to April-May. The air temperature in winter is -5 ... -15 degrees Celsius. In summer, the air warms up to +20 ... +25 degrees, the lifts function for those wishing to cross the route on foot or simply climb one of the peaks in order to enjoy the view.

"Chimbulak" - the star of winter holidays in Kazakhstan

This is one of the most popular complexes of the country, including because of the proximity to Alma-Ata (25 km). The resort is still developing in the middle of the twentieth century. The old cable cars are being replaced by modern ones, new routes of ski lifts are opening, which open up more space for skiers. As of spring 2016 in Chimbulak, there are rope towers, chairlifts and gondola lifts, where you can climb from the starting point (2260 m) to the stations located at an altitude of 2840, 2845 and 3163 meters above sea level. The highest point is at the Talgar Pass, the difference in heights during the ascent is slightly more than 900 m.

For children and beginners there is a school with Russian-speaking instructors on the territory of the complex. The easiest routes will be delivered by self-propelled roads and a small drag lift. Those who already feel professional, you can try their hand at black and high-speed FIS-routes, as well as on sites for mogul and slalom. The length of the longest descent is 4.5 km.

The best choice for snowboarders who arrived in Kazakhstan is the ski resort Chimbulak. For them, there are many trails both in open areas and through coniferous thickets. Another advantage of the complex is the direct communication by high-speed cable car with the ice rink "Medeo". This is a whole glade with a mirror area of 10,000 square meters, which is flooded with water from mountain rivers. On the ideal surface, world-class athletes like to train, setting new records on the rink.

"Ak Bulak" is another favorite of Almaty residents

The resort is located at a distance of 35 km from Almaty, therefore it is also popular with the residents of the city for their proximity. In addition, the ski resort is expanding, not far behind in terms of service level, the number of trails and lifts from the eminent neighbor "Chimbulak".

The highest point, which can be accessed by cable car, is 2006 m, while the difference in altitude will be a little over a thousand meters. The longest track of the complex is 2.5 km in length, for beginners there are gentle descents of 500-700 meters. Like other ski resorts in Kazakhstan, "Ak Bulak" has the opportunity to learn ski skills.

The resort is suitable for skiers and snowboarders with different skiing skills. For the most confident there will be complex trails with steep turns, zones with evergreen spruce trees and a large expanse for freeride.

"Tabagan" - a novice with ambitions

In fact, "Tabagan" is a ski resort, and not a resort. It opened in 2005 and is very actively developing, also quickly gaining the favor of the guests. Located 17 km from Almaty, it has developed over the years from a suburban complex to a famous resort. Every year the slopes of "Tabagan" take more and more skiers, sport competitions of international level are held. A few figures: the height difference on the slopes is 500 meters, the lifts rise to a height of 1600 m, and the longest route stretches for 2100 m.

It is interesting that from the moment of opening "Tabagan" was oriented to year-round functioning. Not all ski resorts in Kazakhstan have a range of summer services, limited only to walks on the ski lifts. To maintain interest in the period of lack of snow on the territory of the complex, sports grounds for different sports are prepared, and corresponding competitions are held. Entertainment will help the water center "Aqualandia", a paintball club, quad biking and much more.

Cost of lifts and equipment rental

In comparison with European resorts the cost of winter recreation is much lower, therefore more and more skiers from the CIS countries conquer the ski resorts of Kazakhstan. The prices below are relevant for the spring of 2016.

The rise to the highest point will cost 700-2500 tenge (2-8 dollars).

There are subscriptions for a day for 4000-7000 tenge (12-21 dollars), 4 hours - 3000-6000 tenge (9-18 dollars), night time - 2500-4500 tenge (8-13 dollars) and for a week - 20 000- 30 000 tenge (60-90 dollars).

Regular discounts for children under 10 years are provided. On weekdays, the prices for subscriptions are lower, there are special offers for young people under 23 and for pensioners.

To use the subscription it is necessary to purchase an additional card with a microchip for 1500 tenge. Some subscriptions are valid in several resorts, you only need to activate them for 500 tenge in addition.

A set of ski equipment at the main resorts will cost 5000 tenge, only skis - 3000 tenge, boots - 2000 tenge.

If the above-mentioned resorts are located not far from Alma-Ata, most of the others are located near Ust-Kamenogorsk and Karaganda. It is these cities that should be guided, planning their winter holidays in Kazakhstan.