Kazakhstan is only gaining popularity in the tourism sector, remaining for many terra incognita. The huge potential of year-round recreation is given by magnificent lakes, healing springs, coastal zones. But the most famous for tourists are the ski resorts of Kazakhstan.
Geography of winter holidays in Kazakhstan
At the moment, most ski slopes are equipped in the eastern part of the country. In the southeast, resorts are built on the Tien Shan and Tarbagatai ranges in the Altai Mountains. Residents of Alma-Ata took a fancy to nearby ranges: Zailiysky and Dzhungarsky Alatau, located in southeast Kazakhstan. There is a small resort in the north - Elektau in the Kokshetau mountains.
Ski resorts in Kazakhstan can not yet boast of perfect service, but they also have pistes of different difficulty levels. On most slopes, only 2-3 tracks are prepared, only a few resorts boast a great variety.
Snow cover depending on the resort lasts from November-December to April-May. The air temperature in the winter is -5 ... -15 degrees Celsius. In the summer, the air warms up to +20 ... +25 degrees, the lifts function for those who wish to overcome 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 in the country, including due to its proximity to Alma-Ata (25 km). Opened in the mid-twentieth century, the resort is constantly developing. Old cable cars are being replaced by modern ones; new ski lift routes are being laid, opening up more space for skiers. As of the spring of 2016, towing, chair and gondola lifts operate in Chimbulak, where you can climb from the starting point (2260 m) to stations located at 2840, 2845 and 3163 meters above sea level. The highest point is on the Talgar Pass, the elevation difference when lifting is a little more than 900 m.
For children and beginners in the complex there is a school with Russian-speaking instructors. Self-propelled roads and a small tow-lift will deliver the lightest tracks . Those who already feel like a professional can try their hand at black and high-speed FIS tracks, as well as at sites for mogul and slalom. The length of the longest descent is 4.5 km.
The best choice for snowboarders arriving in Kazakhstan is the Chimbulak ski resort. For them, there are many tracks both in open areas and through coniferous thickets. Another advantage of the complex is the direct connection of the high-speed cable car with the Medeo ice rink. This is a whole clearing with a mirror area of 10,000 square meters, which is poured with water from mountain rivers. World-class athletes like to train on an ideal surface, setting ever 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 residents of the city for its proximity. In addition, the ski complex is expanding, not far behind in terms of service, the number of slopes and lifts from the eminent neighbor "Chimbulak".
The highest point, which can be reached by cable car, is 2006 m, while the height difference will be a little more than a thousand meters. The longest track of the complex is 2.5 km in length, for beginners there are gentle slopes of 500-700 meters. Like other ski resorts in Kazakhstan, Ak Bulak has the opportunity to learn skiing skills.
The resort is suitable for skiers and snowboarders with different skiing skills. For the most confident, there are difficult tracks with sharp turns, zones with evergreen fir trees and a lot of space for freeride.
Tabagan is a newcomer with ambition
In fact, Tabagan is a ski resort, not a resort. It opened in 2005 and is developing very actively, also quickly gaining the favor of the guests. Located 17 km from Almaty, in a few years it developed from a suburban complex to a famous resort. Every year, more and more skiers take the slopes of Tabagan, and international competitions are held. A few figures: the elevation difference on the slopes is 500 meters, the lifts lift to a height of 1600 m, and the longest route stretches for 2100 m.
Interestingly, from the moment of opening, Tabagan was oriented towards 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 absence of snow on the territory of the complex, sports grounds for various sports were prepared, and relevant competitions are held. The Aqualandia water center, paintball club, ATV rides and much more will help you to have fun.
The cost of lifts and equipment rental
Compared to European resorts, the cost of winter vacations is much lower, therefore, more and more skiers from the CIS countries conquer the ski resorts of Kazakhstan. The prices below are current for spring 2016.
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).
There are regular discounts for children under 10 years old. On weekdays, subscription prices are lower, there are special offers for young people under 23 years of age and for pensioners.
To use a subscription, you must additionally purchase a card with a microchip for 1500 tenge. Some subscriptions are valid at several resorts, you only need to activate them additionally for 500 tenge.
A set of ski equipment at the main resorts will cost 5000 tenge, only skiing - 3000 tenge, boots - 2000 tenge.
If the resorts discussed above are located near Alma-Ata, then most of the others are located near Ust-Kamenogorsk and Karaganda. It is these cities that should be guided when planning your winter holidays in Kazakhstan.