Shymbulak
Шымбұлақ
Central Asia's largest ski resort, ranging from 2,260 to 3,200 meters. It is only 30 minutes from the city. Ski in winter, and ride the gondola in summer to see the snow peaks of the Tian Shan.
Shymbulak is located in the Outer Ili Alatau range above Medeu. Its base is at 2,260 meters and its highest point, Talgar Pass, is at 3,200 meters, with a vertical drop of nearly 1,000 meters. It has more than 20 km of ski runs. It is the best-equipped ski resort in Central Asia and hosted the 2011 Asian Winter Games. The ski season runs from about December to early April. A day pass, including all lifts, costs about 15,000 to 20,000 tenge, and equipment rental is about 8,000 tenge per day. Instructors who speak Chinese and English can be booked. The runs range from beginner to black, and the summit runs offer wide views across the main Tian Shan range. In summer (June to September), the gondola runs as usual. A round-trip sightseeing ticket costs about 4,000 to 6,000 tenge. From Talgar Pass you can see 4,000-meter peaks and glaciers. You can also hike from the 2,260-meter base to Furmanov Peak (3,053 meters), or take the high-mountain trail to Talgar Pass. The views are excellent, and the hike takes 3 to 5 hours. The resort has hotels, restaurants and cafés. The summit restaurant, Bar 3200, serves hot drinks and grilled meat.
Getting there: take the gondola up from Medeu. On winter weekends, queues are very long, so arrive before 9 a.m. Alternatively, in winter you can drive or take a taxi up the switchback road, though access may be restricted.
Visitor notes: above 3,000 meters some people experience mild altitude sickness, so take it slow. UV exposure is strong, so use snow goggles and sunscreen. In summer, the mountain is more than 10 degrees cooler than the city, so bring a jacket. The gondola stops in strong winds.
Opening hours
Cable car 09:00–17:00 (from 08:30 in ski season; night skiing until 22:00 on select dates)
Nearby sights
- Medeu
- Kok Zhailau
- Big Almaty Lake
- Kok Tobe
- Central State Museum of Kazakhstan
- Central Park of Culture and Leisure (Gorky Park)
- Republic Square & Independence Monument
- Museum of Kazakh Folk Musical Instruments