Shymbulak Ski Resort

Overview

Shymbulak (Chimbulak) is Almaty's premier ski resort, sitting between 2,260 and 3,163 metres in the Zailiysky Alatau mountains. A modern gondola connects it to the Medeu skating rink below, offering year-round mountain access.

Highlights

• Ski runs: 20 km of groomed pistes ranging from beginner to advanced, plus off-piste terrain.
• Talgar Pass: The gondola's top station at 3,163 m gives sweeping panoramas across the Tien Shan and into Kyrgyzstan on clear days.
• Summer activities: Mountain biking, hiking, and alpine coaster rides when the snow melts.

History

Originally developed in the 1950s as a Soviet training base, the resort was modernised for the 2011 Asian Winter Games with a high-speed gondola and snowmaking infrastructure. Almaty's bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics was centred here.

Visitor Tips

• Season: Ski season runs December–April; summer activities June–September.
• Day pass: About 7,500 KZT for a full-day lift pass.
• Duration: Half-day to full day (3–6 hours).