Freeride below the treeline in the Zailiiskiy Alatau – spend your winter enjoying the snowy slopes far from the pistes and lifts!
We’ll ride new spots every day, focussing on couloirs, valleys and peaks below the treeline.
Almaty is a modern, bustling city situated in the foothills of the Tien Shan mountains. Its location means it offers almost unlimited possibilities for backcountry skiing and snowboarding within a short drive of the city.
It’s a five-day skitour programme with accommodation in Almaty. Each morning we’ll hit up a new backcountry spot and after an exciting day in the mountains we’ll return to the city, where you’ll be having rest or walking distance of Almaty’s best bars, clubs and restaurants 🙂
* We’re happy to organise the programme on dates to suit your group – please contact us for more information.
Timing: December to March
Best months: January and February.
This programme is designed for skiers / snowboarders who are confident on the piste (including black runs), ideally have some previous experience of riding off piste, and are in good physical shape.
Duration: 5 days
Cost:
€400 per person (for a group of 4-6 people)
Cost includes:
Services of a ski guide, return transfer from Almaty, all transfers as part of the ski tour programme.
Healthy mountain snacks/lunch boxes are available at an additional cost.
We’re happy to help you with accommodation booking and suggest the best hotels in Almaty. We can also arrange a transfer from the International airport of Almaty if needed.
Programme:
Day 1. Transfer to the national park checkpoint in the Kim-Asar valley. Acclimatization hike to Furmanov Plateau. Desent from the plateau or in Butakovka couloir.
Day 2. Ski-touring in the Medeu couloir, starting from the helicopter pad below the Medeu dam.
Day 3. Ski-touring to ‘Lenin’s cottage’, starting from the checkpoint. Descent from the Kim-Asar ridge.
Days 4-5. Transfer to the Butakovka valley. Freeride around Mys Nadezhdy, Peak Bukreev and Butakovka couloir.
Day 5. Transfer to Alma-Arasan valley. Ski touring to “3 Brothers” peak or Kumbel peak.
We’ll choose our routes based on the weather, the snow conditions and the ability of the group.
Days 6-7 (optional). We’re happy to organise a 1-day tour to Shymbulak or Ak-bulak ski resorts (two main ski resorts in Almaty region) / a sightseeing tour in Almaty (visiting the most popular attractions of the city) / a sightseeing tour in Almaty region (visiting the best nature spots around Almaty such as Big Almaty lake, Charyn canyon etc).
What to bring:
Safety:
1. Beeper
2. Avalanche probe
3. Avalanche shovel
4. Ski crampons
5. Helmet
Equipment:
1. Skis / snowboard / snowshoes
2. Ski boots / snowboard boots
3. Ski / splitboard poles
4. Goggles
5. Climbing skins
Clothing and accessories:
1. Rucksack
2. Sunglasses
3. Torch (with spare batteries)
4. Medical kit
5. Down jacket / vest
6. Waterproof shell (jacket and trousers)
7. Ski gloves
8. Thermal underwear
9. Fleece / midlayer
10. Suncream
11. Thermos
12. Hat
13. Skiing / trekking socks
14. Individual snacks
15. Travel insurance covering backckountry skiing in the remote mountain area.
