Ski Ridder - Backcountry trip to Altai
December — March
Altai Mountains, East Kazakhstan
Join us on a beautiful ski touring adventure in Ridder and enjoy an unforgettable deep powder skiing in the woods!
Kazakhstan is an amazing country for adventures, offering new experience, new destination as well as new culture for skiers. We offer you the opportunity to ski in the Altai Mountains that stretch over 4 countries: Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. The unique geography and climate of the Altai mountain range means it gets early and heavy snowfall every year, allowing us to open the backcountry season early in November and December. The Kazakh Altai is truly considered to be one of the snowiest mountain regions of Kazakhstan!
Best timing: November – December and February – March
(deep winter is usually considered too cold, but it can also be an option for the bravest:)
Our trip starts from Ust-Kamenogorsk (Oskemen in Kazakh), the capital of the East Kazakhstan Region. There are direct flights from Almaty, Nursultan, Moscow and Novosibirsk to Ust-Kamenogorsk (UKK), giving a choice of arrival times. Then we drive to Ridder that is the gateway to the northern and western part of Kazakhstan’s Altai. The city is situated in the Altai Mountains along the Ulba River at an elevation higher than 600 metres.
While the town of Ridder is not much of a draw in itself, its surroundings most definitely are. Tremendous tracts of taiga forest harbour big wildlife like elks and bears while the nearby hills and mountains are a year-round playground for pioneering hikers, mountain bikers, rafters and skiers.
Duration: 7 days
Cost: from €850 per person (depends on the type of accommodation)
Cost includes: The services of an English-speaking ski guide (2 ski guides for a group of more than 4 people), return transfer from Ust-Kamenogorsk and all the transfers during the trip, 6-night accommodation in a lodge, full board, Russian banya (sauna) (as often as you wish:)
Customization: We are happy to arrange a tour that will meet your needs and preferences (number of participants, dates, amount of days etc).
If you're interested, we can also add a couple of days of catskiing or heliskiing or combine both activities to make your trip as intense and memorable as possible.
Programme:
Day 1. Arrival in Ust-Kamenogorsk. Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the mountain lodge (about 2-3 hours)
Days 2-6. Ski-touring / splitboarding from the lodge exploring the surrounding ridges. Our guides can offer more than 60 routes on skins on the Serzhinskiy, Prohodnoy, Ivanovskiy, Cherepanovskiy and Kholodniy ridges.
In Altai we will be exclusively in forested areas. The lodges are situated at a height of 500-1000 m, and the highest peaks hit a height of around 2200m.
Day 7. Ski-touring (optional). Transfer to the Ust-Kamenogorsk Airport
We’ll choose our routes based on the weather, the snow conditions and the ability of the group.
Day 8-9. You can enjoy untracked turns in the backcountry with catskiing or heliskiing.
If you’re interested we’re also able to organize a one/multi-day trip in Almaty on the way out or back (if you fly to Ust-Kamenogorsk via Almaty). We’re happy to organize a tour to Shymbulak or Ak-bulak ski resorts (two main ski resorts in Almaty region) / a sightseeing tour in Almaty region (visiting the best nature spots around Almaty such as Big Almaty lake, Charyn canyon etc).
Accommodation
Different types of accommodation are available in this tour: from the simplest mountain huts to 4-star hotels in the city. Depending on your need and personal preference you can choose the option that suits you best. Please contact ask for more detailed information on accommodation options
Here's an example of our favorite places to stay in Ridder.
Сomfortable heated lodges in the woods of the Altai. The lodges have a stove heating and provide warmth even in the bitter cold. Next to the lodge is a Banya (famous Russian sauna). You’ll have a chance to feel the difference between the Russian banya and the Scandinavian sauna
What to bring:
Safety:
1. Beeper / transceiver (with spare batteries)
2. Avalanche probe
3. Avalanche shovel
4. Ski crampons
5. Helmet
6. Torch (head lamp)
Equipment:
1. Skis / splitboard
2. Ski boots / snowboard boots
3. Ski / splitboard poles
4. Goggles
5. Climbing skins
6. Backpack (30-40 L with skis or snowboard fixation)
Clothing and accessories:
1. Sunglasses
2. Sunscreen
3. Personal medical kit
4. Down jacket (a WARM jacket is needed)
5. Waterproof shell (jacket and trousers)
6. Ski gloves and warm mittens
7. Thermal underwear and fleece / midlayer
8. Warm hat and balaclava (neck warmer)
9. Warm skiing socks (or electric heated socks)
10. Regular socks (for wearing at base camp)
11. Thermos
12. Individual snacks
13. Shower stuff (towel, flip-flops etc)
14. Chargers for your electronic devices
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This tour is designed for skiers / snowboarders who are confident on the piste, have some experience of riding off piste. You should also be in a good physical shape and up for an exciting adventure!
You will need a travel insurance covering backckountry skiing in the remote mountain area.
