Ski Shymbulak - Ski Touring Camp in Shymbulak
March — June
Shymbulak, Almaty
An intensive 5-day backcountry tour in the couloirs above the Shymbulak ski resort and from the summits of the Eastern and Western branches of the Maloalmatinsky ridge surrounding the Bogdanovich glacier.
The freeride spots above Shymbulak are easy to access but nonetheless rarely explored and contain unique lines, including some unridden first descents. Join us on this 5-day ski touring trip to discover Shymbulak from a new perspective and look down on the fashionable Almaty ski resort from a great height.
Timing: mid March- late May
Shymbulak is Almaty’s oldest, closest and most-accessible ski resort, and one of the best in Central Asia. The base station is at 2,260m, and two modern gondola lifts take skiers up to the Talgar Pass at at 3,150 via a number of pistes equipped with a modern snowmaking system for early and late season. The territory surrounding the resort is rich in freeride spots with beautiful views of Almaty and the surrounding Peaks of the North Tien Shan.
Ascents of varying degrees of steepness and difficulty start the highest lift-accessible point of Shymulak’s, the Talgar Pass (3150m).
Duration: 5 days
Cost: from €600 per person
Cost includes: English-speaking ski guide, return fransfer from Almaty, cable car transfer from Medeu to Shymbulak, Shymbulak lift pass for the first day of the trip, accommodation in a yurt on the Talgar Pass (3,150m), breakfast in the yurt, dinner in the yurt (optionally).
Lunch is not included but is available in the many bars and restaurants at Shymbulak
Customization: We’re happy to organise the customized tour on dates and amount of days to suit your group – please contact us to discuss. We will gladly assist 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 from your hotel (International airport of Almaty) to the Medeu cable car station. Take the cable car to Shymbulak and two gondola lifts to the Talgar Pass.
Acclimatisation tour (big couloir below Peak Shkolnik or the ‘Cone’, depending on conditions). Option to ski the pistes at Shymbulak. Ascent to the mountain hut.
Days 2-3-4-5. Ski touring / splitboarding in the couloirs around the summits of Peak Shkolnik, Peak Edelweis, Peak Abay, Peak Fizkulturnik, and Peak Chkalov.
Day 5. Descent from the Talgar Pass to Shymbulak and transfer from Shymbulak to Medeu and back to Almaty.
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 Ak-bulak ski resort (another favourite ski resort of the local freeriders) available until the middle of March / 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 / transceiver (with spare batteries)
2. Avalanche probe
3. Avalanche shovel
4. Ski crampons
5. Helmet
6. Avalanche backpack (optionally)
Equipment:
1. Skis / splitboard
2. Ski boots / snowboard boots
3. Ski / splitboard poles
4. Goggles
5. Climbing skins
6. Backpack (25-40 L with skis or snowboard fixation)
Clothing and accessories:
1. Sunglasses
2. Sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher
3. Personal medical kit
4. Down jacket
5. Waterproof shell (jacket and trousers)
6. Ski gloves and mittens
7. Thermal underwear and fleece / midlayer
8. Hat and balaclava (neck warmer)
9. Skiing socks
10. Regular socks (for wearing at base camp)
11. Thermos
12. Head lamp
13. Individual snacks
14. Chargers for your electronic devices
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please note that this tour is designed for skiers / snowboarders who are confident on the piste (including black runs), have some experience of freeriding, and are in good physical shape.
You will need a travel insurance covering backccountry skiing in the remote mountain area.
