Shymbulak, also known as Chimbulak
Ski resort in Kazakhstan located in the Zailiyskiy Alatau mountain range near the city of Almaty, Kazakhstan. It is a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts and is the largest winter sports center in Central Asia.
Tian Shan
The northern part of the Tian Shan massif consists of two main mountain ranges, Zailisky (Trans-Ili) Alatau and Kungey Alatau. The meaning of Alatau in the Kazakh language is “colorful mountains,” which is best seen in the summer when the snow cover recedes, revealing various colors and rock formations. Its peaks, covered in snow and ice, rise like a high wall south of the sun-drenched Kazakh steppes. The Chu River serves as the western border of the mountain massif, while the Charyn River marks its eastern edge. The length of the Zailisky Alatau mountain range is over 400 km, with a width ranging from 40 to 60 km. In the central part of Zailisky Alatau, there are 370 glaciers. The highest point is in the Talgar massif, and the Talgar peak at 5017 m is the highest, at the confluence of the Sredniy Talgar River.
Well-organized ski resort
The slopes are varied and suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, from beginners to advanced. In the center, near the base station on the hill, there are shops, equipment rental services, restaurants, cafes, and accommodations for visitors. Beautiful mountain views and fresh winter air make Shymbulak a favorite destination not only for winter sports but also for enjoying the natural beauty of the region. This is evident from the numerous visitors who come daily. Mostly, apart from locals, they come from China and India. They don’t ski but enjoy the snow and mountains. The experience of high mountains and glaciers is unique. Rarely anywhere else in the world can you reach a height of 3200 meters from the edge of the city by gondola. It’s equally easy for skiers and non-skiers. The base of the ski center is located at an altitude of about 2200 meters. A cable car takes you to the plateau from the valley. The highest peaks in the Zailiyskiy Alatau mountain range reach heights above 4000 meters, and the glacier is even at 4200 meters. The third stage of the cable car is planned to reach the top of the glacier.
Good ski terrain
The ski area is not large, so we didn’t expect to ski so much before we arrived. However, it has several advantages. The main slope, along which two gondolas run, is between five and six kilometers long (there are different data), which is more than most ski slopes in the Alps. The elevation difference is even 1000 meters, which is significant. We could say it’s a red slope. The slope has a constant gradient with several bends. Somewhere around the middle is the station of the second and third cable cars, so it’s possible to ski only the upper or lower part of the slope. We were there for five days from Monday to Friday, and there was no crowd. I don’t know about weekends. Pensioners have a free pass for the cable cars for all days except weekends. The slopes are similar to high ski resorts like St. Moritz or Val Thorens. Wide and long above the upper limit of the forest.
Gastronomic offer
Near the top of the upper station, at 3200 m, there is a chairlift with two easier slopes. Architecturally interesting is the hotel at this altitude because it consists of separate huts. Next to the exit from the gondola is a café, and a hundred meters below is a restaurant in an original yurt where local nomadic specialties and excellent teas are prepared.
The restaurant offer at the base area is very rich. Several restaurants offer traditional Kazakh dishes such as shashlik (grilled meat), pilaf, manty (a type of stuffed dough), Laghman (noodles with vegetables and meat), and other local specialties. In addition to traditional dishes, international cuisine is also offered to satisfy the different tastes of visitors, such as pizzas, burgers, pasta, and sandwiches. Alcohol is not available in all establishments. Mostly, tea is served.
Good transportation connectivity
The Shymbulak ski area is located approximately 25–30 kilometers southeast of Almaty, the largest city and former capital of Kazakhstan. The journey from Almaty to Shymbulak takes about 30–40 minutes from the city center through the mountain foothills. Public transportation connecting Almaty and Shymbulak consists of city bus lines (price 0,4 E) that regularly run between the city and the ski resort. Tickets are cheap, less than half a euro (200 tenge). Taxis are also available, which are quite inexpensive, less than ten dollars to more distant hotels. It is good to have the Yandex app, which makes it easy, cheap, and safe to get a ride. Card payments are possible.
Medeu
Medeu is a famous open-air skating rink located near the lower station of the Shymbulak gondola. This skating rink is one of the highest in the world and is known for its impressive size and views of the surrounding mountains. Medeu skating rink is a popular destination and often hosts numerous international skating competitions. About 1700 speed skating records have been set on it, indicating the significant role of this skating rink in the world of speed skating. I have never seen a larger skating rink where two, maybe even three hockey rinks fit inside the oval track.
SCIJ Championship
We didn’t come to Kazakhstan by accident; in fact, the ski journalist championship was held at Shymbulak. SCIJ President Frederick Wallace wrote:
“It was an exceptional event for our association, marking our debut in this beautiful part of the world. The meeting took place in beautiful weather, excellent skiing conditions, and a captivating exploration of Kazakhstan. With 123 participants from 21 member countries and guests from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, the gathering truly symbolized international camaraderie.
Special recognition goes to SCIJ Kazakhstan for their outstanding efforts in organizing this fantastic event wholeheartedly and creatively. Their dedication, along with the support of key partners such as Kazakhstan Tourism, Shymbulak Ski Resort, and Royal Tulip Hotel, significantly contributed to the success of our meeting.”
Almaty is a city with a glacier
Few cities in the world are so close to ski resorts. Innsbruck and Vancouver come to mind, but none of them have such a high and large mountain range in the suburbs like Almaty. Add to that the Medeu skating rink, and we realize that Almaty’s geographical position is unique in the world with great potential for the development of winter sports, not only in Asia. If winters in Europe become milder, as they have been in recent years, we know where to go. With just a 12-hour flight and a layover, it is possible to fly to Kazakhstan from Europe.
Plants like apples have become domesticated worldwide, originating from Kazakhstan.
