Winter Sports in Kazakhstan: 2024 Infrastructure & Athletes’ Achievements
Kazakhstan’s Winter Resorts Offer Spectacular Opportunities for Winter Sports Enthusiasts
Winter in Kazakhstan is truly a fairytale experience, with picturesque mountains, snow-covered trees, and endless opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and skating. The country’s winter resorts boast modern facilities and infrastructure, all at affordable prices compared to popular foreign ski destinations.
In recent news, Kazakhstan has been recognized by various travel publications as a must-visit destination. Lonely Planet included Kazakhstan in its Best in Travel 2025 list, while India Today named it the most-searched holiday destination among Indian travelers. Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, was also listed by The New York Times as one of the top 52 tourist destinations worldwide.
Almaty and its surrounding areas offer a wide range of winter sports activities. Some of the top ski resorts in Kazakhstan include:
1. Shymbulak Mountain Resort: Located in the Trans-Ili Alatau gorge, Shymbulak is the largest ski destination in Central Asia, offering 25 kilometers of trails with a 920-meter altitude difference. The resort features three cable car lines and has been named one of the top five ski locations by Condé Nast Italia.
2. Oi-Karagai: Also known as Pine Gorge or Forest Fairy Tale, this resort near Almaty offers pristine nature and a variety of activities, including skiing, tubing, climbing, and horseback riding.
3. Ak-Bulak: Situated in Soldier’s Gorge, Ak-Bulak boasts picturesque views, diverse trails, and activities for all levels of skiers. The resort features 14 kilometers of slopes with different levels of difficulty and a range of amenities for guests to enjoy.
4. Medeu Ice Skating Rink: Known as the world’s largest high-mountain complex for winter sports, the Medeu Ice Skating Rink in Almaty is a popular destination for ice skating enthusiasts. The rink is located at an altitude of 1,691 meters and offers optimal conditions for speed skating.
5. Altai Alps Ski Resort: Located near Ust-Kamenogorsk in eastern Kazakhstan, Altai Alps is an all-season resort with abundant snowfall from November to April. The resort offers a variety of trails, cable cars, and activities such as snowshoeing, sledding, and tubing.
6. Burabai Ski Resort: Situated in Northern Kazakhstan, Burabai Ski Resort is a family-friendly destination surrounded by scenic hills, forests, and lakes. The resort features gentle slopes, cable cars, and activities for the whole family to enjoy.
7. Koksai Tourist Ski Resort: Opened in 2023 in the Zhambyl Region, Koksai Tourist Ski Resort offers both winter and summer sports activities, including skiing, snowboarding, horseback riding, and hiking. The resort is fully powered by solar panels and can accommodate up to 500 people daily.
In addition to these resorts, Kazakhstan is also home to world-class sports facilities such as the Alau Ice Palace and Barys Arena, which host various winter sports events and training sessions.
Kazakhstan’s athletes have also achieved significant success on the international stage, with ski jumper Ilya Mizernykh winning gold at the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics. The country’s figure skaters continue to honor the memory of legendary skater Denis Ten through events like the Denis Ten Memorial Challenge, which bring together top skaters from around the world.
As Kazakhstan cements its reputation as a top winter sports destination, visitors can look forward to unforgettable experiences in the country’s stunning winter wonderland.
