Shymbulak Ski Resort Guide
Kazkhstan’s Biggest Ski Resort near Almaty
Central Asia’s Flagship Ski Destination near Almaty
Shymbulak – also known as Chimbulak – is the largest and most modern ski resort in Central Asia. Nestled in the Ile-Alatau National Park just south of Almaty, it sits at 2,260 m in the Medeu Valley and offers spectacular views of the Tian Shan mountains. Shymbulak is renowned for its well-groomed slopes totaling 20 km in length, certified for international competitions.
The resort enjoys abundant sunshine and a reliable November-to-April snow season, thanks to snowmaking and its high altitude. Just 25–30 km from Almaty city center (about a 40-minute drive), Shymbulak is easily accessible via a modern gondola lift – one of the world’s longest – that transports visitors from the city’s Medeu ice rink to the resort base.
Why Ski in Shymbulak?
If you seek a ski destination that rivals European resorts at a fraction of the cost, Shymbulak delivers. It perfectly blends Central Asian mountain charm with modern convenience. The resort’s long runs and comfortable lifts are ideal for full days of exploration on skis, while the vibrant atmosphere (especially on weekends and holidays) makes it a fun social scene.
Whether you’re a beginner (who can benefit from gentle slopes and affordable lessons) or an expert (eager to tackle steep descents and off-piste bowls), Shymbulak has something for everyone. Plus, the easy access from a major city means you can enjoy cultural tours and culinary delights in Almaty alongside your ski adventure.
In summary, Shymbulak’s natural beauty, high-altitude powder, lively après-ski, and Central Asian hospitality create an unforgettable ski holiday.
Shymbulak Ski Season
| Year | Start Season | End Season |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 / 2016 | 20 Nov | Early April |
| 2016 / 2017 | 19 Nov | 30 April |
| 2017 / 2018 | 17 Nov | 29 April |
| 2018 / 2019 | – | – |
| 2019 / 2020 | – | – |
| 2020 / 2021 | – | – |
| 2021 / 2022 | – | – |
| 2022 / 2023 | 26 Nov | Late April |
| 2023 / 2024 | Late Nov | 30 April |
| 2024 / 2025 | 23 Nov | 13 April |
| 2025 / 2026 | 26 Nov | – |
The table shows you the ski season dates for Shymbulak. There is no data available from 2019 to 2021, but the other six years still give us a clear picture. Shymbulak does not start or end its season on the same day every winter — snow and weather decide everything — so the dates shift a bit from year to year.
But the pattern is easy to see: in every year where we do have records, Shymbulak has always been open from late November until early April. This makes it one of the longest and most reliable seasons in Central Asia. If you want to book your trip in advance, this time window is your safest choice.
Some years begin a little earlier or stretch a little longer. When that happens, it’s perfect for a last-minute ski day if you are already in Almaty. Early or late season days are quieter, the prices are better, and you get more space on the slopes.
How to Get to Shymbulak
If you want to ski in Shymbulak, getting there is very simple. You first fly to Almaty, the biggest city in Kazakhstan. From the airport, the trip to Shymbulak is fast and smooth. The easiest way is a private taxi, which takes around 35–45 minutes to reach the base of the mountains. You can also take a shared ride if you want to save money. Another fun option is to go by bus or taxi to Medeu, and from there you take the cable car straight up to Shymbulak. It’s cheap, easy, and gives you great views on the way.
The road from Almaty to Shymbulak is short but very scenic. You drive past forests, cliffs, and snowy peaks before you reach the lifts. It feels like you enter a new world even though you are still close to the city. There are no flights to Shymbulak, but you don’t need them — the resort sits right next to Almaty. Once you land, you are less than an hour away from fresh snow, clean air, and the most popular ski resort in Central Asia.
Find the best flights to Almaty below!👇
Where to Stay?
Stay in Almaty
If you stay in Almaty, you get the best of both worlds: a big, fun city and fast access to Shymbulak. The ski resort is only a short drive from town, so you can enjoy long days on the slopes and still come back to great food, cafés, malls, and nightlife.
Hotels in Almaty also give you far more choice and often better prices than staying up in the mountains. It’s the perfect pick if you want comfort, city life, and easy trips to Shymbulak.
Look for a place to stay in Almaty by clicking on the map below.👇
Stay at the Shymbulak Ski Resort
If you stay right in Shymbulak, you wake up in the heart of the ski area. You can walk to the lifts, ski more, and waste no time on the road. The air is fresh, the views are stunning, and the whole place feels calm and pure. It’s the best choice if you want a true mountain stay and the most ski time possible.
Check the list of hotels at the ski resort below.👇
Hotels at Shymbulak Resort:
Shymbulak Resort Hotel
Shymbulak Resort Hotel puts you right at the lifts with true ski-in / ski-out access, so you start your day on the slopes in seconds. You stay in warm, classic rooms with big views of the peaks and the Medeu Valley, and most rooms come with a balcony. After skiing, you can relax in the sauna and breathe in the clean mountain air. You wake up to a fresh breakfast buffet, and ski gear hire is only a few steps away.
Ski Terrain and Slopes
With 20 km of ski runs ranging from 2,260 m up to 3,200 m elevation, Shymbulak provides a great variety for all ability levels. Approximately 4 km of gentle green runs cater to beginners, 10 km of blues and reds suit intermediate skiers, and 6 km of black runs challenge experts. The slopes are wide and professionally groomed, ideal for carving or learning at a relaxed pace.
Advanced skiers and snowboarders can enjoy steep pitches on the Talgar Pass runs and abundant off-piste freeride opportunities in the surrounding backcountry. The vertical drop of about 920 m offers long downhill runs; in fact, Shymbulak’s slopes once hosted Asian Winter Games events and are acclaimed among the world’s more challenging courses.
Additionally, night skiing is offered twice a week (Thursdays and Saturdays), and notably, Shymbulak set a Guinness World Record for the highest night-skiing slope, illuminated at 3,200 m altitude. This unique nighttime experience – skiing under the stars with panoramic city lights below – is a major draw.
Facilities and Amenities
Shymbulak boasts a state-of-the-art lift system, including gondolas and chairlifts (8 lifts in total) that whisk skiers up the mountain quickly. Modern infrastructure is a point of pride – visitors will find well-equipped rental shops, multilingual ski schools (instructors available in Kazakh, Russian, English), gear repair services, and trail maps guiding them around the resort.
For those not skiing, the resort offers cafés, restaurants, and Alpine-style chalets for dining and après-ski leisure. On-mountain eateries range from casual snack bars to panoramic restaurants at Talgar Pass (including a cozy yurt café at 3,200 m for an authentic touch.
In Almaty city below, numerous hotels and guesthouses cater to Shymbulak visitors, but the resort itself also has lodging options at the base and mid-mountain, allowing ski-in/ski-out convenience. Apres-ski at Shymbulak is lively – one can relax with a drink on sunny terraces or enjoy live music and entertainment, capitalizing on the social atmosphere and mild winter climate.
The combination of mountain adventure by day and cosmopolitan Almaty nightlife by evening gives Shymbulak a special appeal.
Unique Features
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Shymbulak offers extras like freeride zones, snow parks with jumps and rails, paragliding and heli-ski tours for thrill-seekers. Non-skiing visitors can enjoy the scenic gondola ride, go ice skating at the legendary Medeu rink just below (the world’s highest Olympic-sized ice rink), or even take winter hikes in the surrounding trails.
The resort’s climate is relatively mild (average winter daytime around -7°C) with many sunny days, making outdoor activities pleasant. With its combination of world-class facilities, diverse terrain, reliable snow, and stunning alpine scenery, it’s no surprise Shymbulak is the must-visit ski area in Kazakhstan, attracting increasing numbers of international skiers.
Shymbulak Key Facts
- Distance from Airport: ~36 km from Almaty International Airport (ALA), about a 40-minute drive. (Only ~25–30 km from Almaty city center, with shuttle buses and gondola access available.)
- Total Ski Slope Length: 20 km of marked trails (green, blue, red, black) spread across the mountain. Vertical drop ~900 m (2,260 m base to 3,160 m top).
- Number of Lifts: 8 lifts (gondola + chairlifts) with capacity ~8,790 persons/hour, including a 4.5 km gondola from Medeu.
- Ski Pass Cost: Approximately 17,500 KZT (≈$35) for a full-day adult pass on weekends (09:00–17:00). Weekday and half-day passes are cheaper (e.g. ~13,000–14,000 KZT for morning or afternoon sessions). A special “Beginner” area ticket is available for ~6,500 KZT. Night-skiing pass ~10,500 KZT (19:00–23:30).
- Accommodation: On-site hotels and chalets at the resort; numerous hotels in Almaty city. Prices range from budget guesthouses to upscale hotels (Almaty city offers 3–5 star accommodations).
- Other Amenities: Ski and snowboard school (multi-lingual instructors), equipment rentals, locker storage, restaurants, cafés, bars, medical center, snowpark for freestyle, and activities like tubing and ice skating at nearby Medeu rink.
- Notable: Hosted events for 2011 Asian Winter Games and 2017 Winter Universiade. Holds the record for highest night skiing slope at 3,200 m. Known for its stunning panoramic views of Almaty from the slopes and a long ski season (often November through May).
