A unified cable car hub, 11 new lifts, Shymbulak integration, and billions in investment are transforming Almaty’s mountain cluster into one of Central Asia’s most ambitious ski destinations.
Imagine stepping off one cable car and having instant access to three world-class mountain resorts. No separate tickets. No complicated transfers. Just pure, seamless skiing from peak to peak.
That’s what Almaty is building right now.
From Shymbulak to SuperSki: One Terminal Connects Everything
Construction of Almaty SuperSki officially began on July 10, 2026, in the Kok-Zhaylau tract within Ile-Alatau National Park. But the game-changer started months earlier. On April 24, 2026, officials announced a unified cable car terminal serving as the key transport hub connecting Shymbulak, Almaty SuperSki, and other prospective areas. This isn’t just construction. It’s the creation of a unified mountain experience.
How do you build a world-class resort in a protected national park? Very carefully.
Project is currently in the preparatory stage. Technological and access roads are being laid to allow heavy machinery entry. Author supervision is provided by KazNIIISA, the Kazakh Scientific Research and Design Institute of Construction and Architecture. This isn’t just bureaucracy. It’s your assurance that every bolt meets rigorous standards.
Science, History, and Engineering Collide
Environmental responsibility comes first here. Detailed surveys confirm no Red Book-listed trees were found on the construction site. Other green plantings will be preserved or transplanted. Almaty city administration is actively transplanting greenery while building a 6 km access road along the Kazachka river, ensuring the landscape remains pristine.
History matters too. The Institute of Archaeology is conducting excavations right now. Their findings will be preserved on site, transferred to museums, or displayed in a dedicated resort museum exhibit. You’re not just getting a ski resort. You’re getting a living museum, a fascinating window into the region’s ancient past.
Infrastructure is massive. Almaty city administration is restoring an electrical substation on Kok-Zhaylau. Engineering infrastructure for SuperSki includes 8 bridges and water-passage structures being built in 2026, with gas and sewerage networks planned for 2027 alongside the road. They aren’t just building slopes. They’re building a self-sustaining mountain city.
The Planning
Want to know when you’ll ride? Construction of 11 modern suspended cable cars started in July 2026, implemented by French firm POMA. This connects to Shymbulak modernization that began with its first of 7 new cable car lines started construction in May 2026. Two new lines will add 5+ km of trails by year-end, giving you more terrain to explore sooner than you expect.
The numbers tell a compelling story. The comprehensive development plan includes 73 measures, with 49 targeted for implementation in 2026 alone. The cluster investment totals 92.8 billion tenge for the Almaty region through 2029, with 83.8 billion coming from private investors. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports projects year-round tourist flow growth from 2 to 5 million people once these projects are complete.
Here’s the thing. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has placed both projects under special oversight due to concerns over slow implementation pace. When national leadership pays this much attention, you know the stakes are high for your future experience.
Your adventure is being rebuilt from the ground up. Keep your eyes fixed on Kok-Zhaylau.