Tabagan Ski Resort
A closed alpine resort near Almaty — 11 slopes across 37 km in the Trans-Ili Alatau, bankrupt since 2016. Its story from opening to closure, and what the future may hold
Talgar District · 17 km from Almaty · Operated 2005 – 2016 · 55 hectares · 3 lifts
Tabagan Resort Statistics
Key figures from Tabagan’s operational period — a 55-hectare alpine complex in the Trans-Ili Alatau near Almaty
Operated: 2005 – 2016 · Vertical drop: ~500 m · Location: Talgar District, Besqaynar village · See all Kazakhstan ski resorts
Tabagan Is Currently Closed
Skiing in Kazakhstan ShortsCurrently, the Tabagan ski resort is closed and not operating. Bankruptcy proceedings are ongoing, with an arbitration court hearing scheduled for March 19, 2026.
What Tabagan Looks Like Today
Visitors in June 2025 described Tabagan as an abandoned ski resort, featuring closed runs, rusting cable cars, and empty buildings. As of mid-2026, there is no confirmed investor to revive the resort, and an official reopening timeline is still unavailable.
Partial Recovery in the Lower Area
In 2024, a tourism company leased the lower area of Tabagan, managing to restore some cottages and a restaurant. However, this setup does not include full ski operations and is not representative of the resort’s past glory.
Partial activity: A tourism company restored the lower area (cottages and restaurant) as of 2024, but this is not full ski operations. The nearest operational ski resort is Oi-Qaragai, approximately 5 minutes away.
The Rise and Fall: A Complete Timeline
Opened in 2005, the Tabagan ski resort near Almaty, Kazakhstan quickly gained popularity, even hosting freestyle events for the 2011 Winter Asian Games. However, after the owner, TOO Kontakt Tour, declared bankruptcy in 2016 due to debts, the future of the resort changed drastically.
Tabagan ski resort opens
Built in the Shybynsay gorge near Besqaynar village, Talgar district — 55 hectares, 11 runs, 37 km of slopes.
Officially launched
The resort begins full operations as a four-season family destination in the Almaty ski region.
Hosts Winter Asian Games
Tabagan hosts freestyle events during the 2011 Asian Winter Games held in Almaty and Astana.
Closure rumours begin
The official website tabagan.kz stops updating from spring 2013, and rumours of closure circulate.
Owner declared bankrupt
TOO “Kontakt Tour” is declared bankrupt over debts to Bank CenterCredit. The resort is seized and operations shut down. Forbes reports the closure.
Listed for sale at $6 million
The sports and entertainment complex “Tabagan” is put on the market for USD 6 million.
Hosts Winter Universiade
Despite bankruptcy, Tabagan hosts freestyle events for the 2017 Winter Universiade after government investment into the venue.
Court-ordered suspension
Forbes reports the resort remains in disrepair. Tabagan is suspended by court order for sanitary violations.
Transferred to bank subsidiary
The asset moves onto Bank CenterCredit’s subsidiary balance sheet. Control shifts to a bank-side distressed-asset manager.
Zakon.kz visits — deterioration confirmed
Journalists confirm major physical deterioration: damaged buildings and lifts. However, part of the site is leased to a tourism company that restored the lower area (cottages, restaurant).
Serzhan Zhumash reportedly regains control
Reports emerge that Serzhan Zhumash regained control of the resort late in 2024, with reconstruction plans that may restart. This is not yet confirmed.
Described as “abandoned”
A Drive2.ru travel report describes closed ski runs, rusting cable cars, and empty buildings. Root causes cited: funding failures, ownership changes, pandemic, inflation, rising utility costs.
Visitor confirms closure on-site
A visitor to the resort confirms it remains closed with no ski operations.
Arbitration court hearing
A bankruptcy arbitration court hearing takes place on March 19, 2026.
Marked “closed” in official reports
An Almaty Superski report explicitly marks Tabagan as “closed”, presenting the mega project as a separate new initiative. The story continues in the Almaty Superski section below.
Why Tabagan Failed
The closure of Tabagan was the result of a combination of factors. From its ambitious beginnings to bankruptcy, the resort faced challenges including changing ownership and a lack of stable financing that plagued its operations.
Vital infrastructure maintenance fell by the wayside as funds ran out. The COVID-19 pandemic reduced visitor numbers, while rising water and electricity costs squeezed the already tight budget. In the end, no investors stepped forward to revive the resort, and observers speculate the land may be earmarked for property development instead.
No Stable Financing
Built ambitiously but never secured the long-term funding needed to sustain operations.
Ownership Changes
Multiple ownership transfers disrupted operations and long-term planning.
Maintenance Neglect
Infrastructure deteriorated as funds dried up — lifts damaged, buildings left unrepaired.
Pandemic Impact
COVID-19 reduced visitor numbers at a time when the resort was already struggling.
Inflation
Rising costs across the board made operations increasingly expensive year over year.
Rising Utility Costs
Water and electricity expenses grew, squeezing an already tight operating budget.
Became Unprofitable
Combined pressures made the resort financially unsustainable as a ski operation.
No Investor Found
Despite the $6M asking price and 2.8B KZT restoration need, no buyer stepped forward.
Land May Be Repurposed
Some observers say the land may be handed over for property development instead of reopening as a resort.
Source: Drive2.ru investigation, June 2025
Ownership and Financial Status
The journey of Tabagan's ownership has been complex. Initially owned by TOO Kontakt Tour, also known as Contact Tour LLP, the resort faced bankruptcy leading to critical financial restructuring. In 2021, its assets shifted to the balance sheet of Bank CenterCredit, marking the shift to a bank-side distressed-asset manager instead of a typical resort operator.
As of mid-2026: No official reopening timeline or confirmed investor exists. Tabagan is not included in the current phases of the Almaty Superski project. See the Almaty Superski section below for details.
Tabagan and the Almaty Superski Project
Envisioned as a transformative mega mountain tourism initiative, Almaty Superski aims to span over 1,000 hectares. This ambitious project seeks to interlink multiple canyons around Almaty with modern cable car systems, promising 150 km of winter ski runs and 100 km of summer hiking routes.
Early plans included integrating Tabagan alongside Oi-Qaragai, Ak-Tas, Pioneer, Butakovka, Medeo, and Shymbulak into a cohesive tourist experience. However, the present reality is quite different.
Early Concept Plans
- Tabagan listed as an integration target alongside 6 other resorts
- Unified tourism area with 150 km winter + 100 km summer routes
- Connected via modern cable car systems across Almaty canyons
- Part of the broader Almaty Mountain Cluster concept
Official Implementation
- Phase 1 (current): Shymbulak modernization + Butakovka & Kimasar
- Phase 2 (2027+): Pioneer & Oi-Qaragai development + cable cars
- Tabagan is NOT included in any current or future phase
- June 2026 report marks Tabagan as "closed", Superski as separate
Bottom line: Tabagan appears in long-term cluster vision documents, but there is no proof it is part of the active, funded build plan. Reopening would require a new investor, approximately 2.8 billion KZT in restoration, and infrastructure rebuild — with no timeline confirmed.
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What Tabagan Was Like
Nestled in the scenic Trans-Ili Alatau, the Tabagan ski resort was a favorite destination for families. Operating from late November until late March, this four-season alpine sports complex offered ski passes priced between 4,000 to 6,000 KZT (~$8–12). With gentle slopes ideal for beginners, it became the go-to winter escape for Almaty residents seeking fun without the extreme highs.
A Family-Friendly Four-Season Resort
Tabagan was designed with families in mind. Its relaxed atmosphere and beginner-oriented slopes made it perfect for children and adults alike. Unlike Shymbulak, which sits at much higher altitude and offers steeper terrain, Tabagan's gentle gradients made it ideal for building confidence on skis before tackling bigger mountains in the Almaty ski region.
Summer at Tabagan
When winter gave way to warmer months, Tabagan transformed into an outdoor haven. Families could enjoy hiking, biking, and various sports facilities, making it a beloved weekend retreat throughout the year. The nearby Oi-Qaragai resort, just 5 minutes away, shares the same forest setting and continues to offer year-round activities.
Slopes and Terrain
Tabagan featured 37 km of ski trails across 11 runs, with six main ski slopes designed for various skill levels from beginners to advanced skiers.
Difficulty Breakdown
Three easy green and blue runs were perfect for newcomers, while advanced skiers could challenge themselves on three difficult red and black runs. With a vertical drop of 400 to 500 metres, the longest continuous run stretched approximately 2.1 km, and steeper pitches reached up to a 35 to 40 degree incline. Some ungroomed sections existed for those seeking additional challenge.
Specialty Areas
For family-friendly fun, Tabagan featured a sledding and tubing hill. A 15 km cross-country Nordic skiing track was available for enthusiasts looking to explore the terrain differently. A small terrain park served freestyle lovers, while night skiing was occasionally available on select slopes during peak season thanks to floodlights. Before tackling the bigger mountains at Shymbulak, many beginners learned to ski at Tabagan's gentle slopes.
- Gentle training slope for beginners
- Wide cruisers through snow-dusted pine forests
- Safe environment to build confidence
- Steeper pitches up to 35–40° incline
- Ungroomed sections for off-piste challenge
- Longest continuous run ~2.1 km
- Tubing and sledding hill
- 15 km cross-country Nordic track
- Small freestyle terrain park
- Night skiing with floodlights (peak season)
Lifts and Facilities
Tabagan had three ski lifts on site — one double-seat chairlift and two tow lifts (surface drag lifts). These covered the terrain effectively and usually had short queues, especially on weekdays. A dedicated snow tubing lift was also available for the sledding hill.
Services and Amenities
The resort offered a ski rental shop with skis, snowboards, sleds, and safety gear, plus an equipment repair service. A ski school with instructors was available, offering lessons in Russian or English. On-site accommodation included a lodge and several chalet-style cabins, budget-friendly at under 30,000 KZT (~$59) per night. A central restaurant served Kazakh and European dishes, and a cafeteria provided quick snacks and hot drinks. For off-slope fun, Tabagan had an ice skating rink, a rock climbing wall, and a rope course. Summer activities included hiking, mountain biking, zip-lining, ATV rental, and horseback riding — similar to what Oi-Qaragai offers today.
Double-Seat Chairlift
1 chairlift servicing the main slopes. Short queues, especially on weekdays.
Tow / Drag Lifts
2 surface drag lifts covering various slopes across the 55-hectare terrain.
Snow Tubing Lift
1 dedicated lift for the sledding and tubing hill, for family fun.
How to Get to Tabagan
Tabagan is located near Besqaynar village in the Talgar district, about 17 to 20 km east of Almaty city limits — approximately 30 km from the city center and 30 to 40 km from Almaty International Airport (ALA). The road is paved and open year-round, and the relatively low elevation means it is less prone to heavy snow closures compared to higher-altitude resorts like Shymbulak.
A taxi from Almaty takes around 30 to 40 minutes and costs about 4,500 KZT (~$9). Public buses to the Talgar area are the cheapest option but take longer and still require a short taxi ride at the end. There is ample parking at the resort entrance for private vehicles, though no direct public shuttle runs to Tabagan regularly. The nearby Oi-Qaragai resort is just 5 minutes further along the same gorge.
Taxi from Almaty
Fastest option. Direct to the resort entrance.
~30–40 min · 4,500 KZT (~$9)Public Bus
Cheapest option. To Talgar area, then short taxi to resort.
Longer · + taxi at endPrivate Vehicle
Paved road, year-round access. Ample parking at entrance.
30 km from city centerWhere to Ski Instead
While Tabagan is closed, several operational ski resorts are nearby. You can explore Oi-Qaragai, just 5 minutes from Tabagan, or head to Shymbulak, Central Asia's largest ski resort, about 25 km from Almaty.
Oi-Qaragai (Lesnaya Skazka)
The closest operational resort to Tabagan — in the same gorge, just 5 minutes down the road. A family-friendly forest resort with year-round activities including a zipline and mountain bike park.
Shymbulak
Almaty's flagship resort and the largest in Central Asia. High-altitude skiing from 2,260 m to 3,200 m with a 4.5 km gondola from the city, world-record night skiing, and extensive freeride terrain.
Ak-Bulak
Another operational ski resort in the Almaty region, offering family-oriented skiing and modern facilities. A solid alternative for beginners and intermediate skiers.
Almaty SuperSki
The mega project that aims to connect multiple Almaty-area resorts into one unified ski domain of 150+ km. While Tabagan is not in the active phases, this project represents the future of skiing in Kazakhstan.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Ski the Almaty Region Today
While Tabagan remains closed, the Almaty region offers world-class skiing at nearby operational resorts. Oi-Qaragai is just 5 minutes away, and Shymbulak — Central Asia's largest ski resort — is 25 km from Almaty.
4 operational resorts in the Almaty region
