Oi-Qaragai Ski Resort Video
An all-season forest resort 22 km from Almaty — 13 km of gentle slopes through Tian Shan pines, Asia’s longest zipline, snow tubing, treehouse accommodation, and year-round activities.
What Skiers Say About Oi-Qaragai
3.9 out of 5
Based on 19 reviews on TripAdvisor · #2 of 3 hotels in Besqaynar
Visitors regularly single out the treehouse lodging as the most memorable part of their stay at Oi-Qaragai. The combination of pine-forested slopes a short distance from Almaty and the on-site riding stables gives the resort a character that larger, more purpose-built ski areas lack. Reviewers also call out the massage facilities and the Georgian kitchen — one of several dining options — as reasons to extend a visit beyond a single day. Families travelling with children note the supervised activity zone as a genuine convenience.
Not every guest leaves satisfied. Service standards vary noticeably between individual staff members, and the first meal of the day draws criticism for its narrow selection. Several people who stayed in the wooden cabins during colder months describe rooms that struggled to stay warm and sound that carried between partitions. Each activity on the property — including the playground — is billed separately, which some arrivals find surprising given the room rates.
The 3.9 rating captures this divide: those who arrive expecting an adventure-forest setting rather than a conventional hotel tend to leave happier. The video on this page shows exactly the side of the resort that wins praise — the tree-lined runs, the zipline, and the village atmosphere — so viewers can judge for themselves before booking.
About This Oi-Qaragai Ski Resort Video
This Oi-Qaragai ski resort video covers an all-season mountain resort 22 km from Almaty in the Ile-Alatau National Park, formerly known as Lesnaya Skazka. The video shows 13 km of ski runs through pine forest, with about 60% beginner-friendly trails plus a few intermediate runs and one short advanced section. Eleven lifts — chairlifts, T-bars, and conveyor lifts — serve the area, which rises from 1,550 m to 1,820 m with a vertical drop of around 270 m. A ski school and rental shop are on site.
Beyond the slopes, the video shows a zipline park spanning about 3 km across seven segments — described as one of the longest in Asia. Winter activities include snow tubing with a dedicated lift, a rope adventure park, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and horseback riding through the woods. The resort’s pedestrian village has wooden cottages and restaurants serving local dishes like plov and shashlik alongside international options. Overnight accommodation ranges from rustic cabins to luxury treehouses.
In summer, the resort shifts to mountain biking, hiking, archery, rock climbing, a giant sky swing, and an alpine coaster. The zipline operates year-round. A traditional Russian banya and massage services are available for relaxation. The resort is about a 40-minute drive from Almaty. This video is aimed at families, beginners, and anyone who enjoys a mix of adventure and relaxation at a quieter alternative to Shymbulak.
Video Transcript
Full transcript of the Oi-Qaragai ski resort video
Discovering Oi-Qaragai Ski Resort
Oi-Qaragai, formerly known as Lesnaya Skazka, is an all-season mountain resort that truly lives up to the name “Fairy Tale.” Tucked in a scenic gorge of the Ile-Alatau National Park, just 22 km from Almaty, it’s a paradise for families, beginners, and anyone who loves a mix of adventure and relaxation.
Winter Wonderland in Kazakhstan
In winter, Oi-Qaragai becomes a charming ski village amid snow-covered pine forests. The elevation is lower than Shymbulak — about 1,550 m at the base to 1,820 m at the top — so the vertical drop is around 270 m. That makes the ski slopes gentle and welcoming, especially for those new to skiing or snowboarding.
Skiing and Snowboarding in Oi-Qaragai
There are about 13 km of ski runs spread across the resort’s wooded hills. Most of the trails are easy greens and blues, with around 60% being beginner-friendly, plus a few intermediate runs and just one short advanced section. If you’re learning or traveling with kids, this is an ideal place. You can glide down wide, mellow runs surrounded by gorgeous forest scenery, without worrying about extreme steep sections.
What Oi-Qaragai Has to Offer
The resort has 11 lifts, including chairlifts, T-bars, and conveyor lifts for novices, so getting around is quick and convenient. Oi-Qaragai really shines in the variety of activities it offers. Of course, you can ski and snowboard, and there’s a ski school and rental shop ready to gear you up. But the fun doesn’t stop with skiing.
Zipline Experience in Oi-Qaragai
Adrenaline seekers will be thrilled by the zipline park here, which is not just any zipline — it’s the longest in all of Asia and one of the largest in the world. It spans about 3 km across seven segments, letting you literally fly over the snowy gorge like an eagle. Imagine the rush of zipping above treetops and snowy roofs — it’s an absolute must-try.
Snow Tubing Fun
For those who prefer to stay closer to the ground, Oi-Qaragai offers snow tubing with multiple lanes and even a lift dedicated to tubing. You can rocket down on inflatable tubes and get pulled right back up for another go. You’ll feel like a kid again, laughing all the way down the luge-style tubing hills.
Other Winter Activities in Oi-Qaragai
There’s also a rope adventure park among the trees, horse-drawn sleigh rides, or horseback rides through the winter woods, and even a cozy spa to warm up in afterward.
Village and Accommodation
The resort has built a small pedestrian village with a fairy-tale vibe. Think wooden cottages, warm lights, crackling fireplaces, and restaurants serving hearty local dishes like plov and shashlik barbecues, as well as international comfort foods. You can stay overnight in one of several hotels or cabins on-site, ranging from rustic-chic to luxury. Spending a weekend here is easy and comfortable.
Summer Adventures
When the winter snow melts, Oi-Qaragai switches gears but loses none of its magic. Summer brings lush greenery and a whole new list of adventures. You can tackle the high ropes course suspended between tree trunks, or test your courage on the giant sky swing and catapult sling that launch you into adrenaline-pumping arcs.
Summer Activities in Oi-Qaragai
The mountain slopes host hikers and mountain bikers exploring trails with panoramic views of the Zailiyskiy Alatau range. The resort’s equestrian center offers horseback trail rides for all ages, letting you trot through alpine meadows. And yes — the spectacular zipline is open in summer too. Soaring over the green valley is just as memorable as the winter version. Archery, rock climbing, and even an alpine coaster called the AlpCoaster add to the thrills.
Relaxation and Comforts
Oi-Qaragai is equally about relaxation. You can visit the traditional Russian bathhouse (banya), indulge in a massage, or simply sit outside a café with a cup of coffee, enjoying the fresh mountain air.
Accessibility and Charm of Oi-Qaragai
With its mix of adventure park energy and family-oriented comforts, Oi-Qaragai has become one of Kazakhstan‘s top mountain resorts for year-round fun. It’s hard to believe that such a peaceful natural haven is only a 40-minute drive from the bustle of Almaty. If you’re an international traveler, you’ll appreciate the blend of Kazakh charm and modern hospitality here. Staff are known for being very welcoming, and culturally you might catch performances of folk music or see traditional yurt-style décor — giving you a sense of Kazakh heritage amid the holiday festivities.
Final Thoughts
In short, Oi-Qaragai Mountain Resort will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a storybook. Whether you’re learning to ski on gentle slopes, shrieking with joy on a zipline, or clinking mugs of cocoa by a fire, this resort truly delivers a magical mountain escape in any season.
Outro
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