Discover the Most Affordable Skiing Adventure in Kazakhstan at Shymbulak

Almaty residents are truly fortunate to have access to powder snow skiing anytime at Shymbulak Ski Resort, located in Almaty, Kazakhstan. For those traveling from China, you can cross the border from Yining to Khorgos for RMB 45, and then carpool to Almaty for an average of RMB 150 per person (more detailed guide available on the homepage). ❄️ Ski Gear Rental: At the mountain top, you can rent ski equipment for 7,000 KZT for a three-piece set or 13,000 KZT for a full set, but be prepared for long queues. It's recommended to rent in the city at TOBE, a ski chain store, where a full set costs 8,000 KZT, with a student discount available at 6,500 KZT. I navigated to the TOO Gxp Training building for my rental. 🚌 Transportation: There are two ways to reach Shymbulak from Almaty city center: 1. Taxi: Use Yandex Go, with the currency being KZT at an exchange rate of 1:68. Renting a snowboard in the city requires a taxi, costing around 2,600 KZT (RMB 38). 2. Bus: Take route 12 for 150 KZT one way (RMB 2.2), which is convenient for those renting ski gear directly at the ski resort. 🚠 Cable Car: Shymbulak Ski Resort, at an altitude of 3,500 meters, is a popular destination for alpine skiing enthusiasts. The views are breathtaking, and many visitors take the cable car to enjoy the scenery. The ski slopes cater to all levels, with the first segment of the cable car ride lasting 20 minutes and the second 10 minutes, making the ticket price worthwhile. Both segments have cafes and restaurants for resting. 💰 Skiing Fees: Daytime full-day (8:30-18:00) costs 7,600 KZT for adults and 5,300 KZT for youths (under 23 years). Morning session (8:30-13:30) is 6,800 KZT/4,200 KZT, afternoon session (12:30-18:00) is 5,800 KZT/3,800 KZT, and night session (19:00-23:30) is 8,500 KZT/5,500 KZT. The snow quality at Shymbulak is excellent dry powder, giving a floating sensation while skiing. I attended the afternoon session, which cost RMB 86, plus RMB 2 for round-trip bus fare, making it RMB 90 for those bringing their own ski gear to enjoy the alpine slopes. #Kazakhstan #Almaty #Skiing