Winter Sports in Almaty, Kazakhstan: Skating and Skiing

Visit the Colorado of Central Asia

Putting itself on the map by applying to host the 2014 Winter Olympics, Kazakhstan is poised to become an internationally recognized gateway to winter sports. At the edge of the Tian Shan range near the border with Kyrgyzstan, the Zailliski Alatau mountains watch over Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty. Whether you want to downhill skiing or extreme snowboarding, these mighty mountains will oblige at the Shymbulak resort. And if you prefer skating in circles, Kazakhstan welcomes you to its high-altitude Medeu venue. With winter sports beckoning visitors to its exotic locale, Almaty is becoming the Colorado of Central Asia.

Skating at Medeu

Near a giant dam designed to protect the city from mud and debris during summer months, the Medeu ice complex is just a short bus or taxi trip (about 15 km southeast) from Almaty. Built adjacent to a beautiful gorge in 1972, Medeu was once the training center for Soviet skating hopefuls. Now that Kazakhstan is independent, winter sports enthusiasts from around the world flock to Medeu each year to take advantage of track conditions, which are supported by a unique freezing pipe system that complements natural ice. Speedskaters regularly set and break records at Medeu due to the ideal conditions, citing a combination of low pressure, pristine ice, and protection from wind. After all, Medeu’s facilities are located about 1700 meters above sea level, sheltered in a safe gorge.

But it’s not just world-class speedskaters (like Kazakhstan native Alexander Vinokourov) who skate in Almaty: plenty of common Kazakhs and curious tourists come to escape the city and skate for fun during winter months. Medeu operators rent skates for a nominal fee at the busy complex, which was recently renovated to celebrate Kazakhstan’s independence. Visitors can stay in Almaty or at Medeu itself, as hotels and restaurants are available. Whether you want to figure skate, speed skate, or play hockey, the winter sports complex at Medeu can serve you well.

Skiing (and Snowboarding) at Shymbulak