Shymbulak Almaty: Trail Overview, Skiing, Prices, and More
From $87 per person
Overview
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Description
Shymbulak, also known as Chimbulak, is the most popular ski resort in Kazakhstan, located above the famous Medeo ice rink. This alpine haven offers a perfect blend of thrilling skiing, breathtaking views, and modern amenities, making it a top destination for winter sports enthusiasts from around the world.
Trail Overview
Shymbulak boasts a variety of trails catering to skiers and snowboarders of all levels, from beginners to advanced riders. The resort’s trails are divided into two main zones:
1. Lower Zone: Ideal for beginners, this area features gentle slopes and wide runs perfect for learning and practicing basic skills.
2. Upper Zone: This intermediate area offers more challenging runs with varied terrain, allowing skiers to improve their techniques.
Skiing and Snowboarding at Shymbulak
Ski Lifts and Facilities
Shymbulak is equipped with modern ski lifts, including gondolas, chairlifts, and surface lifts, ensuring quick and easy access to all trails. The resort’s infrastructure is designed to handle a large number of visitors efficiently, minimizing wait times and maximizing your time on the slopes.
Snow Conditions
The resort enjoys a long ski season, typically from November to April, thanks to its high altitude and favorable weather conditions. Shymbulak’s snow is known for its excellent quality, providing a smooth and enjoyable ride. Snowmaking facilities ensure good coverage even during periods of low natural snowfall.
Pricing
The rates below are for the 2025/26 season, the most recent published tariff. Shymbulak sets its prices each autumn, so treat these as a guide to what to expect rather than a live price list, and check the resort’s app or website before you travel. The ski season runs from around mid-to-late November until close to May.
Main season
| Pass | Category | Weekday | Weekend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full day 08:30-18:00 | Adult | 9,000 ₸ | 12,000 ₸ |
| Youth (11-23) | 7,000 ₸ | – | |
| Child (6-10) | 3,000 ₸ | 5,000 ₸ | |
| Beginner tariff | 4,500 ₸ | – | |
| Morning 08:30-13:30 | Adult | 8,000 ₸ | 10,000 ₸ |
| Youth (11-23) | 5,000 ₸ | – | |
| Child (6-10) | 2,500 ₸ | 4,000 ₸ | |
| Afternoon 12:30-18:00 | Adult | 7,000 ₸ | 9,000 ₸ |
| Youth (11-23) | 4,000 ₸ | – | |
| Child (6-10) | 2,000 ₸ | 3,500 ₸ |
Night skiing
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Adult 8,500 ₸, child (6-10) 3,000 ₸, beginner tariff 4,500 ₸.
High season – New Year holidays
A roughly 30% surcharge applies over the New Year period, which ran 25 December to 11 January in the 2025/26 season. Rates are the same every day, with no weekday discount.
| Pass | Adult | Child (6-14) | Beginner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full day 08:30-18:00 | 26,000 ₸ | 10,000 ₸ | 12,000 ₸ |
| Morning 08:30-13:00 | 19,500 ₸ | 7,000 ₸ | – |
| Afternoon 12:30-18:00 | 22,000 ₸ | 8,000 ₸ | – |
| Night 19:00-23:00 | 22,000 ₸ | 8,000 ₸ | 12,000 ₸ |
What else to know
- Ski pass card: 2,000 ₸, paid once and reusable.
- Low season discount: around 30% off main-season rates early in the winter, when the resort has just opened and not all runs are working.
- Free entry: children under 6. Kazakhstani pensioners and people with disabilities get one ticket per day on production of ID, weekdays only.
- Youth tariff (11-23): weekdays in main season only. It does not apply at weekends, on night sessions, or in high season.
- Buy ahead: tickets are cheaper through the Shymbulak app or the resort website than at the ticket office.
Shymbulak: quick answers
How much is a Shymbulak day pass?
In the 2025/26 season an adult full-day pass was 9,000 ₸ on weekdays and 12,000 ₸ at weekends – roughly $17-23. Over the New Year holidays a flat 26,000 ₸ rate applied. The 2026/27 tariff is normally published in the autumn; prices move most years, so check the resort’s app before you travel.
When is the Shymbulak ski season?
Mid-to-late November until close to May – the longest season of any Almaty resort, thanks to the 2,200-3,200 m altitude. The best combination of snow and comfortable temperatures is February and March.
Is night skiing available?
Yes – Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 8,500 ₸ for adults in main season.
How do I get to Shymbulak from Almaty?
Take a taxi (Yandex/Uber) or bus 12 to Medeo, then the cable car from the Medeo base station. About 50 minutes door to door from the centre; there is no public road access to the resort itself for visitors.
What is changing at Shymbulak?
Seven new lift lines began construction in May 2026 as part of the Almaty Superski project, with the first two due to open by the end of 2026. By 2028 Shymbulak is planned to be one anchor of a 200+ km connected ski domain.
For context, a weekday adult full-day pass at Shymbulak was 9,000 ₸, against 16,500 ₸ at Oi-Qaragai and 5,800 ₸ at Ak-Bulak in the same season. Shymbulak is the highest of the three at 2,200-3,200 m, with about 20 km of runs served by 11 lifts, and suits stronger skiers; Oi-Qaragai is the family option and Ak-Bulak the cheapest for beginners.
The best snow is usually in February and March, when conditions are reliable and temperatures are more comfortable than the deep cold of December and January.
Additional Activities
Beyond skiing and snowboarding, Shymbulak offers a variety of other activities to enhance your visit:
• Tubing: A fun activity for all ages, tubing provides a thrilling ride down specially designed tracks.
• Hiking and Snowshoeing: Explore the stunning winter landscape on foot with guided hiking and snowshoeing tours.
• Dining and Après-Ski: Shymbulak features several restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy delicious meals and warm drinks. Après-ski options include cozy bars with live music and a vibrant atmosphere.
How to Get There
Shymbulak is conveniently located just 25 kilometers from Almaty’s city center. Visitors can reach the resort by taking a bus or taxi to the Medeo ice rink and then riding the gondola lift up to Shymbulak. The journey offers spectacular views and sets the stage for an unforgettable experience.
Plan Your Trip
Ready to hit the slopes at Shymbulak? Whether you’re a seasoned skier or a first-time visitor, this resort promises an exciting and memorable adventure. Book your trip with us today and experience the best of Kazakhstan’s premier ski destination. From the thrilling trails to the scenic beauty, Shymbulak is the ultimate winter getaway.
Other destinations
Deciding between resorts? Our guide to ski resorts near Almaty compares Shymbulak with Oi-Qaragai and Ak-Bulak on terrain, prices and who each one suits.
Itinerary
Detailed itinerary will be provided upon booking. Our typical tour includes daily hikes through diverse terrains and cultural experiences.
Pricing
| Group Size | 1 person | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people Best value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $162 $162 total | $117 $234 total | $102 $306 total | $95 $380 total | $90 $450 total | $87 $522 total |
100% private tour — prices are per person based on group size. The more friends you bring, the less everyone pays!
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If weather forces a cancellation, you choose a free reschedule or a full refund. If you're not satisfied with your experience, we'll work with you to make it right. No questions, no hassle.
Private tours only (max 6) · Reschedule or full refund if weather cancels · No payment until confirmed
Traveler Stories
Sarah K.
Our guide was incredible - he adjusted the pace perfectly for our group and knew exactly where to stop for the best photos. The whole experience felt effortless, like everything was taken care of before we even thought to ask.
Marco T.
We were a group of 4 friends and the per-person price made it a no-brainer. Private 4x4, lunch included, and the canyon was breathtaking. Way better than the big bus tours we saw there.
Anna W.
Solo traveler here. I was nervous about hiking alone in a foreign country but the guide made me feel completely safe. The trail to Kok-Zhailau was beautiful and the photos he took of me were amazing. Only wish the hike was longer!
David R.
Third time booking with these guys. Butakovka, Big Almaty Lake, and now Titov Peak. Every single time the service is flawless. The fact that it's always private and max 6 people makes such a difference compared to other operators.
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Weather Forecast
clear sky
H: 23°C
L: 15°C
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clear sky
21°C
15° / 26°
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light rain
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15° / 26°
Tue, Aug 4
light rain
16°C
13° / 19°
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