Private Tour
Available languages
90 hours
Mobile ticket
You will feel the spiritual power of ancient Nomads when get to the Shymbulak Yurt Backcountry Camp located an altitude of 3163 meters and surrounded by the impressive glaciers with panoramic view to Almaty city. It’s a unique chance to test yourself in the backcountry with altitudes reaching 4000 meters and leave your tracks on the wild slopes of Tien Shan mountains. National dishes and beverages, stunning sunsets and sunrises, apre-ski above the clouds, nights under the starry sky, ski-touring and split-boarding and acquaintance with local culture will make this experience impressive and unforgettable.
This trip is suitable for for fit skiers and snowboarders with off-piste experience and confident riding on piste.
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Drinking water
Private transportation
All Fees and Taxes
3 nights in Yurta Shymbulak Base Camp & Restaurant
Dinner
Skiing guide services
Breakfast
Daily ski-passes at Shymbulak for 4 days
Alcoholic Beverages
Snacks
Insurance policy
Lunch
Rental of avalanche safety and ski-touring gear
Hotel Kazakhstan
Dostyk Ave., 52/2, Almaty Kazakhstan
Almaty Airport
Almaty Kazakhstan
Medeu Skating Rink and Ski resort
Medeo Gorge (1690 meters above sea level) well known due to the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam, protecting the city from the mudflows.
Mountain resort “Shymbulak” is located in famous Small Almaty gorge of Trans-Ili Alatau mountains in Kok Ashyk valley at an altitude of 2260 meters above sea level, 30 minutes drive from center of Almaty. The resort was founded in 1954. Since mid-1950s, Shymbulak served as training base for Soviet skiers, the USSR and Kazakhstan championships were held on its slopes. Every year in the beginning of February skiers competed for “Alexandra Artemenko Prize”, 11-time champion of the USSR, master of sports, participant of the Olympic Games 1956.
Pickup included
5 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
guillermof452,
May 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
We had an unforgettable experience with Powder Nomads on our ski touring trip to Kazakhstan. From the moment we arrived, Sasha and Igor went above and beyond to make sure everything ran smoothly—even when the airline lost our luggage! They reorganized the entire plan with incredible flexibility and professionalism, ensuring we could still enjoy every part of the journey. We started in Shymbulak, surrounded by breathtaking alpine terrain, and then moved on to the wild beauty of Katon Karagay, where the snow, scenery, and solitude were just magical. Throughout the trip, Sasha and Igor were not only expert guides, but also kind, attentive, and genuinely passionate about the mountains and the experience they were creating for us. They always made us feel safe and supported, while also sharing local culture, insights, and a lot of good laughs. If you're looking for a true adventure in untouched nature, guided by people who care deeply about what they do, Powder Nomads is the way to go. We came home with not just incredible memories, but a deep connection to a part of the world we never imagined we'd fall in love with. Thank you, Powder Nomads—you made this trip one of the best of our lives.







945rauln,
May 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Most amazing skiing experience I've ever had. It was a yurt and lodge based ski touring with some ski retrack. Guides were eventually friends and we enjoyed snow in several mountains and spots
Jet473272,
Mar 5, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
It was amazing experience. We go to exotic and cozy yurt in middle of mountain and enjoyed backcountry skiing. The snow at high portion of mountain was very soft and it's enough reward for uphill. Also, Alex has very good attitude and instruct skill of powder skiing for my husband.



809caih,
Jul 24, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
Got to know Alex through recommendation of a friend who had an epic hike in Almaty, before I arrive Alex already helping me with my invitation letter for visa and picked me up from airport to have the best experience from the very beginning, really appreciated the warm hospitality through out the whole journey. Our hike planed for 3 days 2 night camping, due to the weather and our good luck 😎we spent 4 days 3 nights in a luxurious emergency hut, the experience and beauty of the trip blow me away, the first day we started at 3200M, walking through gorges, rivers, tree line, descend 1000M was quite a good challenge for me, the place we stayed overnight was like a dreamland, stars in the night sky was beautiful...the 2nd day normally is the tough elevation day but it was raining heavily, and Alex made the wise decision to reach the second hut stay over, it was best for me I realized even more on the next day, while gaining elevation on different terrain. hike with the experienced professional mountaineer Alex, you are in a good hand,he always find great spot to stop for tea/snack with fantastic view, cooking is one of my favorite relaxing time, Alex is good chief, we shared stories and laughters, inspired by his passion and love towards mountain and Ski... 3rd day we reached 3945M, surround with Snow, Glacier, Moraine lake, gorge, high peaks... Was brethtaken and not sure if there is word can discribe the magic moment, I will try😂 freedom, calm, healing, leveraged spirit&energy, soul cleansing,fullfiled with joy and greatfulness... 4th day we decend to big almaty lake... Honestly the trip was beyond my expectation, thank you very much Alex for your professionalism, very well organized and detail-oriented, knowledge/story sharing, positive energy, it was really a VIP private tour 😂will definitely come back one day to try ski with you 😊










AlexanderVos,
May 11, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
Very nice trip, good attitude to safety! Catering is excellent! Guides are professionals, I would recommend to go if you are in Almaty!

Operated by Powder Nomads Freeride and Backcountry Trips in Kazakhstan