★4.9Aidos Serikov
Senior guide, mountain routes
Ski tour · day
Ski day at Shymbulak
4.8 · 24 reviews
One day at Kazakhstan's highest ski resort. Slopes for all levels, lifts and views of the Zailiysky Alatau — all close to Almaty.
WhenWinter season
DurationDay
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $35/person
Program
Ski day program at Shymbulak by the hour
07:00
Meeting and departure from Almaty
Group meeting in the city center. Comfortable bus transfer to the resort.
08:30
Arrival at Shymbulak
Cable car ride, luggage storage, gear collection.
09:00
Briefing and free skiing
Briefing from the guide for beginners, then free time on the slopes.
13:00
Lunch at the resort cafe
Lunch break (paid separately). European and Kazakh cuisine options available.
14:00
Continued skiing
Second half of the day for active recreation, visiting additional slopes.
17:00
Gathering and Return to Almaty
Return gear, cable car descent, transfer to the city.
18:30
Arrival in Almaty
Program ends at the boarding point.
What's included
What's included in the ski day at Shymbulak
Included in Price
Already included in the tour price
- Transfer from Almaty and back
- Guide-instructor services for the group
- Equipment: skis/snowboard, boots, poles, helmet
- Ski pass for lifts (1 day)
- Bottle of water 0.5 L
Paid separately
Optional, on site
- Lunch and additional drinks
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra equipment rental)
- Accident insurance
What to Bring
To make the day comfortable
- Warm waterproof clothing and gloves
- Ski goggles or mask
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Change of shoes and socks
- Backpack for personal items
Team
Our team — guides and instructors from Almaty
Routes are led by working guides and instructors. The same people answer in WhatsApp and accompany groups on tour.
★4.9
★5Dinara Kassymova
Guide-lecturer in Almaty
★4.8Marat Zhunussov
Trekking instructor
★4.9Oleg Kim
Driver-guide, jeep tours
★4.8Zhanna Abenova
Tour manager
★4.9Timur Beketov
Multi-day tour guide
★5Aliya Nurlan
Group coordinator
★4.8Sergey Volkov
Instructor, ski tours
Reviews
Reviews of ski day at Shymbulak
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
Talgat U.
Google ·
★★★★★The tour was fire. We had a great time skiing. The staff were friendly. No complaints.
Arman Zh.
Our website ·
★★★★★The ski day went very well. The staff helped. We liked it. We vacationed with our family, the kids liked it too. In the morning we left Almaty and reached Shymbulak. The cable car ride made a wonderful impression. We got the equipment and listened to the instructor's advice. At noon we ate at a cafe, prices are a bit high. After lunch we skied again. In the evening we returned home. We liked everything, we'll go again next year.
Olga P.
Our website ·
★★★★★The day was super. Thanks to the guide for the warm welcome. We'll be back. We went as a couple with my wife, wanted to unwind and ski. The transfer from Almaty was convenient, the bus is comfortable. At the resort we quickly got the equipment, the guide explained everything. We skied on different slopes, the views of the mountains are stunning. We had lunch at a cafe, the food is tasty but a bit pricey. We returned without adventures. A great day, I recommend it!
Anton N.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Everything was great. The slopes were awesome. The instructor helped with tickets. I recommend it.
Dana A.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Shymbulak is top. We skied from morning till evening. Rental is fine, prices are reasonable. Downside: the road is bumpy in the bus, but that's due to road repairs. We went with friends, had long wanted to try a winter holiday in the mountains. We gathered in the center, the bus arrived on time. We went up on the cable car, the views are simply breathtaking. Equipment was given out quickly, a briefing for beginners was conducted. We had lunch at a cafe, prices are average. After lunch we went to more difficult slopes. The descent and return were organized.
Marat M.
Our website ·
★★★★★The organization was top-notch. Aliya met us at the hotel and explained everything. The transfer was comfortable. The only downside was the queues for the cable car at lunchtime. But that's a minor thing.
Georgiy L.
Our website ·
★★★★★Excellent tour. We liked everything. The guide did great, organized everything clearly. No downsides. We decided to go spontaneously, as a group of four. In the morning we met at the gathering point, traveled comfortably. At the resort we immediately got equipment and ski passes. We skied on different slopes, the snow is excellent. We paid for lunch ourselves, but the choice of dishes is good. We returned without delays. I recommend it to everyone!
Vasiliy T.
Google ·
★★★★★The holiday was a success. We skied. The slopes are diverse. The guide told us where to get a ski pass. I recommend it. Our family had long wanted to ski in the mountains, we chose this tour because of the convenient transfer. The bus arrived on time, the journey was comfortable. At Shymbulak we first went up on the cable car, then took skis. The briefing was short but useful. Downside: queues at the cafe on the resort and a bit pricey. Overall the day went great, we'll come back again.
Olzhas B.
Our website ·
★★★★★ezdili s semyo na shymbulak. ochen krasivo, sneg puhlyi. rebyate v vostorge. spasibo gidu za sovet po trasse
Zhanna P.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Everything was great. The ski day went perfectly.
Nurlan Zh.
Google ·
★★★★★Had a great time. Convenient transfer from the center. Downside: had to wait a long time for the bus on the way back.
Ruslan G.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Departure was delayed by half an hour, but that's a small thing. Everything else was great. We went snowboarding, the slopes are excellent. Aliya told us where to get quality gear.
Lyazzat N.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Shymbulak was wonderful. Lots of snow. It was fun. The organization was good. The only downside was long lines.
Maria F.
Google ·
★★★★★Really liked the day at Shymbulak. Everything is thought out, from the transfer to the lunch break. The guide was very attentive. A small hiccup with the boot rental, but it was quickly fixed.
Kamila R.
Google ·
★★★★★Really enjoyed it. We'll come back again.
Raushan B.
Google ·
★★★★★Everything was good. Lots of snow. Beautiful mountain views. Staff were helpful. We'll come again next year.
Aliya M.
Our website ·
★★★★★The day went great. Snowboarding was fire. The instructor gave good advice on the slope. Only downside, the prices at the cafe are steep.
Kirill O.
Google ·
★★★★★The day was lit. Everything was great. Sergey organized everything perfectly. The only downside was the line for the ski lift.
Saule Kh.
Yandex ·
★★★★★We had a good rest. A lot of snow. Liked everything. Organization 5 points. Thank you.
Elena V.
Our website ·
★★★★★The vacation was a success. Thanks to Sergey for the help
Sveta I.
Our website ·
★★★★★Went skiing with a friend. Took this tour on the advice of acquaintances who had already been. No regrets: the slopes are well-maintained, the rental is decent. The guide helped with choosing skis and suggested where there were fewer people. Had a great rest!
Asel K.
2GIS ·
★★★★★We went as a group, chose Shymbulak based on friends' reviews. The slopes are awesome, the snow is great. Aidoss helped with ski rental, fast and efficient. There was a slight 15-minute delay in departure, but it didn't ruin the day.
Doszhan K.
Our website ·
★★★★★I went skiing. The snow was excellent. The weather was great. Everything was well-organized.
Aizhan E.
Our website ·
★★★★★Very cool! Big thanks to the guide for help with the equipment. The slopes are excellent. We will definitely come again
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about a ski day at Shymbulak
We've collected the questions travelers ask most often. Didn't find your answer? Write to us — a guide will reply in a couple of minutes.
Ask a questionBring warm waterproof clothing, gloves, a mask or ski goggles, sunscreen and lip balm — the sun is strong at altitude. Spare shoes and socks will come in handy, and put small items in a small backpack. Equipment — skis or a snowboard, boots, poles and a helmet — is already included in the tour, so you don't need to bring your own.
Yes, the day is designed for any level: the guide-instructor gives a briefing for beginners, and after that everyone skis at their own pace. There are no walking sections in the programme — we get around the resort by cable car. If you're worried about a specific age or health condition, we'll check for your date on WhatsApp.
The group meets in the city centre at 07:00, we leave for the resort right after that, and we return to the city around 18:30 to the pick-up point. The guide will confirm the exact meeting point on WhatsApp the day before the trip. Lunch at the resort is from 13:00 and is paid separately.
The $35 per person includes the road from Almaty and back, the guide-instructor's work, rental of skis or a snowboard with boots, poles and a helmet, a ski pass for the lifts for the day and a bottle of water. You pay separately for lunch at the café and drinks, souvenirs, additional equipment rental and accident insurance.
The tour is a group tour, so you travel together with other tourists on a shared transfer. If you want to go only with your own company, write on WhatsApp — we'll check for your date what can be arranged, and the format and price will depend on that.
Right after arrival, at around 08:30, we go up by cable car, leave our things in the left-luggage room and collect the equipment — skis or a snowboard, boots, poles and a helmet. The guide gives a briefing before you start skiing, and at 17:00 we return the equipment and go down. Spare shoes and a small backpack come in handy here for changing comfortably.
