Kazakhstan - Powder in the Kazakh Altai
We have been to the Kazhak Altai the past winters and have discovered it´s beauty on skis. We are absolutely excited about the terrain, snow and people.
Price: 2900 EUR
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A Lot of Snow in the Early Season
We’ve been visiting the Altai at the start of the winter season for many years. No matter if we’re out and about with the snowcat or touring ski, the masses of snow and the quality of the powder that this region receives in the early winter has never been disappointing. The Altai Mountains stretch at its southern most foothills far into northern Kazakhstan and even has some peaks that reach 3000m. Thanks to the northern location, even early winters, as early as October, see heavy precipitation. Our cosy mountain lodge is located in the middle of a beautiful ski area. The garage next to it houses two snowcats with a heated cabin.
These snowcats take you exclusively to the surrounding mountains. What awaits us is a beautiful, snow-covered mountain range covered with sparse forests. We can easily reach some of the peaks with the snowcat, others require climbing with skins. The combination of snowcat and ascent with skins is ideal and allows us a very large range.
Itinerary
We fly from Central Europe to Ust Kamenogorsk, on the edge of the Altai Mountains. From here we take the minibus in about 1 hour to our first tour stop, a small ski area with 5 lifts and a typical lodge. In the next 2 days we will put our lines into the area and beyond. Some runs are accessible by lift, others require some skinning. On the second day after skiing, we will be picked up by minibus and after a 2 ½ hour drive we will reach our second tour stop, a cozy ski hut in a hidden Altai valley. After a delicious dinner we head to the preheated sauna. With a welcome vodka we look forward to the next 5 days. A mixture of snowcat and climbing on skins brings us to the best skiing terrain. Most of the runs end in the evening right at the lodge, where a hearty apres-ski snack is already waiting for us.
After 5 unforgettable days of skiing, we start our return journey to Ust Kamenogorsk and fly on to Astana in the afternoon. We have one more overnight stay in Astana before the flight takes us back to Central Europe the next morning.
Our bases
In the ski area we stay in traditional chalets, meals are served in the restaurant next door.
At the second part of the journey we are accommodated in an idyllic mountain hut in a hidden valley. The kitchen offers typical kazhak hearty cuisine: a strong breakfast gives us energy for an eventful day outside. Lunch and tea will be transported in the snowcat. When we come back in the late afternoon a hot soup will be served. Then it´s time to relax in the sauna, which is heated with birch wood. The shower system is kept simple, we mix hot and cold water ourselves and pour it over ourselves from small pots. After sauna, a delicious dinner will be served. Clearly speaking we are accomodated in a simple mountain hut with shared rooms up to three of us.
Snow and Terrain
In the Kazhak Altai huge amounts of snow already fall early in the winter and in the beginning of December usually the snow depth is more than 3 meters. Most of our runs are located at an altitude between 800 and 2000 meters and lead through typical light siberian forest. The trees also give us good contrast on snowy days when visibility is poor. The terrain is about 25-35°, ideal for an early winter snowpack.
The final run of the day brings us back to the lodge, but can be a little challenging in the lower part due to dense trees.
Our Snowcat
We use Kässbohrer snowcats with a heated cabin. The ascents sometimes take up to an hour. We use this time to drink tea, warm up, chat and look forward to the next run.
The Most Important Details at a Glance
Requirements and Equipment
- Controlled and safe skiing in every type of terrain (off-piste). Freeride experience is necessary.
- Ascents of 800m with skins and touring bindings may be required. A good level of fitness and freeriding skiing equipment that can also be used for touring is therefore necessary.
- Enthusiasm and flexibility is required on these kinds of adventurous trips.
Included in the Price of 2900 EUR
- 2 nights in traditional chalets in the ski area with breakfast and dinner in shared rooms
- 6 nights in the Mountain Base with full board in shared rooms
- 2 days lift pass
- 5 days use of the snow cat
- All transfers from/to Ust Kamenogorsk
- 10 days accompanied by a UIAGM certified mountain guide
- 7 skiing days led by a UIAGM certified mountain guide
Not Included
- Flight from central Europe to Ust Kamenogorsk (from 700 EUR)
- 1 night in a middle class hotel in Astana on the way back home
- Dinner on the last night in Astana
- Tips
Travel Preparations
Meeting Requirements and Fitness Level
A realistic self-assessment and an appropriate fitness level is required to join our trips. In order to enjoy a long day of skiing and to reduce the risk of injury, it is important to get in shape and possess a good level of fitness.
Travel Requirements
Please contact your own ministry of foreign affairs for the travel requirements to enter Kasachstan.
Current Country-Specific Information, Vaccines and Health
Please contact your own ministry of foreign affairs for current information about your destination.
Travel Insurance
Please note that there is a potential risk of injury on skiing trips. In addition to travel cancellation insurance, comprehensive medical and accident insurance that cover the costs of search and rescue, as well as transport costs, are imperative. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you are insured before departure.
Comprehensive medical and accident insurance that covers potential costs of search and rescue operations as well as any medical costs is mandatory for all of our trips abroad.
It is required that you state this information during registration in our registration form in order to ensure 24h emergency assistance.
Links to Insurance Companies:
Please also check your credit card policies as it is possible that these already include insurance.
Booking
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Please also note our terms and conditions .
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