Shymbulak

Shymbulak or Chimbulak ski resort is located in the scenic gorge of Zailiysky Alatau at an altitude of 2260 m above sea level. It is above the Medeo mountain rink in the territory of the Ile-Alatau National Park not far from Almaty. Chimbulak was updated for the 7th Asian Games in February 2011 for the  slalom, supergiant slalom and downhill competitions.

The average daytime air temperature in the summer time is + 20C and in winter -7C. The average yearly thickness of the snow cover is up to 150 cm, the number of sunny days per year is up to 90%. The snow cover is usual from November to May. The ski slopes are serviced by two twin-chairlifts, a single-chairlift and a tow rope together with a free towing lift. Since 2003, a 4-seater road came into operation, opening a new region for lovers of extreme skiing. The lifts will lift you from an altitude of 2260 m, above sea level to the Talgar Pass 3163 m above the sea level.

The total length of the ski slopes on Shymybulak is about 18 km with snow cannons installed. The resort has more than 7 catering facilities, two hotels and a sports and souvenir shop. The resort operates a ski and snowboard school and they conduct lessons in Kazakh, Russian and English.  In addition to skiing and snowboarding, you can organize paragliding, heliskiing, helicopter rides, freeride training, freeride groups, hiking and climbing. In summer, you can do extreme activities such as cycling down the mountain, paragliding, hiking and climbing beautiful places with professional guides, a rope park and a trampoline complex.