ASTANA – Winter has arrived in parts of Kazakhstan, marking the perfect time to pull out ski gear and enjoy winter sports. In recent years, ski resorts have grown in popularity among locals and tourists alike. The country’s resorts offer modern facilities and infrastructure, with lower costs compared to well-known European ski destinations.
Night skiing slope. Photo credit: The Shymbulak’s Instagram page. Recently, travel guide publisher Lonely Planet included Kazakhstan in its annual Best in Travel 2025 list, which features 30 must-visit destinations globally.
This year, India Today named Kazakhstan the most-searched holiday destination among Indian travelers. According to The New York Times, Almaty made it into the TOP-52 best tourist destinations. Kazakhstan’s ski resorts stand out for their mountain trails, which accommodate various skill levels.
The country’s diverse mountainous landscape enables resorts to offer trails of different difficulty levels in a single location, with high-quality snow coverage. Most resorts also feature an array of additional services. Shymbulak mountain resort Located in the scenic gorge of the Trans-Ili Alatau at 2,260 meters above sea level, Shymbulak is Kazakhstan’s and Central Asia’s largest ski destination.
Established in 1954 and situated just 32 kilometers from Almaty, it features 25 kilometers of trails with an altitude difference of 920 meters. Ten lifts serve the resort, including chair and tow lifts. Shymbulak mountain.