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For several seasons now, lovers of adventure and discovery have been exploring this magnificent region of snow-capped peaks, fir forests and rivers.
A different kind of ski touring
THE LODGE
YOURSES IN BASIC CAMPS and Russian SAUNA
In the heart of an isolated valley in Kazakhstan, nestled between the slopes of the Altai mountains, lies a small camp, a warm refuge for those seeking to escape the world.
Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, fir forests and rivers not yet frozen over, these welcoming yurts seem to have emerged from another time, when nature and man coexisted in harmony.
Inside, the fire crackles in the fireplace, warming bodies after long days of hiking or in the morning when sleeping bodies have to leave the cosy duvet that sheltered them.
The camp, though simple, embodies the essence of solitude and serenity. Every fold of the place is a promise of warmth, comfort and peace, far from the tumult of the modern world. It's a true haven of peace, where time seems to stretch out and slow down, allowing travellers to reconnect with what's essential.
After the traditional soup when you return from skiing, a bania, the traditional Russian sauna, completes the experience of comfort and relaxation. Inside, you loll on the wooden benches, the enveloping vapours relaxing muscles tired from a day spent trekking through the mountains in the sometimes extreme cold. Venik" birch leaves are gently rubbed over your body, giving you a sensation of lightness.
feeling of lightness and purification. After a few minutes in the comforting warmth, the place invites you to roll around in the crystal-clear snow, a striking but exhilarating contrast. This sensory experience is sure to become a must at the end of every day to recharge your batteries for the next day.
The shower puts an end to this moment of grace, but it's already time to satisfy our appetites and restore the calorific balance. The chef in the main yurt prepares simple dishes of exceptional quality. Always using local produce, he works hard, cutting, slicing, seasoning and preparing the dishes that will feed the stomachs and souls of the skiers on their voyage of discovery.
Skiing
From mid-November, the Altai mountains offer exceptional skiing conditions, worthy of enthusiasts in search of virgin terrain and pure sensations. The skiing here is nothing short of magical, combining open faces, gentle slopes, forests and pillowy areas. At the height of winter, the mattress separating you from the grass, flowers and other minerals can be 300 cm thick. These mountains offer a diversity of terrain, allowing you to ski on slopes exposed to the first rays of sunshine, perfect for high-speed descents, unobstructed faces, or undergrowth where the snow will absorb every turn.
The light, powdery snow accompanied us on each of our runs. And yes, all this comes at a price, as the vertical drops in our area don't exceed 600m, so the days consisted of several climbs where everyone observed the spectacular environment before us. The lines followed one another throughout the days of skiing, dense but so satisfying.
A gap in the forest, a slalom between the fir trees, a playful moment in a field of pillows. We were lucky enough to ski all these lines, some of them playful, some of them sublime, some of them intimidating, in these remote mountains.
The incredible quality of this white carpet is enhanced by the fir trees laden with fresh snow along the entire length of the runs and by the birch trees crystallised by the cold, adorning an absolutely sublime dress of ice.
"At the foot of Altai"
KAZAKHSTAN
ski touring
Contemplative walking and performance
Miscellaneous information
  • Period: Late November to April
  • Transfer: 4*4 or minibus transport, taxi
  • Catering: Picnic lunch.
  • Formalities: A passport valid for at least 3 months after the date of return is required.
  • Climate: Very cold (-10° to -25° on average), sometimes -40°.
  • Health: No specific risks, no compulsory vaccinations.
  • Currency: Kazakh Tengue, €1 = approx. 429 KZT
  • Time difference: 5 hours from France.

central asia-ski-rando-yourtes-CATSKI
- large spaces-meetings
10 day trip
6 DAYS SKIING
KAZAKHSTAN
start of your stay in Almaty
This massif offers adventures for lovers of contemplative hiking
and challenges for those with a taste for performance.
Level :
RANDO4 / DECENTE 3 (see Downhill and rando ski rating page)
The period :
From 20 November to 10 March 2025
Group :
1 to 7 people
Price per person :
From €3,000 excluding airfare
Contact us
ITINERARY
of your stay in KAZAKHSTAN
1
Day 1: Travel day
After a day's travel, arrival in Almaty. Reception at the airport.
Transfer to hotel or domestic airport depending on arrival time.
2
Day 2: TRANSFER TO RIDDER
Flight from Almaty to Öskemen, then transfer by car to our accommodation.
Safety briefing.
3
day 3 to 8 : SKIING IN THE ALTAÏ REGION
Star trekking in the region. If the conditions and the desire are right, we can organise
a Cat ski day.
6 days of skiing
4
DAY 9 : TRANSFER TO ALMATY
Return flight to Almaty.
Afternoon and evening in the city, then hotel or transfer to the airport depending on departure time.
5
Day 10 : RETURN FLIGHT
6
POSSIBILITY OF ADDING ONE OR MORE DAYS IN SHYMBULAK
Star trekking or roaming. We can use our two yurt camps. Overnight in our yurt camps or guest house. Return to the capital of Kirghizia in the evening. Night in hotel or guest house
Included
  • Ski / splitboard coaching
  • Accommodation
  • Full-board meals, except in Almaty
  • Local transport except by air
Not included
  • Flights to and from Almaty
  • Meals in Almaty
  • Ski cat and on request (€130 per person)
  • Drinks/shopping supplies
  • Tips for local staff
  • Insurance for skiers: cancellation, repatriation, rescue, Europ Assistance.