Medeo Ice Rink & Shymbulak ski resort tour from Almaty

842 steps up a health staircase, then a cable car into the Tien Shan peaks

A private tour of three mountain sites around Almaty, starting at Medeo ice rink (1,691 meters altitude) and climbing to Medeo Dam before riding the cable car to Shymbulak ski resort. The tour includes a mountain guide, private transportation, bottled water and facility fees. A guide speaks English, German or Russian and picks you up from your hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Medeo and Shymbulak ski resort

• Visit Medeo high mountain ice rink
• Climb or taxi up Health Mountain Staircase
• Enjoy views from Medeo Dam
• Take cable car to Shymbulak ski resort
• Rest at Shymbulak base station
• Take cable car higher to mountain scenery

The experience

Four to six hours takes you through three stops that sit at the heart of Almaty's mountain landscape. You start at Medeo, the world's highest open-air ice rink, where the architecture dates to the Soviet era and the speed skating records set here still stand. From the rink, you climb the 842-step Health Staircase (or ride a mountain taxi if you prefer) to reach the Medeo Dam, a massive marble structure built to shield the city from mountain mudflows. The views from the top stretch across the Medeu area and into the Ile-Alatau National Park.

After descending to the cable car station, you ride the high-altitude lift toward Shymbulak ski resort. The first cable car takes you to the base station for a short rest. From there, a second car climbs even higher into real mountain terrain. If conditions allow, a third route opens to Talgar Pass at 3,200 meters, where you stand above the Bogdanovich Glacier and the Tien Shan ranges. Shymbulak holds a Guinness record and draws visitors for exactly this view: the scale of the peaks and glaciers from a vantage point most people never reach. In ski season, you can rent equipment on-site for an extra fee and ski the slopes.

Your guide speaks English, German or Russian and travels with you the whole day. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and bottled water comes with the booking. Pickup happens from your hotel, and all facility fees are covered. You bring your own lunch or eat at one of the mountain cafes along the way.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a mountain guide in English, German or Russian.
• hotel pickup.
• bottled water.
• all cable car rides and facility fees.
• access to Medeo ice rink, the Health Staircase, Medeo Dam and Shymbulak ski resort.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (17 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (6 to 16 years) · Child (2 to 5 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, German and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Incredible Kazakhstan

Is this one for you?Book this as a private tour when you want to move through three mountain sites in one day without coordinating transport yourself. The fixed itinerary fits all three locations into a single afternoon, and the guide handles the timing and route so you focus on the altitude and the views.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, German and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 16 years); Child (2 to 5 years).

How high does this tour go?

The tour reaches three different altitudes: Medeo ice rink sits at 1,691 meters, the Medeo Dam is higher still, and the cable car can take you to Talgar Pass at 3,200 meters above sea level, depending on which routes are open that day.

Can I actually ice skate at Medeo, or just look at the rink?

You can go ice skating yourself if you want to. The rink is open to visitors in winter. Skate rental is available on-site, though it is not included in the tour price.

Is the 842-step climb to the dam mandatory?

No. You can walk the Health Staircase if you want the exercise, or take a mountain taxi to the top. Your guide will offer both options when you arrive.

What's included in the tour price?

Private transportation, bottled water, your mountain guide, all cable car rides and facility fees are included. Lunch, snacks and any rentals (skates, ski equipment) cost extra.