Kazakhstan Freeride Skiing Tour

Be a part of this skiing adventure in the Ridder Mountains, Kazakhstan with an IFMGA mountain guide. Experience incredible powder skiing and stunning scenery in the Ridder Mountains. Get ready to freeride with a snowcat, backcountry ski, and explore the local culture.

Group

Altai, Tian Shan

8 Days

Jan - Mar, Dec

High

Intermediate

Highlights

Ski in some of the best snow in the world
Relax and unwind in a cozy lodge
Experience a skiing adventure in a tourist-free area

Description

Looking for some of the best powder skiing in the world? Look no further than the Ridder Mountains in eastern Ridder Mountains!

This 6-day trip will take you to the most remote areas of the Ridder Mountains, where you'll experience incredible powder skiing and stunning scenery. You'll be skiing with an IFMGA mountain guide and a local specialist, so you can be sure that you're in safe hands and that you'll get the most out of your trip.

Your adventure begins in Almaty, the bustling metropolis of Kazakhstan. After a short flight to Ust-Kamenogorsk, you'll embark on a scenic drive through the majestic Ridder Mountains to your mountain lodge.

After a safety briefing, it'll be time to let loose and experience the thrill of freeriding with a snowcat! Each ride lasts 20-40 minutes, depending on the location, expect to make 4–5 descents per day. Each run varies in length from 2 to 5 km, with 500-900 vertical meters, so there's something for everyone, from beginner to expert.

In between runs, enjoy a picnic lunch in a picturesque location near the forest, at the top of a ridge, or in the snowcat cabin, depending on the temperature and weather.

On the second part of our trip, we'll transfer to the Ivanovskiy Mountain Lodge. Once you're geared up and ready to go, we will lead you to one of the best spots in the region, depending on the snow and weather conditions.

After our backcountry tour, we'll transfer to Ridder town to explore the local food market and a cozy coffee shop. Sample some of the delicious Kazakh cuisine and enjoy a cup of warm tea or coffee while you relax and recharge.

Then, it'll be time to say goodbye to the Ridder Mountains. You'll embark on a scenic drive to Oskemen, stopping along the way to visit the local market in Cheremshanka village.

Once in Oskemen, we'll catch a flight back to Almaty city. In the evening, you'll be treated to a visit to the Big Almaty Gorge, a stunning mountain valley located just outside of Almaty. Here, you'll have the opportunity to relax and rejuvenate at a mountain spa, the perfect way to end your trip to the Ridder Mountains, feeling refreshed and pampered.

If you're looking for incredible powder skiing and stunning scenery in Kazakhstan, then this is the trip for you. Book your adventure today and experience the magic of the Ridder Mountains!

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Transportation start and back
Permit and entrance fees
Mountain guide expenses
Luggage transfer
Lifts tickets

Price details

The cost includes:
1. Accommodation as indicated in the program
2. Every transfer indicated in the program. Except flight
AlmatyOskemen-Almaty (~120 EUR)
3. Meals indicated in the program
4. Mountain Guide UIAGM / Ski instructor for the whole period of the
program
5. Ticket for Mountain spa.
6. KMGA guide / translator for the whole period of the program
7. Snowcat for 4 days
The cost does NOT include:
1. Ski/snowboard equipment and security kit (possibility to rent)
2. Extra meals not included in the program
3. Alcoholic beverages
4. Visa if needed
5. Personal expenses
6. Insurance
7. Internal flight ticket Almaty Ust-Kamenogorsk - Almaty (∼120 EUR )
8. Accommodation in Almaty before and after the tour
9. Flight to Almaty approximately 600€

Itinerary

Day 1: Almaty - Oskemen - Ridder - Mountain Lodge

Meeting in Almaty and internal flight to Ust-Kamenogorsk. Lunch in local restaurant, departure to Ridder (120 km) and transfer to the lodge. Accommodation in Guest House with 3 separate beds, “Banya” Russian sauna, dinner and rest. Lunch and dinner included.

Day 2 to 4: Freeride skiing in Ridder

Safety Briefing and freeride with snowcat Duration of each ride in the snowcat 20–40 minutes depending on the location. During the day will be possible to make 4-5 descents with the total elevation difference 3500 meters. Length of each run varies from 2 to 5 km with 500-900 vertical meters.

Picnic lunch will be provided in the picturesque place near the forest, at the top of the ridge or in the snowcat cabin depending on the temperature and weather.

Return to the lodge by 4 pm, late lunch. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 5 to 6: Backcountry skiing and Ridder town tour

Transfer to Ivanovskiy Mountain lodge, backcountry skiing touring to one of the spots chosen according to the snow and weather conditions. During the day will be possible to make 2 descents with the length of each run from 2 to 4 km (1000-1500 vertical meters). After backcountry tour, transfer to Ridder town, visiting local food market and cozy coffee shop with special herbs, fruit tea, homemade cakes and cookies. Return to the lodge, late lunch. Russian “banya”, dinner and rest. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 7: Departure to Almaty city

Early breakfast and preparations. Departure to Oskemen by car and visit of the local market in Cheremshanka village. Departure to Almaty city by plane and lunch in the local cafe. Transfer to the hotel and at 5 pm transfer to the Big Almaty Gorge and visiting mountain SPA. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 8: Departure day

Early hotel check-out and transfer to the airport. Fly back home

Equipment you will need to bring

Water bottle

For this trip you'll need the following: * Ski equipment (skis, boots, poles), * Climbing skins * Poles * Helmet * Goggles * Sunglasses * Avalanche equipment (beacon, probe and shovel) * Backpack * Water bottle * Skiing clothes and waterproof jacket (goretex or similar)

FAQs

What experience and how fit do I need to be to climb this mountain?

Good skills and a good background are essential for participants to have fun and enjoy their time in the mountains.

How will accommodation be handled?

We'll be staying in a mountain Hut and hotel during our trip

Where will we meet?

We'll meet in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own?

For this trip, you'll need the following:

Ski equipment (skis, boots, poles),

Climbing skins

Poles

Helmet

Goggles

Sunglasses

Avalanche equipment (beacon, probe and shovel)

Backpack

Water bottle

Skiing clothes and waterproof jacket (goretex or similar)

What's included in the price?

-Accommodation as indicated in the program

-All transfers indicated in the program, except the flight from Almaty to Oskemen and back (approximately 120 EUR)

-Meals indicated in the program

-Mountain guide UIAGM / Ski instructor for the whole period of the program

-Ticket for mountain spa

-KMGA guide / translator for the whole period of the program

-Snowcat for 3 days

What is NOT included in the price?

-Ski/snowboard equipment and safety kit (available for rent)

-Extra meals not included in the program

-Alcoholic beverages

-Visa if needed

-Personal expenses

-Insurance

-Internal flight ticket Almaty - Ust-Kamenogorsk - Almaty (approximately 120 EUR)

-Accommodation in Almaty before and after the tour

-Flight to Almaty approximately 600€ (Turkish Airlines, sports luggage included)

What happens in the event of bad weather?

The program is subject to change based on weather and snow conditions.

About the guide

Unusual Experience

5.0

(2)

Guiding agency

Unusual Experience is a Mountain Guide-based association.
It grew up from the idea of delivering mountain adventures to a whole new level, very targeted on the growth of the client to deliver a fully personalized experience.
We offer also a large base of a group program from beginners to advanced people who prefer to join in a ready-to-go trip!

With seasonal scheduling we have backcountry skiing, freeride, and ice climbing programs for the winter and high mountain alpinism, 4000mt peak climbing, and rock climbing for the summer.

Last but not least we are strong mountain bike riders and ready to ride with you on some of the best ridge trails in the Alps!

Languages

English | French | Italian

Certificates

IFMGA

Request more information

What people are saying about Unusual Experience

Cranford

Fun fast climb. Enrico was a great guide!

Alexander

We had a fantastic time on the Monte Rosa Tour and couldn’t recommend the team and trip highly enough. The tour was extremely well planned to ensure we had the best chance of achieving our goals whilst having a great time, thanks to a perfect mix of climbing and learning whilst giving our bodies a chance to adapt/ acclimatise and rest. Each day was varied and exciting and our guides were extremely knowledgeable, safe and great fun to spend a week with. The course was perfectly tailored to the teams skill level and allowed us all to have a brilliant time. Can’t thank Enrico, Marco and Francesco enough. Cheers guys