Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan Powder Trip
Ten nights chasing freeride lines across Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan P/P
31st Jan - 10th Feb
Group Tour in partnership with ARRIVAL Travel.
This is a ski trip for those looking to get well off the beaten track. Over 11 days, 10 nights you’ll travel through Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, skiing everything from lift-accessed terrain around Almaty to remote cat-skiing in the mountains.
Start in Almaty with days at Shymbulak, Oi Qaraqai / Ak Tash and Ak Bulak before heading east to Karkara, where the lifts give way to snowcats. Spend two days cat skiing through remote terrain, with lunchboxes in the field and a mountain base camp to call home.
From Kazakhstan, cross into Kyrgyzstan for more skiing at Ala Too, a night in a traditional yurt in Jyrgalan and another day of cat skiing before winding down in the Ak Suu hot springs. Along the way, there’s plenty of time to experience the region beyond the snow, with stops in Almaty and Karakol and a final visit to Charyn Canyon.
The trip is hosted by Bart from ARRIVAL, with local freeride and cat-ski guides joining for seven to eight days on snow. It’s aimed at confident advanced skiers and snowboarders who are comfortable off-piste and looking for a powder trip with fewer lift queues, more remote terrain and plenty of snowcats.
Sunday 31 Jan, 2027
Day 1: Almaty – Land, Reset, Look Around
Arrive in Almaty for an early check-in before heading out to explore the city. Today is about easing into the trip – meeting the group, getting to know a little more about Almaty, shaking off the flight and getting our first taste of Kazakhstan before the riding starts tomorrow.
Monday 1 Feb, 2027
Day 2: Shymbulak – First Laps
First ski day at Shymbulak. Shymbulak sits in the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains just outside Almaty, with skiing and riding from around 2,200m up to 3,200m. The high elevation and big alpine terrain make it one of Central Asia’s standout ski areas.
Ease into the trip with a few laps to get the legs moving, dial in the gear and get a feel for the local snow. The guide team will show you around and hunt out the best snow the mountain has to offer.
Tuesday 2 Feb, 2027
Day 3: Oi Qaraqai / Ak Tash – Further Off the Map
Another resort day, this time at Oi Qaraqai / Ak Tash. Oi Qaraqai is set in the forested foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau, offering a very different landscape to the high-alpine terrain of Shymbulak.
Expect a different feel and a mix of terrain, giving the group another taste of skiing around Almaty before we head properly remote. The guides will be on hand to find the best snow possible in-resort!
Wednesday 3 Feb, 2027
Day 4: Ak Bulak to Karkara – Goodbye City
Ski the lift-accessed backcountry around Ak Bulak before leaving the Almaty orbit behind and heading towards Karkara Base Camp. From here, the hotels and city lights give way to wide-open mountain country.
Karkara sits in a remote valley near the Kazakhstan–Kyrgyzstan border, surrounded by the Tian Shan – the same mountain range that towers over Almaty. Tonight is the last stop before the snowcat starts rolling tomorrow.
Thursday 4 Feb, 2027
Day 5: Karkara Cat Ski – Round One
Cat-ski day one in Kazakhstan. The snowcat takes care of the climbs while the local guides pick the best terrain based on the conditions. The goal is simple: chase good snow, stack up the runs and keep riding until your legs say enough.
Friday 5 Feb, 2027
Day 6: Karkara Cat Ski – Do It Again
Day two of cat-skiing in Karkara. By now, the routine is dialled: gear on, beacon checked, load the cat and go find the best snow. With the group settled in and the guides knowing the terrain, it’s another full day of riding remote mountain country before we pack up and cross towards Kyrgyzstan.
Saturday 6 Feb, 2027
Day 7: Ala Too + Jyrgalan Yurt
Chase powder around Ala Too with the local guides before heading to Jyrgalan for a night in a traditional shared yurt. It’s another day on the snow, but also the first real shift into Kyrgyzstan’s mountain culture.
Important Accommodation Note: Tonight is a proper yurt experience – traditional, simple and shared. Yurts sleep 6-8 people, and there are no alternative sleeping arrangements available.
Sunday 7 Feb, 2027
Day 8: Kyrgyzstan Cat Ski + Hot Springs
Another day of cat-skiing, this time in Kyrgyzstan. Spend the day chasing fresh tracks before trading snow boots for swimmers at the Ak Suu hot springs. Then it’s on to Karakol and Hotel 78 for the night.
Monday 8 Feb, 2027
Day 9: Karakol – Choose Your Own Adventure
A deliberately open day in Karakol. Hit the slopes at Karakol Ski Base, jump on a horse, explore the city or simply give the legs a well-earned day off. Optional activities are self-funded, so choose your own adventure today – or take the hint from your body and put your feet up.
Tuesday 9 Feb, 2027
Day 10: Charyn Canyon + Back to Almaty
Return to Almaty with a stop at Charyn Canyon along the way. Swap snowfields for towering red rock, stretch the legs with a hike and take in a very different side of Central Asia. After a week and a half surrounded by white mountains, finishing among Charyn’s huge canyon walls is a fitting reminder that there’s plenty more to this region than powder.
Wednesday 10 Feb, 2027
Day 11: Fly Out
Early transfer to Almaty Airport and the trip wraps up. Three days of cat-skiing, four to five resort days, two countries and a serious amount of terrain covered. The group chat will be full of enough photos and videos to keep the trip going long after everyone gets home.
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Renion City Hotel
A comfortable base for your days at the Almaty resorts, and a proper bed to return to before and after the remote section of the trip. Renion City Hotel is a modern and comfortable hotel in the heart of Almaty, perfectly located for exploring the city. The spacious, warm and comfortable rooms provide everything you need to relax and recharge, while the central location puts restaurants, shops and local attractions close by.Features- 4 nights at Renion City Hotel in twin/triple rooms
- Free Wi-Fi
- Indoor Swimming Pool
- Sauna
- Fitness Facilities
Renion City Hotel
A comfortable base for your days at the Almaty resorts, and a proper bed to return to before and after the remote section of the trip. Renion City Hotel is a modern and comfortable hotel in the heart of Almaty, perfectly located for exploring the city. The spacious, warm and comfortable rooms provide everything you need to relax and recharge, while the central location puts restaurants, shops and local attractions close by.Features- 4 nights at Renion City Hotel in twin/triple rooms
- Free Wi-Fi
- Indoor Swimming Pool
- Sauna
- Fitness Facilities
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Karkara Base Camp
The base for the Kazakhstan cat-ski section. Twin/triple rooms, breakfast and dinners included. This is the point of the trip where location matters considerably more than room-service menus.Features- 3 nights at Karkara Base Camp in twin/triple rooms
Karkara Base Camp
The base for the Kazakhstan cat-ski section. Twin/triple rooms, breakfast and dinners included. This is the point of the trip where location matters considerably more than room-service menus.Features- 3 nights at Karkara Base Camp in twin/triple rooms
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Traditional Yurt Camp
Simple, communal and a proper unique Kyrgyzstan experience between ski days.Features- 1 night in a traditional shared yurt in Jyrgalan, sleeping 6-8 people
Traditional Yurt Camp
Simple, communal and a proper unique Kyrgyzstan experience between ski days.Features- 1 night in a traditional shared yurt in Jyrgalan, sleeping 6-8 people
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Hotel 78
Twin/triple-share accommodation in Karakol for the Kyrgyzstan cat-ski day and optional Day 9.Features- 2 nights at Hotel 78 in Karakol in twin/triple rooms
- Free Wi-Fi
Hotel 78
Twin/triple-share accommodation in Karakol for the Kyrgyzstan cat-ski day and optional Day 9.Features- 2 nights at Hotel 78 in Karakol in twin/triple rooms
- Free Wi-Fi
- 10 nights of accommodation across Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
- 4 nights at Renion City Hotel in Almaty in twin/triple rooms
- 3 nights at Karkara Base Camp in twin/triple rooms
- 1 night in a traditional shared yurt in Jyrgalan, sleeping 6-8 people
- 2 nights at Hotel 78 in Karakol in twin/triple rooms
- All transfers throughout the itinerary
- 7 days with local ski / cat-ski guides
- 2 full cat-ski days in Karkara, Kazakhstan
- 1 full cat-ski day in Jyrgalan, Kyrgyzstan
- 1-day lift pass at Shymbulak
- 1-day lift pass at Oi Qaraqai / Ak Tash
- 1-day lift pass at Ak Bulak
- 1-day lift pass at Ala Too
- Breakfast throughout plus 4 dinners in Karkara and Jyrgalan, including water / tea
- Lunchboxes on cat-ski days
- Entry to Ak Suu hot springs
- Entry to Charyn Canyon
- Local taxes
- Hosted throughout by Bart from ARRIVAL
- This is an advanced freeride trip. It is not suitable for first-time skiers / snowboarders or riders who are not comfortable off-piste.
- The trip runs 31 January to 10 February 2027 according to the current supplier itinerary.
- The supplier package is based on 10-14 travellers.
- Cat-skiing and freeride terrain are weather, snowpack, avalanche and guide dependent. Safety decisions sit with the local mountain team.
- Flights are not included.
- Insurance is not included. Appropriate ski / snowboard travel insurance covering off-piste and cat skiing is essential.
- Lunches on non-cat-ski days, alcoholic drinks, tips, souvenirs and optional Day 9 activities are not included.
- Personal freeride equipment is not included, You need to bring your own boots, but other rental options are available.
- Avalanche safety equipment is required; rental is available if needed – If bringing your own avalanche kit, make sure your beacon, shovel and probe are functional and you know how to use them.
- The yurt night of accommodation is shared between 6-8 people.
- Expect cold. The supplier notes around -15C on the mountain in late January / early February.
- Bring proper freeride outerwear, warm layers, spare gloves and goggles suitable for low-light conditions.
- Bring swimwear for the sauna and Ak Suu hot springs.
- Carry cash for remote drinks and purchases. We recommend KZT, KGS, EUR or USD.
- Listen to the local guides. Terrain choice, avalanche safety and whether a cat-ski day can operate are their calls.
- Travel with enough flexibility to understand that powder itineraries move with the mountain, not the spreadsheet.
Gear & Optional Extras Costs
- Freeride ski / snowboard rental: EUR 25 per day
- Avalanche airbag rental: EUR 20 per day
- Backpack with beacon, shovel and probe: EUR 20 per day
- Single-room supplement: EUR 430 where applicable; yurt night remains shared
- Optional Day 9 activities in Karakol are not included.
