Shymbulak and Oi-Qaragai Lesnaya Skazka
Almaty is all about the mountains. At 7 a.m., locals can be seen in the mountains more often than in the city at their workplaces. Tourists from various countries also visit Almaty to experience its breathtaking mountains. Residents of this city especially look forward to the winter season, as it is the time for ski resorts.
The two most popular ski resorts, Shymbulak and Oi-Qaragai Lesnaya Skazka, offer various slopes for both beginners and professionals, as well as a perfect view of the city from above and fresh mountain air. How much does it cost?
Oi-Qaragai Lesnaya Skazka:
“If you experience a sunrise on the slope just once in Oi-Qaragai Lesnaya Skazka, you will immediately fall in love with this beauty,” said Alua Amangeldy, a second-year student.
Oi-Qaragai Lesnaya Skazka, which translates from Russian as “ Forest Fairy Tale,” is truly a fairytale in every sense of the word: small houses decorated with garlands, tall and perfectly shaped fir trees, and numerous lanterns glowing with a warm orange light—all creating a cozy atmosphere for visitors.
A day ski pass (09:00 – 17:00) on weekends costs 17,500 KZT for adults and 5,000 KZT for children (ages 7–14). The morning and afternoon sessions are priced at 13,000 – 14,000 KZT for adults and 3,500 – 4,000 KZT for children.
You can see even more visitors at Oi-Qaragai Lesnaya Skazka during night skiing (19:00 – 23:00) since the lanterns and garlands light up, making the resort even more vibrant and attractive in the dark. The evening ski pass costs 12,000 KZT for adults and 3,000 KZT for children. Additionally, there are discounts available for pensioners.
Shymbulak:
“Even though it might end badly for me with a few broken bones, I love adrenaline, so I choose Shymbulak,” said Nurmukhamed Negametzianov, a second-year student at De Montfort University.
Shymbulak is the most famous ski resort in Kazakhstan, but its slopes are also steeper than those in Oi-Qaragai Lesnaya Skazka. Therefore, beginners are advised to first learn skiing at Oi-Qaragai Lesnaya Skazka, and only after that move on to Shymbulak. Prices here are approximately the same as in Oi-Qaragai: 17,500 KZT for a full day, 13,000 KZT for a morning session, and 14,000 KZT for an afternoon session.
However, if we compare the two resorts, Shymbulak has an advantage—the “Beginner” rate, which costs only 6,500 KZT. This makes it more affordable for students and beginner skiers or snowboarders. Additionally, night skiing (19:00 – 23:30) at Shymbulak is cheaper—10,500 KZT.
Equipment Rental:
If visitors do not have the necessary equipment, there are over 100 rental locations across Almaty.
At Tolagai (two branches, the first located at Nazarbayev 174A, Newton 1, operating daily from 08:00 AM – 01:00 AM), a full ski or snowboard set (including boots and poles) costs 4,990 KZT. A jacket and ski suit will cost an additional 2,500 KZT. In total, a full set will cost 7,500 KZT.
What Should a Student Choose?
“Even though it might end badly for me with a few broken bones, I love adrenaline, so I choose Shymbulak,” said Nurmukhamed Negametzianov, a second-year student at De Montfort University.
Despite the fact that he only decided to take up snowboarding this year and is a beginner, that does not stop him from choosing Shymbulak, said Negametzianov.
Negametzianov also added that he prefers night skiing over other formats because the dark time of the day creates a special atmosphere for skiing, he said.
“It is worth every penny,” said Negametzianov about the price.
Initially, the cost of the resort and rental seemed too expensive for him, but after his first skiing experience, he realized that the emotions were worth this money, said Negametzianov.
“If you experience a sunrise on the slope just once, you will immediately fall in love with this beauty,” said Alua Amangeldy, a second-year student.
Alua Amangeldy said that she prefers morning skiing because at night, the slopes freeze faster. She added that she skis once a week, except for the New Year’s holidays, since during that time, schoolchildren and students crowd the slopes, making skiing difficult.
Alua Amangeldy also added that she prefers the Oi-Qaragai Lesnaya Skazka ski resort due to the variety of slopes and the smaller number of people.
“Just me and the slope, no one else—I love it,” said Aruzhan Amangeldy, a fourth-year student.
Aruzhan Amangeldy said that she skis only on weekdays, mainly on Fridays, thanks to the flexible schedule at KIMEP University, which allows students to organize their class schedules so that on some days they do not have to attend university.
She also said that she prefers Oi-Qaragai Lesnaya Skazka because of its beautiful pine trees, long slopes, and gentle inclines, whereas Shymbulak is more suitable for snowboarders, she added.
Until this season, the prices were quite reasonable for students, as they were much lower—7,000 KZT per session, said Aruzhan Amangeldy.
On the other hand, due to the price increase, the number of visitors has significantly decreased, making skiing much more comfortable. However, on weekends and during night sessions, there are still too many people, making skiing nearly impossible, she added.
So, How Much Will It Cost?
Taking into account ski pass and equipment rental, here’s how much each session will cost:
Most Expensive Option: Full-day pass at Shymbulak or Oi-Qaragai Lesnaya Skazka: 25,000 KZT
More Affordable Night Skiing: Night pass at Shymbulak: 18,000 KZT, Night pass at Oi-Qaragai Lesnaya Skazka: 19,500 KZT
Best Option for Students & Beginners: Beginner Pass at Shymbulak: 14,000 KZT
Prices are excluding food, but you can check the menus on the Instagram pages of both ski resorts: Shymbulak (@shymbulakmountainresort), Oi-Qaragai Lesnaya Skazka (@oiqaragai)
The choice is yours, as both ski resorts offer unforgettable emotions and breathtaking scenery.