Skiing Kazakh Style
Written: Oct 19 '09
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great escape from the summer heat in the city, good hiking, skiing too.
Cons: Currently undergoing renovations for the 2011 Winter Asian games.
The Bottom Line: Great escape from the summer heat, good hiking, skiing, great for picnics.
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| LRai's Full Review: Chimbulak Kazakhstan |
While living in Almaty during the summer it could get very hot in the city but only an hours drive up into the mountains and you could be in the snow. That is what makes Chimbulak a favorite get-away for locals.
Almaty sits 3,000 feet above sea level so it's a rather dry climate. When the summer heat comes while it's a dry heat it's also very uncomfortable because the Tian Shan mountain range circle the city allowing for little to no air to blow through. That's just one reason many people escape the summer heat by going up into the mountains.
Chimbulak is situated 6,000 feet up and it's relatively easy to get there from the city. If you take a city bus you can only go as far as Medeo, then you'll need to catch a ride up to Chimbulak about another 20 minutes by car. You can hike if you are in good shape and it'll take about 2 to 3 hours from Medeo. (Medeo is the world's largest out-doors skating rink, see my review.)
Currently Chimbulak is undergoing major renovations for the 2011 Winter Asian games so as of this writing it won't be open until September 2010. I've seen the plans for many of the renovations being considered and all I can say is the government of Kazakhstan is looking to turn Chimbulak into a world class skiing resort. They have decided to pull out the stops and do it up. They are planning for several new 5 star hotel/resorts and many upscale restaurants. If they do all they are planning it should be rather nice. They have oil money to spend on this upgrade so money won't be a factor.
I've never been to Chimbulak in the winter but I've gone many times during the summer and each time was very pleasant. I enjoyed getting away from the city heat into the cooler mountains where it indeed snowed even in late July.
In the summertime the ski lifts for a small fee will take hikers up the mountain where you can then gain easy access to the glacier ice just beyond. The hiking trails are good but you should be in good shape and bring plenty of water and good hiking shoes. Remember also to layer because the weather can change very suddenly.
I love Chimbulak as a photographer, you are surrounded by the wonderful mountains of the Tian Shan range, there are views looking down to the city and if you are lucky there is some wild life now and again. We saw wild falcons and deer when I went. Also when I wen the ski lifts hadn't been upgraded yet, but I've been told they are now much nicer.
The lodging when I went to Chimbulak was rustic to say the least, so I wasn't interested in staying over night. However since I've last gone much of the lodging has been upgraded and come September 2010 three new hotel/resorts will come on line.
One of my favorite things to do was to come up to Chimbulak for dinner. It was a way to escape the heat of the city and enjoy a nice meal. The restaurant at that time was good, but it was being able to sit outdoors and enjoy the cool weather that made it worth the drive.
I'm told that once the renovations are done there will be a variety of new restaurants in preparation for the crowds they expect to come for the Asian games. I can't say for sure but I can bet that the prices for accommodations and food will increase accordingly. That being the case I suggest you can chose instead to picnic which I've done many times.
Chimbulak in winter is for skiing and it isn't a place for beginners. There's a place for ski rentals and you can get some decent ski instructors, so I'm told, but be prepared to pay for both on the upper end. However if you like to ski I'm told this is the place and once they've redone the slopes Chimbulak will have Olympic grade ski slopes. The rumor is that Kazakhstan is hoping that the 2011 Asian games will show that they are ready to host a Winter Olympics next.
I personally like coming to Chimbulak off season for the summer or early fall. I find that it's a great place to hike for the day, escape the heat, enjoy nature and kick back. It's one of the places on my "must see" list of places to go in Almaty.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Friends
Best Time to Travel Here: Sep - Nov
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Epinions.com ID:
LRai
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Member: L Rai
Reviews written: 190
Trusted by: 14 members
About Me:
Business consultant, Business Instructor and English teacher working abroad China and Kazakhstan.
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