Medeo High Altitude Skating Anyone?
Written: Oct 19 '09
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great views, good hiking, 1/2 way to Chimbulak.
Cons: Under renovation until Sept. 2010.
The Bottom Line: Great views of the city, good hiking, 1/2 way to Chimbulak. Major venue for the 2011 Winter Asian games.
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| LRai's Full Review: Medeo, Almaty, Kazakhstan |
No trip to Almaty is complete until you see Medeo, the largest out-door ice rink in the world. It opened December 22, 1972 and is located 5,500 feet above sea-level. It should be noted that the city of Almaty is 3,000 feet above sea level. It's elevation makes it the highest elevation skating rink in the world.
Since it opened over 180 world records have been set at Medeo and it has become a favorite place for people in Almaty to come winter or summer. In the summer the International pop-music Voice of Asia concert is held at this site and soon it'll become a main venue for the 2011 Asian Winter games.
There are 535 steps to reach the top of the site but that activity is only for those who are in good shape, otherwise there are many cars that for about $10 will be more than willing to drive you to the top. There is also a local bus that goes to Medeo most of the year but not if the weather is bad, which means a snow storm.
Medeo is currently undergoing a major face lift as Almaty prepares for the 2011 Winter Asian games. They are in the process of renovating most of the hotels and restaurants at the site to bring them up to world-class standards. Having lived in Almaty it's anyones guess just what that means. I can only say that the current hotel and restaurant are not exactly world-class. Both were rather old and lack luster when I was there.
I've seen plans for the new hotels (yes, more than one) and restaurants that are being considered. The new hotels appear to be much more modern and are being built to host the many visitors Almaty is expecting for the games. The restaurants are also being built to suit a variety of choices to suit the many visitors from around the world.
As of now this site isn't open yet, but they plan to have it open and ready for visitors by September 2010 if not sooner. If you plan to come Almaty prior to then this is one place you'll most likely have to miss seeing, but if you plan to come after that date then for sure make room on your agenda.
I've been to Medeo many times. Usually I'm on my way to Chimbulak and stop at Medeo to enjoy the views before going up the mountain. I've only been to Medeo in the summertime. Hiking the stairs to the top is very hard but if you're in shape it's worth the effort. Be sure to have plenty of water with you. I like Medeo in the summer because it's usually at least 10 degrees cooler than in the city which is why most residents of Almaty escape to Medeo in the summer. The air is cleaner and the views on a good day are very nice. You can get a nice view of the city from Medeo and on a very clear day you can see all the way to the steppe lands.
Medeo is situated to the south of the city center and is part of the Tian Shan mountain range. The mountain range reaches 21,000 feet on some peaks, so when you are at Medeo the mountains tower above you. I found the hotels too "rustic" to be of interest to me, but with the renovations being done that might change how I feel about staying there. The restaurants when I went weren't that good and were over priced. I chose instead to pack a picnic lunch which I highly recommend.
The city bus will take you to Medeo but it you want to go further to Chimbulak you'll need to negotiate with the many cars (taxis) that hang around waiting for people to hire them. It shouldn't cost more than $10 to get up to Chimbulak or for that matter to get a car up to Medeo, however be prepared to bargain. Also be ready to hike back down if you stay too long. If you are in good shape you can hike up to Medeo and then Chimbulak but it's a good 1/2 day hike up to Chimbulak for the very fit.
If you come in late August you can catch the Voice of Asia concert. Unless you are very familiar with Asian pop-music most likely you won't know any of the performers. I've never been to the concert so I can't give any more details, and I'm not sure if they'll have Medeo open for August 2010.
Be prepared on the weekends for the parade of wedding parties that make their way up the mountain. A very common custom in Almaty is for the new bride and groom to travel up to Medeo or Chimbulak with a parade of cars honking the entire way up the mountain. Then the wedding parties pile out to take photos and drink vodka, mind you in Almaty the idea of a designated driver isn't that same as that in America. In Almaty it just means the person with the car who can drive.
I've been to Medeo only in the summer and early fall and I can tell you that early fall was better. It is very beautiful to see the color changes all around you in the early fall, and Medeo is very picturesque in that regard. All in all it is one of the sites worth seeing if you come to 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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