One Day Backcountry in Almaty
MORN. CURATED ESCAPE · SECTOR 02

One Day Backcountry in Almaty

Duration
1 Day
Group Size
1–12 guests
Season
December – March
180,000 ₸ (~$395) per person
The Journey

Choose this day when the uphill journey is part of the skiing: you climb on skins and ride back down with a guide. MORN helps match the date and route to your party’s experience; describe your touring equipment and off-piste skills in the request. Published group-size prices use direct operator rates with 0% agency markup. Agree the meeting point and any rental before payment.

Required level

To participate in the programme you need a confident level of off-piste skiing or snowboarding and sufficient fitness for daily outdoor activities.

Plan your ski stay

Shymbulak and Ak-Bulak use resort access; the backcountry day focuses on a touring outing; Tau Turgen adds a shared yurt base for three days. Compare the format before choosing a date.

Shymbulak Off-Piste & Sidecountry Tour

Ak-Bulak Off-Piste Tour

One Day Backcountry in Almaty

Yurt-based Ski Touring in Tau Turgen

Compare the four winter formats

Plan your ski stay

Choose your base and arrange lessons, passes and rental.

Read the practical guide

Expedition impression
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Expedition impression

Questions before you go

When is the published season?

December–March is the published operating season. Snow, weather and guide confirmation determine the actual departure.

Can I book this outing now?

Send dates and party size through the request form. Confirm the departure and equipment with the provider before payment.

What is included?

The included and excluded services are listed together in the programme below. Check that section when comparing equipment rental, transport and personal expenses.

Is this a beginner ski lesson?

No. Tell MORN your off-piste experience and fitness so the guide can assess whether this format suits you.

Day by Day

Expedition Itinerary

DAY 1

A day in the Ile Alatau

  1. Meeting the guide at your place in Almaty at 8 am. Transfer to one of the mountain gorges located near the town in the Ile-Alatau National Park (15–20 km away from the city).
  2. Arrival to the spot, preparations, instructions from the guide. The route will be chosen by the guide according to the weather, snow conditions and skill level of the participants. Depending on weather, temperature and snow conditions, the guide can make adjustments to the programme.
  3. Kotyrbulak, Butakovka, Kimasar, Kok Zhailyau and Medeu are gorges where you can try guided ski-touring routes in the tree line among Tien-Shan spruces and on alpine meadows, at elevations from 1,700 to 3,000 metres.
  4. It will be possible to make one or two runs with 1,200 vertical metres in total.
  5. On the way back to the city, stop at a local cafe for shashlyk, fresh salads, plov and other traditional dishes, with tea and sweets for dessert.
  6. Coming back to Almaty about 6 pm.
Transparency

What's Included & Packing Checklist

Included in Price

  • English-speaking KMGA skiing guide
  • Return transfer from Almaty
  • National Park ecological fee
  • Lunch in cafeteria after backcountry

Not Included

  • Rental of ski/splitboard and avalanche equipment
  • Snacks during backcountry
  • Personal expenses
  • Insurance policy. Travel insurance covering freeride, alpine touring and backcountry in remote mountain areas, including rescue by helicopter, is required.

Recommended Packing Checklist

Apparel & Layers

  • Thermal base layer; membrane jacket and pants; insulation layers (Polartec jacket and light down sweater or vest); warm down jacket
  • Thermal socks, softshell gloves, warm mittens, beanie or cap, neck tube

Gear & Equipment

  • Avalanche safety kit: shovel, probe and transceiver; airbag backpack optional
  • Freeride backpack with ski/splitboard attachment (25–35 litres)
  • Helmet and goggles with a spare lens for foggy conditions; two pairs of goggles are preferable
  • Ski-touring or snowboard boots; freeride skis with suitable touring bindings or a splitboard; climbing skins; telescopic poles with big snow baskets
  • Repair kit: spare parts and tools for adjusting and repairing bindings, duct tape and rubber straps

Trail Essentials

  • SPF 50+ sunscreen and sunglasses
  • Personal first-aid kit: pain and flu medication, adhesive plasters and individual medication for chronic conditions; isothermal foil survival blanket
  • Thermos and water bottle
  • Headlamp, spare transceiver batteries, power bank, chargers and cables for electronic devices
  • Matches or a lighter in compact waterproof packaging

Food

  • Individual snacks: energy and protein bars, muesli, dried fruit and nuts, mountain nutrition and isotonic drinks
  • Water (1–1.5 litres) and hot tea (0.5–1 litre)
Rates

Price

Exactly 0% markup. You pay the organizers directly, with no agency commissions or hidden markups.

1 Guest
180,000 ₸ per person
(~$395)
2 Guests
125,000 ₸ per person
(~$275)
3 Guests
100,000 ₸ per person
(~$220)
4–8 Guests
75,000 ₸ per person
(~$165)
9–12 Guests
50,000 ₸ per person
(~$110)
Guide Team

Your Mountain Guides

Languages on site: English
Darya Ponomaryova

Darya Ponomaryova

Certified KMGA/KTA Guide • Expedition Leader & Ski Mountaineer

🇬🇧 Fluent English⛷️ 1st Female Ski Guide in RK (KMGA)🏆 RK Book of Records Record Holder❄️ Avalanche Safety (AST 2)🏔️ NAMG Board Member

The first certified female ski guide in Kazakhstan (KMGA) and the first CIS woman to ski down Peak Lenin (7,134 m). Darya led Kazakhstan's inaugural ski-touring expedition to Antarctica, holds AST 2 avalanche safety credentials, and earned a Tourism degree from Turan University. She seamlessly blends elite high-altitude safety with mindfulness, passion, and genuine hospitality.

“Adventure isn’t just about reaching a peak — it’s about personal growth, inspiration, and living every moment fully. The mountains teach us to stay grounded and deeply connected.”
Alexander Zadneprovskiy

Alexander Zadneprovskiy

Certified KMGA/KTA Guide • Ski Mountaineer & Expedition Leader

🇬🇧 Fluent English⛷️ Certified Ski Guide (KMGA)🏔️ Descent from Lenin Peak (7,134 m)📜 KMGA / KTA Certification🐴 Horseback & Trekking Expeditions

Born and raised in Almaty, Alexander has 20+ years of skiing experience. Certified through the International Mountain Guiding School (KMGA), he completed a historic ski descent down the North Face of Peak Lenin (7,134 m) and pioneered over 15 first ski descents in the Tien Shan. Having guided across Central Asia and Europe, he combines high-altitude mastery with authentic hospitality.

“Nature is our greatest teacher. Mountains aren't just about the summit, but about the genuine connection, stories, and wild freedom we share along the trail.”
Alyona Gulyayeva

Alyona Gulyayeva

Certified KTA Trekking Guide • Expedition Organizer & Yacht Skipper

🇬🇧 Fluent English🏔️ Certified Guide (KTA)⛰️ Elbrus Ascent (5,642 m)⛵ Yacht Captain (IYT Bareboat Skipper)🐧 Antarctica Expedition Organizer

Born into a family of geographers, Alyona grew up surrounded by maps and expedition notebooks. She organized Kazakhstan’s first ski-touring expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula, summited Mount Elbrus (5,642 m), and is a certified IYT sailing skipper. Alyona brings calm confidence, deep environmental insight, and authentic warmth to every mountain journey.

“The wilderness allows you to meet your true self far from city noise and artificial roles. Mountains are places of pure power, clarity, and lifelong connection.”
Rakhman Baibolatov

Rakhman Baibolatov

WFTGA Regional Guide • Jeep Tours, Trekking & Horse Riding Expert

🇬🇧 Fluent English📜 WFTGA Certified Guide (2025)🏔️ 3rd Category Mountaineer🩹 First Aid🚙 Jeep Tours & Expeditions

Formerly a finance graduate and banker, Rakhman left the corporate world behind to follow his true calling in the wild landscapes of Kazakhstan. Since 2020, he has guided hundreds of custom day-trips and multi-day expeditions (including Baikonur). Combining deep cultural insight with genuine warmth and strict safety standards, Rakhman creates deeply meaningful experiences for international travelers.

“The mountains revealed something I didn’t even know I was looking for. Guiding travelers from all over the globe and sharing the authentic spirit of Kazakhstan is what truly fulfills my soul.”
Natalya Salnikova

Natalya Salnikova

3rd Category Alpine Instructor • Certified Mountain Guide & Ski Mountaineer

🇬🇧 Fluent English🏔️ 3rd Category Mountaineering Instructor🏆 RK Championship Medalist⛰️ 100+ Ascents (Lenin Peak, Elbrus)🎿 Ski Touring & Trekking

With over 15 years of mountain experience, Natalya is a certified alpine instructor (since 2016) and a medalist in National Ice Climbing and Winter Duathlon Championships. Having completed 100+ major ascents — including Lenin Peak (7,134 m), Kazbek, and Elbrus — she prioritizes group harmony, calm confidence, and deep respect for every climber along the trail.

“In the peaks, true connection and safety matter most. I guide without rush, focusing on mutual respect, calm presence, and the genuine freedom to be yourself.”
Igor Malkin

Igor Malkin

Certified Mountaineering Instructor • High-Altitude Trekking & Ski Expedition Leader

🇬🇧 Fluent English🏔️ Mountaineering Instructor🏆 RK Championship Bronze Medalist (2017)⛰️ 150+ Technical Ascents🎿 High-Altitude Ski Touring Expeditions

Igor has completed 150+ technical mountain ascents across Central Asia and the Caucasus, including Peak Lenin (7,134 m), Marble Wall, Free Korea, Kazbek, and a pioneer first ascent on Bayankol (2018). As a certified mountaineering instructor and bronze medalist at the Kazakhstan National Championships, he blends high-level alpine mastery with a calm, reassuring, and supportive presence.

“My passion for the wild began in childhood. Today, my mission is to share mountain wisdom so you feel completely confident, secure, and at home among the high peaks.”