Medeu Skating Rink and Ski resort
Medeu Skating Rink and Ski resort
4.5
About
Medeu Alpine Sports Complex is located in picturesque canyon Ile Alatau on 1691 metres high above the sea level. The highest ice skating rink in the world. • Working schedule: whole year • Activities in winter: ice skating • Activities in summer: skating, bicycles, skateboarding, streetball and volleyball. • Ice field area: 10 500 sq.m • Average temperature: summer time +20 C, winter -10 C •
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
743 reviews
Excellent
498
Very good
167
Average
59
Poor
10
Terrible
9
Haytham Abu Firas
Qatar14,379 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
We visited Shymbulak mountain. While coming down, had a short stop to see Medeu Skating Rink from the top. Many people were walking around but no one in. Probably it’s the time for annual maintenance prior to the peak season. Wonderful view. Beautiful big skating rink, and decent visit.
Written October 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rurban Roots
Goulds, Canada166 contributions
Nov 2015
Living in northern Kazakhstan, it's easy to forget that there is so much beauty in this country. Those Alatau mountains are stunning and put a new spin on my Kaz love. Go up. Look. Breathe. Listen. Enjoy. Have a coffee. Take the gondola down. Almaty deserves bragging rights for sure :)
Written November 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tjmU4374LJ
San Juan Islands, WA524 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
It's a skiing and snowboarding scene, but pedestrians mix in without hassle or problem. A combi gondola ticket to the vert top -- 3200 meters, a bit over 10,000 feet -- gets you to the view of a lifetime. In summer you can scramble up a rock ridge while in winter its snow snow snow. Well worth the reasonable round trip gondola lift ticket -- perhaps one-third of US inflated prices. Go up beyond the crowded ski village to the next to top level for a view packed cafe meal to remember.
Written January 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alina B
Tashkent, Uzbekistan2 contributions
Sep 2015 • Family
Great place, very warm and romantic memories
I was there last autumn with a beloved man, and perhaps this was the best trip of my life, and Kazakhstan, Almaati, Medeo-paradise on earth for me
I was there last autumn with a beloved man, and perhaps this was the best trip of my life, and Kazakhstan, Almaati, Medeo-paradise on earth for me
Written August 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoranWembley
United Kingdom4,099 contributions
Aug 2015 • Solo
Firstly, shocked there's no Ile-Alatau NP separate entry in 'things to do in Almaty'?!
Did several day-trip hikes from Almaty given the easy access to the mountains of Ile-Alatau National Park by public transport.
It would be even nicer to venture further into the chain, but didn't know how to do this without the help of tour operators.
Hike 1:
Medeu to Butakovka
Easy, but hiking low altitudes (up to 2000m) in Central Asia's summer makes it pretty hard. On a positive note, the humidity is low and it helps.
Bus to Medeu from the bus stand on the opposite side of the Hotel Kazakhstan. My bus number was 12 and LP says it should be #6. Maybe both #6 and 12 go to Medeu? The LP hike description was good. I strayed to the left of the little pass for 30-45 mins so not to make the hike terribly easy. The views were OK from the ridge above. Then I went back to the pass and all the way to Butakovka. I stopped by the stream to cool down my feet in the cold water. Bus 29R from the first shelter that resembles a bus stop at Butakovka back to Almaty. The last stop of this bus is in Makataeva. NB: 29R operates every 40 mins.
Hike 2:
GES 2 - Great Almaty Lake
See the Great Almaty Lake section in Almaty's Tripadvisor
Hike 3:
Kok Zhailyao
This was the best trek so far in Ile-Alatau. The landscapes are stunning up there and there's opportunity to venture to the nearby peaks. I opted for Kok Zhelyao only as I was running out of my two litres of water.
See Hike 1 on how to get to Medeu. Alight two stops before the terminus; get off at the little shrine where the spring is. You can't miss it if you sit on the right side of the bus. If you happen to miss it then get off at the cable car station and walk 10 mins down.
At the spring, a little further down but on the same side of the road, is the paved road leading up. Go up and continue going up even when the tarmac stops. Look for Kok Zhailyao sign in cyrillic to your right. If you happen to reach the disused dam then you went too far. From the sign is all way up; just follow the trail. Amusing: see how many middle aged/old men you'll spot trekking in their Speedos.
Hike 4:
Peak Chimbulak
Funny that my first and last trek in Central Asia happened to take place in Ile-Alatau NP. Got off the bus #12 at the cable car stop, one stop before Medeu Ice Rink. The daily pass for three cable cars seems to be cheaper off season Mon-Fri; KZT3500. All the way up to the third stop at that pass.
It's then to the left, north, of the cable car station maybe 3km in length and 400m up to the 3500m high Peak Chimbulak. The views of Tian Shan, Kok Zhelyao, Almaty and the steppes are beautiful.
Possible to continue along the ridge towards Peak Panorama and some others, but these were not as high as Peak Chimbulak. Possible to continue this way all the way down to Medeu apparently. I didn't do it for several reasons: the major one being that I wanted to get the best value for my cable car day pass and the other is that I didn't have the walking poll nor knee supports for my way down. Back the same way I came from. Beautiful day.
Did several day-trip hikes from Almaty given the easy access to the mountains of Ile-Alatau National Park by public transport.
It would be even nicer to venture further into the chain, but didn't know how to do this without the help of tour operators.
Hike 1:
Medeu to Butakovka
Easy, but hiking low altitudes (up to 2000m) in Central Asia's summer makes it pretty hard. On a positive note, the humidity is low and it helps.
Bus to Medeu from the bus stand on the opposite side of the Hotel Kazakhstan. My bus number was 12 and LP says it should be #6. Maybe both #6 and 12 go to Medeu? The LP hike description was good. I strayed to the left of the little pass for 30-45 mins so not to make the hike terribly easy. The views were OK from the ridge above. Then I went back to the pass and all the way to Butakovka. I stopped by the stream to cool down my feet in the cold water. Bus 29R from the first shelter that resembles a bus stop at Butakovka back to Almaty. The last stop of this bus is in Makataeva. NB: 29R operates every 40 mins.
Hike 2:
GES 2 - Great Almaty Lake
See the Great Almaty Lake section in Almaty's Tripadvisor
Hike 3:
Kok Zhailyao
This was the best trek so far in Ile-Alatau. The landscapes are stunning up there and there's opportunity to venture to the nearby peaks. I opted for Kok Zhelyao only as I was running out of my two litres of water.
See Hike 1 on how to get to Medeu. Alight two stops before the terminus; get off at the little shrine where the spring is. You can't miss it if you sit on the right side of the bus. If you happen to miss it then get off at the cable car station and walk 10 mins down.
At the spring, a little further down but on the same side of the road, is the paved road leading up. Go up and continue going up even when the tarmac stops. Look for Kok Zhailyao sign in cyrillic to your right. If you happen to reach the disused dam then you went too far. From the sign is all way up; just follow the trail. Amusing: see how many middle aged/old men you'll spot trekking in their Speedos.
Hike 4:
Peak Chimbulak
Funny that my first and last trek in Central Asia happened to take place in Ile-Alatau NP. Got off the bus #12 at the cable car stop, one stop before Medeu Ice Rink. The daily pass for three cable cars seems to be cheaper off season Mon-Fri; KZT3500. All the way up to the third stop at that pass.
It's then to the left, north, of the cable car station maybe 3km in length and 400m up to the 3500m high Peak Chimbulak. The views of Tian Shan, Kok Zhelyao, Almaty and the steppes are beautiful.
Possible to continue along the ridge towards Peak Panorama and some others, but these were not as high as Peak Chimbulak. Possible to continue this way all the way down to Medeu apparently. I didn't do it for several reasons: the major one being that I wanted to get the best value for my cable car day pass and the other is that I didn't have the walking poll nor knee supports for my way down. Back the same way I came from. Beautiful day.
Written July 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leila S
Almaty, Kazakhstan23 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
One of the best places to visit in Almaty, Kazakhstan. In front of hotel Kazakhstan take bus no.12 that will bring you to Medeu skating rink. Youbcan walk there and you can go further up to Shymbulak ski resort. Yiu may take a minibus that will be only 100 or 200 KZT. Or you can go by ropeway to Shymbulak that will cost you about 2,000 KZT.
I would not recommended to eat at Medeu or Shymbulak as it will cost you.
You may walk further up by waking path and have a little sight over beautiful mountains higher Shymbulak ski resort. Skiing is also great there.
I would not recommended to eat at Medeu or Shymbulak as it will cost you.
You may walk further up by waking path and have a little sight over beautiful mountains higher Shymbulak ski resort. Skiing is also great there.
Written October 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
B V
London, UK111 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
We visited this place in july and unlike our expectations( we searched Almaty's weather and we thought its hot in July) ,almaty was good and in the evening very cool, but this Medeu was the best part of almatys trip, we took a bus(number 12) in front of our hotel=(kazakhestan hotel) and went direclty to the medeu station,last station,then there was a mini bus which took us to the top (not the highest pat)of the mountain which was very beautiful (for 300 tenge one way),to go to the highest part you need to take telecabin which cost 4000 tenge (two ways) and see the snow on the top in july! The weather is very cool here and nice,the mountain,river,trees are amazing,
Written July 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kairat
Almaty, Kazakhstan88 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
Medeo and Chimbulak are superior to any other place in one respect: nowhere did I see mountains so close to the city. Medeo is about 20 km from Almaty and a taxi will not cost you more than $10 one way. There are three main attractions: the skating rink at Medeo, the dam behind it and the ski resort at Chimbulak. The skating rink and the resort are obviously good in winter. In my other review I wrote that you can also sledge on the dam. The staircase up the dam became a pilgrimage heaven for those who just want to breath fresh air, regardless of the season.
The authorities made an unwelcome change in 2016, to increase the revenues. Now you can get from Medeo to Chimbulak only by cable car. If you want to climb the stairs, you may see an unpleasant surprise. The bosses may close the access to it, as they did on Jan 30, 2017, when they did not admit me and my grandson, along with thousands of other citizens, to the dam. On the photo you can see the police cordon behind which there is no public.
The authorities made an unwelcome change in 2016, to increase the revenues. Now you can get from Medeo to Chimbulak only by cable car. If you want to climb the stairs, you may see an unpleasant surprise. The bosses may close the access to it, as they did on Jan 30, 2017, when they did not admit me and my grandson, along with thousands of other citizens, to the dam. On the photo you can see the police cordon behind which there is no public.
Written January 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gmeyfroidt
Leuven, Belgium16 contributions
Jul 2016
All local guides will take you here, although, in summer time, there isn't really much to see or do. I would advise to skip the skating ring, and take the ski lift up a bit higher for great mountain views.
Written August 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Red F
Almaty, Kazakhstan46 contributions
Dec 2015
Slopes are not in such a quality that you die to return, but where can you get a skipass for 20€ per day??? 8000TT per day per adult during peak days, off-peak 5500TT. We went on Thursday and we were almost the only ones skiing... I recommend especially for those who want to learn.
Written December 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello
Is there skating in April?
Thank you
Michael
Akma T
Los Angeles, CA
Hello, it depends on weather. Almost every year skating ends at mid of April, but sometimes earlier.
Lakshmi N
3 contributions
Hi. I'm Lakshmi Narayanan from India. I wanted to come to Almaty in Oct 2nd week of 2018. Wanted to check whether Skating Rink andSki Resorts will be open in Oct 2018. We are not professional skiier but my kids will enjoy snow and hence, wanted to check before we plan our trip. Kindly let us know at the earliest.
vardi2015
Tel Aviv, Israel44 contributions
I think the best thing for you is to check the Medeu website
какие там цены?
Владимир Б
Almaty, Kazakhstan10 contributions
Цены на услуги весьма демократичные и зависят от времени суток и дня недели.
Raghav4624
New Delhi, Delhi, India2 contributions
Does it snow in Almaty in the later part of November. also can you let me know how is Almaty for shopping? is the shopping sale on during the month of November??please help me
Kairat
Almaty, Kazakhstan88 contributions
Re snow: it usually snows for the first time around November 15 but that first snow quickly melts away. It stays in the mountains though. More serious snow is in the second half of December, sometimes right before the New Year.
Re shopping: you can find sometimes bargain prices after a long search, it's not worth it.
patrixia67
buenos aires142 contributions
Buenos dias, tengo una reserva desde el dia 12/10/2014 al 19/10/2014
Quisiera saber si reciben paquetes de compras hechas on line, si tienen costo y cuantos estan permitidos.
Tambien les pediria un mail de contacto, como para verificar que los envios han llegado.
Espero su respuesta.
Muchas Gracias
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Claim your listingMedeu Skating Rink and Ski resort - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Medeu Skating Rink and Ski resort
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Medeu Skating Rink and Ski resort:
- Almaty city tour. Shymbulak, Koktobe, Green market, Park 28 Panfilov's guardsmen (From $158.00)
- Day Trip to Medeu Ice Skating Rink and Shymbulak Ski Resort (From $97.00)
- Medeu and Shymbulak ski resort private excursion (From $125.40)
- Almaty city tour (From $122.57)
- Medeu and Shymbulak group tour (From $69.19)
- Hotels near Medeu Skating Rink and Ski resort:
- (0.03 mi) Medeu Hotel Almaty
- (0.19 mi) Vorota Tuyuk-Su
- (0.19 mi) Radisson SAS Hotel, Medeu-Almaty
- (0.31 mi) Qazaq Auyl Eco Hotel
- (7.79 mi) The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty
- Restaurants near Medeu Skating Rink and Ski resort:
- (0.04 mi) Trader Vic's
- (0.04 mi) Kazan Mangal
- (0.19 mi) Mountain Cafe Medeo
- (0.19 mi) Assorti Shymbulak
- (0.31 mi) Qazaq Auyl
Medeu Skating Rink and Ski resort Information
Excellent Reviews | 498 |
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Very Good Reviews | 167 |
Medeu Skating Rink and Ski resort Photos | 1,060 |