Almaty's Ambitious Plan: 100km Ski Network to Transform Kazakhstan's Tourism

Almaty Mountain Cluster: A Plan to Boost Tourism and Skiing Almaty, Kazakhstan – May 23, 2025 – Ambitious plans are underway to transform Almaty's mountain region into a major international ski destination. The project, spearheaded by the National Ski Association of Kazakhstan, focuses on creating a unified Almaty mountain cluster by connecting existing ski resorts with a network of cable cars. This will result in over 100 kilometers of interconnected ski slopes, significantly enhancing the region's appeal to international tourists. "The Almaty mountain cluster will create a product of international level," stated Askar Valiev, General Secretary of the National Ski Association of Kazakhstan. "Tourists will come to ski for a week or more if there are 100 km of slopes." The current limitations due to overcrowded resorts force Kazakhstani athletes to train abroad, incurring significant costs. This project aims to address this issue and provide world-class training facilities at home. The plan involves three key areas: the central region (from Talgar to Shymbulak, including Kok Zhailau), and two other areas with high potential for development (Turgen and Assy, and also the area of Koskilen). The project promises to not only boost tourism but also elevate Kazakhstan's standing in the world of winter sports, providing a major economic and sporting uplift for the country.