Spend four days above Almaty in a traditional yurt camp while ski-touring and split-boarding Tien Shan slopes. Expect high-altitude routes (3,200–4,100 m), avalanche training, communal meals, and minimal facilities—ideal for fit, experienced off-piste riders.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Snow sighs off the ridgelines as you step from the cable car onto Talgar Pass at 3,163 m; the city of Almaty lies low and hazy below while glaciers gouge the horizon. The yurt camp sits above tree line—a warm circle of canvas and wood where starlight and the smell of boiling tea frame the evenings. Mornings begin before dawn: skins hiss, boots tighten, and the mountain pushes you toward 3,200–4,100 m runs that test stamina and technique.
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
3–4 days
Fitness Level
Strong aerobic fitness and sustained leg strength; experience with long backcountry days at altitude.
Wildlife
History
The Shymbulak area served as a Soviet alpine training zone from the 1950s, and yurts reflect Kazakhstan’s nomadic traditions repurposed for modern backcountry hospitality.
Conservation
High-alpine ecosystems are fragile—minimize waste, pack out non-burnables, and follow guide instructions to limit trail and snowpack impacts.
Reserve your spot on the Yurt Based Shymbulak 4-day ski-touring and split-boarding trip today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Acclimatize before heavy days
Spend the first day at lower elevation, hydrate, and avoid hard efforts to reduce altitude sickness risk.
Carry and know your avalanche kit
Bring beacon, probe and shovel and ensure you know basic companion-rescue procedures before touring.
Layer for wide temperature swings
Pack breathable base layers, insulated mid-layers and a windproof shell for cold alpine mornings and warmer midday turns.
Plan early starts
Weather and snow stability favor pre-dawn departures; expect 6 a.m. breakfasts and long daylight-driven objectives.
Touring skis or splitboard with skins and reliable bindings
Necessary for uphill travel and control on variable alpine snow.
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Avalanche safety kit (beacon, probe, shovel)
Critical for partner rescue and required in active avalanche terrain.
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Insulated layering system and waterproof shell
Keeps you warm during long, exposed ascents and fast descents.
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Warm sleeping bag (rated for cold alpine nights)
Yurts provide mats and pillows but nights can be very cold; a proper bag ensures rest.
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