€2840 / 6 days skiing
exclusive of flights, discounts for groups
Cheaper than Canada. Snow beats the Alps.
Fun 20-35° slopes. Sparse larch trees.
Luxury lodge. Direct access to snowcats.
Fast snowcats. Warm oversized cabins.
Meals from acclaimed chef.
Crème de la crème snow.
Impeccable safety record over 7 years.
Wildly different from usual ski holidays.
Treat yourself to a sick week of deep, feathery pow in the woods of Kazakhstan’s West Altai mountains, based at a top-notch timber lodge, complete with a spa and an upscale restaurant on the premises.
This is a lifetime off-piste adventure to share with friends, shredding together through pristine pine glades well away from noisy ski resorts.
Remaining under the radar, Ridder, Kazakhstan offer pure unspoilt backcountry experience devoid of lifts and crowds. You are likely to spend the entire day without seeing any other groups, let alone crossing their tracks.
It is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by freeriders, ‘on par with British Columbia’, as our guests put it.
Forget about rappeling into steep couloirs hunting for the last stretches of unscratched hardpack or teetering along icy ridges with ski crampons on. Skiing in Ridder is laid back and playful! The slopes are fun 20-35º steep while small terrain features deliver ski revelations on a daily basis!
You get to ski 5-8 runs first tracks, 300-800m vertical each, with a total vertical drop of 3,500-4,000m per day. Seasoned powder hounds can go for skidoo-assisted skiing frenzy, skiing up to incredible 7,000m vertical, still at a fraction of a heli cost.
After a full day riding our signature cold-smoke powder, unwind in style at a newly built 4-star lodge. Expect cozy wooden interiors, hand-crafted furniture, and walk-in showers to recharge you for another day of adventure. On-site, you’ll find an upscale restaurant serving both Kazakh and European dishes prepared by an acclaimed chef, along with killer buffet breakfasts to fuel your mornings. For extra relaxation, indulge in the spa with saunas and massages, or kick back at the bar with a great selection of local and international beers, wines, and spirits.
Cat Skiing in Kazakhstan’s Hinterlands: What’s the Draw?
RIDDER’S EXQUISITE FEATHERY POWDER simply does not exist in Europe. Ridder’s cold and arid continental climate, coupled with moisture-laden air masses from the Siberian plains, results in dumps of snow with exceptionally low water content. This translates to incredibly light and non-sticky snow — a pure delight for exhilirating powder turns!
DIRECT ACCESS TO SNOWCATS: there is no driving involved like at many cat skiing spots in Canada. A warm snowcat will be waiting for you just a few steps from your lodge.
OUR MODERN PISTENBULLY SNOWCATS BOAST CUSTOM-BUILT OVERSIZED CABINS with heating, cushioned seats, and panoramic windows—perfect for soaking in the snow-laden winter forest on the way up. Pre-groomed trails guarantee smooth, fast ascents.
WORLD-CLASS TREE-SKIING. While European alpine forests (and Georgian for that matter) tend to be rather dense, the slopes in Ridder are dotted with sparse conifers, free of undergrowth, creating the perfect playground for fast, fun tree skiing. No down days here – we ski powder no matter the weather!
THREE DIFFERENT MOUNTAIN RANGES. Our cat skiing operations span across three distinct ranges, offering a variety of slopes to suit any group and any weather.
LONG SEASON, guaranteed. As powder becomes harder to find in the Alps, Ridder maintains its status as one of the snowiest destinations on the continent. Powder skiing here is reliable from early December until mid March.
Cat skiing in Kazakhstan for private groups: 2025-26 prices
Looking for the ultimate powder adventure with just your crew? Book a private snowcat for any dates that suit you and treat yourself with 6 days of powder skiing in untouched wilderness. This is your chance to have the whole cat to yourselves — no strangers, just deep snow, good times, and loads of stoke.
Want more vertical and don’t mind a bit of adventure on the way up? Ask us about skidoo-assisted skiing — a reasonably priced option for small and strong groups eager to squeeze in every turn.
If you’re up for a mix of free touring and cat skiing, you can add more ski-touring days around Ridder or explore other mountains in Kazakhstan. Or swap some cat skiing days for touring to trim the cost without skimping on fun.
Coming solo?
Trust us — you won’t stay solo for long! Our 6-day cat skiing scheduled trips run Saturday to Sunday. That means departing Europe on Friday and includes all travel days.
Register your interest for any of these dates:
10-18 January 2026
24 Jan-1 Feb 2026
Our trips need a minimum of 7 guests to run. Don’t worry — no deposit is required until the trip is confirmed.
After landing in Almaty, you’ll catch a 1-hour flight to UKK airport, where your guide will meet you. From there, we take a smooth 2-hour private transfer to Ridder. Once at the lodge, we’ll settle in, enjoy a welcome dinner, and go over safety protocols and gear. Rentals, if needed, will be sorted here.
8:00AM — YOUR TYPICAL DAY of cat skiing in Kazakhstan’s powder paradise starts with a hearty buffet breakfast and aromatic filter coffee. By then, our snowcat is already purring outside the lodge. If you’re renting, your skis or board will be ready for you the night before so you can double-check boots and bindings.
9:00 AM — GEAR UP & SAFETY We load skis onto the cat’s external rack and gather for a safety briefing and avalanche transceiver check with the guides.
Now, here’s what makes cat skiing in Kazakhstan unique: NO road transfer needed on most days! Occasionally we’ll roll 15 minutes up a forest road, and once per tour we may mission about an hour for exclusive alpine terrain. Worth it.
THE RIDE UP
Settle for a smooth 50-minute ride to the first drop in the heated, cushioned, and spacious cabin. There’s room for a stuff sack with spare mitts, goggles, hand warmers, and layers. Pro tip: pack a Ziploc with TP — there are no outhouses in the Kazakh backcountry! Our seasoned drivers navigate the trails sharing the front cabin with the lead guide while you soak in the snowy landscapes behind the snowcat’s panoramic windows!
DROPPING
At the top of the run the driver signals it is safe to open the doors. We unload fast so the cat can head down and minimize waiting at the pickup, which can be anything between 5 and 30 minutes depending on the location and the group ski speed.
Two guides per group keep you safe and stoked. The lead guide scopes the line based on ability, snowpack, and terrain, while the tail guide sweeps the stragglers (and rescues the occasional yard sale). Natural boundaries (ridgelines and gullies) define each run, with cat roads below so nobody overshoots.
THE GOODS
5-8 runs daily (mostly FIRST TRACKS!)
10-20 minute cat rides between runs
300-800m vertical per lap
3,500-4,000m total vert per day
Sometimes a guest scores the front seat next to the driver!
13:00 — LUNCH AND MORE LAPS Quick picnic on the snow to refuel for afternoon powder skiing sessions. Let us know about dietary needs — we’ve got you covered. Bring pocket snacks if you like to graze between runs.
15:30-16:00 — LAST RUN
Earlier in the season we may have to finish earlier due to shorter daylight time. You can’t usually ski back to the lodge, but a cold can with friends in the snowcat on the ride home hits just as well!
18:30 — DINNER
After hot showers and cold beverages, dinner is served. Cap the night with a sauna session or bar hangout with the crew!
After a transfer to UKK airport and a short flight to Almaty, you’ll have the option to explore the city before checking into a hotel for your final night.
GETTING THERE
So where the heck is the Kazakh powder? It is stashed in the wild West Altai Mountains near the small mining town of Ridder, often compared by our guests to Canadian Revelstoke 40 years ago. It’s tucked in northeast corner of Kazakhstan — a massive landlocked country bigger than all of Western Europe combined, yet with fewer people than in London! Getting to Kazakhstan for cat skiing is actually easier than to Canada or Japan — and the reward is pure wilderness, untracked pow, and zero crowds.
NO visa is required for most nationalities. We take care of all the logistics — from flight recommendations to airport pickups — so that you can focus on skiing powder!
First stop: Almaty, Kazakhstan’s biggest and most cosmopolitan city. You fly there on a DIRECT overnight flight from London or Frankfurt, or via Istanbul from pretty much anywhere.
From Almaty, it’s a quick 1-hour domestic flight to Oskemen (UKK). Our driver will greet you at the airport and take you on a smooth 2-hour ride to the lodge in the woods near Ridder — ready for backcountry skiing the very next day. On the return, you’ll need an overnight in Almaty, and yes, we’ve got that covered too!
Accommodation
The accommodation will definitely exceed you expectations! Our newly built 4-star lodge with 30 double/twin rooms is located right next to the mountains and offers DIRECT ACCESS TO SNOWCATS. Expect spacious rooms, cozy wooden interiors, hand-crafted furniture, and walk-in showers to recharge you for another day of adventure. Fast Wi-Fi is available throughout, and there is a drying cabinet for ski boots and clothing. We also have cozy designer cottages perfect for groups of friends or families.
On-site, you’ll enjoy meals at an upscale restaurant serving both Kazakh and European cuisine, crafted by an acclaimed chef who’s a member of the prestigious Disciples d’Escoffier and holds a diploma in Healthy Nutrition from SHA in Spain. Killer buffet breakfasts are included as part of your stay. There’s also a dedicated bar with fantastic selection of local and international beers, wines, and spirits.
After a long day on the mountain, unwind in our spa center for just €30 per visit, complete with a traditional Siberian steam sauna and Middle Eastern hammam. No need to worry about cash — Visa and MasterCard are accepted.
SKI GEAR FOR KAZAKHSTAN POWDER
To fully enjoy our light, dry powder, we recommend fat skis with 105-120mm underfoot.
A selection of wide planks, as well as splitboards, is available for rent locally at €190 per trip. Avalanche kit rental consisting of transceiver, shovel and probe is €70 per trip.
You won’t need an airbag here. As skiers track out the slopes, regular snowfalls cover their tracks and the process repeats again and again, destroying any potential snow instabilities. With most skiing below the tree line, the risk of snow instability is minimal, and helmets are far more essential for tree skiing than airbags.
SAFETY FIRST, ALWAYS
With 7 years of operations and impeccable safety record, safety remains our top priority.
We maintain a 1:6 guide-to-client ratio. Our English-speaking guides are local terrain experts, trained in first aid, avalanche forecasting, and mountain rescue.
In case of emergency, our guides are able to handle most injuries on-site using the medical kits they carry. The guides are in constant communication with the snowcat driver and the lodge. They also carry rescue sleds for hauling injured skiers down from the slopes to the snowcat trails. Snowmobiles are also on standby for quick evacuations. The nearest hospital is just a 15-minute drive from the lodge.
On the first day, we’ll cover essential safety protocols and do a hands-on avalanche rescue training. Each morning, we’ll run a transceiver check before heading out. All participants must have a working transceiver, shovel, and probe, and we highly recommend wearing a helmet.
Booking terms
Sounds exciting? It truly is! We love the place and would be happy to share it with you. Should you have any questions, please check out our FAQ section below. Alternatively, don’t hesitate to send us your inquiry using the contact form or WhatsApp.
We require financial commitment from the participants in a form of 20% deposit paid via SEPA bank transfer or Paypal/card. The remaining balance is paid in cash or wire transfer upon arrival.
Cancellation policy
We promise a 14-day risk-free booking window: you can cancel at any point within two weeks after you put down the first deposit. This buys you time to sort out vacation and flights, to bring in your friends, etc. and not have to worry about someone else taking your spot on the trip.
In case of cancellation of the trip by the participant due to any other personal circumstances any deposits made are NOT refunded. At our sole discretion we may put them towards your future trips with us.
Start Your Journey
Got a question or ready to plan your adventure? Drop us a line using the form below — we’ll reply within 24 hours!
Prefer email? Reach out at hello@primalscapes.com
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