• Kyrgyzstan, Tian Shan
    • Ski touring: yurts & horses
  • Georgia, Caucasus
    • Ski Touring: Towers of Svaneti
    • Trek: Svaneti’s Ridges & Towers
    • Climb: Kazbek 5,047m
  • Kazakhstan, Altai
    • Cat skiing: pow in the pines
    • Cat & tour: pow in the pines
  • Turkey, Kaçkar
    • Ski Touring: Big Mountain Lines
  • Tajikistan, Fanns
    • Trek: Peaks, Lakes & Minarets
  • Reviews & Media Mentions
  • About Us
  • HELLO@primalscapes.com
  • Reach us on WhatsApp
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Get inspired on Instagram
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+9955 9999 2594
Primalscapes | Climb. Ski. Explore. Primalscapes | Climb. Ski. Explore.
  • Destinations
    • Column 1
      • Kyrgyzstan, Tian Shan
        • Yurt-based ski touring in Jyrgalan
    • Column 2
      • Georgia, Caucasus
        • Ski touring: Towers Of Svaneti
        • Trekking: Svaneti’s Secret Ridges
    • Column 3
      • Kazakhstan, Altai
        • Cat Skiing: Pow in the Pines
        • Cat & Tour: Pow in the Pines
    • Column 4
      • Turkey, Kaçkar
        • Ski Touring: Big Mountain Lines
    • Column 5
      • Tajikistan, Fanns
        • Trekking: Peaks, Lakes & Minarets
  • • Reviews & Media Mentions
  • • About Us
Primalscapes | Climb. Ski. Explore.
ENQUIRE & BOOK
Why ski in Ridder?
Itinerary
FAQ
Booking

Kazakhstan’s Deep Powder

Touring + Cat Skiing in Altai Mts, Ridder

€2280 / 6 days skiing

exclusive of flights

Join a group: 6-14 Dec 2025, 17-25 Jan 2026
Private groups: Dec-March, Sat to Sun

3 days of catskiing: 5-8 runs per day.

3 days of ski touring, 600-1,300m daily.

Fun 20-35° slopes. Sparse larch trees.

Luxury lodge with a spa.

Exquisite dishes from acclaimed chef.

Crème de la crème snow.

Kazakhstan: safe and visa-free.

Flights from London or via Istanbul.

Powder skiing in Ridder, Kazakhstan

Combine ski touring and cat skiing for the off-piste adventure of a lifetime — on a sick week of deep, feathery pow in Kazakhstan’s wild woods!

Still under the radar, the Altai Mountains near Ridder deliver epic tree skiing on par with BC. Yet here you are likely to spend the entire day without seeing any other groups, let alone crossing their tracks.

Ski lodge in Ridder

After a full day skiing 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.

Wind down even further in the spa, or kick back at the bar with a great selection of local and international beers, wines, and spirits.

Ripping powder on cat skiing in Ridder, Kazakhstan

Explore Kazakhstan’s Altai backcountry on skis: climb through pristine, snow-plastered forests, top out on ridgelines with breathtaking views, then drop into steeper, wide gullies. Next day, immerse yourself in the powder frenzy of cat skiing in Ridder, Kazakhstan, shredding through conifer glades with your friends!

Deep powder skiing in West Altai forests

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!

SkiingGladesWestAltaiKazakhstan
Watch video
Skiing in Ridder
9 reasons for skiing in West Altai Mts, Kazakhstan

1. 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!

2. LONG SEASON, guaranteed. While the quest for powder in the Alps becomes progressively more challenging each year, Ridder maintains its status as one of the snowiest destinations on the continent. Skiing here is reliable from late November until early April.

Backcountry snowboarding in West Altai Mts

3. SKIING FIRST TRACKS every day. Remaining under the radar, the West Altai mountains 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.

4. WORLD-CLASS TREE-SKIING. While European alpine forests (and Georgian for that matter) tend to be rather dense, the slopes in Ridder are covered with sparse coniferous trees devoid of undergrowth, allowing plenty of space for fast and fun tree skiing.

No need to rappel into steep couloirs hunting for the last stretches of untracked powder, and no need to scratch your way along icy ridges with ski crampons — skiing in Ridder is laid back and playful! The slopes are gentle 20-35 degrees steep while small terrain features deliver ski revelations on a daily basis!

Skiing above the tree line in West Altai mts

5. NO ADVERSE EFFECTS OF HIGH ALTITUDE which can be an issue in the Alps. Most skiing in Ridder is below 2,000m.

6. CATSKIING ‘ON PAR WITH BC, CANADA’:
— snowcats await you right next to the hotel door, no extra driving is required.
— warm, cushioned and spacious cabins, pre-groomed snowcat roads, and super-experienced drivers warrant safe and comfortable riding.
— enjoy 5-8 runs with a total vertical drop of 3,500-4,000m per day.

7. FIVE MOUNTAIN RANGES with diverse terrain for ski touring are accessible within a 10-50 minute drive from your hotel.

ski touring through coniferous forests in West Altai Mts, Kazakhstan

8. TOP NOTCH ACCOMMODATION ensures proper rest after a day of skiing. As a standard, we offer twin/double ensuite rooms in a recently built timber lodge, complete with a buffet breakfast. There’s also a steam sauna, spa, and an upscale restaurant on the premises.

9. IT IS JUST WILDLY DIFFERENT from your usual ski holidays in the Alps!

    Included

    The trip is some seriously good value!

    Included:
    3 full days of catskiing: 5-8 runs with total elevation drop of about 3,500-4,000m

    3 days of guided ski-touring.

    At least 1 guide per 5-6 participants

    All accommodation:
    7 nights in Ridder in a new chalet-style hotel with buffet breakfast, twin/double rooms.
    1 night in Almaty, 3-4 stars hotel, twin/double rooms with breakfasts.

    All transfers from arrival to departure.

    Lots of laughs and life-changing experiences!

    Not included

    International and domestic flights to Ust-Kamennogorsk airport (UKK) — usually around €700 roundtrip.

    Dining a la carte at the hotel’s restaurant (sample menu below) — factor in about €150-200 per trip depending on how much you eat 🙂

    Personal insurance.

    Excellent
    Based on 26 reviews
    Google
    Emma Lloyd-Davies
    Emma Lloyd-Davies
    2025-05-02
    Andrey is a great guide. He was incredibly helpful with tips and advice re kit etc before we even met for our trip and on the tour he was clear in his communication, considerate of all group members and adaptable to changing snow conditions and group situations. I'd happily recommend him to anyone looking to do some ski touring. He's particularly knowledgeable about central Asia and Georgia.
    Fiona Hipkiss
    Fiona Hipkiss
    2025-04-07
    Giving you the punchline first, this was a fantastic trip in an incredible country. I’m always very careful selecting ski touring group trips with a focus on safety and quality of guiding. I’m pleased to say that Andrey has a sensible risk tolerance and looks after his group extremely well, while also of course making sure that everyone is having a good time. It’s a hard balance to strike. I respect his ability to do so. This is my first time skiing in a country that isn’t an obvious ski destination. I love that ski touring can be used to explore new cultures and remote regions. My particular highlight was staying in Ushguli, a UNESCO Heritage site, which felt like a huge privilege to experience before inevitable change comes its way. The mountains there are Alpine with the most incredible view to the mountain “wall” on the Russian border. If you’re looking for the absolute best snow and the deepest powder this trip is probably not for you but for adventure and cultural experience it is an absolute winner.
    Catherine havard
    Catherine havard
    2025-04-02
    Andre not only took good care of us in the mountains, he also shared his passion and knowledge of the culture and food and his recommendations were excellent. A great trip which was well organised. Thank you!
    Simon Baxter
    Simon Baxter
    2025-03-23
    Skied with Andrey in Ridder. Long way to go from UK but epic snow made it very worthwhile. Excellent local knowledge for accommodation and eating. Get there soon before everyone makes the trip. Thank you Andrey and the team from Primal Scapes.
    Christoph Keimel
    Christoph Keimel
    2025-02-23
    I just got back from a great trip to Kazakhstan with Andrej. It was perfectly organized, the food was great and the snow was spectacular!
    Grant Fletcher
    Grant Fletcher
    2025-02-19
    Have just returned from an excellent trip in Kazakhstan, Andrey is a very competent and organised guide who I highly recommend. He was focused on delivering the best possible experience for his customers, and despite my mis-behaviour he was at all times professional and friendly. Thank you Andrey.
    hewli123
    hewli123
    2025-02-17
    I spent a fantastic month ski touring with Andrey in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in 2025. Andrey and his local guides led us to some great snow and always paid particular attention to group safety and avalanche risk assessment. Logistics for the trip were very well organised. We stayed in a mixture of guest houses, yurts and log cabins, eating local food which added to the overall adventure. I look forward to joining him on another trip.
    Jessika Ziegler
    Jessika Ziegler
    2024-08-20
    It was a great trip. In German we would say: "It was a well-rounded affair". Thanks Andrew
    Luna Ziegler
    Luna Ziegler
    2024-08-12
    We went with Andrew on a hikking trip in the Fan mountains in Tadschikistan. The scenery and the whole trip was amazing. Andrew was such a perfect guide, he spoiled us every day with amazing food, wonderful camping spots and it was so amazing that you can feel that not only the people who booked the trip were enjoying it also himself. he is living this adventure live at its fullest. we can only recommend you to go on an adventure with him!! thanks a lot for that time we will never forget
    Our media mentions
    Panorama of Ridder, West Altai Mts

    West Altai mountains comprise several ranges up to 2,000+ meters tall, clustered around a small mining town of Ridder, 1hr domestic flight from Kazakhstan’s largest city of Almaty. Founded in 1796 by a German engineer, Ridder has recently become a growing powder skiing playground, still waiting to be discovered by European skiers.

    This is one of the snowiest places on the continent with reliable skiing possible from late November until early April. Air masses moving east from the Siberian plains hit the westmost extent of Altai mountains near Ridder, resulting in ample amounts of light and fluffy powder totally unsuitable for making snowballs — but fast and a sheer delight to ski!

    DAY 1: Morning arrival in Kazakhstan. 1.5hrs domestic flight. 2hrs transfer to the lodge. Welcome dinner.

    Arrival to Almaty and connection to a 1hr domestic flight to UKK airport where you will be met by your guide. We then hop on a private minivan transfer to Ridder which takes about 2hrs depending on the road conditions. We check into the hotel, have dinner, run gear check and safety briefing. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for a city tour in Almaty.

    DAY 2: Warm-up catskiing.

    A TYPICAL DAY starts with a hearty buffet breakfast at 8:00, featuring aromatic filter coffee. Rich buffet breakfast at the lodge is served at 8:00 and includes aromatic filter coffee. At 9:00, we gather around the snowcat for a safety briefing and transceiver check. The 50-minute snowcat ride is a chance to relax and soak up the snowy landscape.

    Team of skiers!
    Catskiing in Ridder, Kazakhstan

    On the first ski day, we’ll do a hands-on avalanche search & rescue practice session to ensure everyone’s prepared for the unexpected.

    You can expect 5-8 runs per day, with verticals ranging from 300-800m each, adding up to 3,500-4,000m total. Getting back to the top of the run usually takes 15-30 minutes depending on whether we change spots. In the middle of the day we share packed lunch on the mountain.

    We head back to the lodge around 16:00, with dinner served at 18:30. In the evenings, unwind with a sauna session (optional) or enjoy drinks at the bar.

    DAYS 3-5: Ski-touring in different areas, 2-3 runs per day.

    Three days of ski touring in quiet conifer forests with access to steeper terrain in different location,usually 2-3 runs per day and total elevation gain of 600-1,200m depending on the fitness of the group. One day may end with a ski-in to an authentic steam sauna in the woods! Drive from the hotel to the trailhead usually takes 20-40 minutes.

    DAYS 6-7: Two full days of catskiing. One evening we will visit Ridder town museum.
    DAY 8: Domestic flight back to Almaty, farewell dinner, overnight stay.

    Drive back to the UKK airport and flight to Almaty, a short optional city tour, overnight in a 3-4-star hotel.

    DAY 9, Sunday: Transfer to the airport and flight home.

    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.

    Your guides

    Andrew Golovachev, an IFMGA aspirant ski guide within the guides’ association of Kyrgyzstan, an avid alpine climber, and devoted adventure photographer.

    P1090422

    Ran treks, climbs, ski tours and expeditions to Tajikistan Pamirs, Patagonia, Peru, Morocco, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Siberia, Caucasus and Kamchatka. A full member of the British Alpine Club. Professional avalanche education: equivalent of Canadian Avalanche Association Level 1 certificate.

    Visited over 40 countries, lived in the UK for four years. Certified first-aider.

    Accommodation in Ridder

    We will be based at a recently built timber chalet-style hotel with door-to-door access to snowcats
    and 20-30 minutes drive away from ski-touring spots. There are 17 spacious twin or double ensuite rooms featuring hand-made wooden furniture.

    There is an upscale restaurant serving dishes of European and Kazakh cuisine and providing killer buffet breakfasts, a bar, a SPA center with saunas and massage, and a drying cabinet for ski boots and clothing.

    RidderHotel

    Salad with baked beetroot and feta cheese €9; Lentil soup €4
    Creamy fish soup €11;
Premium ribeye steak €37
    Chicken fillet fricassee €11; Salmon with taboule and tomatoes €21
    30cm pizza €13; Cheesecake €8

    RidderHotelRoom
    RidderHotelSink
    RidderHotelBathroom
    HotelRidderBar
    BreakfastBeforeSkiing
    RidderHotelReception
    HotelRidderSauna
    ApresSkiInSteakHouse
    Dinner

    Trip Extension: 3 days yurt-based ski touring in Kazakhstan

    Should you feel that shredding knee-deep powder for six days is not long enough to justify a flight to Kazakhstan then consider extending the trip with more ski touring based in an off-the-grid yurt!

    Located in the heart of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains at 1,750m a.s.l., just 3 hrs drive from the city of Almaty, the yurt gives private access to diverse ski touring terrain with 700-900 meters of vertical drop and epic views of 5,000m peaks in the distance.

    The yurt is heated with wood-burning stove, has bunk beds, and comes with half-board cooked meals, a power generator, and a steam sauna. Thanks to absence of 4G signal, internet detox comes as a pleasant bonus. Please enquire for details.

    P1350960

    HOW DO I GET TO KAZAKHSTAN FOR SKIING?

    While it’s a bit more of an adventure to reach the West Altai mountains, it’s still easier than getting to Canada or Japan — and the reward is pure wilderness, untracked slopes, and no crowds. We take care of all the logistics from flight recommendations till airport pickups and transfers to your lodge, so you can focus on the skiing!

    The nearest airport is Oskemen (UKK) in East Kazakhstan. A short 1hr domestic flight operated by reputable AirAstana airline takes you there from cosmopolitan Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city. Almaty itself is only 30km from the Tien-Shan mountains, and for those interested, it’s a great spot to warm up with a couple of days resort skiing before heading to Ridder.

    The best international flights to Almaty are AirAstana’s DIRECT from London or Frankfurt. Air Astana proudly offers metal cutlery in Economy class and carries ski bags free of charge as long as they are your only checked luggage.

    Otherwise, Turkish Airlines and low cost Pegasus Airlines fly to Almaty via Istanbul from pretty much anywhere: Geneva, Manchester, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Vienna and Milan, to name a few other airports in Europe, as well as New York, San-Francisco, and Seattle. The timing of all flights is ample for a stress-free connection in Almaty.

    Once you arrive in Oskemen, our driver will greet you at the airport and take you on a smooth 2-hour ride to the lodge near Ridder. On the way back, you’ll need an overnight stay in Almaty, but we’ve got that covered too — enjoy an evening exploring this vibrant city before heading home.

    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.

    See Full Terms and Conditions

    By booking with us you fully agree to the following:

    1) You have sufficient experience for the trekking/camping, skiing or climbing trip that you are joining. If joining a self-contained trek, you understand that you will need to carry your personal belongings as well as your share of food rations and group equipment. Porters are available at extra cost. By joining a ski trip, you confirm that you can safely and comfortably ski ‘black’ runs, have already participated in off-piste skiing trips and feel confident about the difficulty level stated in the itinerary description.

    2) You will arrange suitable insurance that covers helicopter rescue, medical treatment, hospitalization, repatriation, ascents (up to 3,000 m for the Kamchatka trekking, 2,200 m for the Ergaki trekking, 4,750 m for the Fanns trekking, 5,642 m for the Elbrus or 5,047 m for the Kazbek) and off-piste skiing & ski touring (for our ski programs). The Austrian Alpine Club member insurance is sufficient – please provide your actual membership number if you are a member.

    3) You will apply for the Russian visa yourself at your local embassy or via a visa centre. Normally, it is a trouble-free process and visas are issued in 5-10 working days. We will provide an invitation letter at no extra cost.

    4) The guide and the organisers reserve the right to change the itinerary at any time due to unforeseen objective threats, such as volcanic eruptions, floods, adverse weather, snowpack condition or based on the guide’s subjective judgement of the team’s condition and fitness.

    6) You fully understand the hazards of trekking, skiing or climbing in the wilderness with regards to general health, changeable weather conditions, snow avalanches, crossing streams, walking over exposed terrain and encounters with wild animals. In case of an accident, it may take a search & rescue party several days to reach the most remote sections of our route. Even though the guide normally carries a satellite communicator, helicopter evacuation is never guaranteed.

    You accept all risks of injury to you or death which may occur during the trek, climb or ski tour with us. For yourself, heirs, executors, administrators, assignees and personal representatives, you forever waive and release all rights and claims for damages, judgements and costs which you may have against the guide, the organisers, their agents and assignees.

    7) The guide and the organizers cannot accept liability for any consequences of force majeure, weather conditions, fire, civil or military disturbance, criminal activity or mechanical breakdown.

    In case of any force majeure circumstances that prevent us from running the trip, such as illness of the guide, we will do our best to make alternative arrangements that may involve a change of the itinerary and/or the organizer. Should that attempt fail, any deposits made will be refunded in full.

    8) You grant full permission to the organisers to use their photographs and/or video recordings with the participants for any publicity and promotional purposes. We warrant that no material of a controversial nature that might damage your reputation will be used.

    9) The sea trip in the Kamchatka trekking trip may be shortened or even cancelled in case of seriously bad weather. In the latter case, the cost of the trip will be reimbursed. Seasickness is not an excuse is rarely an issue and can be alleviated by medications available at the city pharmacies.

    10) For the Kamchatka sail-to-ski trip, the days on the boat may be shortened or even cancelled in case of seriously bad weather. In that case we will make alternative arrangements, such as snowmobile-supported ski touring in a different area of the peninsula. We also will refund any difference between the cost of the cancelled sailing itinerary and the alternative arrangements.

    11) All indicated distances are approximate. Any mismatch with the actual daily mileage does not authorize participants to grumble at dinner 🙂

    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

    We promise no spam — just answers. Your info stays safe with us and won’t be shared.

    ...or Chat in WhatsApp!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is Kazakhstan safe to visit?

    Kazakhstan is considered a generally safe country for tourists by government authorities such as the British Foreign Office, the USA department of state, and the Government of Canada. It is an independent and rather affluent country thanks to its own reserves of oil & gas. It does not depend on tourism like, for example, Nepal. Because of that — and because of the Soviet legacy — you might see fewer smiles than you might be used to. Yet don’t take this personally — you are still very welcome and those smiles that you do see are the most sincere. Kazakhstan is open for tourists and is visa-free for most nationals.

    Can I join alone?

    Yes, absolutely! Even though we offer discounts to groups and group leaders, you are welcome to come alone and become part of the team. Many people make lifelong friends on our trips.

    What is the weather like? It must be very cold in Kazakhstan!

    Indeed, it may be cold, especially in the beginning of the season in December — down to −20-30 °C.
    Fear not though — thanks to dry air, frost is tolerated better than you are used to. Just check the forecast and pack an extra down layer, if necessary. Consider bringing disposable warmers and neoprene overboots (we might be able to get a pair for you if you ask well in advance). Skiing in Ridder in March is more relaxed thanks to warmer temperatures and longer days but you won’t get that legendary cold smoke dry powder! 🙂 Of course, regardless of how cold it is outside, our rooms are always very warm inside!

    Will there be a chance to refresh my avalanche search & rescue skills?

    Yes, we will cover basic avalanche safety, what to do in the event of an avalanche, and how to search and dig out a victim. With the entire group consent, we may take time to practice.

    What happens if weather or snow conditions are poor, or the avalanche risk is high?

    The mountain area around Ridder is extensive and there is a choice of terrain for any conditions.

    Where do I meet the guide?

    Your guide will meet you upon arrival to the domestic Ust’-Kamennogorsk (UKK) airport.

    Can I join the trip on a splitboard?

    Absolutely! We’ve even had telemarkers on board (pun intended). If they can manage, you’ll do just fine.

    Is there wi-fi at the hotel?

    Yes, there is pretty good wi-fi. Some of our guests did find the strength to work remotely after skiing!

    How fit do I need to be?

    Unless you are coming as a group of athletic friends, this ski touring trip in Kazakhstan has rather relaxed pace of about 250-300 vertical meters per hour and total gain of about 900-1200 meters. You should be able to execute kick turns and ski down in control off-piste slopes of up to 30-35° with sparse trees.

    What gear do I need?

    Depends on how technically sound your skiing is. Experts can glissade in powder on narrow competition skis but if you are not comfortable maneuvering among trees at speed we strongly recommend bringing skis with 100-120mm waist.You will likely need fatter planks comparing to what you usually ski on in the Alps but it depends on how technically sound your skiing is. Experts can glissade in powder on narrow competition skis but if you are not comfortable maneuvering among trees at speed we strongly recommend bringing skis with 100-120mm waist. There is a limited selection of fat skis available for inexpensive rent on the spot. The down side is that they have heavier platform bindings (i.e. non-pin) but still do the job.

    Unless you come in March, it is a good idea to bring skins that are engineered for cold temperatures and stick well, for example American-made Black Diamond. It is better to leave vacuum skins at home.

    Of course we require everyone to have an avalanche transceiver with fresh batteries, a shovel and a probe. However, our guides typically leave their airbags at home unless they are going for the yurt-based trip extension. The call is yours!

    Ice axes and harness are definitely not needed. If you are coming as a group of ambitious and fit friends you might want to pack ski crampons 🙂

    It is a good idea to pack a UHF/VHF radio if you have one. You will need at least two goggles: for overcast and for sunny conditions. Since we will be skiing amongst trees, we require all participants to wear a helmet. We will email you a full packing checklist well before the trip.

    How much local currency will I need to bring?

    You will need about €150-200 for dinners at the hotel and lunchpacks. Bring US dollars or euros, or you can withdraw from an ATM. The rates you get domestically are always worse than what you get on the spot.

    Are vegetarians catered for?

    Kazakhstan’s national cuisine is based on meat dishes however if you notify us in advance of your preferences and intolerances we will work with the hotel restaurant on a choice of veggy dishes for you.

    Will there be bears?

    This time of the year you may not be so lucky to see one! 🙂

    I heard Ridder is popular with snowmobilers — will they mess up the snow?

    Nope, no worries. Snowmobilers just use the snowcat roads to get to their playgrounds further out into the mountains, so we’ve got our slopes to ourselves.

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