€1780
excl. of flights
2-10 Dec 2023, 9-17 Dec 2023
16-24 Dec 2023, 6-14 Jan 2024
3-11 Feb 2024, 9-17 Mar 2024
bespoke dates for groups of 4+
Wide open slopes of 25-35 degrees
-5 to -25 °C
4-10 participants
Discounts for group leaders
Kazakhstan: safe and visa-free
Flight-related carbon emissions are fully offset for every participant through carbon credits.
Get your deep pow fix early in the season — in the woods of the remote West Altai mountains, based at a small chalet-style hotel, with a spa and an upscale restaurant on the premises.
Through pristine snow-plastered forests, reach ridge tops with breathtaking views and drop into steeper wide couloirs. Then immerse into the powder frenzy of catskiing, shredding the conifer glades with your friends — an exhilarating experience ‘on par with British Columbia’.
Wide open slopes of 20-35 degrees with sparse trees and elevation drops of 400-800m.
More challenging slopes are also available in the alpine zone at elevations up to 2,700m. High flights for those in the mood.
Dry continental snow remains fluffy and fast for many days after a snow storm, especially on plentiful northern aspects.
Combine ski-touring and catskiing on a single trip to a new uncrowded destination!
Skiing in East Kazakhstan: the snow treasure of Altai mountains
The area comprises several mountain ranges up to 2,000+ meters high clustered around a small mining town of Ridder, East Kazakhstan, 1hr domestic flight from the country’s largest city of Almaty.
Ridder is one of the snowiest places on the continent with reliable skiing possible from late November. Founded in 1796 by a German engineer, the town has become a growing free-skiing playground, still waiting to be discovered by European skiers.
Air masses moving east from Siberia 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!
Covered with sparse conifer forests, predominantly north-facing slopes are usually 20-35 degrees steep — a paradise for effortless glade skiing with 400-800m of vertical drop. There are options for different weather, avalanche conditions, and fitness of a group, including steeper couloirs and snow pillows.
3 full days of catskiing: 5-7 runs with total elevation drop of about 3,000-3,500m
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.
Carbon credits purchased from The Cochabamba Project to offset international and domestic flights from Europe.
IMPORTANT: A minimum of 10 paying participants is required to book a snowcat privately. Otherwise snowcats are shared with other skiers/snowboarders.
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.
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In 2018 I had the privilege of doing volcano trekking in Kamchatka with a group of experienced South Africans and Andrey, with the grand prize in mind of summiting Klyuchevskaya... read more
Anton Durrant
November 27, 2020Superb unique experience to Siberia in 2019. We were well looked after and adapted to our needs and fitness levels. I look forward to going again, perhaps Kamchatka next year ?
Adrian Parsons
November 3, 2020 -
We ski toured in Siberia with Andrey in December 2018. Was a fantastic trip; perfectly organised. Great food and great fun.
Jamie Brown
November 3, 2020They definitely succeeded in making the trip enjoyable and in breaking any negative stereotypes – we loved Russia and have come away with a very good impression and a wish... read more
Julie Pritchard
November 3, 2020 -
I joined Andrey now twice, once in Kamchatka and once in the Fann mountains. Each time everything worked out well. Andrey has done some excellent organizing and catering. We had... read more
Ulrike Kiefer
November 4, 2020I went with Andrey to Kamchatka back on 2013. At that time PrimalScapes didn't even exist. He invited me to join his expedition with his fellow Russian friends (We had... read more
Xavi Tarafa Mercader
December 5, 2020 -
I was impressed with your organization of the trip. The upfront information was accurate and relevant. More importantly everything ran smoothly. I was particularly impressed with your organization of the... read more
Robert Cromarty
November 3, 2020Our ski tour in Siberia was superbly organised. Your information before the trip was very clear and comprehensive. We knew exactly what to expect – and got it
David McClelland
November 27, 2020 -
We joined Andrey on a fantastic trip to the Fann Mountains in Tajikistan, pure nature and magnificent scenery! Andrey was super prepared and led us safely up and down numerous... read more
Monika Steinlechner
November 11, 2020Our ski tour in Siberia was superbly organised. Your information before the trip was very clear and comprehensive. We knew exactly what to expect – and got it
David McClelland
November 27, 2020
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.
Catskiing experience ‘on par with BC, Canada’: fast and powerful snowcats right by the hotel’s door allow for 5-7 runs with a total vertical drop of 3,000-3,500m per day, while pre-groomed tracks and experienced drivers result in safe and comfortable riding.
Warm, cushioned and oversized cabins comfortably seat up to 15 passengers. The local drivers are professional tractor drivers with years of experience with working in snow.
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 800-1,200m 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 20-30 minutes.
Drive back to the UKK airport and flight to Almaty, a short optional city tour, overnight in a 3-4-star hotel.
Your guides
Andrew Golovachev, an IFMGA aspirant ski guide within the guides’ association of Kyrgyzstan, an avid alpine climber, and devoted adventure photographer.
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.
Getting to Kazakhstan to ski
A 1.5hrs domestic flight links the nearest airport of Ust-Kamennogorsk (UKK) with Kazakhstan’s largest city of Almaty. It is located just 30km from the high Tien-Shan mountains, has a proper ski resort and allows for an exciting skiing stopover: you can come 2 days earlier to warm up!
Direct international flights from London, Frankfurt and New York are operated by Kazakhstan’s flag carrier Air Astana. Skis are carried free of charge on non-promo tariffs as long as the total weight is within allowance.
Heli-skiing in Ridder, Kazakhstan
Want even more untracked powder snow and exclusive access to remote virgin slopes? Heli-skiing is available at circa €1600 per person per day provided 4 paying participants.
The modern Airbus H125 helicopter seats up to 4 skiers/snowboarders and a guide. Included are 1.5 hours flight time per day with 5,000-6,000m vertical drop. In case of no-fly weather participants receive 100% refund. The availability is very limited so make sure to book early!
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.
Here are some examples from the restaurant menu with indicative prices:
Ribeye steak $17 Fish steak $15
Lamb kebab $10 Grilled veggies $8
Borsch $5 Pike dumplings $8
Jägermeister shot $4
Buffet breakfast is included.
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.
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. The remaining amount is paid in cash or wire transfer upon arrival.
Cancellation policy
If you need to cancel your trip 60 days or less before departure because you are prevented from travelling due to:
1) a government banning non-essential travel to the destination or imposing a quarantine for vaccinated upon arrival upon return from the destination country, or
2) a national or local lockdown
We will put your deposits in full towards a future trip with us, this year or the next year.
The above does not apply in the following cases:
– You or a family member is diagnosed with Covid and you are required to self-isolate, which prevents you from travelling.
– A close relative is diagnosed with Covid and you are required to care for them.
– You are denied boarding to your flight due to failing Covid checks.
– You are unable to join your trip due to not fully complying with the testing or vaccination requirements to enter the destination country.
We strongly recommend taking out a travel insurance with specific Covid-19 cancellation and curtailment provision which is now available from many reputable providers.
We also 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.
The minimum group size for this trip is 4 participants plus the guide. Should there be less, the trip will be cancelled and all deposits made will be returned in full.
Enquire & book
Let us know any questions or concerns via the form below and we’ll get back to you within 24hrs!
Alternatively, you can just email us at hello@primalscapes.com
We will never email you any marketing materials without your further consent. Your info will only be used to respond to your question and will never be shared with third parties.
