€1840
Crowd-free, first treks powder skiing.
3 days of catskiing: 5-8 runs per day.
3 days of ski touring, 600-1,300m daily.
20-30 degree slopes with sparse trees.
-5 to -25 °C, dry and easy to tolerate.
Delicious cuisine from an acclaimed chef.
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 top-notch chalet-style hotel, complete with a spa and an upscale restaurant on the premises.
Through pristine snow-plastered forests, climb ridge tops with breathtaking views then drop into steeper wide gullies. Next day, immerse yourself in the powder frenzy of catskiing, shredding through conifer glades with your friends — an exhilarating experience ‘on par with British Columbia’, as our guests put it.
Treat yourself to a sick week of deep, feathery powder, combining ski touring and catskiing into one unforgettable adventure!
While Kazakhstan may not be the first destination that springs to mind when it comes to skiing, those privileged to cruise its crème de la crème snow would rather prefer it to stay under the radar for longer.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
-
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, 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 -
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, 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 -
They 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, 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 -
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, 2020I 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, 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, 2020I 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, 2020
Jessika Ziegler2024-08-20It was a great trip. In German we would say: "It was a well-rounded affair". Thanks Andrew
Luna Ziegler2024-08-12We 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
Alex Antsiferov2024-05-21Andrey is a fantastic guide! He has a knack for discovering real, authentic places. Some of the coolest adventures in my life have been in his company. He himself is tough as nails and never seems to get tired, but he always plans trips within others' abilities and never takes unnecessary risks. Also, Andrey takes great photos — I totally depend on him for my supply of desktop wallpapers!
Alexey Gaponov2024-03-22I've joined Andrey on skiing trips to Mamay valley (Lake Baikal), Ridder (Kazachstan) and Svaneti (Georgia), and would love to do so again! His trips are always thoroughly thought through, well organized and include many interesting ideas beyond skiing. For skiing/skitouring itself: Andrey is a great back-country guide, paying extreme attention to mountain safety, group's mood and abilities, and manages to find areas of untouched snow even in spaghetti-ridden spots (this might involve some uphill walking at times). Add to this his desire to interconnect people from different cultures (even in the current deglobalized times) and a skill to solve clients' problems quickly (like organizing a replacement skitouring set of the right size in the middle of the woods), and you get a reliably great ski trip as a result.
Paul Kutarski2024-02-25Excellent and truly memorable trip to Kyrgyzstan. Well organised and interesting itinerary both on and off the snow. Lots of great powder descents. The standard of accommodation and food significantly exceeded my expectations. I would not hesitate to go with Andrey again and, indeed, hope to do so next season.
Linda Chew2024-02-24Kyrgyzstan January 2024 The trip was incredibly well organised by Andrey with pleasant surprises which made it very memorable. The accommodation was excellent, warm and comfortable with great food. The ski guiding suited the abilities of the group and the snow was enjoyable. I would certainly recommend this trip with Andrey.
Eric Kendall2024-02-16Skied in Kyrgyzstan with Andrey. He is excellent - found great lines, and organised brilliantly. Also a great drone pilot! Can't wait for our next trip with him - see you in March, Andrey!
Steve Kentish2024-01-22Andre is excellent, as an organiser of the trip and as a guide. The skiing and weather was excellent in Kyrgyzstan. Safety was a key component, which he was well on top of. He used his local knowledge to find the best angle and orientation of descents. Had a great trip. Hope to return with Primalscrapes again. Note: the skiing is a fair distance from Bishkek, so long bus transfers are required, Andre organised a few excursions to break these up.
Carolyn Brown2023-12-26Andrey is an excellent off-piste guide. He has a reliable team around him and his attention to detail ensures everything runs smoothly on his trips. His help with choosing our holiday outline, booking flights and organising kit hire was first class at every stage.
Francisco Garcia2023-12-21Great experience with Primalscapes in Ridder!
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!
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 5-8 runs with a total vertical drop of 3,500-4,000m 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, though usually it is much less. The local drivers are professional tractor drivers with years of experience with working in the 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 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.
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.
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.
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
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 a SEPA bank transfer or Paypal. The remaining amount 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.
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.
