The Vanabond Tales · video

What this video covers

Eddie and Kelly, intermediate skiers, spent several weeks exploring ski resorts across Kazakhstan and report on conditions, costs, and logistics.0:58 The country's main resort, Shimbulak, sits in the Ziliski Alatau Mountains south of Almaty and offers roughly 20 kilometers of groomed trails, a gondola, combination chairlift-gondola lifts, and a ski park, with lift passes running $15–20 per day and on-mountain meals costing $7.50–$20.7:31 Almaty, 45 minutes away, serves as the practical base, with Yandex ride-hailing and public buses providing affordable transfers.5:43 Smaller resorts near Almaty — Akbulak, Oi Karagi, and Pioneer Park — offer day-trip variety.11:02 In the northeast, the Kazakh Altai near the city of Oskerman hosts the Altai Alps ski resort plus backcountry operations at Ridder Hut, Stardust Camp, and Edelweiss, all using snowcats for off-piste access; heli-skiing runs around $800.12:47 Near Astana, Alitake (300 km northwest) and Nertau (280 km north) are weekend-only options.14:54 The season runs December through April.2:28 Après-ski culture is minimal; nightlife requires returning to Almaty.4:47 Kazakhstan's combination of uncrowded slopes, low prices, and accessible backcountry terrain makes it a practical alternative to Western resorts for skiers willing to travel off the standard circuit.

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