Backcountry At Cosmic Station From Almaty
About this tour
Only one hour from Almaty city and you will find yourself in another Universe, on the Snow Planet called "Cosmo-station". It's a unique place, where Tien-Shan alpine scientific station of cosmic rays and high energies researching is located and where you can get high-quality freeride not far from the city in spring and summer time. Backcountry in highlands to the summits up to 4000 meters with accommodation in the hut at an altitude of 3350 meters and exciting ski runs every day with stunning views to the Big Almaty lake, rocky peaks, glaciers and green blooming city with rooftops sparkling in the sun. In last day of the program you will get pleasant bonus - visiting open-air mountain spa with various steam rooms and swimming pools.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Almaty, Kazakhstan to Big Almaty Peak, Kazakhstan
Meeting the guide in the lobby of your hotel at 6 a.m. Transfer to Zhusaly-Kezen pass at Cosmo-station by comfortable 4WD vehicle. (40 km) Passing military check-point, where you will have to show your passports (boundary zone with Kyrgyzstan Republic). Arrival to the Cosmo-station at 7 a.m, Accommodation in the mountain hut with electricity, tab water, stove heating, rest room is outside. There are three bedrooms and dining room in the hut. Backcountry to the western ridge of Tourist peak and riding north, north-east exposures. It will be possible to make two-four descents, depending on weather and snow conditions. Length of descents: up to 1 km each. Elevation gain/loss: 350-400 meters. Steepness of the slopes: from 20 to 35 degrees. Coming back to the hut after backcountry, dinner and rest.
Day 2: Big Almaty Peak, Kazakhstan
Breakfast at 6.30 a.m. and preparing for backcountry route. At 7.30 start moving along the route towards Tourist peak. Elevation gain: 1600 meters. Length of descent: 1,5 km. Steepness of the slopes: from 20 to 35 degrees. Descent by north, north-west face of the peak to the middle section of the old ski-lift. It will be possible to make one more ascent, but depending on fit level, health of the participants, weather and snow conditions. Coming back to the mountain hut. Lunch, rest, free time. Tour around Cosmo-station and meeting with researchers, who study cosmic particles in their laboratories. Dinner, overnight in the hut.
Day 3: Big Almaty Peak, Kazakhstan
Breakfast at 6.30 a.m., preparing for backcountry route. Start is not later than 07:30. Getting to the start point of backcountry route towards Turan peak by car. Ski-touring to the top with descent along the line of ascent (north-east exposure). Elevation gain: 715 meters Descent length ~ 5 km Duration: 4-5 hours. Slope gradient: 20 – 35 degrees Coming back to the start point and transfer back to Cosmo-station. Lunch, packing stuff and departure to the open-air mountain SPA complex. On the way visiting observation view point and watching breathtaking panorama of the Big Almaty Lake surrounded by white snowy peaks. Staying on the territory of spa center for 2 hours and enjoying different types of steam rooms and sauna, swimming pools with icy and hot water, relaxing on sun loungers and admiring the view of Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. Transfer to Almaty city. Dinner in the local restaurant. Transfer to your hotel.
What's included
1. English-speaking skiing guide services. 2. Transfer Almaty-Cosmo-station-Almaty. 3. Meals according to the program. 4. Accommodation in mountain hut at Cosmo-station. 5. Drinking water. 6. Environmental and ecological fee.
1. Rental of ski and avalanche equipment (available upon request). 2. Visa support and registration on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, if required. 3. Meals (other than specified), personal expenses and other expenses not indicated in the program. 4. Accommodation in Almaty before / after the tour. 5. Insurance policy. 6. Tickets to the open-air SPA (~20 USD). 7. Cost of the dinner in Day 3 (~15 USD).
What to know
Required equipment and clothing: Safety - Avalanche equipment (air bag system, shovel, probe, transceiver) - Helmet - Goggles with a spare lens for bright sunlight and cloudy weather - Backpack with volume 25-35 liters with ski/snowboard fixation Clothing and accessories - Comfortable functional clothing for riding downhill and skinning up the hill (base layer - thermal underwear, gore-tex jacket and pants, additional layers of clothing for insulation, downy sweater or vest) - Extra set of warm clothes, extra pair of shoes (sneakers or lightweight trekking shoes) - Sleeping bag with temperature rate 0C - +5C degrees in comfort zone - Two pairs of gloves or mittens - Warm hat, light cap, neck gaiter - Sunscreen - Sunglasses - Swimsuit, towel and flip-flops for visiting SPA-center - Personal AID kit - Thermos for the hot tea - Water tank - Head torch - Personal hygiene stuff Equipment - Proper ski-touring/snowboard boots - Proper freeride skis/snowboard with touring bindings - Climbing skins - Poles - Ski/splitboard crampons Food - Snacks (energy and protein bars, muesli, dry fruits and nuts, special mount nutrition)
Route & locations
Almaty, Kazakhstan to Big Almaty Peak, Kazakhstan