Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan - Catskiing on the edge of the world
Do you dream of skiing in a place where few others have ever made their mark? Then you need to come to Kazakhstan. Here in the West Altai Mountains of Ridder, a cat skiing adventure awaits with deep powder, varied terrain and the feeling of being far away from it all.
Imagine waking up in a remote mountain valley, taking the cat up into the woods or on a ridge with a view – and then dropping into miles of untouched snow. There are no lifts, no cows, no mass tourism. Just the mountains, the group and pure powder.
We take care of all the practicalities so you can focus on skiing. Together with our experienced local mountain guides and a Danish Eastern Snow guide, you are guaranteed both safety and the best experiences in the mountains.
Why Kazakhstan?
Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world, but still one of the most unknown ski destinations. Our base is in Ridder, a small town founded in 1796 by a German engineer that today is surrounded by some of the most snow-sure mountains on the continent.
Here in the West Altai Mountains (peaks up to 2,000+ meters), cold winds from Siberia meet the mountain range, creating some of the richest and most stable snow conditions.
November: first snowfall, 20-30 cm in the valleys and much more in the mountains.
December: frequent snowfalls and snow depths of up to 1 meter.
January: maximum snow – over 1.5 meters in the mountains, often 2-3 meters in strong winters.
This makes Kazakhstan one of the most snow-sure places to start the season – with powder already in November and stable conditions throughout the winter.
The terrain is varied and spectacular:
Large alpine bowls with wide lines
Forest areas with perfect spacing between trees
Natural features and open surfaces
Runs of up to 1,000 vertical meters
Accommodation:
Week 5: East Pole Camp – a simple, comfortable freeride base in the Altai forest near Ridder with wood stove heating and access to a traditional Russian banya for true mountain comfort
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Pristine mountains and deep powder – skiing far from mass tourism
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Snow conditions: November, December and January are peak season with early snowfall and stable conditions.
- World-class catskiing – 6 full days of varied terrain
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Danish Eastern Snow guide + experienced local mountain guides
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Big runs up to 1,000 vertical meters
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Cozy lodge with full catering and sauna
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Easy access from Almaty – short transfer from the airport to the mountains
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Exotic experience in Central Asia – skiing, culture and adventure all in one
This tour is for experienced skiers and snowboarders who are used to off-piste and deep snow. You don’t need to have touring experience, but you should be comfortable in varied terrain and in good physical shape.
The Catskies offer access to plenty of runs without ascent, but some short hikes may occur. The focus is on getting as many trips in the mountains as possible – and on experiencing true wilderness.
Kazakhstan
ABOUT THE TRIP
Transportation
The most direct route to Knight in Kazakhstan is by air via Istanbul to Kazakhstan.
You’ll then take a domestic flight to eastern Kazakhstan.
We recommend that the whole group meets at Almaty airport and takes the same flight to Oskemen. That way we are all together from there.
To get 6 full ski days (Sunday-Friday) with 7 nights, you need to depart Friday from home and return Saturday the following week.
There are no direct connections from the EU to Knight – all routes go via Almaty or Astana.
It is also possible to extend the tour with 1 day in Almaty or Astana on the outbound or return journey to experience the cities’ culture and contrast with the mountain
Unfold “Routes to Knight” in the column to the right for the full route description.
Flights from Europe to Kazakhstan
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From Copenhagen (CPH) to Istanbul (IST)
Direct flights with Turkish Airlines. -
From Istanbul (IST) to Almaty (ALA)
International flight to Kazakhstan’s largest city. -
From Almaty (ALA) to Oskemen International Airport (UKK)
Domestic flight, approximately 1 hour. - Transfer from Oskemen to Ridder
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2.5-3 hours drive to the lodge.
Unfold for directions.
Safety & Guides
Safety is always in focus on our tours. Our local mountain guides are certified and have extensive experience in the area. They know the snow conditions and choose the best and safest routes every day. All participants must bring avalanche safety equipment, including beeper, shovel and probe.
Passport and visa
It is very important that the information in your passport matches what is on your ticket. No visa is required to enter the country.
Extra info
If you're from Europe and the Nordics, they use the same 220v plugs in Kazakhstan, so there's no need for an adapter.
Kazakhstan
Prices and weeeks
From 3.000 EUR
Per. PERSON
- 2025/2026
Calculate price!
2025/2026
- WEEK 49
Nov 29 – Dec 6, 2025
- WEEK 5
24. Jan. – Jan. 31. 2026
Included:
- Hotel & Spa
- Full pension
- 7 nights accommodation
- 6 days of Catskiing
- Bus transportation between locations
- ES-Guide on the whole trip
- Safety equipment rental options
For further info contact Morten Due:
Mail: [email protected]
Mobile: 0045 27224002
Prices:
3,000 EUR per person incl. catskiing.
Safety handlebars are a requirement and can be rented on site.
Flights are not included in the above price.