The mountain rink
Among the peaks.
Marat Rysbekov — CC BY-SA 4.0 · t_y_l — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Batyrbek.kz — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Roman Check — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Kefi — CC0 · Igors Jefimovs — CC BY 3.0 · Нурлан Елеусинов — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Anton Yefimov — CC BY 3.0
An open-air ice rink at 1,691 m in the Medeu valley among the mountains southeast of Almaty, described as the world's largest high-mountain skating rink, with 10,500 m² of ice. Construction began in 1949 and the first competition was held in February 1951; many speed-skating world records have been set here since, as the thin mountain air and carefully kept ice favour speed. Above the rink rises the huge Medeu dam, built in 1966 to protect Almaty from devastating mudflows. A stairway of 842 steps climbs it, a popular fitness challenge, with views over the valley and the rink from the top. The gondola to Shymbulak starts here. Skating is paid in the winter season, while looking around and climbing the dam steps are free. City buses and taxis run up from central Almaty.
Among the peaks.
842 of them.
Up to Shymbulak.
Medeu valley, about 15 km southeast of Almaty
842, climbed for free by athletes and visitors, with views over the valley and the rink from the top.