Talgar Pass
About 3,200 m.
Екатерина Борисова — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Екатерина Борисова — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Matti Blume — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Екатерина Борисова — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Girdi — CC BY-SA 2.5 · 우한길(HK Woo) — CC BY 3.0 · User:Vmenkov — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Екатерина Борисова — CC BY-SA 4.0
The largest ski resort in Central Asia, high in the Medeu valley at about 2,200 m in the Trans-Ili Alatau, just 25 km from central Almaty, so it makes an easy half-day trip. Skiers discovered it in the 1940s, when they had to hike up for about three hours, until the first lift was built in 1954. In 1983 it became the Soviet team's training centre, and the International Ski Federation approved its runs in 1985. Today a modern gondola climbs from the Medeu rink, followed by lifts rising to the Talgar Pass at about 3,200 m, with snowy peaks all around. The ski season runs from December into spring, and in summer visitors come up for views, walks and mountain restaurants. Visitors report the gondola from Medeu at about 10,000-12,000 tenge return, per visitor guides. It is cold up high even in summer, so bring warm layers.
About 3,200 m.
From Medeu.
In winter.
Top of the Medeu valley, about 25 km south of central Almaty
Yes, the gondola runs in summer for views, walks and mountain restaurants, at about 10,000-12,000 tenge return, per visitor guides.