Ski resort “Shimbulak” (“Chimbulak”) is situated in a picturesque Trans-Ili Alatau valley at a height 2260 meters above sea level, 25 km from the center of Almaty. The average summer temperature is plus 20 C, in winter – minus 7 C. The average snow depth is 150 cm, the number of sunny days per year is about 90%.

The resort is known for a variety of slopes, including slopes for beginners, long slopes for skiers, slopes for downhill skiing, valleys with untouched snow and half-pipe for snowboarders, extreme turns for pros, a special track for mogul.

The main characteristics of the resort: plateau length – 3800 meters, width – from 100 to 600 meters, vertical drop – 943 meters, ski area – 2260-3163 meters, total area – 99 acres.

Tags: Almaty oblast · ski resort

Karkaraly state national nature park is a national park in Kazakhstan, located in Karaganda region. It is one of the protected areas of Kazakhstan because of the exceptional diversity of central Kazakhstan landscapes presented. Karkaraly nature park on Google Maps. Photos by Constantine Kikvidze

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Tags: Karaganda oblast

That’s how people in Almaty celebrated the New Year 2013. Video was shot from Kok-Tobe Park.

Tags: Almaty city · fireworks · Happy New Year