Ak-Bulak is situated 40 km east of Almaty in Soldatskoe Gorge near Talgar at an elevation of 1,600 meters — and immediately beyond the parking area begins a shaded pine forest that stretches directly to the slopes. You can reach it by car or bus №224 from central Almaty, with the journey taking about an hour. The resort features six slopes with a total length of 14 km, and its signature attraction is the black run "Dombra" with a gradient of 22–55 degrees, steeper than comparable slopes at Chimbulak or "Lesnaya Skazka". Five lifts operate here: a gondola ascends from 1,652 to 2,006 meters in 12 minutes, a separate chairlift goes higher, to 2,664 meters, toward the black run, and there is a beginner lift as well. Snowmaking equipment is activated when snow is insufficient. The resort is an accredited training base for athletes, not just a weekend skiing destination. The hotel offers a swimming pool, sauna, spa, and bowling, so you can visit for a day trip or stay overnight.\n\nThe resort opened in 2006 and was initially a showcase for the entire region: new equipment, modern infrastructure — nothing like it had been built near Almaty before. However, over time, Ak-Bulak showed significant wear: the slopes and lifts aged faster than they could be updated. In 2025, the resort came under new management — the Orbis holding company together with an Almaty hotel — and according to their own account, the state of the facility surprised them. For the 2025–2026 season, the road from the entrance to the parking area was completely resurfaced, the cables on the gondola lifts were replaced, equipment rental was updated, and the toilet fee at lift stations was removed. Tickets can now be purchased online, and repairs to the parking area are planned for summer 2026.\n\nThe resinous scent of the pine forest right at the slopes — a detail that distinguishes Ak-Bulak from most ski resorts in the region: it is not a bare mountainside but a genuine forest-park zone surrounding it. The new management plans to develop the rest of the resort's territory. A mountain cabin, hostel, and equestrian club are already being considered for hosting events, and the old closed sports complex with its former ice rink is currently being evaluated for a second life. The goal is to transform Ak-Bulak into a year-round resort, not just a winter destination. Part of the year-round infrastructure already exists — a swimming pool, bowling, forest for summer walks — it just needs to be brought to full capacity. For guests, this means one thing: a place that looked tired not long ago is visibly changing for the better, and it is worth visiting right now, while the renovation is in full swing.