Out of TownOut of TownPhoto: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
The name "Shymbulak" translates literally: "shym" means dense turf with grass and roots, "bulak" means spring. A spring bubbling through thick grass cover inspired the name of the entire area. The resort operates year-round: in winter it offers 20 slopes and 11 lifts for skiing and snowboarding, while summer brings hiking trails, paragliding flights, and a bike park. You can reach the resort via a gondola cable car directly from Medeu: a 4.5-kilometer journey taking 15-20 minutes in eight-person cabins, leaving the hustle and bustle of the city far below. A round-trip ticket costs approximately 4400 tenge, with the cable car operating daily from 9:00 to 18:00 and a capacity of up to 2000 people per hour.
The first all-union ski racing competitions took place here in 1950. Chimbulak became a full-fledged sports facility in 1954 when ten wooden houses for athletes, a dining hall, and a club with steam heating were built, along with the first cable car—a 1500-meter tow lift. Since 1961, the "Silver Edelweiss" prize was contested annually here. In 1983, the resort became an Olympic training center with the construction of a four-story hotel accommodating 220 guests, a sauna, and a medical facility. In 1985, the International Ski Federation approved three Chimbulak slopes for international competitions. In 1997, two new Austrian-made lifts were installed. Since the early 2000s, the resort has been owned by private company Chimbulak Development. Before the 2011 Asian Games, the resort underwent two major renovations: slope length nearly doubled from 6 kilometers. The current gondola cable car from Medeu was also built then, with 70 cabins operating during the Asiad. The base station sits at 2260 meters elevation, while the resort's highest point reaches 3199 meters. The elevation difference is 1680 meters, among the highest in the region.
Slopes here suit all skill levels. At the base station, wide green and blue slopes for beginners are groomed starting at 6 a.m. From the mid-station, three red intermediate runs descend with a 450-meter elevation drop and sections featuring steep turns. There's also one black run, a mogul zone, and a halfpipe for snowboarders. Night skiing operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 19:00 to 23:00. In March 2023, Shymbulak set a Guinness World Record for the world's highest-altitude night ski slope at 3200 meters elevation and 3640 meters long. The best season for skiing runs from December through March, with the most reliable snow falling in February and March. A season pass costs from 9000 tenge on weekdays to 11400 tenge on weekends, with cheaper options available for morning, afternoon, and night skiing. Children under five ski free any day, and pensioners and people with disabilities have free access on weekdays outside peak season.
In summer, the cable cars stay busy transporting tourists to the resort's highest point, offering panoramic views of Kazakhstan's southern capital. The resort features six cable cars in total, not counting hiking trails. Since 2013, one of the world's highest-altitude rope parks has operated here, while Chimba Park attracts freestyle enthusiasts. The mid-station has Marrone Rosso café with coffee and croissants, while higher up are restaurants with viewing platforms overlooking the Zailiyskiy Alatau. For thrill-seekers, there's a cabin option with a glass floor and 360-degree panoramic views. Spring and summer see mountain hiking expeditions, horseback riding, and off-road tours departing into the reserve. In recent years, the resort has hosted Freestyle Ski World Cup stages and Freeride World Tour qualifications.