Hut-based backcountry
in Ketmen

Duration: 5 days
Season: December – March
Mountain Range: Ile Alatau

About tour:

HIGHLIGHTS:

– getting off the beaten path and ride in wild and less-explored region

– living in the forest under wonderful starry sky

– chance to see the traces of wild animals

– big choice of various slopes for every taste

– opportunity to become closer to nomadic culture

– try nutritious local food and beverages

– take a horseback ride like a real kazakh shepherd

PRICE:

from 495$ per person

MAXIMUM:

6 people

Number of persons:

LIST

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MOUNTAIN RANGE:

Ile Alatau

SEASON:

December – March

Base camp altitude:

2276 m.a.s.l.

Duration:

5 days

Ability level:

intermediate, advanced/expert

Start point:

Almaty

meteoblue

Itinerary:

Almaty city – Ketpen settlement – Ketmen ridge – mountain hut – Chundzha hot springs -Baiseit settlement – Almaty city

Day by day Schedule:

Day 1

Meeting the guide in your hotel at 5 a.m. Departure to Ketpen settlement by comfortable vehicle. The way will take about 4 hours (336 km). Arrival to the small farm near the village for packing horses, which carry all heavy stuff to the mountain hut. Breakfast in the local family’s house. Transfer by old soviet truck to the start point of backcountry route (12 km). Skinning up to the hut through the pass (2650 m) with stunning panorama to the closest ridges. Distance – 7 km, elevation gain 630 meters, elevation loss – 450 meters. After getting to the hut lunch and rest. Dinner and overnight in the hut.

Day 2

Breakfast at 7.30 a.m. Preparing for the route. At 9 a.m. start skinning up to the nearest spots with lines of different complexity according to the group’s experience. Daily elevation gain: ~1000-1500 meters. Length of descents: ~400-2000 meters. Slopes steepness: ~15-35 degrees. After skiing day coming back to the hut in the afternoon, late lunch. Rest, free time. Dinner. Overnight in the hut.

Day 3

Breakfast at 7.30 a.m. Preparing for the route. At 9 a.m. start skinning up to the nearest spots with lines of different complexity according to the group’s experience. Daily elevation gain: ~1000-1500 meters, length of descents: ~400-2000 meters, slopes steepness: ~15-35 degrees. After skiing day coming back to the hut in the afternoon, late lunch. Rest, free time. Evening bath-house. Dinner. Overnight in the hut.

Day 4

Breakfast at 7.30 a.m. Preparing for the route. At 9 a.m. start skinning up to the nearest spots with lines of different complexity according to the group’s experience. Daily elevation gain: ~1000-1500 meters, length of descents: ~400-2000 meters, slopes steepness: ~15-35 degrees. After skiing day coming back to the hut in the afternoon, late lunch. Rest, free time. Dinner. Overnight in the hut.

Day 5

Breakfast at 7 a.m. Packing personal stuff and loading the horses. Coming back to Ketpen settlement. Distance overcome on skis/snowboards – 7 km, elevation gain 450 meters, elevation loss – 630 meters. The rest 12 km to Ketpen village will be overcome by truck. After coming back to the village lunch and short rest in the local family’s house. Transfer to the resort with mineral hot-springs. (40 km) Relaxing in the open-air and indoor swimming pools with hot mineral water. Transfer back to Almaty (296 km). Dinner on the way in Baiseit Uigur settlement. Arrival in Almaty approx. at 10.00 p.m.

Required clothing and equipment

Safety:
– avalanche equipment (air bag system and avalanche safety kit: shovel, probe, transciever)
– freeride backpack with ski/snowboard fixation (volume 25-40 liters)
– helmet
– goggles with a spare lens for foggy conditions (better to have 2 goggles)

Personal clothing and accessories:
– comfortable functional clothing for riding downhill and skinning up the hill (base layer – thermal underwear, gore-tex jacket and pants, additional layers of clothing for insulation, downy sweater or vest)
– extra set of warm clothing, extra pair of shoes (sneakers or lightweight trekking shoes)
– sleeping bag with temperature rate 0C – +5C degrees in comfort zone
– two pairs of gloves or mittens (one light and one warm)
– warm hat, light cap, neck gaiter
– sunscreen
– sunglasses
– swimsuit, towel and flip-flops for visiting hot-springs and bath-house
– personal AID kit (adhesive plaster, emergency thermal blanket, individual medications)
– repair kit (spare parts and tools for adjustment and repair your bindings,duct tape, rubber straps)
– thermos
– water tank
– head torch
– personal hygienic stuff
– spare batteries for your devices
– adaptor for outlet charging, if needed (220V 50Hz European outlet)

Equipment:
– ski/snowboard boots (for skiers with system of switching to walking mode)
– proper freeride skis/snowboard with touring bindings
– snowshoes (for snowboarders without splitboard)
– climbing skins
– telescopic poles
– ski/splitboard crampons

Food:
– individual snacks for the route (energy and protein bars, muesli, dry fruits and nuts, special mount nutrition)

Services included in the package:

Accommodation in the hut for 4 nights.
All transfers according to the program.
Transfer Ketpen – hut – Ketpen by truck.
Cargo horses rental.
English-speaking skiing guide services.
Drinking water.
Ecological and environmental fees.
Meals: full board.
Bath-house on Day 3.
Entrance tickets to the hot-springs.

Services does not included in the package:

Accommodation in Almaty before or after the tour.
Rental of ski and avalanche equipment (available upon request).
Meals, not indicated in the program.
Visa support and registration on the territory of Kazakhstan, if required.
Personal expenses and other expenses, not indicated in the program.
Insurance policy.

Please, note:

Depending on weather, temperature and snow conditions, the guide can make adjustments to the program.

It is required to have travel insurance covering freeride, alpine touring and backcountry in the remote mountain area, including rescue by helicopter.

Apply for the tour