HIGHLIGHTS:
– staying in authentic mountain hut at an altitude of 3350 m.a.s.l.
– panoramic view of surroundings peaks – incredible burning sunsets and sunrises
– view to the city, exposed like, if it would be possible to touch it’s roofs by hand
– deep starry night skies
– discovering new summits and glaciers up to 4000 m.a.s.l.
– opportunuty to ride steep and beautiful challenging lines
– familiarisation with activity of scientific station located nearby
– admiring the beauty of Big Almaty Lake with glaciers reflected in it’s mirror waters
PRICE: 
MOUNTAIN RANGE:
Ile Alatau
SEASON:
mid April – mid June
Base camp altitude:
3350 m.a.s.l.
Duration:
3 days
Ability level:
intermediate, advanced/expert
Start point:
Itinerary:
Almaty city – Big Almaty Gorge – Big Almaty Lake – Zhusaly-Kezen pass – Cosmo Station
Day by day Schedule:
Meeting the guide in the lobby of your hotel at 6 a.m. Transfer to Zhusaly-Kezen pass at Cosmo-station by comfortable SUV vehicle (40 km). Passing military check-point, where you will have to show your passports (boundary zone with Kyrgyzstan Republic). Arrival to the Cosmo-station at 7 a.m, Accommodation in the mountain hut with electricity and stove heating, rest room is outside. Backcountry to the western ridge of Tourist peak and riding north, north-east exposures. It will be possible to make two-four descents, depending on weather, snow conditions and ability level of participants. Coming back to the hut after backcountry, lunch and rest. Avalanche safety training, dinner and overnight in the hut.
Travel time: 5-6 hours.
Elevation gain: 350-400 vertical meters.
Length of descents: up to 1 km each.
Steepness of the slopes: from 20 to 35 degrees.
Breakfast at 6.30 a.m. and preparing for backcountry route. At 7.30 start moving along the route towards Tourist peak. Descent by north, north-west face of the peak to the middle section of the old ski-lift. It will be possible to make one more ascent, but depending on fit level, health of the participants, weather and snow conditions. Coming back to the mountain hut. Lunch, rest, free time. Tour around Cosmo-station and meeting with researchers, who study cosmic particles in their laboratories. Dinner, overnight in the hut.
Travel time: 5-6 hours.
Elevation gain: 1600 meters.
Length of descent: 1,5 km.
Steepness of the slopes: from 20 to 35 degrees.
Breakfast at 6.30 am, preparing for backcountry route. Start is not later than 07:30. Getting to the start point of the route towards Turan peak by car. Touring to the top with descent along the line of ascent (north-east exposure).
Travel time: 6-7 hours.
Elevation gain: 715 meters.
Descent length: ~ 5 km.
Slope gradient: 20 – 35 degrees.
Coming back to the start point and transfer back to Cosmo-station. Lunch, packing stuff and departure to the open-air mountain SPA complex. On the way visiting observation view point and watching breathtaking panorama of the Big Almaty Lake surrounded by white snowy peaks. Staying on the territory of spa center for 2 hours and enjoying different types of steam rooms and sauna, swimming pools with icy and hot water, relaxing on sun loungers and admiring the view of Ile Alatau mountains. Transfer to Almaty city. Dinner in the local restaurant on the way. Transfer to your hotel.
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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, membrane jacket and pants, fleece jacket, 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
– 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
– alpinist crampons – ice axe
Food:
– individual snacks for the route (energy and protein bars, muesli, dry fruits and nuts, special mount nutrition)
Services included in the package:
1. English-speaking skiing guide services.
2. Transfer Almaty-Cosmo-station-Almaty.
3. Meals according to the program.
4. Accommodation in mountain hut at Cosmo-station.
5. Drinking water.
6. Environmental and ecological fee.
Services does not included in the package:
1. Rental of ski and avalanche equipment (available upon request).
2. Visa support and registration on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, if required.
3. Meals (other than specified), personal expenses and other expenses not indicated in the program.
4. Accommodation in Almaty before / after the tour.
5. Insurance policy.
6. Tickets to the open-air SPA (~20 USD).
7. Cost of the dinner in Day 3 (~15-20 USD).
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