Medeu and Chimbulak Information

Medeu and Chimbulak are world-famous skiing resorts that can be found within close proximity to Kazakhstan's largest city and former capital, Almaty. An immensely popular tourist destination in the Central Asian region, the resorts make their homes high up in the majestic Tien Shan Mountains - and are considered vital cogs in the country's burgeoning vacationing economy. The area's quality facilities and reputation have recently earned it the distinction of being the official site for the 2011 Asian Winter Games.

The Medeu Ski Resort is generally acclaimed as one of the most famous ice skating rinks on the entire planet. Established and first operated during the late 1960s, it is nestled in the Medeu Valley, which is a part of south eastern Almaty. Originally it was a rink that utilized natural ice from the mountains, but it was successfully converted to accommodate artificially made ice in 1972. Its Olympic-size rink has borne witness to incredible feats in skiing, including an estimated 120 world records broken in speed skating events of varying distances, from 500 up to 10,000 meters. Interested tourists can also watch the "Voice of Asia" music festival, the immensely popular spectacle that is held annually at the site.

In addition to these attractions, Chimbulak is also a popular destination that serves as a reputed ski resort and as a tourist attraction even for the non-skiers, with its picturesque landscape set against a backdrop of towering snow-capped mountains. Hikers will find the area to be an irresistible destination, with the trails lined with magnificent glaciers, and of course with a rewarding view of the area from the top of the famed Medeu Dam.