Price for 1 person: $130 / 1 person; $75 / 2 persons; $60 / 3 persons
Season: 1.12.-28.02. (31.03.)
Maximum slope 35%
Walking time to the highest point 4-5 hours
Distance 6,5-8,0 km
Drop from 2,650 to 1,700 m
High danger of avalanches at the end of the season
The route to the Panorama of Kok-Zhailau passes through the Big Almaty Gorge. In the mountains, we climb with an experienced driver in a 4WD jeep. To reach the parking in the mountains, first we need to pass an eco-post, where we make payment.
When we get to the parking through the cottage town, we unload all the equipment and get ready to go on the trail. If there is a need, we can conduct a small educational program for beginners and talk about freeride, terrain, avalanche danger.
Our next goal is the Kok-Zhailau tract, which in Kazakh means Heavenly Pasture. We go along the trodden path among the dense fir forest and wild animals. You can go on ski-tour or on foot. This trail is famous among tourists, so along the way we will meet a lot of people. On average, the path with skis, snowboarding takes 3-4 hours.
Having reached the plateau Kok-Zhailau (height 1,700 meters), we stop to have a snack before the last ascent. On the Kok-Zhailau plateau there are special wooden tables and benches where you can sit comfortably and eat. And you can also see wonderful views of the mountains. From the plateau, on the one side, you can see the city of Almaty, and on the other side, silent peaks standing here for millions of years. To rest and snack about 30-40 minutes.
After a rest, we go in the direction of Panorama Kok-Zhailau. Towards the north of the mountain Kumbel goes ridge, which ends with Mount Panorama (2650 meters), we need to go in this direction. It is better to go there on ski-tour, because there is no trodden path. You can also walk on foot, but it will take longer. On average, the end point is 1-2 hours.
Rest 30-50 minutes (snack, photo session) and begin the descent. The slope is about 35%, which is perfect for “beginner” freeriders. After descending from the Panorama, we go to the path of Kok-Zhailau and go down to the cars.
P.S. Kok Zhailau is a rather vast plateau that is edged by the ridge Kumbel from the south, where is the homonymous mountain 3,220 m high and mount Three Brothers (2,860 m). You can get on Kok Zhailau from the east “Prosveshenets” bus-stop (rapid ascent) and the west – Kazachka Gorge (gentle ascent). The length of both trails – 5 km. In winter from both sides there are trails. In the second half of the winter there is no permanent trail to Mount Three Brothers because of a large amount of snow. There is a ridge to the north from Kumbel mount, which is ended by top of 2,650 m high. Local tourists named it Panorama. Descent is possible here, too. In general freeride routes are quite simple, except mount Three Brothers and other northern slopes of the ridge Kumbel.
The difficulty consists in the long ascent to the highest point of descent.
Price Includes:
- transportation (city-mountains-city),
- guide service,
- permit on National Park.
Not include:
- lunch,
- rent ski tour equipment.
You need to take:
- a small backpack with straps for snowboard or skis;
- ski or snowboard equipment;
- climbing skins;
- helmet;
- ski goggles;
- ski gloves;
- sunglasses;
- sunscreen;
- skitour boots or ski boots with walking function;
- ski wear for the season;
- trekking poles;
- probe, beeper, shovel;
- camping mats for the rest;
WhatsApp: +7-705-391-7744 (Yuriy)
E-mail: yushin_yurii@list.ru