Group size: Min 4, Max 6
Who this trip is for:
This trip is for you who are a confident skier or snowboarder and feel at home beyond the lifts. You are comfortable in uneven snow, strong enough to earn your turns day after day, and experienced off‑piste. You approach remote terrain with calm focus and have the endurance to move steadily through the mountains in search of good snow and clean lines.
The KMX Experience
You will spend each day ski‑touring, following the weather and snow across North East Kazakhstan. Expect human‑powered ascents, variable conditions, and long, rewarding descents. The goal is simple: clean lines and good snow in a remote part of the Altai, a place that feels different from many other mountain ranges.
Each day moves at a natural mountain pace, shaped by conditions, group ability, and the guides’ deep knowledge of the terrain built up over many years. Flexibility, comfort in changing snow, and the stamina for consecutive touring days are key to getting the most out of this journey.
Ride early‑season powder.
Relax in a sauna after skiing.
Enjoy comforting and filling traditional Kazakh food.
Experience the rich culture and long history of Central Asia.
Benefit from certified guides and strong local knowledge for the best snow and safety.
Spend the final night at a hotel in Almaty to explore the city and relax before your journey home.
Living in traditional yurts with modern comfort, giving direct access to great ski‑touring terrain.
Have the mountains almost to yourself: only two groups stay at the camp, so there is plenty of space and fresh tracks for everyone.
For this trip, you can join if you experience level is from Level 2 and up. Please note that even our Level 1 still requires strong skiing skills, including off-piste and ski touring experience.
If you are at a higher level, we can split the group and take different routes to ensure you get the right level of challenge.
Our experience levels:
Level 1 – Strong Resort Skier Transitioning to Off-Piste & Touring
Confident skier or snowboarder on all piste terrain, including black runs. Able to maintain control in ungroomed snow such as shallow powder, chopped snow, and variable conditions.
Limited ski touring experience but comfortable learning equipment use, including skins, transitions, and avalanche rescue equipment.
Descents typically occur on mellow terrain that may include open alpine faces, bowls, and wide gullies.
Level 2 – Experienced Touring & Off-Piste Skier
Regular off-piste skier or splitboarder with developing touring experience. Able to ski controlled and linked turns in variable snow conditions, including deep powder, spring snow, hard-packed and patchy surfaces. Comfortable descending easy, non-intimidating steep terrain and managing tighter terrain such as couloirs or tree lines.
If needed, able to use skidding or stepping to manage a short, non-exposed trickier section. Familiar with touring equipment, including skins, kick turns, avalanche transceiver use, and basic mountain travel techniques.
Level 3 – Advanced Ski Tourer
Highly competent off-piste skier or splitboarder with consistent touring experience. Able to ski confidently in complex terrain and steep slopes while maintaining fluid technique in all snow types. Comfortable performing uphill kick turns on steep skin tracks, and with experience using ski crampons and bootpacking. Confident in alpine terrain and challenging conditions.
Level 4 – Expert Backcountry Skier and Mountaineer
Expert-level skier or splitboarder with extensive touring experience in all types of terrains, including technical and glaciated terrain. Able to ski steep lines requiring jump turns and dedicated steep skiing techniques, as well as negotiate narrow couloirs and consequential terrain. Strong mountain awareness and ready to be included in the group’s decision-making process (snow/weather conditions, terrain choice, human factors). Comfortable with advanced techniques, including ski carrying, mixed climbing sections, rope-assisted travel, and complex transitions during ascents and descents.
For this trip you can join if your fitness level is from Level 1 and up. Please note that even at Level 1 you need to be fit enough to stay out and move for several hours of the day.
If you are at a higher level, we can split the group and take different routes to ensure you get the right level of challenge.
Our fitness levels:
Level 1 – Moderate Mountain Fitness
Able to sustain steady movement in the mountains for 4 to 5 hours per day. Typical ascents range from 500 to 800 metres of vertical gain. Suitable for shorter touring days, introductory ski touring trips, and programmes where lifts, snowcats, or vehicle access reduce the total ascent.
Level 2 – Strong Endurance Fitness
Able to maintain a consistent uphill pace (300 to 400 vertical meters per hour) for three to four hours per day while carrying a backpack and touring equipment and still having legs to control and enjoy the descents. Typical daily ascent ranges from 800 meters to 1200 metres vertical gain. Participants should be comfortable skinning continuously for extended periods and be able to repeat this effort for several consecutive days.
Level 3 – High Endurance and Expedition Fitness
Excellent aerobic endurance with the capacity for long mountain days. Typical daily ascent ranges around 1500 metres vertical gain, and the sky is the limit! Participants should maintain pace in steep terrain and remain efficient across multiple demanding days in remote alpine environments
Our base camp is located deep in the Altai mountains and offers reliable comfort in a very remote setting.
Sleeping:
Heated traditional yurts
1 yurt is 50 square meter total with 4 separate compartments that each have 2 beds.
Proper beds with mattresses, bed linen, and warm blankets
Space to store personal items and dry ski clothes and equipment
Shared spaces:
Large dining yurt for meals and relaxing together
Warm water available in shared areas
Traditional banya sauna for recovery after skiing
Heated sanitary building with wash basins and toilets
Infrastructure & connectivity:
Off‑grid camp with dependable facilities
Electricity available daily from morning to late evening
Charging possible for phones and small devices
No mobile phone coverage
Internet access for email and messaging apps if needed
Option to fully disconnect
Transportation and logistics on site:
Daily transport handled by modern snowmobiles
Passenger and cargo sleds for people and equipment
Snowmobiles used to shorten access to ski terrain when needed
Small on‑site workshop for minor equipment repairs
Final night:
Hotel in Almaty
Half board
Twin bedrooms
Daily and nightly temperatures: 0°C to below –30°C (32°F to below –20°F)
Average daily temperature: around –10°C (14°F)
Why this time of year is special: Short days and cold weather cover the landscape in deep powder. Trees freeze, the air is crisp, and everything takes on a true winter feel. It is the perfect start to the season.
Every KMX trip is led by certified guides with long experience in the areas you will tour in. They bring strong technical skills and a flexible, safety‑first approach.
These professionals don’t just follow a map. They adjust each day to the weather, terrain and the group. Their experience helps you move with confidence through remote and rugged landscapes, and get the most out of your time in the wild.
You must have valid travel insurance for this trip. Your policy must cover, at a minimum:
Emergency medical treatment
Search and rescue and medical evacuation in remote or mountain areas
Repatriation
All trip activities, including off‑piste and backcountry skiing
We may ask you to provide proof of insurance before or during the trip. If you are unable to do so, we reserve the right to deny participation. In this case, it will be treated as a late cancellation.
Read our full terms and conditions here: https://www.klattermusen.com/en-us/experience/terms-and-conditions/
We are covered by a statutory guarantee provided by the Swedish Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency (Kammarkollegiet).
This guarantee protects you financially in the event that we become insolvent. It ensures that you may receive compensation if any part of your package trip or linked travel arrangement is cancelled, and it covers the services we are responsible for if they cannot be delivered as planned.
Read more at kammarkollegiet.se.
Food and drinks are an important part of camp life, even in this remote location.
Food:
Three hot meals each day
Breakfast and dinner served in the dining yurt
Warm soup or snack served after skiing
Sandwiches and energy bars provided for lunch in the mountains
Meals inspired by Kazakh and Central Asian cuisine
Prepared with good local ingredients
Dietary needs and food allergies can usually be accommodated if shared with us in advance through the checkout form. If no information is provided before arrival, special meals cannot be guaranteed.
Drinks (at your own expense):
Selection of non alcoholic and alcoholic drinks
Soft drinks, beer, wine, vodka, and local berry drinks
Reasonable prices for a remote location
Due to limited transport capacity, we recommend using the camp bar rather than bringing your own alcohol. If you bring your own wine or beer, a corkage fee applies.
Your trip will be led by certified guides
Yurt based lodging and final night at hotel in Almaty
Three hot meals each day. Breakfast and dinner in the dining yurts, sandwich and energy bars during tours. Warm soup or snack after skiing.
Transportation such as pick up and drop off at airport and transport to and from touring spots.
An exclusive discount on Klättermusen gear. You may also get the chance to test select gear on a complimentary basis during your trip.
You need to arrange your own flights.
You need to bring your own touring gear, or rent it in advance and bring it with you. Our locations are remote, so on‑site rental is usually not possible.
Valid travel insurance is required, covering emergency medical care, search and rescue and evacuation in remote or mountain areas, repatriation, and all trip activities.
A limited selection of additional beverages will be available for purchase on-site.
Any extra nights outside the trip dates will be at your own expense.
Personal expenses like souvenirs and alcoholic beverages are not included in the package.
Tipping your guides is up to your discretion.
You and your group meet the guide at Almaty Airport (ALA) and then fly together to Oskemen. From there, a ground transfer takes you to Ridder, where you settle into your base. The arrival is followed by a welcome dinner, trip briefing, and gear allocation in preparation for the days ahead.
This stage of the trip focuses on yurt‑based ski touring deep in the backcountry, offering remote access to untouched terrain. Each day is dedicated to earning turns through steady ascents, adapting routes to snow and weather conditions, and refining movement in alpine terrain. Shorter tours build naturally into longer objectives, opening up a wide range of lines.
The area is ideal for ski touring, off‑piste skiing and splitboarding, with open bowls, alpine faces and technical descents. Every run is earned, prioritising snow quality, safety and strong decision‑making. Expect immersive backcountry skiing with high‑quality ascents and rewarding off‑piste descents before skiing out after a full day in the mountains.
After breakfast at Altay Mountain Lodge, we transfer to Oskemen to catch the afternoon flight to Almaty. On arrival, we check in to our hotel and enjoy a free evening in the city, with the option of a relaxed farewell dinner at a traditional Kazakh restaurant to round off the trip together.
After a nice breakfast at the hotel we'll transfer you to the airport for for journey home.
