100% Cat Skiing Week in Kazakhstan

Cat Skiing in Kazakhstan – Deep Powder Adventure in the West Altai

There will be no ski touring on this trip—this is a 100% cat skiing week, perfect for strong off-piste skiers and snowboarders looking for deep powder and untracked terrain. Some traverses will be required.

Splitboards and ski touring setups are still recommended for flexibility.

Explore Untouched Terrain in Kazakhstan's Remote Altai Mountains

Step into a snow-covered wilderness untouched by mass tourism on this unique cat skiing adventure in Ridder, Kazakhstan. Tucked away in the remote West Altai Mountains, the small mining town of Ridder is surrounded by 2,000m peaks, offering ideal conditions for freeride skiing:

• Consistent 20°–35° gradients

• Widely spaced fir tree glades

• 300m–800m vertical descents on every run

Expect deep powder snow, varied terrain, and long descents—all accessed by snowcat.

One of the Snowiest Regions in Asia

Ridder lies at the western edge of the Altai range, where cold Siberian air masses meet mountainous terrain, creating one of Asia’s most snow-sure regions. With snowfall starting in late November, this trip offers a rare chance to start your season early—and often more affordably than a trip to Japan or North America.

Six Days of Pure Cat Skiing

Enjoy six full days of cat-accessed freeride skiing and snowboarding in champagne powder. After a full day in the mountains, recover in a traditional Kazakh banya (steam sauna) and finish with a revitalising snow dive.

Raw Terrain, Rich History

Founded in 1796 by a German engineer, Ridder combines a rich cultural history with raw, untouched wilderness. Still largely off the radar for most European skiers, this is an authentic adventure into the heart of Central Asia, far from the crowded pistes of the Alps.

"Kazakhstan. Not your everyday ski destination—but let me tell you, it absolutely should be."

Read the full blog post about Cat-Ski Experience in Kazakhstan here: Splitboarding in Kazakhstan – My First Cat Ski Experience with Mountain Tracks - mountaintracks.co.uk

2026

Included in the price

• 6  full days of private catskiing: 5-7 runs with total elevation drop of about 3,000-3,500m

  • If there are 4-5 participants, we will be using skidoos instead of a snowcat. Each skidoo seats two passengers, and one more is towed behind. This is a colder experience,e but faster and allows for more runs than on a snowcat.(TBC)

•  At least 1 English-speaking guide per 5 participants. IFMGA aspirant lead guide.

•  All accommodation:

  • 7 nights in Ridder, half board hotel, twin or double rooms.

  • 1 night in Almaty, 3-4 stars hotel, twin/double rooms with breakfast.

•  Local transfers from arrival to departure.

Not included in the price

• International flight to Almaty and domestic flight to Ust-Kamenogorsk (UKK). Return flight from London by Kazakhstan’s flag carrier Air Astana costs around £580 including one piece of luggage (ski bag) of up to 23kg.

• Dining out in Almaty.

• Lunchboxes or snacks during skiing days.

• Beverages and additional expenses incurred at the hotels and guesthouses.

• Personal insurance.

• Equipment hire.

• Any items or services not explicitly mentioned as "included in the price."

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

Your Financial Protection
ATOL
£2.50 per person of the cost of any air package is paid to the Civil Aviation Authority to provide ATOL Protection to you. This means the money paid for these arrangements is fully protected. Our ATOL number is ATOL 2911. For more information see our booking terms and conditions.
ABTOT
ABTOT provides protection for your booking as set out in Holiday Information.
Ski Club Winter Arrangements limited (trading as Mountain Tracks)
Registered in England No. 2099115. VAT No. GB 461 5692 34

We accept the following payment methods

This is an essential gear list for our Day Ski Touring trips.

You'll stay most nights in a comfortable chalet or hotel on a half-board or B&B basis. You’ll only need to carry a daypack with avalanche safety gear and a few personal items.

Fat skis are required for all participants. Minimum waist width is 105mm, but we highly recommend 115mm+. A limited selection is available to rent locally—note these usually have heavier frame (non-pin) bindings.

If you're joining before March, bring skins designed for cold temperatures—Black Diamond (USA) are a good choice. Avoid vacuum skins.

An avalanche transceiver (with fresh batteries), shovel, and probe are mandatory. Airbags are optional—our guides typically leave them behind unless joining the yurt-based extension.

Pack a UHF/VHF radio if you have one. Bring two pairs of goggles (low light and sunny). Helmets are mandatory due to tree skiing.

We’ll send you a complete packing list well before your trip.

• Off-Piste Adventure - Ski Equipment
  We continue to see big changes in ski, boot and binding design and technology, which make off-piste skiing and ski touring much more accessible. For our Adventure courses, we prefer you to ski with” freeride” skis, ski-touring boots and ski-touring bindings. If you have your own skis but they do not have ski touring bindings but are suitable for off-piste then you are welcome to bring them with you. Downhill boots are also acceptable but please bear in mind that you will do some touring on ALL our Off-Piste Adventure courses so you made need to hire suitable skis and boots in a resort.
  
  Skis

  This winter our lead guides are using Elan skis. Praised by magazine testers and professional skiers alike for its unique blend of lightweight performance, the Ripstick 96 is proven to be the ultimate freeride ski in all snow conditions. The Ripstick 106 is the ultimate freeride ski for any terrain. From the boundary line to the base lodge, peak to the parking lot, and trailhead to tailgate this ski excels in all conditions. The new Ripstick Tour 94 is designed on a wider platform, enabling the skier to float better, ski faster, and turn easier in backcountry conditions.

  It is built to blend high performance at a low weight, for the perfect mix of freeride downhill performance and efficient ascending capability. With Ripstick Tour 94, the confidence to conquer long ascents and charge challenging descents is the name of the game.

  There are many ‘all-mountain/freeride’ skis to choose from and we also recommend skis from Salomon, Dynastar, Movement, Black Crows, Trab Skis, Scott and Volkl.  Look for a ski that is the right size for your height, typically the tip of the ski should be somewhere around your nose height.  As for the width of the ski or “side cut” a mid-fat ski – 90-110mm under the foot is a good place to start; this offers plenty of flotation off piste while remaining suitable for day tours and they should also handle reasonably well on piste and mixed terrain.

  Elan Skis: www.elanskis.com

  Dynastar Skis:  www.dynastar.com

  Movement Skis: www.movementskis.com                                       

  Black Crows Skis: www.blackcrows-skis.com/

  Trab Skis: www.skitrab.com/en-us/

  Scott Skis: http://www.scott-sports.com

  Volkl Skis: http://www.voelkl.com

  There are plenty of other great skis to choose from so if you’re planning on buying skis for ski touring or general skiing and have any questions do not hesitate to call us, or Lockwoods, to discuss the options available.

  If you are planning on buying skis for ski touring and general skiing and have any questions do not hesitate to call us to discuss the options available to you.

  
  Boots
  For our Off-Piste Adventure courses its best to have a pair of ski touring boots – they have great skiing performance and with the Vibram soles, they are much safer for scrambling around on rocky or icy ground. However standard downhill ski boots are also acceptable. We do not recommend you come on a trip with brand-new boots.
  
  If you are going to be getting into off-piste and ski touring, then rather than having a pair of downhill boots and a pair of ski touring boots, we strongly suggest that you opt for a good pair of ski touring boots. With advances made in plastics, mouldings and materials in recent years you can now get a ‘hybrid’ touring boot that offers as much downhill performance and stiffness but they come with a walk mode and good flexibility for the uphill too. Many boots fall into the category "hike & ride" so a 3 or 4-buckle boot, walk mode, Vibram/grippy sole and possible Pin binding compatible.
  It just makes more sense - not only are they much more comfortable to walk in compared to ordinary ski boots, but they are also great to ski in too.

  Our guides are using ROXA boots. They recommend R3 ski boots, the lightest high-performance alpine ski boot in its class. The 110 TI is geared for big mountain chargers who may use “Tech” and/or Alpine bindings and often hike or skin to find their lines. The RX Tours is targeted toward skiers who prefer to blaze their own trail and leave the lift lines behind.

  Scarpa has led the way in touring boots for many years but they have been joined by other manufactures like Dynafit, Salomon, Scott, Black Diamond, Dalbello and K2; all producing their own versions of a ski touring boots.

  • ROXA R3 and RX Tour ski boots provide a range of models suitable for all sorts of terrain and snow conditions. It is a family-owned company located in Italy, focused on advanced materials, and ultralight compounds and one of the first companies to use CAD Design software to design and 3D print prototypes.
  • Scarpa’s Freedom boots are their Hybrid offerings, great ski performance, a walk mode and vibram sole.  Their Maestrale (men’s) and Gea (women’s) boots are also highly recommended.
  • The Scott Celeste and Cosmos boots have stood the test of time and are good all round choices.
  • Salomon’s Quest Max series offer boots with a walk mode in various flex’s with good downhill performance.
  • Dynafit offer the Mercury or Vulcan boots plus a range of lightweight options like the TLT6.

  The best of the rest are:

  Fischer - Transalp

  Black Diamond – Quadrant and Factor

  K2 – Pinnacle boot

  Dalbello – Lupo or Sherpa

  Langue – XT series offer a ski boot with a walk mode in various flex options

   

  
  Boot Liners
  These days many manufacturers offer ‘thermo-fit’ liners as standard equipment. You may also want to consider a custom liner. Heated and moulded to your foot and boot for a perfect fit, they can make all the difference especially if you have trouble finding really comfortable
  ‘off-the-shelf¹ boots. Zipfit liners are a great option for anyone seeking total customisation in fit and comfort. They will replace the original liner.
  
  Custom Footbeds
  Essential kit – to provide additional comfort and ski control. If you want to get footbeds made or a pair of new boots fitted then we suggest you visit somewhere like Profeet for a professional fitting. Don’t forget if you have footbeds in your downhill boots but need to rent touring boots then you can bring the footbeds with you and put them in the hire boots.
  
  Bindings
  We prefer you to have ski touring bindings on your skis for our adventure courses but if you have downhill bindings mounted on your skis then this is perfectly acceptable. The new touring bindings are every bit as safe for downhill as alpine bindings, yet you have the additional advantage of being able to walk uphill with them to access the real off-piste. Fritschi Diamir and Marker both have great bindings which can be used with ski touring boots and downhill boots. Many more people are seeing the advantage of the “pin” binding system now offered by a number of manufacturers; they are light and offer ever-improving security despite their minimalist looks!

  Although Pin bindings have been around since the Dynafit Low Tech bindings over 30 years ago. Since their patent expired the technology has advanced substantially. Elan, with its AMBITION 12 AT is a world-class alpine touring binding with innovative climbing technology, natural ski flex and proven downhill performance. The binding features the AT Toe, which can be easily adjusted to alpine (ISO 5355) and touring boot norms (ISO 9523), plus a 65 mm wide mechanical Anti Friction Gliding Element to provide constant release values. Our lead guides are using the Elan bindings this winter, so if you’d like to know more about them give Elan Skis a ring.

• Off-Piste Adventure - Safety Equipment

  The “Safety Trilogy” - applicable for all our off-piste courses and ski tours.

  Avalanche Transceiver/Beacon 
  Snow shovel
  Avalanche probe

  We recommend simple and intuitive ORTOVOX AVALANCHE RESCUE KIT 3+.

  Avalanche airbags/rucksacks – if you wish to ski with one of these on our courses you are welcome to do so, they are not mandatory but we always support the use of available safety items.
  You can hire avalanche rucksacks in a lot of resorts, makes are usually Snowpulse/Mammut, ABS or Ortovox AVABAG. Prices vary from shop to shop and resort to resort but a guide line price would be from €20-30 per day or around €100-120 for 6/7 days.

  Remember it is not enough just to carry this equipment; you have to know how to use it.
  How about joining one of our specialist avalanche courses – check out https://mountaintracks.co.uk/discipline/winter-mountaincraft

• Off-Piste Adventure - Technical Equipment

  Although our Off-Piste Adventure courses rely heavily on the lift systems in resorts, access to and egress from runs sometimes involve climbing and walking a short way and you may undertake 1 or 2 day ski tours, for this reason its best to have skis with ski touring bindings, skins and ski touring boots.

  • Ski Skins – these are skins which, now made of artificial fabric, stick to the bottom of your skis and allow you to walk up hill. They must be cut to fit your skis exactly, so if you are bringing your own skis you must provide your own skins.
  • Ski Crampons (aka Couteaux) - most ski touring bindings have ski crampons specifically designed for the binding. We always carry these just in case. Again if you are bringing your own skis and touring bindings you must provide your own ski crampons.
  • When skiing on glaciated terrain you will need a harness and occasionally boot crampons and possibly an ice axe. Your can guide can supply you with these items if you do not have your own.

• Flights Kazakhstan

  There are a few ways to get to Almaty. Please do your own research to find the most suitable for you. Here are some common routes from London/Manchester:

  • Turkish Airlines  - layover in Istanbul
  • Qatar Airlines – layover in Doha
  • Lufthansa – layover in Frankfurt
  • Pegasus – layover in Istanbul (only available from London Stansted)

  After landing in Almaty, you'll need to catch a 1-hour domestic flight. Once you exit into the arrivals hall, turn left and walk straight ahead—you’ll pass a footbridge that connects the international and domestic terminals. If you have time before your connecting flight, it's best to wait before going through domestic check-in, as there are limited facilities and amenities available once inside.

  We recommend you book the below internal flights to ensure you are ready for the group transfer from Oskemen Airport (UKK) to Ridder, with your guide Andrey around 2pm on Saturday (arrival day). Upon return to Almaty on the last day, the group transfer from Ridder to UKK will be timed for the 13:55 flight to Almaty.

  Air Astana is the recommended airline:

  • Saturday on Arriival: Almaty to Oskemen Airport: 11:30 - 12:55.
  • Saturday before departure: Oskemen Airport to Almaty: 13:55 - 15:30

   

  Your departure flight home can be made anytime on Sunday (departure day). Transfers will be organised after receiving the client's flight details.

   

  Flight costs are not included in the price.

  If you have any questions about flight details, please contact us for further information or guidance. 

   

• ETIAS & EES

  ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) 

  1. What is ETIAS?

     • Starting in the first half of 2025, travellers from over 60 visa-exempt countries will be required to have an ETIAS travel authorisation to enter most European countries within the Schengen Area.
     • ETIAS enhances security by checking the details of travellers before they arrive.
     • It is similar to systems like the ESTA (USA) and eTA (Canada).

  2. Who Needs ETIAS?

     • Travellers with British passports or passports from other visa-exempt countries must complete the ETIAS process.
     • Holders of EU or Schengen Area passports or valid EU/Schengen Area visas are exempt.

  3. Application Details:

     • ETIAS costs a 7EUR processing fee, waived for those under 18 or over 70.
     • Validity: Three years from application, tied to your passport’s validity.
     • New passport = new ETIAS.

  4. Application Form Questions:

     • Basic personal details (e.g., passport info, name, address, citizenship, gender).
     • Additional questions during the process (e.g., criminal history, past travel, health).

  5. Application Fee:

     • 7EUR euros.
     • Electronic payment via debit/credit card.

  6. Approval:

     • Most applicants receive approval within minutes.
     • Valid ETIAS visa waiver for three consecutive years.

  Remember to apply for ETIAS approval to explore your favourite European destinations! More details will be confirmed by ETIAS authorities. You can find additional information at the following links:

  • ETIAS Official Website 

   

   

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  EES (Entry/Exit System)

  The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system developed by the European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems. Its primary purpose is to register travellers from third countries each time they cross an EU external border. Here are the key points:

  1. What is EES?

     • The EES is an automated IT system designed for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay.
     • It records and stores the date, time, and place of entry and exit when these travellers cross the external borders of European countries using the EES.
     • The system calculates the duration of the authorized stay and generates alerts to EU Member States when the authorized stay expires.

  2. Who Is Affected?

     • The EES applies to non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay (up to 90 days within any 180 days) to European countries using the EES.
     • Exemptions apply; for example, holders of EU or Schengen Area passports or valid visas are exempt from EES registration.

  3. Advantages of EES:

     • Saves time by replacing manual passport stamping.
     • Automates border control procedures for more efficient travel.
     • It helps identify travellers who overstay or use fake identities or passports.
     • Contributes to preventing, detecting, and investigating serious criminal offences.

  • EES Official Website

   Remember, additional information about the EES system will be confirmed by authorities, including application acceptance details. For further resources, check out the ETIAS and the official EES website. 
  
    
• Safety & Visas Kazakhstan
  Kazakhstan is considered safe for travel by government authorities such as the British Foreign Office, the USA department of state, and the Government of Canada. It is an independent and rather wealthy country thanks to its own reserves of oil & gas. It does not depend on tourism like, for example, Nepal. Because of that — and because of the Soviet legacy — you might see fewer smiles than you might be used to. Yet don’t take this personally — you are still very welcome and those smiles that you do see are the most sincere! Kazakhstan is open for tourists and is visa-free for most nationals.

• Group Logistics & Operational Flexibility Kazakhstan

  Please note: If the group consists of only four participants, we reserve the right to use skidoos instead of a snowcat, subject to availability and road conditions.

  To help keep costs manageable for all guests, Mountain Tracks may occasionally integrate a guide’s individual clients into group trips. This ensures the trip remains viable while maintaining the quality of the experience.

• Accommodation Information Kazakhstan

  We will be based at a small recently built luxury hotel with a short walking distance to snowcats and a 20-30 minutes drive to ski touring spots (can be up to 50 mins drive on some days depending on snow conditions). There is a tiny ski resort just 500m away with a button lift and gentle well-groomed pistes suitable for warm-up or fun night skiing.

  The rooms are twin or double, ensuite. We include half-board meals and happily cater for vegetarians and any other food preferences, intolerances or allergies if notified in advance.

• Weather Kazakhstan

  It may be cold, especially in the beginning of the season in December — down to −20-30 °C.

  Fear not though — thanks to dry air, frost is tolerated better than you are used to. Just check the forecast and pack an extra down layer, if necessary. Consider bringing disposable warmers and neoprene overboots. Of course, regardless of how cold it is outside, our rooms are always very warm inside!

• Trip level & Stamina requirements

  To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, all participants must meet the specified skill and stamina levels required for each trip, as outlined on the trip’s page at the time of booking.

  Please keep the following in mind:

  1. Trip Requirements: Before booking your trip, please review and confirm that you meet the necessary skill and stamina levels. These requirements are in place to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants.

  2. Guides' Discretion: Our guides and instructors are dedicated to maintaining the highest safety standards. They have the authority to exclude any participant who does not meet the required skill or stamina levels or whose participation could compromise the group's safety. This decision will be made with the utmost consideration.

  3. Responsibility for Costs: Should you be unable to continue with the trip due to inadequate skill or stamina, any additional expenses incurred will be your responsibility.

  We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Our goal is to provide a memorable and safe adventure for everyone. If you have any questions or concerns about the requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us.

  For further information please refer to the Terms & Conditions. 

• Mountain Tracks Benefits Community

  When you book with Mountain Tracks, you’re not just securing your adventure—you’re joining our exclusive benefits community. As part of this community, you'll receive discounts from trusted suppliers, including retailers, transfer companies, rental shops, and more. Ski more, spend less!

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  Knowledge

  • WeMountain: 90% of avalanches are triggered by the victim or someone in their party. WeMountain offers e-learning courses that aim to educate and inform, helping to reduce accidents and save lives in the mountains. Enjoy a 20% discount with our code.
    Use code: SAFEWITHMOUNTAINTRACKS

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  Equipment

  • Lockwoods: Enjoy 15% off store-wide and 20% off avalanche safety equipment at this specialist ski and outdoor store.
  • Profeet: Get 10% off at Profeet, a London-based store known for their BASI certified platinum* boot fitting services.

  Note: For discount codes, please contact us directly. Existing clients will find these in our newsletter.

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  Rentals

  • Intersport: Save 10% on all rentals.
    Use code: mountaintracks
  • Skiset: Enjoy 5% off rentals.
    Use code: mountaintracks

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  Transfers

  • Mountain Drop-Offs: Get 10% off transfers.
    Use code: MTRKCHX
  • Alps2Alps: Save 10% on transfers.
    Use code: mountaintracks
  • LiftsTo

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  With these exclusive discounts, we make it easier for you to enjoy your mountain adventures. If you have any questions or need more details, don’t hesitate to contact us!