On June 16, Shymbulak, a well-known ski resort in Almaty, is launching a special promotional offer: people are invited to hike up to the resort on foot before 11 a.m. each morning until June 30 in exchange for a discounted cable descend ticket and a free cup of flavored tea or coffee.
An early morning hike is a great opportunity to enjoy the mountain landscape and breathe fresh air without crowds of tourists. It’s also a healthy cardio workout.
How to reach Shymbulak
The starting point is the Medeu Ice Rink.
You can reach it by bus No. 12, which departs from Almaty-2 Railway Station or by a taxi. If you’re traveling by car, parking is available for $1 per two hours.
Staircase of health
After Medeu, you’ll face a steep and fairly long staircase of 842 steps up the dam — an intense but excellent cardio workout.
Asphalt road to Gorelnik Springs
After the staircase, the asphalt road to the Gorelnik springs becomes flatter. An alternative route is a path to the left of the dam through a small forest. It also leads to the main road to Shymbulak, but by choosing this way, you’ll avoid the road crowded with people and cars. At Gorelnik, which features a visitor center, cafés and baths, you can have your open-air breakfast with breathtaking views.
Final stretch at the spiral road
After Gorelnik, there is a steep spiral road with several inclines and turns, leading to the Shymbulak Resort. Be cautious — car traffic can be quite intense here.
Once you’ve reached the resort, purchase your descent ticket before 11 a.m. and enjoy your free drink from one of the resort’s cafés.
The list of venues participating in the special offer:
@bigchefskazakhstan: black tea, Americano and iced tea
@dadli_shymbulak: black or green tea
@gusto_shymbulak: Americano, cappuccino or latte
@assortikz: tea or Americano
@paul_kazakhstan: Earl Grey tea
To claim your drink, simply show the descend ticket you purchased at the Shymbulak Resort desk.
