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.

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.