Nurtau
An Altai-foothills ski complex near Öskemen
Nurtau is a small real outdoor ski and leisure complex in the forested foothills of the Kazakh Altai, set north of Ust-Kamenogorsk (Öskemen) in eastern Kazakhstan.
- 483 m Base
- 799 m Top lift
- 316 m Vertical
- 1 Pistes mapped
- 2 Lifts
Best known for
Après & vibe
On-site cottages, gazebos with barbecues, a cafe and hotel give it a self-contained, sociable resort feel.
The snow centre
Nurtau is a genuine outdoor ski area rather than a dome or dry slope, laid out on wooded low hills a short drive north of Ust-Kamenogorsk in the East Kazakhstan region, not in the Almaty mountains. It works as an all-round winter complex, with a chairlift, ski school and rentals alongside snowtubing, a cafe, cottages and its own hotel, which makes it a popular family and weekend destination for the surrounding region. The elevation is fairly low, so this is gentle foothill skiing framed by the wider Kazakh Altai landscape rather than high-alpine terrain. Cold continental winters bring dependable seasonal snow, and the resort also markets itself for year-round rest. It suits beginners, families and travellers exploring eastern Kazakhstan.
The slope
A friendly base for beginners, with a ski school and gentle slopes.
Enough to keep improving skiers happy over a weekend.
Limited steeper terrain given the low foothill setting.
No serious expert pistes; the appeal is family and recreational skiing.
Altai-foothills family resort
Nurtau pairs skiing with snowtubing, dining and lodging in the forested hills of the Kazakh Altai near Öskemen.
On the map
Legend
Run difficulty
- Novice
- Easy
- Intermediate
- Advanced / Expert
- Freeride / Extreme
- Unknown
Run types
- Downhill — groomed
- Downhill — ungroomed
- Downhill — gladed
- Nordic (groomed)
- Ski tour
- ☾Lit (night)
- △Not patrolled
- →One-way
- ❄Snowmaking
Lifts
- Operating
- Operating (private)
- Non-operating
- Lift station
Slope-gradient grading
Downhill / ski tour
- Flat<3°
- Easy3–14°
- Intermediate14–22°
- Advanced / Expert22–45°
- Freeride / Extreme>45°
Nordic
- Easy<6°
- Intermediate6–9°
- Advanced>9°
Aspect (sun exposure)
- N — least sun
- E — morning
- S — most sun
- W — afternoon
Legend after OpenSkiMap
Stay near Nurtau
The complex has its own hotel and cottages on site; Ust-Kamenogorsk (Öskemen) offers a fuller choice of city accommodation nearby.
A base in town — the snow centre is a day trip, not a resort stay.
Self-catering flexibility for a family visit or a longer city break.
Handy if the centre is a stopover between flights.
Book access to Nurtau
Snow sessions, lessons and slope passes for Nurtau.
Online access tickets for Nurtau will be bookable here shortly. In the meantime, book direct on the venue's own site.
How to get there
Ust-Kamenogorsk (Öskemen) is the nearest airport and regional gateway in eastern Kazakhstan; it is a long way from Almaty.
A road transfer of well under an hour north from Ust-Kamenogorsk into the foothills.
Best time: Best in the depth of the Kazakh winter, roughly December to March.
Nearby resorts
Other resorts within reach.
Altayskiye Alpy
- Vertical
- 337 m
- Lifts
- 4
Шерегеш, Sheregesh
- Vertical
- 878 m
- Pistes (mapped)
- 29
- Lifts
- 23
将军山滑雪场
- Vertical
- 472 m
- Pistes (mapped)
- 15
- Lifts
- 15
Getting to Nurtau
Book an airport transfer up to the resort, or pick up a car at Almaty (ALA) — search and compare without leaving the page.
Ski data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), via OpenSkiMap & Skimap.org. Basemap © OpenFreeMap / OpenMapTiles. Editorial: mynext.holiday. Accommodation via Stay22; transfers via Kiwitaxi; car hire via Travelpayouts.