Darya Ponomaryova
- Certified KMGA skiing and trekking guide
- Certified KTA trekking guide
- Third-class alpinist (according to the Kazakhstan Mountain School grading system)
- Avalanche Safety Training (AST 2) certified
- Kazakhstan Records Book holder — First woman from the CIS to ski down the North Face of Lenin Peak (7134 m) and the North-East Face of East Belukha (4509 m)
- Leader of the first-ever Kazakhstan ski touring expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula
- Over 10 first ski descents in the Northern Tien Shan Mountains
- Team member of international female expeditions to Bayankol Valley and Belukha Mountain
- Board member of NAMG Kazakhstan (National Association of Mountain Guides)
Explorer of wild places, seeker of deeper meaning.
Born with a curious spirit, Darya’s adventures began in childhood — when she missed her bus stop just to see what lay beyond. Since then, her love for discovery has taken her from Kazakhstan’s rugged peaks to Southeast Asia’s remote corners, always searching for connection — with nature, people, and herself.
A lifelong athlete and traveler, Darya’s journey began with horse riding and grew to include white-water rafting, mountaineering, snowboarding, skiing and mountain biking. While studying Tourism at Turan University, she immersed herself in extreme sports and deepened her love for the mountains.
Her travels eventually led her inward — toward meditation, mindfulness, and a calling to guide others. In 2025 she successfully completed education in the International Mountain Guiding School in Kyrgyzstan and became the first female Kazakhstan certified skiing guide.
Alexander Zadneprovskiy
- Certified KMGA skiing and trekking guide
- Certified KTA trekking guide
- Holder of the «Alpinist of Kazakhstan» badge (awarded by the Kazakhstan Mountain School)
- Over 15 first ski descents in the Northern Tien Shan Mountains
- 20+ years of skiing experience — from local slopes to high-altitude lines
- Certified third-category ski instructor
- Ski descent from the North Face of Lenin Peak (7134 m) — one of the most challenging lines in Central Asia
Born and raised in Almaty, Alexander grew up with adventure in his blood. From childhood trips in an old GAZ-21 to the mountains and steppes, to guiding travelers through Kazakhstan’s wild beauty — his passion for the outdoors has only grown stronger.
With years of experience in skiing, trekking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, Alexander has led tours across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Europe. In 2025 he successfully completed education in the International Mountain Guiding School in Kyrgyzstan and became the first Kazakhstan certified skiing guide.
Philosophy: nature is the best teacher. Whether carving lines through untouched snow or sharing stories by a campfire, Alexander believes every journey should spark connection — between people, places, and the wild freedom of the mountains.
Alyona Gulyayeva
- Hiking & trekking guide
- Certified KTA trekking guide
- Third-class alpinist (according to the Kazakhstan Mountain School grading system)
- Organizer of the first-ever Kazakhstan ski touring expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula
- Third-class certificate in water tourism — skilled in river expeditions
- IYT Bareboat Skipper certified — qualified to skipper sailing yachts up to 24 meters
- Summited Mount Elbrus (5642 m) — the highest peak in Europe
Guide in the mountains and sailor under distant skies.
Born into a family of geographers and mountain researchers, Alyona grew up among maps, field notebooks, and stories of distant expeditions. For her, the mountains were never just scenery — they were home. Walks in the foothills with her parents soon turned into hikes with friends, then into self-planned expeditions, and eventually into professional guiding.
Her path reflects a balance between scientific curiosity and a love for pure adventure — from glaciers to open seas. Whether guiding in the mountains of Kazakhstan or sailing under distant skies, Alyona brings calm confidence, knowledge, and warmth to every journey.
Philosophy: mountains and travel allow you to meet yourself — far from cities, roles, and noise. In the wild, you see who you truly are, with both your strengths and your limits. That’s where growth begins. Mountains are places of power and friendship, sources of inspiration and clarity. And being able to share this love for them with others — that’s what makes every journey truly meaningful.
“Powder” — light, dry, fluffy snow that skiers and snowboarders dream of. The kind you can ride all day and never get enough.
“Nomads” — a way of life rooted in freedom, movement, and curiosity. Nomads are explorers by nature — always learning, always evolving. They live lightly, embrace uncertainty, and seek new horizons.
Powder Nomads is more than a name. It’s our identity — shaped by mountains, snow, freeride culture, and the ancient nomadic spirit of Kazakhstan. We believe in the wild, the authentic, the raw beauty of nature. And we ride not just for the thrill, but for the deeper sense of freedom and discovery.
Our logo is rich in meaning — a reflection of Kazakhstan’s landscapes, mythology, and soul.
The summit represents Khan Tengri, the sacred mountain of the ancient Turkic peoples. It was believed that the Sky God Tengri ruled from its peak.
The blue color stands for honesty, loyalty, and clarity.
The sun and golden eagle, taken from the national flag, symbolize strength, independence, and high aspirations.
The Saka warrior on horseback echoes the legendary Golden Man — a symbol of bravery, leadership, and heritage. Traditional Kazakh ornament patterns reflect harmony, beauty, and the artistic worldview of nomadic culture, echoing shapes of yurts and flight of swallows.
The Sun God Mitra, worshipped by ancient Saka tribes, ties our symbol to deep spiritual traditions — you can still find his image in Bronze Age rock carvings across the Almaty region.
At Powder Nomads, we carry these stories into the mountains. Every tour, every line, every step is a connection — between rider and ridge, past and present, earth and sky.
Rakhman Baibolatov
Formerly a finance graduate and banker, Rakhman found his true path far from the office — in the wild landscapes of Kazakhstan. Since 2020, he has led hundreds of individual and group tours across Almaty and its surroundings, including multi-day treks and expeditions to Baikonur.
His deep knowledge of local nature and culture, along with a warm, thoughtful approach to guiding, make each trip a meaningful experience.
Natalya Salnikovа
With over 15 years of experience in the mountains, Natalya is a skilled mountaineer and passionate instructor. Since completing her alpine instructor training in 2016, she has guided others to discover the same strength, clarity, and joy she found in the peaks.
A medalist in national climbing competitions and seasoned skier, she has completed more than 100 ascents, including Kazbek, Elbrus, Lenin Peak, and dozens of routes in the Zailiyskiy Alatau.
Igor Malkin
Igor began his journey with simple treks around Almaty and grew into a mountain athlete with over 150 technical and training ascents. A mountaineering instructor and competitive climber, he has explored remote peaks in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Georgia, including Free Korea, Kazbek, Marble Wall, Lenin Peak, Bayankol.
From first ascents (like Bayankol in 2018) to high-altitude ski expeditions, Igor combines deep expertise with a calm, supportive presence in the mountains.
