KAZAKHSTAN

Hut-based Ketmen Ridge Backcountry

Venture off the beaten path with the Ketmen Ridge Backcountry Tour, a true wilderness experience in the Northern Tien Shan.

Geo-Tech Overview

This remote, rarely-traveled region features vast alpine ridges subalpine meadows, and rugged peaks rising between 2500 and 3600 meters. The Ketmen area is renowned for its pristine snow, dramatic landscapes, and cultural authenticity – isolated huts, pastoral nomad life, and the feeling of being deep in Kazakhstan’s high-mountain heart. Over five days, you’ll traverse high ridgelines with panoramic views, descend outstanding freeride lines on steep and mellow slopes, and experience raw nature far from resort crowds. This trip is for skiers and snowboarders who want more than just turns – you’ll get wildlife sightings, impressive sunsets, and nights under the stars.

December – March
5 days
intermediate
Ketmen
2200 — 3600 m.a.s.l.
Almaty

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE

MAP AND WEATHER

meteoblue

Things You Don’t Want to Miss

Trail Highlights

Ride ridgelines at 3000‑3600 m, with summits offering drops into remote valleys; glaciers in view, snowfields above the tree line.
Rustic mountain hut, minimal infrastructure, off-beaten trails, horseback-assisted gear transport, wild panoramic views, wildlife tracks.
Local hospitality, possibly staying in or visiting mountain villages, hot springs, exposure to nomadic ways and traditional food.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE:

Day 1

Meeting the guide in your hotel at 5 a.m. Departure to Ketpen settlement by comfortable vehicle. The way will take about 4 hours (336 km). Arrival to the small farm near the village for packing horses, which carry all heavy stuff to the mountain hut. Breakfast in the local family’s house. Transfer by old soviet truck to the start point of backcountry route (12 km). Skinning up to the hut through the pass (2650 m) with stunning panorama to the closest ridges. Distance – 7 km, elevation gain 630 meters, elevation loss – 450 meters. After getting to the hut lunch and rest. Dinner and overnight in the hut.

Day 2

Breakfast at 7.30 a.m. Preparing for the route. At 9 a.m. start skinning up to the nearest spots with lines of different complexity according to the group’s experience. Daily elevation gain: ~1000-1500 meters. Length of descents: ~400-2000 meters. Slopes steepness: ~15-35 degrees. After skiing day coming back to the hut in the afternoon, late lunch. Rest, free time. Dinner. Overnight in the hut.

Day 3

Breakfast at 7.30 a.m. Preparing for the route. At 9 a.m. start skinning up to the nearest spots with lines of different complexity according to the group’s experience. Daily elevation gain: ~1000-1500 meters, length of descents: ~400-2000 meters, slopes steepness: ~15-35 degrees. After skiing day coming back to the hut in the afternoon, late lunch. Rest, free time. Evening bath-house. Dinner. Overnight in the hut.

Day 4

Breakfast at 7.30 a.m. Preparing for the route. At 9 a.m. start skinning up to the nearest spots with lines of different complexity according to the group’s experience. Daily elevation gain: ~1000-1500 meters, length of descents: ~400-2000 meters, slopes steepness: ~15-35 degrees. After skiing day coming back to the hut in the afternoon, late lunch. Rest, free time. Dinner. Overnight in the hut.

Day 5

Breakfast at 7 a.m. Packing personal stuff and loading the horses. Coming back to Ketpen settlement. Distance overcome on skis/snowboards – 7 km, elevation gain 450 meters, elevation loss – 630 meters. The rest 12 km to Ketpen village will be overcome by truck. After coming back to the village lunch and short rest in the local family’s house. Transfer to the resort with mineral hot-springs. (40 km) Relaxing in the open-air and indoor swimming pools with hot mineral water. Transfer back to Almaty (296 km). Dinner on the way in Baiseit Uigur settlement. Arrival in Almaty approx. at 10.00 p.m.

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Useful Information

Tips & Resources

PRICE LIST:

4100$ for one person
2350$ per person for a group of 2
1750$ per person for a group of 3
1600$ per person for a group of 4-5
1500$ per person for a group of 6

Accommodation:

The warm, rustic hut in the woods with two bedrooms, a living room, and a basic kitchen. A wood-and-coal stove provides heat, and water comes from a nearby spring. Life here is slow and peaceful: cooking together, relaxing in the living room, and unwinding in the traditional sauna beside the cabin.

NECESSARY GEAR AND CLOTHING:

Safety:

– avalanche equipment (avalanche safety kit: shovel, probe, transciever)
– airbag backpack (optionally)

Personal clothing and accessories:

– thermal base layer
– membrane jacket and pants
– mid layers (polartec or softshell jacket and downy sweater or vest)
– warm down jacket
– extra set of warm thermal base layer
– two pairs of thermal skiing socks
– winter insulated boots
– softshell gloves
– warm mittens
– beanie
– cap
– neck warmer
– sunscreen with a high degree of UV protection SPF 50+
– sunglasses
– swimsuit and rubber slippers for visiting sauna
– personal hygienic and bath items
– home slippers or booties
– personal AID kit (pain and flu medication, adhesive tape, individual medications in case of having chronic diseases)
– isothermal foil survival blanket
– repair kit (spare parts and tools for adjustment and repair your bindings, duct tape, rubber straps)
– thermos
– water tank
– head lamp
– spare batteries for your electronic devices and transceiver
– adaptor for outlet charging, if needed (220V 50Hz European outlet)
– matches or a lighter in a waterproof package
– chargers and cords for your electronic devices

Equipment:

– freeride backpack with skis/splitboard fixation (volume 30-40 liters)
– helmet
– goggles with a spare lens for foggy conditions
– ski-touring/snowboard boots
– freeride skis with proper touring bindings or splitboard
– climbing skins
– telescopic poles