Almaty Mountains

About the Mountains

Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan, nestled at the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. Known for its stunning mountain views, the city combines modern urban development with natural beauty, featuring the iconic Kok-Tobe hill and the beautiful Medeu skating rink.

Rising directly south of the city, the Trans-Ili Alatau (Zailiysky Alatau) range has framed Almaty since the Russian fort of Verny was founded at its foothills in 1854, and its snow line is visible from most central streets. The connection is practical as well as visual: meltwater and mountain rivers supply the city, the Medeu high-altitude skating rink opened in 1972 and produced many world speed-skating records, a mudflow barrier built above Medeu in 1966–1973 protects Almaty after destructive debris flows, and the Shymbulak slopes hosted events at the 2011 Asian Winter Games and the 2017 Winter Universiade. Today the range appears in city branding and remains the main reference point for local orientation and recreation.