Medeu, Almaty

What Medeu is

Medeu is a gorge on the Malaya Almatinka river and the high-altitude sports complex inside it, on the southeastern edge of Almaty. The rink sits at 1,691 m among spruce-covered slopes of the Trans-Ili Alatau — close to a kilometre above the city, which the Medeu road race climbs from the valley floor.

Opened in its current form in 1972, it was a Soviet record factory for speed skating, thanks to the thin air and clean mountain water used for the ice. Behind it rises the mudflow dam; higher up the valley is the Shymbulak ski resort, reached by gondola from Medeu.

You will see both spellings, Medeo and Medeu: Medeo is the Soviet-era form, Medeu the Kazakh one now used officially.

When will Medeu skating rink reopen?

Not before late 2028, according to the city administration’s statement in October 2026. The last skating season ended in March 2025; that autumn the complex was fenced off and demolition began, and by December the refrigeration system and stadium seats were gone.

The date has already slipped twice — from the 2027–28 season, to autumn 2028, to the end of 2028 — so don’t plan a trip around the reopening until it is officially announced.

The plans include new refrigeration and utilities, a preserved historic look, a renovated hotel in the east wing, a café terrace on the west stand, viewing decks, footbridges and two lifts for visitors with limited mobility.

Want to skate this winter? The city runs free seasonal rinks in town, including one in Panfilov Park.

Medeu dam stairs: 842 steps to the top

The 842-step Health Staircase climbs from the rink to the crest of the mudflow dam. It is free, open all year and has rest platforms with benches along the way. It is harder than it looks — you are at almost 1,700 m, so take it slowly.

From the top you look straight down on the whole stadium, with the dam’s basin and the gorge behind you and, on a clear day, the city in the valley. While the rink is fenced off, this is the best way to see it at all.

Not up for the full climb? Go 100–200 steps to the first platform — the rink view opens up from there. In winter the steps can be icy, so use the handrails.

Why the dam is there

The dam protects Almaty from mudflows — torrents of rock and mud that tear down the Malaya Almatinka valley. One in 1921 wrecked part of the city. Engineers built the dam with directed explosions in October 1966 and April 1967, blasting the gorge walls so that the rock fell across the valley.

It was tested almost at once: on 15 July 1973 a catastrophic mudflow came down the gorge and the dam held. It was raised and strengthened afterwards. Walk along the crest to look both ways — down at the rink, up at the debris basin.

Medeu to Shymbulak cable car: price and time

The gondola’s lower station is next to the rink and runs during the reconstruction. Eight-seat cabins cover 4.5 km in about 15 minutes, passing over the dam to the Shymbulak resort.

Fares are set by Shymbulak and change with the season. In summer 2026 the resort quoted 12,000 KZT return (7,000 KZT one way) for the Shymbulak Ticket from Medeu over three lifts up to 3,200 m; children 6–14 paid 4,000 KZT return, and 5 and under ride free. Holiday high season costs more.

It runs in the daytime, usually until around 18:00, and closes for maintenance, most often in spring after the ski season. Check the resort’s website or app before you go.

Is Medeu worth visiting now?

Yes, if you pair it with Shymbulak or want a free mountain walk with a view — the staircase alone is a good hour. No, if you were coming only to skate: that won’t happen before late 2028, and the stadium itself is a building site. With a single day in Almaty, Medeu plus the gondola makes a better mountain morning than either on its own.

What to see at Medeu

• The rink from above — from the staircase platforms and the dam crest.
• The mudflow dam — the crest, the debris basin and the gorge beyond.
• The gondola ride — 15 minutes over the gorge to Shymbulak.
• Spruce forest — the slopes of the Trans-Ili Alatau and the river along the road.
• The city below — visible from the dam on a clear morning.

Medeu, Shymbulak or Kok-Tobe

Medeu and Shymbulak are one trip: climb the stairs, then ride up. Save Kok-Tobe for the evening and the sunset over the city.

Best viewpoints in Almaty

Every viewpoint in Almaty rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

How to do it right

• Heading to Shymbulak anyway? Start at Medeu — the staircase and the gondola leave from the same spot.
• Go in the morning: clouds roll into the gorge later in the day, and bus 12 fills up at weekends.
• Don’t fancy all 842 steps? The first 100–200 already give you the rink from above.
• Take the bus back down — taxis are slower to arrive in the mountains.
• Want to skate this winter? Look for the free seasonal rinks in town, such as the one in Panfilov Park by Ascension Cathedral.

Questions