Medeu
FAQFrequently asked questions
What is Medeu and where to find it?
This is the world's largest high-mountain complex for winter sports - a giant ice rink in the Medeu Gorge on the slopes of Zailiyskyi Alatau, 15 kilometers from Almaty. It lies at an altitude of 1,691 meters, so there is a little less oxygen here than you are used to.
Why were world records set here?
The ice is filled with glacial water from mountain springs, and the mild climate and rarefied air make it unnaturally fast. By the mid-1990s, more than 200 world speed skating records were set at this rink.
When is the best time to come for a ride?
The artificial ice rink is open from October to May, daily from 10:00 to 16:00 and then from 18:00 to 23:00. In summer, skates will have to be left at home.
What is interesting, besides the ice itself?
The field has an area of 10,500 square meters, and about 170 km of cooling pipes are hidden under it. Above the complex there is a flood protection dam from the late 1960s - it saves the rink from mountain mudslides.
How much is admission?
Entrance costs about 1,800 tenge, skate rental - about 500-1,000 tenge. Your own pair of shoes, of course, is cheaper.
