Medeo Ice Rink: Visitor Guide and Tips

The Medeo ice rink sits at 1,691 meters above sea level in a mountain gorge just outside Almaty, which is why skaters once broke world record after world record on its ice. For visitors today it works as a half-day or full-day trip: skate on the rink in winter, climb the staircase to the mudflow dam above it, and ride the gondola up to the Chymbulak ski resort. This guide covers how to get to Medeo Almaty, what skating costs, and how to combine the rink with the surrounding mountains.

A short history of the world's highest Olympic rink

Medeo earned its reputation through altitude. According to The Astana Times, the rink first opened with natural ice on February 5, 1951, drawing roughly 10,000 people to the stands. Skaters set two world and six national records on that opening day alone.

The modern complex, with a refrigerated artificial-ice surface, opened on December 28, 1972. More than 1,300 people worked on its construction. The ice surface spans 10,500 square meters, one of the largest high-altitude rinks of its kind.

Why did so many records fall here? At 1,691 meters, the air is thinner, so skaters face less air resistance. Combined with ice frozen from clean mountain water and a sheltered gorge with little wind, Medeo became known among Soviet athletes as a record factory. The Astana Times reports that more than 350 world records were set at the rink over its first 50 years. That history is the main reason Medeo Almaty still draws curious travelers even when the ice is not in use.

How to reach Medeo from central Almaty

Medeo lies about 15 kilometers southeast of central Almaty, up the Malaya Almatinka gorge. You have two straightforward options.

By bus. Bus No. 12 runs from Dostyk Avenue near Hotel Kazakhstan up to the rink. The ride takes roughly 40 minutes. Almaty buses use the Onay transport card rather than cash, so buy one at a kiosk or metro station before you board. The fare is low, a fraction of a dollar.

By taxi. A ride-hailing taxi through an app like Yandex Go reaches Medeo in about 25 to 30 minutes and costs only a few dollars for the trip up the gorge. This is the easiest choice if you are short on time or traveling with luggage, skis, or small children.

If you would rather not juggle local apps and transport cards at all, a guided day trip handles the logistics for you. Travelinalmaty's guided tours include transport, timing, and a host who knows when the rink and gondola are actually open, which saves a wasted trip.

Skating hours, rentals, and what it costs

Medeo operates as a seasonal rink. The Astana Times notes the skating season historically ran from the beginning of October through April, with the coldest months offering the most reliable ice. Daily sessions typically run from mid-morning into the evening, with short breaks while machines resurface the ice.

Here is what to expect on a skating day:

• Entry to the grounds is generally free; you pay for a skating session.
• A public skating session for an adult costs only a few dollars in local tenge.
• Skate rental is available on site for a separate fee, usually with an ID or deposit held until you return the skates.
• Children pay less than adults for a session.

Prices shift with the season, the day of the week, and the exchange rate, so treat any figure you see online as a rough guide rather than a fixed number. One important caution: Medeo periodically closes for maintenance and reconstruction. Before you plan a skating trip, confirm the rink is open on your dates. When the ice is closed, the dam staircase and the gondola to Chymbulak usually stay accessible, so the trip is still worth making.

Dress for mountain cold even on a clear day. The gorge sits well above the city, and temperatures at the rink run colder than in central Almaty. Gloves, a warm layer, and sturdy footwear for the staircase make the visit far more comfortable.

Hiking the Medeo staircase to the dam

The long concrete staircase beside the rink is the most popular walk at Medeo, and it is free. It climbs from the rink up to the crest of the Medeo dam, a massive barrier built into the gorge. Locals nicknamed it the Health Ladder, and on weekends you will see Almaty residents using it as an open-air gym. The climb runs more than 800 steps, so pace yourself and bring water.

The dam serves a serious purpose beyond the view. It was built to protect Almaty from mudflows, the sudden surges of water, rock, and debris that rush down these mountains after heavy rain or rapid snowmelt. The city has a hard history with these events, and the dam stands as the main defense for the valley below. From the top you get a sweeping view back down over the rink and out toward the city, with the Tian Shan peaks rising behind you.

Allow 20 to 40 minutes for the climb depending on your fitness, plus time at the top for photos. The altitude makes the stairs harder than the same climb at sea level, so take breaks without embarrassment. This short hike pairs naturally with a broader Almaty mountain itinerary, so match your visit to the season that suits the trails you want to walk.

Combining Medeo with a Chymbulak visit

The smartest way to spend a full day here is to pair Medeo with the Chymbulak ski resort higher up the valley. A gondola cable car runs from Medeo up through the mountains to Chymbulak, climbing in stages to the resort base and on toward the Talgar Pass at around 3,200 meters. The ride takes well under half an hour and delivers some of the best mountain views near Almaty.

A typical day looks like this:

1. Morning: Arrive at Medeo by bus or taxi. Climb the dam staircase while you are fresh and enjoy the viewpoint.
2. Midday: Skate a session if the rink is open, or head straight to the gondola station.
3. Afternoon: Ride the cable car up to Chymbulak for mountain views, a meal, or skiing in winter, then descend by gondola and return to the city.

In winter Chymbulak is a working ski resort with groomed slopes and rental gear. In summer the gondola still runs for sightseeing and hiking, so the combination works year round. If you plan to ski, build in extra time for lift tickets and equipment rental, and dress for conditions that get noticeably colder as you gain altitude.

Medeo and Chymbulak also fit neatly into a longer Kazakhstan itinerary alongside destinations like Charyn Canyon and the Kolsai Lakes. If you want the mountains handled as part of a wider trip, Travelinalmaty's Kazakhstan travel packages bundle the transport, timing, and guiding so you spend your energy on the views rather than the logistics.

The single best next step is to confirm the rink and gondola are both running on your travel dates, then decide whether you want to skate, hike, or ride the cable car to Chymbulak. With that settled, you can book transport or a guided day and head up the gorge knowing exactly what the day holds.