Medeu: The World's Highest Skating Rink, Just Above Almaty

Medeu is the easiest mountain escape from Almaty — a high-altitude sports complex just 15 km above the city, home to the world's highest Olympic-size skating rink. It's a quick half-day from the centre and pairs naturally with the Shymbulak ski resort right above it. Here's what to know.

What is Medeu?

Medeu (also spelled Medeo) is an open-air skating and speed-skating arena set in a mountain gorge at about 1,700 m. The combination of thin mountain air and pure glacial meltwater ice made it legendary — for decades skaters set world speed records here. In winter you can rent skates and glide on the huge open-air rink; the rest of the year it's a scenic stop and the gateway to the higher mountains.

The famous dam and its steps

Just above the rink stands a massive mudflow-protection dam, built to shield Almaty from debris flows off the mountains. A staircase of around 840 steps climbs to the top, where you get a sweeping view back over the rink and the city below. Climbing it is the classic Medeu thing to do — easy in theory, but remember you're at altitude, so take it slowly.

How to get to Medeu from Almaty

Medeu is only about 15 km from the city centre — roughly a 20–30 minute drive. There's a public bus, but it can be crowded and slow, especially on weekends. A private transfer is the simplest option, particularly if you also want to continue up to Shymbulak afterwards.

When to go

Medeu is open year-round. For skating, come in winter (roughly November to March). For the dam climb and mountain views, late spring through autumn is ideal and far less icy underfoot. Weekends are busiest; a weekday morning is calmest.

Combine it with Shymbulak

Medeu sits at the bottom of the same gorge as the Shymbulak ski resort. From Medeu a gondola carries you further up the mountain, so most visitors do the two together in one half-day. (See our guide to Shymbulak mountain resort.)

See Medeu and Shymbulak with us

We offer a private half-day transfer from Almaty to Medeu and up to Shymbulak — $100 per vehicle for up to 4 people, with hotel pickup and drop-off and a private driver. It's a driver transfer (not a guided tour), and cable-car tickets are bought on site, so you explore at your own pace.

See the Medeu + Shymbulak transfer or message us on WhatsApp — we usually reply within about 15 minutes.

Quick questions

How high is Medeu? About 1,700 m — high enough that you'll feel the thinner air on the dam steps.

Can you skate at Medeu in summer? The open-air rink is a winter attraction; in summer Medeu is a viewpoint and the gateway to Shymbulak.

How far is Medeu from Almaty? Around 15 km, a 20–30 minute drive from the city centre.

How many steps are on the Medeu dam? Roughly 840 to the top — a short but breath-taking (literally, at altitude) climb.