Almaty mountain cluster construction begins with 526.1 billion tenge plan
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Construction of the Almaty mountain cluster began in August 2026 at Shymbulak, Butakovka and Kimasar gorges. The government approved a revised plan in December 2025 cutting funding to 526.1 billion tenge for 73 measures. The central zone will receive 281.5 billion tenge, including 167.7 billion from the republican budget.
Key Facts
- Construction began in August 2026 at Shymbulak, Butakovka and Kimasar gorges, according to Almaty Tau Management.
- The December 2025 revised plan cut the number of measures from 127 to 73 and total funding from 655.9 billion to 526.1 billion tenge.
- The central zone of the cluster will receive 281.5 billion tenge, including 167.7 billion from the republican budget and 109.5 billion from private investors.
- Authorities plan to increase cable cars in the cluster from 16 to 40–45 and trail length from 41 km to 112–162 km.
- A private investment of 100 billion tenge is planned for the construction of the Medeu–Shymbulak mountain village.
Construction Launch
In August 2026, construction began on the Almaty mountain cluster at Shymbulak, Butakovka and Kimasar gorges, according to Almaty Tau Management. At Shymbulak, two new lifts are being built: a four-seat cable car and a tow lift. In Butakovka gorge, sites for future cable car stations are being prepared, with engineering-geological surveys and a technological road for construction equipment and utility networks. In Kimasar, a site for the base station has been prepared.
Funding and Budget
The initial plan approved in February 2025 provided 655.9 billion tenge for 127 measures. In December 2025, the government approved an updated comprehensive plan reducing the number of measures to 73 and total funding to 526.1 billion tenge. Of this amount, 190.5 billion tenge will come from the republican budget, 96.6 billion from local budgets, and 238.9 billion from extra-budgetary sources. The plan notes that amounts for some projects are indicative and will be finalized after feasibility studies and design documentation.
Central Zone Development
The central zone of the cluster will unite mountain locations around Shymbulak, Oi-Qaragai resort and Pioneer mountain health complex. A total of 281.5 billion tenge is planned for these purposes, including 167.7 billion from the republican budget, 4.3 billion from local budgets, and 109.5 billion from private investors. The largest expenses are related to construction of cable cars and ski trails in the central zone, with about 171.9 billion tenge from republican and local budgets. Works will affect Nursultan Peak, Sukhoi Log, Kimasar and Butakovka gorges, as well as Oi-Qaragai and Pioneer territories. Authorities plan to increase the number of cable cars from 16 to 40–45 and trail length from 41 km to 112–162 km, with capacity growing from 6,000 to 24,000 visitors per day.
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Almaty mountain cluster construction begins with 526.1 billion tenge plan
