Medeu, Almaty’s high?mountain rink in the gorge
Published on 09/07/2026 at 19:47 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
High in the mountains above Almaty, Medeu spreads a broad sheet of ice across a narrow gorge, turning a high?altitude valley into an open?air arena for winter sport. Set at an elevation of about 1,691 m (5,548 ft) above sea level in the Medeu Valley on the south?eastern edge of Almaty, the complex links Soviet?era engineering with the rugged foothills of the Trans?Ili Alatau range.
A high?altitude rink above the city
Medeu lies in a mountain valley carved by the Malaya Almatinka river on the northern slopes of the Trans?Ili Alatau, just south of the city streets of Almaty. The sports complex sits roughly 14 km up from the urban edge, where the valley narrows and the surrounding slopes rise steeply towards higher peaks.Mountain valley location The rink itself occupies a terrace beside the river, with stands and service buildings stepping up the hillside around the ice field.
The ice surface at Medeu covers about 10,500 m², matching Olympic speed skating dimensions while remaining fully open to the sky.Large outdoor ice surface Artificial refrigeration equipment maintains the ice across the season, replacing an earlier reliance on natural winter cold. The surrounding alpine terrain frames the rink with forested slopes, rocky outcrops and views up towards the higher ridge, giving skaters and spectators a direct line of sight to the mountains beyond the boards.
From early Soviet stadium to alpine sports complex
The origins of Medeu as a skating venue go back to decisions in the late 1940s to build a high?mountain stadium near Almaty. Construction on the first rink began in 1949, and speed skaters raced on natural ice there from February 1951, when the early stadium opened during the coldest part of the year.Construction from 1949 and opening in 1951 This initial facility used the valley floor and winter temperatures to keep the surface frozen, and stands rose around the oval.
The present form of the Medeu sports complex dates to the early 1970s, when work between 1969 and 1972 transformed the site into a concrete arena with artificial ice and expanded seating.Reconstruction between 1969 and 1972 The reconstructed rink opened in December 1972 and quickly became associated with record?setting speed skating at altitude, earning a reputation as a “factory of records” during the Soviet period.High?altitude Soviet speed skating venue The complex carries the name of Medeu Pusurmanov, a nineteenth?century entrepreneur whose activities in the tract helped give the valley its identity.Named after Medeu Pusurmanov
Medeu as a modern mountain sports ground
As an alpine sports complex, Medeu hosts a range of activities centred on its open?air ice but extending beyond winter speed skating. The stadium layout, with its broad rink surface, surrounding stands and technical buildings, supports public skating sessions as well as competitions in speed skating, bandy and figure skating, all framed by the high?mountain setting.Alpine sports complex with multiple ice disciplines In warmer months, the paved areas around the rink are used for activities such as roller sports and ball games, keeping the site active beyond the ice season.
The elevation of about 1,691 m (5,548 ft) above sea level remains central to Medeu’s character, combining thinner mountain air with a large, carefully maintained ice surface.Elevation of 1,691 m The concrete terraces, protective dams and service structures tie the stadium into the steep valley walls, while access routes connect it with Almaty and with the higher ski area of Shymbulak further up the mountainside.Connection between Medeu and Shymbulak For visitors, the combination of engineered rink and surrounding gorge makes Medeu both a sports facility and a vantage point onto the Trans?Ili Alatau landscape.
Visiting Medeu: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Medeu lies south of central Almaty in the Medeu Valley on the northern slopes of the Trans?Ili Alatau range and is reached along Dostyk Avenue into the mountains.
- The sports complex stands at around 1,691 m (5,548 ft) above sea level, and access within the stadium involves outdoor steps and sloping paths on concrete terraces.
- City bus services, including route 12, run from Almaty streets towards Medeu, and road connections link the rink with the cableway to the Shymbulak ski area.
- The official language is Kazakh and the currency is the Kazakhstani tenge.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Medeu
Where is Medeu located?
Medeu is an alpine sports complex in the Medeu Valley on the south?eastern outskirts of Almaty in Kazakhstan, on the northern slopes of the Trans?Ili Alatau range.
What should visitors expect on a visit to Medeu?
Visitors encounter a large open?air ice rink surrounded by concrete terraces, river scenery and mountain slopes, with outdoor access routes and views towards higher peaks.
What makes Medeu distinctive among skating venues?
Medeu combines an Olympic?sized artificial ice surface with a high?altitude setting at about 1,691 m (5,548 ft) in a narrow mountain valley, a configuration linked with decades of speed skating records.
