Medeu and the high-altitude rink above Almaty
Published on 09/02/2026 at 07:54 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Medeu is a high-altitude outdoor skating complex in Almaty’s mountains, set in the Trans-Ili Alatau about 13 kilometres from the city. Its concrete form and broad ice surface make it one of the area’s most striking sports sites.
Medeu’s mountain setting and concrete form
The complex sits in a valley on Almaty’s south-eastern edge, with the Malaya Almatinka nearby and slopes rising around it. The 1,691 metres above sea level give Medeu its unmistakable profile.
Its broad ice field, stands and associated buildings belong to a late Soviet sports landscape, with concrete as the dominant material. The result is a large, open complex that reads as an architectural object as much as a skating venue.
From 1949 to the 1970s
Construction began in the fall of 1949, and the first official competitions followed in February 1951. The present artificial-ice complex took shape in 1972, when the stadium was rebuilt in its current form.
The project is linked with Vladimir Katsev, Arystan Kaynarbayev and Marat Zhaksylykov. Medeu is named for Medeu Pusurmanov, the local figure associated with the tract’s name.
The dam and the ice rink
A dam stands south of the rink, and the complex is part of a broader mountain setting shaped by water, rock and engineered surfaces. The skating area covers more than 10,500 square metres, giving Medeu its broad, open scale.
The rink has long been linked with speed skating and bandy, and its name has become tied to Almaty’s sporting identity. The mountain location, concrete structures and wide ice field remain the features that define it most clearly.
Visiting Medeu: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Medeu lies in the mountains above Almaty, and access is by road from the city. The setting is a valley with the Malaya Almatinka nearby.
- The site sits at high altitude, so the approach feels distinctly different from the city below. The complex itself spreads across a large open slope.
- The dam is part of the same mountain ensemble and stands south of the rink. Its presence is one of the clearest landmarks around the complex.
- English is not an official language in Kazakhstan, 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.
Searching for Medeu on social platforms
These links open searches for Medeu on each platform.
Frequently asked questions about Medeu
Where is Medeu?
Medeu is in the mountains above Almaty, in the Trans-Ili Alatau. It lies in a valley on the city’s south-eastern side.
What does a visit involve?
The place is a large open-air skating complex with a broad ice field, concrete structures and a mountain backdrop. The dam south of the rink is part of the same setting.
What makes Medeu distinctive?
Its high-altitude position, Soviet-era concrete form and long skating history define it. The name also links the site to Medeu Pusurmanov and the tract that bears that name.
