Medeu in Almaty: high?altitude ice in a mountain valley
Published on 08/28/2026 at 18:21 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
High in the foothills above Almaty, Medeu is a high?altitude sports complex built around a broad outdoor ice rink set in a steep mountain valley. Rising on the northern slopes of the Trans?Ili Alatau range, it links sport, Soviet?era engineering and dramatic alpine scenery in one compact site dating from the mid?twentieth century.
Ice on the mountainside: the setting of Medeu
Medeu lies in a mountain gorge southeast of central Almaty, in the valley of the Malaya Almatinka River and the wider Medeu tract. The complex sits at around 1,691 m (5,548 ft) above sea level, giving the rink its reputation as a high?altitude venue for speed skating and other ice sports.outdoor speed skating rink The surrounding slopes rise towards higher ridges of the Trans?Ili Alatau, and the valley floor provides the flat platform on which the sports facilities stand.Medeu tract mountain gorge
The ice surface itself covers about 10,500 m², laid out to Olympic dimensions and encircled by stands for spectators.ice surface and capacity The complex lies roughly 14 to 15 km from central Almaty along Dostyk Avenue, yet the steep sides of the gorge and the surrounding forested slopes give it a markedly different character from the city below.high-altitude sports complex near Almaty
From early rink to Soviet sports complex
The idea of building an ice rink in the Medeu valley dates back to the late 1940s. Construction of a first high?mountain skating rink began in 1949, and the initial natural?ice stadium opened on 4 February 1951, operating during the coldest months when air temperatures permitted.opening of the first rink in 1951 This early facility already lay at high altitude, and skaters quickly began setting speed records on its ice.
The present form of Medeu as a large artificial?ice sports complex dates from the late Soviet period. A major reconstruction programme ran between 1969 and 1972, replacing the earlier natural?ice rink with a modern stadium equipped with artificial freezing systems.construction completed in 1972 Architects including Vladimir Katsev, Arystan Kaynarbayev and Marat Zhaksylykov worked on the alpine sports complex, alongside engineers such as E. L. Lichtenstein and V. V. Vdovichenko, and the design team received the USSR State Prize in 1975 for their work.architects and USSR State Prize
Records, recreation and the wider valley
With its combination of altitude and engineered ice, Medeu became a prominent venue for speed skating and bandy during the Soviet era. Over the decades, skaters set a large number of records on the rink, with more than 200 world records recorded by various sources.world records set on the ice The stadium’s stands can hold thousands of spectators, and the surrounding mountains form a distinctive backdrop during competitions.
Beyond formal sport, Medeu functions as a recreational area linked to the broader Medeu valley and the route towards the Shymbulak ski resort higher up the slope. Paths and roadways connect the skating rink to further facilities in the gorge, and a cable car runs from near the complex towards the alpine ski area above, giving visitors an extended mountain experience in combination with the ice rink.connection towards Shymbulak
Visiting Medeu: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Medeu lies about 14 to 15 km southeast of central Almaty in a mountain gorge on the northern slopes of the Trans?Ili Alatau. It is reached by road along Dostyk Avenue, with city bus routes, taxis and private transport serving the valley.
- The complex stands at around 1,691 m (5,548 ft) above sea level. Approaches involve gradients and stairs around the stands and access paths, and visitors move between terraces and walkways built into the valley sides.
- 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 in relation to Almaty?
Medeu lies in a mountain gorge about 14 to 15 km southeast of central Almaty, on the northern slopes of the Trans?Ili Alatau range.
What can visitors expect when visiting Medeu?
Visitors encounter a large outdoor ice rink encircled by stands, set at high altitude in a steep valley with roads, paths and links to further mountain facilities.
What makes Medeu distinctive among sports venues?
Medeu combines an Olympic?sized artificial?ice rink at about 1,691 m (5,548 ft) with a Soviet?era sports complex and a dramatic mountain valley setting.
