CATSKI KAZAKHSTAN 2026

Planning snowcat freeride? The season for legendary Siberian powder in Altai gets into full swing in December. That is why our Freeride Ratrak Kazakhstan camp in the Altai Mountains (5–13 December 2026) guarantees a fresh supply of dry powder, no thaws and is the ideal moment to catch optimal conditions in the Asian forests – without the crowds known from Hokkaido and the Alps. Cost of participation from €2,098.

Info Freeride Ratrak Kazakhstan Altai 2026

5 days of snowcat freeride | 7 nights | Local guides + Polish team leader | Daily sauna | Group of 8–14

Dates: 5–13 December 2026
Location: Altai Mountains, Kazakhstan
Level: 6/10 – freeride for intermediate+ riders
Profile: 100% freeride (5 days by snowcat)
Cost from: €2,098 (Early Bird with the Premium Card)

Cost of participation and terms:
The regular contribution is €2,480. In addition, depending on the registration date and your club status, the following terms apply:

Premium Card holders:
• €2,098 in the Early Bird option (lowest amount – combines the −6% discount for early registration and your permanent −10% club discount). The Early Bird option is valid until 21 September 2026 (i.e. exactly 75 days before the club trip starts).
• €2,232 as the regular contribution (you have a permanent 10% discount on the regular contribution and do not pay the Wild Card).

Wild Card holders:
• Mandatory Wild Card contribution (joining the club on a trial basis) of €99 (i.e. 4% of the regular contribution).
• €2,331 in the Early Bird option (−6% for a quick decision from the regular contribution, valid until 21 September 2026 / 75 days before the club trip).
• €2,480 regular contribution

Payment in two convenient installments:
1/3 of the contribution you pay as a reservation, and the remaining 2/3 only once the minimum group has been fully secured.

Sign up – FULLY BOOKED

Why Freeride Ratrak Kazakhstan?

Because there you do not play Russian roulette with the snow.

Georgia and the Caucasus lie close to the Black Sea. So one warmer front from the south and instead of powder you get rain or a wet, heavy snowpack. In recent seasons (including early January in Bakhmaro or Gudauri) because of weather anomalies and warm air masses the catskiing season could start late or be marked by heavy, wind-affected snow.

Japan depends on moisture from the Sea of Japan. When the currents get out of balance, the snow can fail even in Hokkaido. Altai is a completely different story: the climate is deeply continental, thousands of kilometres from the ocean, and everything is decided by hard Siberian cold. The result? Dry, loose snow without thaws – exactly what freeriders look for in December.

Snow, terrain and on-site care

The freeride season in Kazakhstan starts in November. We go in the second week of December – a period confirmed by years of data as the best moment of the season. This way you avoid the strongest frost and catch peak conditions.

The contribution includes 5 days of intensive snowcat freeride, local guides, 7 nights (6 in the mountains with breakfasts and lunch + 1 in Almaty) and local transport. However, flights are not included.

The terrain is wild, raw and far less crowded than popular resorts. Untouched expanses, old-growth forest and excellent cuisine based on organic products await you. We stay in a cosy 3* hotel with rooms for two, from where the snowcat takes us out every day.

Sign up – FULLY BOOKED

Camp programme

Riding programme

• 5 days of riding by snowcat (14-seat cabin)
• Daily vertical approx. 3,500 m, 5–7 descents
• Terrain up to 2,200 m a.s.l., slopes of approx. 30–35°
• Wide expanses, different descent variants in larch forests
• For the more ambitious: forest sections, drops, kickers, rock outcrops

Accommodation and transport

• Joint flight from Warsaw on 5 December 2026, return to Warsaw on 13 December 2026
• 7 nights: 6 in the Altai Mountains (breakfasts + lunch) + 1 in Almaty
• Rooms for two
• Daily Russian banya (sauna)
• Local road transport

Organisational details

The contribution includes

• 7 nights (6 in the mountains with breakfasts and lunch + 1 in Almaty)
• 5 days of snowcat freeride
• Care of local guides
• Care of a Polish team leader
• Road transfers on site
• Access to the sauna

The contribution does not include

• Flights
• Ski/snowboard equipment
• Avalanche ABC
• Insurance for extreme sports (freeride)
• Tips and alcohol

Note: Professional insurance covering off-piste riding with search and rescue is required (e.g. a Polish “Bezpieczny Powrót” policy, Alpenverein or equivalent) – approx. €80. Therefore, we verify policies on site.

Safety

• Local guides (1 per 7 participants)
• Division into smaller groups
• Care of a Polish team leader
• Mandatory avalanche ABC + the ability to use it
• Avalanche course before the trip recommended
• Avalanche backpack recommended

Visa and documents

Not required. A valid passport is enough (at least 6 months from the date of departure).

How to sign up

First, fill in the form and pay the required contributions. New participants first pay the Wild Card (€99) and then the main camp contributions.

Sign up – FULLY BOOKED

Cancellation terms

1. Cancellation more than 90 days before the start of the camp
   In this case we refund the contributions paid, less the actual administrative costs and commissions (max. 3%).
2. Cancellation between 90 and 45 days before the start of the camp
   In this case we refund 50% of the contributions paid.
3. Cancellation later than 45 days before the start of the camp
   However, the contributions are non-refundable in this case.
4. Failure to pay the Final Contribution
   It is treated as a cancellation, so the rules above apply. In addition, the Wild Card is forfeited.
5. Wild Card
   However, it is not refundable on its own in case of voluntary cancellation. On the other hand, if the camp is cancelled by the Club, it remains valid for 12 months.

FAQ — Frequently asked questions

Registration terms and organisational matters

Can anyone sign up for this camp?

Yes, provided you pay the Wild Card (€99) or hold an active Premium Card, and you have skills in off-piste riding on skis or a snowboard.

How many riding days does the camp include?

It includes 5 full days of riding by snowcat. Daily vertical approx. 3,500 m, 5–7 descents. Departure 5 December from Warsaw, return 13 December – 5 days of leave are enough.

Who is this trip for?

For intermediate and above (level 6/10). Terrain up to 2,200 m, slopes of 30–35°, with options for the more ambitious.

How much does the camp cost and what does the contribution include?

• Premium Card holders: from €2,098 (Early Bird) to €2,232 (regular contribution).
• Other participants: from €2,331 (Early Bird) to €2,480 (regular contribution) + Wild Card €99.
The contribution covers nights, meals (breakfasts + lunch), the snowcat, guides, the team leader and transfers.

What does the contribution not include?

The contribution does not cover flights, equipment, avalanche ABC, insurance covering freeride in Kazakhstan or tips.

Do I need a visa?

No. A valid passport is enough (at least 6 months of validity from the date of departure).

What equipment do I need to bring?

Skis or a snowboard and a complete avalanche ABC set (transceiver, probe, shovel) with the skill to use it. In addition, an avalanche backpack is highly recommended.

What about safety?

Safety is provided by local guides (1:7), division into smaller groups, a Polish team leader and mandatory ABC. Rescue teams operate in the area.

What about meals on site?

Breakfasts and lunch are included (6 days in the mountains). Other meals participants organise on their own.

Comparison of camps and costs

How does the Freeride Transfer Club contribution compare with agencies from Poland and abroad?

Our club camp is based on a non-profit formula, without the high commercial margins of agencies. The comparison below shows the difference in the cost of catskiing trips to Kazakhstan and other regions of the world:

Cost of one riding day: Freeride Transfer Club vs Western European operator (Macedonia / Kosovo)
Therefore, we compare the most expensive competing camp with ours. As a result, this is how the amount spent per riding day (5 riding days) translates into value and scope of services:

Why does Altai in Kazakhstan beat catskiing in Georgia (Bakhmaro / Goderdzi) in December?

Georgia is a catskiing classic, but it has a serious climatic weakness early in the season – the direct proximity of the Black Sea. The table below compares both destinations by amount and quality of snow, crowds and costs:

Sign up – FULLY BOOKED