Things to Do in Almaty in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
January Weather in Almaty
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
Is January Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
- + January turns Almaty into a proper winter wonderland—the snow-draped Tien Shan peaks deliver postcard views from every angle, from the Kok Tobe cable car where the city unfurls below like a white carpet
- + Room rates across Almaty hotels fall sharply from December highs, putting four-star properties in the Golden Quarter within reach without sacrificing central location
- + The ice skating rink at Medeu—the world's highest altitude rink at 1,691 m (5,548 ft)—runs at full capacity with flawless ice conditions and none of the summer crowds
- + January marks the season for Kazakh winter comfort foods—beshbarmak served piping hot with horse meat and thick noodles, and shorpo broth that locals claim cures winter blues
- − Temperatures sit around -8°C (17°F) at night, which means Almaty's charming fountains freeze solid and walking between restaurants becomes a calculated dash rather than a leisurely stroll
- − Mountain excursions demand serious gear—the road to Big Almaty Lake ices over completely, and even locals hesitate without 4WD and chains
- − Daylight stretches barely 9 hours (sunrise near 8:30 AM, sunset by 5:30 PM), compressing sightseeing into a narrow window and complicating photography
Year-Round Climate
How January compares to the rest of the year
Best Activities in January
Top things to do during your visit
Medeu becomes Central Asia's winter playground in January—the outdoor rink stays open until 11 PM with fairy lights dancing off flawless ice, and the thin mountain air at 1,691 m (5,548 ft) makes every lap feel earned. Locals arrive after work in business suits, skating like pros while you grip the boards.
Shymbulak's slopes in January serve up powder snow and empty lift lines—the gondola from Medeu carries you up 3,200 m (10,500 ft) in 15 minutes, where the air bites crisp and the views sweep across the entire Almaty basin. The resort opens fresh runs throughout January as snow builds.
January hits peak banya season—Almaty's Russian bathhouses run at full tilt, where locals rotate between scalding steam rooms and ice-cold plunges. The ritual includes birch branch beating and ends with kvass (fermented bread drink) that tastes like liquid sourdough.
Panfilov Park's 28 Panfilov Guardsmen Memorial and Zenkov Cathedral look striking under snow—the candy-colored cathedral from 1907 grows even more surreal against white powder, and the brass statue of the 28 soldiers seems to march through snowdrifts.
January turns the Green Bazaar into a winter food laboratory—vendors sell kazy (horse sausage) hanging like icicles, fresh kurt (dried cheese balls) that taste like salty chalk until you acquire the local palate, and steaming bowls of laghman noodles that fog your glasses instantly.
January Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
The city installs ice sculptures along Arbat pedestrian street and stages traditional Kazakh games like kokpar (goat carcass polo) demonstrations. Local families gather for shashlik and hot shorpo, creating a neighborhood block party atmosphere.
Almaty's Orthodox community marks Christmas on January 7th—Zenkov Cathedral holds midnight services with haunting Slavic hymns that drift through the snowy air, and families share kutya (sweet grain pudding) with strangers.
Essential Tips
What to pack, insider knowledge and common pitfalls