Things to Do in Almaty in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
January Weather in Almaty
Is January Right for You?
Advantages
- Shymbulak ski resort operates at peak conditions with 2-3 meters (6.5-10 feet) of snow base and consistently cold temperatures keeping powder fresh throughout the month
- Medeu ice skating rink is at its absolute best - the world's highest outdoor rink at 1,691 meters (5,548 feet) with pristine ice conditions and stunning mountain backdrop without summer crowds
- Hotel rates drop 30-40% compared to September-October peak season, and you'll actually get tables at popular restaurants like Gakku or Kishlak without advance booking
- January air quality is surprisingly better than autumn months - cold temperatures and snow precipitation help clear the typical smog, with AQI averaging 80-120 versus 150+ in November
Considerations
- Daylight is brutally short - sunrise around 8:30am, sunset by 6pm - which means you're doing outdoor activities in a narrow 9-hour window and evenings feel endless
- The cold is genuinely harsh for unprepared visitors - wind chill regularly pushes feels-like temperatures to -15°C to -20°C (5°F to -4°F), and frostbite risk is real if you're walking around with exposed skin
- Public transportation becomes unreliable during heavy snowfall - buses get delayed or cancelled, and the metro stations require trudging through unshoveled sidewalks that turn into ice rinks
Best Activities in January
Shymbulak Ski Resort skiing and snowboarding
January is legitimately the best month for Shymbulak - consistent snow coverage, temperatures cold enough to maintain powder quality, and fewer crowds than the February holiday rush. The resort sits at 2,200-3,200 meters (7,218-10,499 feet) with 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) of runs. Visibility tends to be excellent in January compared to the foggy conditions you might get in December. The gondola ride up alone is worth it even if you don't ski - the views over snow-covered Almaty are spectacular.
Big Almaty Lake winter photography tours
The lake freezes solid in January and the surrounding peaks get heavy snow coverage, creating this surreal turquoise-and-white landscape that's completely different from the summer experience. The road up is typically passable with proper vehicles - tour operators use 4x4s or vans with winter tires. You're looking at temperatures around -15°C to -20°C (5°F to -4°F) at the lake since it sits at 2,511 meters (8,238 feet), but the clarity of winter air means you get these incredibly sharp mountain views. Worth noting that the lake is technically in a border zone, so you'll need to go with registered operators who handle the permits.
Medeu ice skating
This is genuinely one of those experiences you can't replicate anywhere else - outdoor ice skating at 1,691 meters (5,548 feet) with the Tian Shan mountains surrounding you. January ice conditions are perfect because temperatures stay consistently below freezing, so the surface gets maintained daily and stays smooth. The rink is massive at 10,500 square meters (113,021 square feet). Locals come here for evening skates under floodlights, which has this magical quality when snow is falling. It's about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from the city center.
Kok Tobe winter evening visits
The cable car ride up Kok Tobe hill gives you panoramic views over snow-covered Almaty with the mountains behind, and January evenings are particularly clear compared to the smoggy autumn months. At the top you've got this slightly kitschy but genuinely enjoyable park with cafes, souvenir shops, and observation points. The real draw in January is seeing the city lights come on around 5:30-6pm while you're having tea in one of the heated pavilions. Temperatures up there run about 3-5°C (5-9°F) colder than the city, so you're looking at -10°C to -15°C (14°F to 5°F) in the evening.
Charyn Canyon winter day trips
Most tourists skip Charyn in winter, which is actually a mistake - January gives you this dramatic landscape without the summer crowds and brutal heat. The canyon sits about 200 kilometers (124 miles) east of Almaty at lower elevation, so temperatures are slightly warmer than the city, typically -5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F). Snow dusts the red rock formations creating unusual color contrasts. The Valley of Castles section is the main attraction with its 150-200 meter (492-656 feet) high rock formations. Roads are usually passable but you want 4x4 vehicles after snowfall.
Central State Museum and indoor cultural sites
January is actually ideal for Almaty's indoor attractions because you'll want warm places to spend those short, cold days. The Central State Museum has genuinely impressive exhibits on Kazakh history and the Golden Man artifact - it's the largest museum in Central Asia and usually takes 2-3 hours to see properly. The Museum of Kazakh Musical Instruments in Panfilov Park is smaller but fascinating, housed in a beautiful wooden building. These places are heated, uncrowded in January, and give context to what you're seeing around the city.
January Events & Festivals
Orthodox Christmas celebrations
Kazakhstan has a significant Orthodox Christian population, and January 7th Orthodox Christmas brings beautiful services at Zenkov Cathedral in Panfilov Park. The wooden cathedral looks particularly stunning covered in snow, and evening services around 6-8pm on January 6th and morning liturgy on January 7th draw large crowds. It's a genuine cultural experience rather than a tourist event - locals dress up, the cathedral is heated and decorated, and there's a festive atmosphere in the surrounding park despite the cold.
Nauryz preparations and winter markets
While Nauryz itself happens in March, January sees the beginning of craft preparations and winter markets around Green Bazaar and Zelyony Bazaar where artisans start selling traditional items. You'll find felt goods, traditional clothing, and craftwork that's actually made for locals rather than tourists. The bazaars are partially covered and heated, making them excellent places to spend a few hours on cold days while experiencing local commerce.