Things to Do in Almaty in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Almaty
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Genuine spring skiing conditions at Shymbulak - you'll get soft snow in the morning that's easier on your legs than the icy January conditions, with lift lines practically nonexistent compared to the December-February rush. The resort typically stays open through late March, and you can ski in a t-shirt by afternoon when temperatures push toward 10°C (50°F) at base level.
- Nauryz Meyramy celebrations around March 21-23 transform the entire city into one massive street festival - you'll see traditional yurt camps set up in Panfilov Park, locals cooking massive pots of nauryz kozhe (a seven-ingredient soup), and throat singing performances that you won't find any other time of year. Hotels know about this and haven't jacked up prices yet like they do for New Year's.
- The mountains surrounding Almaty start their dramatic transformation from white to green during March, which means you get both worlds - snow-capped peaks for photography at Big Almaty Lake (2,511 m / 8,238 ft elevation) in early morning, and the first wildflowers emerging on south-facing slopes by late afternoon. The contrast is genuinely spectacular and you'll have trails mostly to yourself.
- Accommodation pricing sits in a sweet spot - winter rates drop off after March 10th as the ski season winds down, but spring tourist season hasn't kicked in yet. You're looking at 30-40% lower prices than you'd pay in May or September for the exact same hotels in the Dostyk Avenue area.
Considerations
- The weather is genuinely unpredictable and can shift dramatically within hours - you might wake up to sunshine and 8°C (46°F), then face sleet by lunch. March sits in that awkward transition where Almaty can't decide if it's still winter or already spring, and you'll need to pack for both seasons. Locals joke that March has all four seasons in one day, and they're not exaggerating.
- Mud season hits hard in late March, particularly affecting mountain access roads and hiking trails. The combination of melting snow, that 70% humidity, and 10 rainy days means paths to places like Kok-Tobe and Medeu can turn into slippery messes. If you're planning mountain activities, stick to early March or accept that you'll need serious waterproof boots.
- The city looks genuinely drab until mid-to-late March - trees are bare, leftover snow is gray and slushy, and the Soviet-era buildings look particularly grim without their summer greenery softening the concrete. It's not the most photogenic time unless you're specifically shooting mountain landscapes. The urban environment doesn't really wake up aesthetically until early April.
Best Activities in March
Shymbulak Ski Resort Spring Skiing
March offers the best value skiing of the season at Shymbulak, located at 2,260 m (7,415 ft) base elevation just 25 km (15.5 miles) from downtown. The snow softens considerably compared to the icy January conditions, making it more forgiving for intermediate skiers. You'll find practically empty slopes on weekdays, and the combination of spring sunshine with cooler morning temperatures means you can ski comfortably in layers you peel off as the day warms. The resort usually operates through March 25th depending on snow conditions, and locals tend to abandon the slopes after Nauryz celebrations, leaving tourists with the mountain to themselves.
Big Almaty Lake Winter Photography Tours
Early March is actually the ideal time to visit Big Almaty Lake at 2,511 m (8,238 ft) before the spring thaw turns access roads muddy. The lake remains frozen with stunning turquoise ice formations, surrounded by snow-covered peaks that create mirror-perfect reflections on clear mornings. The UV index of 8 at this altitude means incredibly crisp light for photography, and you'll avoid the summer tour bus crowds completely. Temperature at the lake runs 5-8°C (9-14°F) colder than city level, so that daytime high of 9°C (49°F) in Almaty means near-freezing conditions at the lake even at midday.
Nauryz Festival Cultural Experiences
Nauryz Meyramy (Kazakh New Year) celebrations around March 21-23 are the single biggest cultural event in Almaty's calendar. You'll find traditional yurt camps erected in Panfilov Park and Republic Square, with locals dressed in traditional kalpaks and chapans serving nauryz kozhe to anyone who walks by. The festival includes horse games like kokpar (goat polo), traditional wrestling, and throat singing performances. Unlike tourist-focused events, this is genuinely for locals celebrating spring equinox, which means you'll experience authentic Kazakh hospitality. The city essentially shuts down for three days, with most businesses closed March 21-22.
Charyn Canyon Day Trips
March is actually underrated for Charyn Canyon visits, located 200 km (124 miles) east of Almaty. You'll avoid the scorching summer heat that makes the canyon floor uncomfortable by midday, and the 9°C (49°F) daytime highs in Almaty translate to pleasant 12-15°C (54-59°F) at the canyon's lower elevation. The dramatic red rock formations photograph beautifully under March's clear skies, and you'll have the Valley of Castles trail largely to yourself. That said, bring layers - morning temperatures at the canyon start around 2°C (36°F) and wind through the valley can be biting.
Green Bazaar and Central Almaty Food Walking Routes
March weather is actually ideal for exploring Almaty's food markets and central walking routes - cool enough that you won't overheat trudging between stops, but warm enough that standing still to eat street food isn't miserable. The Green Bazaar (Zelionyy Bazaar) comes alive with early spring produce, and vendors are generally chattier and more welcoming than during the hectic summer season. You can comfortably walk the 4 km (2.5 mile) route from Green Bazaar through Panfilov Park to Kok-Tobe base without breaking a sweat. The variable weather means fewer tourists, so you'll get more authentic interactions with vendors and restaurant staff.
Medeu Ice Skating and Mountain Base Hiking
The Medeu ice skating rink at 1,691 m (5,548 ft) typically operates through mid-March, and you'll find the best ice conditions of the season as temperatures hover just below freezing at night. The famous 842-step staircase leading to Medeu makes for excellent training hiking, and by late March, the surrounding trails start to become accessible as snow melts on south-facing slopes. The combination of high altitude and that UV index of 8 means you'll get genuine alpine atmosphere just 15 km (9.3 miles) from downtown Almaty. Locals pack the rink on weekends, but weekday afternoons between 2-5pm are nearly empty.
March Events & Festivals
Nauryz Meyramy (Kazakh New Year)
The biggest celebration of the year in Kazakhstan, marking the spring equinox and traditional new year. Almaty transforms completely with yurt camps in major parks, traditional games including horse sports and wrestling, throat singing and dombra performances, and massive communal meals where locals serve nauryz kozhe to strangers. The holiday officially runs March 21-23 with most businesses closed, but celebrations often start March 20th and continue through the weekend if it falls midweek. This is genuinely authentic cultural immersion, not a tourist show - you'll see three generations of Kazakh families in traditional dress celebrating together.
International Women's Day
March 8th is a major public holiday throughout Kazakhstan, inherited from Soviet tradition but still enthusiastically celebrated. You'll see men buying massive bouquets of flowers for female colleagues, family, and friends - flower shops stay open until midnight on March 7th and prices triple. Restaurants and cafes fill up with celebration dinners, and many businesses close or operate reduced hours. It's worth experiencing the genuine reverence Kazakhs show for this holiday, which feels more significant here than in most former Soviet states.