Oi-Qaragai Cable Car: How the Ride into the Mountains Works
The cable car at the Oi-Qaragai resort near Almaty isn't a single lift — it's a chain of lines that carries you from the foot of the mountains almost to the peaks. The bottom station is Aport Alatau; from here an open chairlift runs up to a platform at 1,820 meters with a viewpoint and a restaurant. Higher up, a separate enclosed gondola line, AQTAS, takes over: its lower station sits at 1,531 meters and the upper one at 2,140 meters above sea level — the highest point of the resort. Between the two AQTAS stations, at 1,607–1,665 meters, lies the Lesnaya Skazka zone. Riding from the base up to 2,140, you climb almost a full kilometer in altitude.
People come here for different things. Some ride up for the panorama and for shots you simply can't get in the city. Others come to have lunch at 1,820, where a restaurant overlooks the ridges of the Trans-Ili Alatau. In summer the lifts carry bikes up; in winter, skis and snowboards. The cable car runs year-round — and that's probably the first thing to keep in mind when planning a visit.
The Route: Stations and Altitudes
The ascent goes in stages, with transfers, so "taking the cable car" here is a small journey rather than one short ride.
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Aport Alatau (Lift A) — the starting station at the bottom; from here an open chairlift goes up to 1,820.
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1,820 m — viewpoint and restaurant; from here Lift B takes you down into the Lesnaya Skazka zone.
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Lesnaya Skazka zone (1,607–1,665 m) — located between the lower and upper AQTAS stations.
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AQTAS (Lift F) — an enclosed gondola line from the 1,531 m station up to 2,140 m; 2,140 is the highest point of the resort.
A single ticket takes you through the whole system: the enclosed AQTAS gondola (up and down to 2,140) plus the open chairlift from Aport Alatau to 1,820, and from the 1,820 platform — Lift B into the Lesnaya Skazka zone. You can ride in the reverse direction too; it makes no difference. The count is simple: one ticket — one guest.
Enclosed Gondolas or Open Chairs — Which to Choose
The resort runs two types of line, and they feel quite different. The enclosed cable car uses gondola cabins: no wind, no draft, comfortable even with small children or on a cool day. The open chairlift is exactly that — seats on a cable: your feet hang free, ski slopes drift slowly beneath you, and the view opens in every direction. More of a thrill, but you'll want to dress warmer.
Here's an important detail people often forget. Down at Aport Alatau it can be summer heat, while up top there's wind and a real chill. A kilometer of altitude makes itself felt. Bring a jacket or windbreaker even on a sunny day, especially if you're taking the open chairlift. And don't skip the SPF: the mountain sun is strong even in cloudy weather.
What You See from the Top, and Why Go Up to 2,140
At 2,140 meters the real mountains begin. You can see distant ridges, an unbroken carpet of Tian Shan spruce, and on a clear day the view stretches for tens of kilometers. At 1,820 it's easy to time your ascent for lunch — the restaurant is right on the platform. People who bring a camera usually allow an extra half hour just to stand and look: at this height you really don't feel like rushing.
A word about the weather. In the mountains it changes faster than it looks from below. A cloud can close off the view in about five minutes, then lift just as quickly and reveal the panorama again. That's normal. If you've come for a particular shot, allow time and wait for your window.
Opening Hours and How to Plan Your Visit
The cable cars are open from 09:00 to 22:00. The upper AQTAS zone works until 20:00 — worth noting if you want to reach 2,140 closer to evening. The daytime Bike-Pass is valid from 10:00 to 17:00: it gives unlimited rides and access to all the resort's trails, and it's usually bought by those arriving with a bike.
A practical tip — come with time to spare. On weekends and in good weather a crowd gathers at the bottom, and a route with transfers is never quick. Allow at least a couple of hours for the full ascent with stops. Then you'll have time for the views, lunch at 1,820, and an unhurried descent without chasing a departing cabin.
What Cable Car Tickets Are Available
Cable car tickets come as single rides and passes. A single ticket is one ride up and one down. There are narrower options too: up only or down only — handy when you ride down by bike, for example, or walk down. The single ticket covers the resort's entire cable-car system (the Aqtas and Lesnaya Skazka zones), except for the separate carousel line Lift G — Aspan, which doesn't operate in summer. For an active day there's the Bike-Pass with unlimited rides.
You can buy cable car tickets online on the website or at the ticket offices at the resort. The most convenient way is through the resort's app: you get 2,000 bonus points on sign-up, and purchases earn cashback in points. Booking online really helps in high season — no standing in line at the bottom, especially on weekends.
Seasonal Ski-Pass: Unlimited Access for the Entire Ski Season
A single-use ticket works for a one-off visit. If you plan to ski regularly, the maths is different - season ski passes for the 2026–2027 winter are already on sale at the Resort. There are two categories: adult - aged 15 and over; children - aged 7 to 14.
The core of the pass is unlimited access to all lifts and ski slopes throughout the season. Then come the benefits people usually buy it for:
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free parking for the whole ski season;
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a two-person locker at AQTAS base station - no need to bring your equipment and belongings with you every time;
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a 10% off standard rates at Ugusha» children's center and «Ugusha» children's activity club throughout the season;
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10,000 cashback bonus points in the Resort's mobile app, available for use until December 31, 2026;
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a “Season Without Borders” card - up to 5 days of free skiing at partner resorts of the Eurasian Alliance of Mountain Resorts: Shymbulak in Kazakhstan, Amirsoy in Uzbekistan, Shahdag in Azerbaijan and Rosa Khutor in Russia;
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the plastic Ski-Pass card is included in the price.
One thing worth keeping in mind: the price of a season ski pass rises as winter approaches - the best rate is available at the start of sales and increases every month until it reaches the base rate.
Children's Ski-Pass with Lessons - the First in Kazakhstan
A separate format, for children aged 3 to 12. This is a personalized seasonal Ski-Pass that includes ski lessons at «Ugusha» children's activity club. This is new for Kazakhstan: until now, the pass and lessons were bought separately. If you have been looking for a place near Almaty where your child can learn to ski, this is essentially a turnkey ski school that comes with a seasonal pass.
Classes are run by certified ski instructors using a European teaching method, with groups split into beginner and advanced levels. The pass includes:
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2 hours of group lessons on the slopes of the Ugusha children’s club;
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access to all Resort slopes during the lessons according to the club’s schedule;
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ski equipment rental: skis, boots and a helmet;
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30 minutes of snow tubing;
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30 minutes in an ethnic-themed play yurt with a counselor;
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free parking at P1 and P2;
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a plastic Ski-Pass card.
What parents should know. The pass is unlimited and valid for the entire winter season, but only one lesson is available per day: this schedule takes the child’s stamina into account. The Ski-Pass is personalized and assigned to a specific child. If your child already has a card, the new tariff is simply loaded onto it; there is no need to issue a second one.
The children’s pass can be bought at the Resort’s ticket offices or through the Oi-Qaragai Mountain Resort mobile app or website. The logic is the same as with the adult pass: the earlier you buy, the better the price - 20% off until September 30, 10% off until October 30, and 5% off until November 30.
Who It Suits and What to Bring
A cable car in the mountains near Almaty is a format for almost everyone. Families with children are calmer in the enclosed gondolas: a gentle, safe ascent with no wind. Those who like a more active outing will prefer the open chairlifts and the trails up top. For photographers — the 1,820 platform and the views from 2,140.
A short checklist before you go: a warm layer, comfortable shoes, water, sunscreen, and a charged phone or camera. What's best avoided: heading up at the last minute before a line closes. And if you're going up to catch the sunset, double-check the AQTAS hours again — the upper zone closes earlier than the rest of the cable car.