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The development of the Kok-Zailau resort in the mountains of Almaty is once again gaining momentum، featuring new management and updated plans. However، questions surrounding the project's controversial past and its potential environmental impact remain significant.

New Leadership and Project Revival

Following a comprehensive plan announced in 2025، the development of the Almaty mountain cluster and the creation of a resort in Kok-Zailau have returned to the forefront. The original vision included substantial investments of 655.9 billion tenge، aiming to build new tourist infrastructure such as cable cars، hotels، and roads. The idea of developing the Kok-Zailau gorge has been a subject of public debate for many years.

Later، authorities proposed the 'Almaty Superski' master plan، which envisioned integrating several mountain areas and expanding resort facilities. The responsibility for implementing this project now falls to 'Kazakh Tourism Development Ltd،' with 'Almaty Tau Management' LLC established to oversee the design and management of Almaty's mountain infrastructure. This new company is headed by Jean-Pierre Barralo، a foreign specialist with a background in the sports industry and ski competitions.

State Procurement and a Sense of 'Deja Vu'

The 'Almaty Tau Management' company has begun actively utilizing budget funds through public procurement، acquiring office space، equipment، vehicles، and insurance services. This situation evokes a sense of 'deja vu' because 'Almaty Mountain Resorts' LLC، previously involved with the Kok-Zailau project، played a similar role. That project faced strong opposition from ecologists and activists، leading to its suspension. Now، the initiative is being revisited in a new organizational format، but with similar concepts for developing the mountainous territory.

The company has initiated public procurement for office equipment، employee life insurance، and the purchase of a vehicle for 23.2 million tenge. The technical specifications required a new vehicle capable of operating in both urban and mountainous terrain، including off-road conditions. Additionally، laptops and computers for management staff have been acquired.

The 'Almaty Superski' Project and International Partners

The master plan for the development of the Almaty mountain cluster was presented in May 2025، marking the first mention of the 'Almaty Superski' project. This plan aims to create a central hub encompassing the Shymbulak، Oi-Qaragai، Pioneer، Kimasar، and Butakovka areas. The project proposes expanding ski slopes from 227 kilometers to 700 kilometers and increasing the number of ski lifts from 16 to 58.

International companies from France، the USA، and Andorra are expected to partner in this venture. Notably، Joan Viladomat، president of 'Pas Grau Internacional' (PGI)، a company based in Andorra specializing in ski resort development and management، is actively involved.

Environmental Considerations

A recent report highlighted that the updated Kok-Zailau ski resort project shows increased environmental impact indicators compared to the 2014 version. The new data suggests the resort will operate year-round، accommodating up to 15،000 visitors daily. The total construction area is estimated at approximately 2.8 thousand hectares. The plan includes building up to 65 kilometers of ski slopes، installing 16 lifts، and constructing hotel and commercial facilities.

Projected pollution levels have risen significantly، from 19.3 tons to 104.9 tons. During the construction phase، estimated pollution has increased from 53 tons to 498 tons. Water consumption parameters have also changed: construction is expected to use 67،000 cubic meters of water annually، compared to the previous estimate of 12.4 thousand cubic meters. Daily water consumption during operation is projected at 2،700 cubic meters. The snowmaking system alone will require 355،000 cubic meters of water annually.

The project plans to install over 500 snow cannons and create artificial reservoirs drawing water from a local river. Despite these figures، the developers assess the environmental impact during construction and operation as 'moderate'.

Work on the project is scheduled to take place from June 2026 to 2028، with the facility expected to be operational by 2029.

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