In the mountains of the Trans-Ili Alatau, at an altitude of almost 1,700 meters above sea level, lies one of the most unusual sports complexes in the world — the Medeo skating rink. This is not just a venue with artificial ice, but a place with a rich history, unique engineering, and a special microclimate that has attracted athletes from around the world for decades.
How the Medeo Skating Rink Appeared and What Lies Beneath the Ice
The first ice arena in this gorge appeared back in 1951. It was a natural-ice rink and quickly became popular among speed skaters due to the clean mountain air and stable weather conditions. However, the real breakthrough came in 1972, when a new complex with artificial cooling was built on the site of the old rink. This is how the modern Medeo skating rink came into existence.
Construction was carried out in the challenging conditions of the high mountains. The region is seismically active, so the stadium and stands were built from monolithic reinforced concrete — this ensured the structure`s reliability and durability.
The most complex part is hidden beneath the ice surface of the Medeo skating rink. Underneath lies a multi-layer "slab" made of more than twenty different materials. Embedded in the concrete base are 170 kilometers of pipes through which a coolant circulates. Thanks to this system, the ice remains solid for up to eight months a year. The arena of the Medeo skating rink is lit by 1,600 floodlights mounted on eight tall masts. The stands can accommodate 12,500 spectators.
How Ice Is Poured at the Medeo Skating Rink
The quality of the ice at the Medeo skating rink has always been exceptional. Water from a mountain river is used for flooding — it undergoes multi-stage purification and contains almost no impurities, which directly affects glide quality. Local athletes note that the ice at the Medeo skating rink is "fast" and predictable, which is important for achieving high results.
The flooding technology requires precision. First, the slab is cooled for two days, after which water is applied in thin layers. Hot water is used for flooding: it freezes faster than cold water and fills micro-cracks better, creating a perfectly smooth surface on the Medeo skating rink. To prevent the ice from melting under direct sunlight, a white pigment is added to the water — it reflects ultraviolet rays and slows down melting.
Maintaining the ice in working condition on an open rink like the Medeo skating rink is challenging. Wind, temperature fluctuations, rain and snow require constant monitoring and prompt adjustments to the ice surface. But it is precisely these efforts that keep the ice of the Medeo skating rink at a world-class standard.
The Era of World Records at the Medeo Skating Rink
Over the decades of operation, more than two hundred world records in speed skating have been set at the Medeo skating rink. The peak came in the 1970s and 1980s, when athletes updated world achievements almost every season on this ice. In 1973 alone, nearly two-thirds of all world records recorded that year were set at the Medeo skating rink.
The reason for such results lies in a combination of factors. The thin mountain air reduces resistance, the stable windless weather allows skaters to maintain technique, and the mild climate of the gorge provides comfortable conditions even in the middle of winter. In addition, the quality and consistency of the ice at the Medeo skating rink gave athletes confidence in every turn.
The Medeo skating rink has hosted European and World Championships, the Winter Asian Games, World Bandy Championships, and stages of the Winter Universiade. The rink has long become a symbol of Kazakhstan`s sporting glory.
What the Medeo Skating Rink Offers Today and Its Infrastructure
Since 2025, the Medeo skating rink complex has been closed for a large-scale reconstruction that will last until 2027–2028. Plans include a complete upgrade of the cooling systems, engineering networks, stands, and recreational areas. After reopening, there will be not only a renovated ice arena at the Medeo skating rink, but also an eco-park, viewing platforms, a heated swimming pool, an interactive museum, and terraces with cafés.
However, the gorge surrounding the Medeo skating rink remains open for visits right now. Tourists come here for the mountain scenery, walks, and the opportunity to take the cable car up to Shymbulak. Even without skating, the atmosphere of the gorge and the views of the Medeo skating rink from above leave a strong impression.
Stairway to Health: The Path to the Dam
One of the most popular pedestrian attractions near the Medeo skating rink is the Stairway to Health. It starts at the rink and leads to the top of the mudflow-protection dam. In total, there are 842 steps, which climb 110 meters upward — from an elevation of 1,691 to 1,750 meters above sea level.
The climb requires physical fitness, so benches and rest areas are provided along the route. Along the way, views gradually change: the Medeo skating rink becomes smaller in perspective, while the panorama of the mountains and the city of Almaty grows increasingly wider. Locals and tourists use the stairway for daily workouts, and sometimes speed-climbing competitions are held here.
The Dam: Engineering Protection for the City
The upper point of the Stairway to Health is the crest of the mudflow-protection dam, built in the late 1960s. This is a large engineering structure that protects Almaty from mudslides coming down from the mountains. The width of the dam at its base reaches 500 meters, and its reservoir can hold nearly 6 million cubic meters of water.
From the top of the dam, the best panoramic viewpoint in the area opens up: below, the Medeo skating rink is visible, and beyond it, the valley and the city stretching toward the horizon. This spot is often chosen for photographs and simply for pausing to take in the surroundings from above.
