The Ketmen ridge, just 20km from the Kazakhstan / China border, is almost untouched by humans, notwithstanding its proximity to Almaty. The unique geography of the ridge means it gets relatively early and heavy snowfall every year, allowing us to open the Tien Shan backcountry season early, which is why FrozenRocks team holds one of our earliest programmes here every year! Accommodation for the five-day programme is in a comfortable, heated mountain hut in the Ketmen valley. A banya (Russian sauna) is also available. We can run this programme at any point between mid December and late February, whenever we have a group. Programme: Day 1. Meet in Almaty, transfer to Ketmen village and further on horseback (optional) or minibus, then ski touring to the mountain hut. Days 2-5. Ski-touring / splitboarding from the mountain hut, exploring the surrounding ridges and couloirs. We’ll choose our routes based on the weather, the snow conditions and the ability of the group. Day 5. Ski-touring. Transfer (on horseback (optional) or minibus then by car) to Almaty.