The closer I get to 193, the harder it gets to coordinate trips with others chasing the same goal. Fortunately for me, one of my favorite travelers (Adam) was willing to make a return trip to Kazakhstan to join me snowboarding at Shymbulak Mountain Resort—the largest ski resort in Central Asia.

Here is my itinerary:

[Day 1] Shymbulak Mountain Resort
Arrive at Almaty International Airport in Almaty, Kazakhstan just after midnight on Saturday, February 15, 2020. Transfer to hotel located at Shymbulak Mountain Resort. After breakfast, spend the day snowboarding. Following, head out for dinner and drinks at the ski resort. Overnight at Shymbulak Resort Hotel.

[Day 2] Shymbulak Mountain Resort – Almaty
After breakfast, spend the first half of the day at Shymbulak Mountain Resort. Leave the ski resort and drive to downtown Almaty; en route, stop at Medeu (high-mountain sports complex). Upon arrival, spend the second half of the day in the city center; visit some of Almaty’s main attractions. Following, head out for dinner and drinks. Overnight at Iris Hotel.

[Day 3] Almaty
Spend the day in Almaty. Explore Kazakhstan’s former capital and the country’s largest city. Overnight at My Hostel Almaty.

[Day 4] Almaty
Head back to the airport for an early morning flight to Chicago via Frankfurt.