Finding traditional craft – making fur snowboards in Altay

Making fur snowboards is a traditional craft in Meilifeng village. This ancient handicraft is not only a practical tool, but also an important part of the local culture, including that of the Kazakh people.

The length of this kind of snowboard usually matches the user's height. It is made of pine wood as the base material, which is tough yet lightweight and has good elasticity. The outer side of the lower leg of an adult horse is used for the fur coating. The horsehair on this part grows in the same direction, which can effectively reduce the resistance during sliding and also provide the necessary friction when going uphill, said Azamat Adalbek's father Adalibek Halengbe.