The mountain rises approx. nine kilometres to the east of Stepantsminda, Georgia. Access from Georgia is through the Kistinka gorge (alt. Brolistskali), which separates the Khuro massif from Mt. Shani. From the Ingushetian side, Mt. Shani can be accessed through the gorge of the river Shandon.
Etymology
The oronym derives from the Ingush word sha, shan ("ice/icy").[4]