There are numerous mountains in Iran with high peaks and appropriate slopes for different types of skiing that makes the country a unique location for ski lovers. Of about up to 20 ski resorts many are located in Tehran province, Alborz Mountain Range, in the foothills of the highest peak of Iran, Damavand with 5,610 meters above sea level; these are the largest and best equipped ones. Damavand is a dormant volcano covered with snow on top almost all year round and can be seen from Tehran on sunny days. Tochal, Dizin, Shemshak and Darbandsar are the most well-known skiing sites in Tehran.
Tochal, at 3944 m, is the highest ski resort in the Alborz Mountain Range, and 5th highest in the world. This altitude ensures a long season from December to April and sometimes June. There are seven ski lifts in this complex, two of the cable cars stop just short of the summit at 3,900 m. from where there are magnificent views of Tehran and Mt. Damavand. This resort has three trails of 7.5 km. that are wide and properly groomed every day. Tochal’s 3 star hotel is actually the highest in the world that because of the altitude you need to be checked if you want to stay overnight. There are two restaurants with traditional and fast food. In addition to skiing and snowboarding you can enjoy using zipline, snowmobile, VR simulator, sled, archery and bungee jumping in Tochal. There is a ski rental and a ski school for all skiers’ levels. Tochal is the nearest resort to Tehran and access to the location, a 7.5 km. journey, is possible by one of the longest cable cars that leaves from the northern suburbs of Tehran.
Dizin is the largest skiing resort in Alborz mountain range, with 23 slopes. It is situated just 71 km. to the north of Tehran in at Gajereh region. You can drive up to Dizin. Access to the resort is possible from Tehran by 2 roads, one is the upper road via Shemshak (71 Km. – this road is sometimes closed due to heavy snow) and the other one, the lower road via Karaj (120 km.). Dizin boasts some of the best powder skiing in the world because of its dry climate. Having high quality of the snow it is tolerant and accepting of snowboarders. It has a large variety of ski runs for anyone, distinct ones for beginners and professional skiers, but it should be said that Dizin is geared towards the more experienced skier.
There are 16 lifts and the highest one reaches 3,600 m (11,800 ft.), making it one of the 40 highest ski resorts in the world. The ski season in Dizin lasts a long time, from December to May, because of its high altitude of 2650 to 3600 m. There are ski and clothing rentals and shops. In its ski school both snowboarding and alpine are taught. Other available activities are biking, kite riding, paragliding and archery.
There are 5 restaurants as well as a large variety of accommodation options as several hotels, rental apartments, villas and cottages for those who wish to stay longer. You can grass ski here during summer.
Shemshak is the oldest and second largest ski area in Iran after Dizin. It is 57 km. northeast of Tehran and became operational in 1958. The slopes of Shemshak lie at an altitude of 2,550 meters to 3,050 meters above sea level. It includes two ski lifts and facilities for two Hammer tele skiing and three dish tele skiing. The resort has four main slopes, one for beginners, however it has largely catered to more professional skiers. The slopes are very steep and many of them are mogul runs. There are also lighting facilities for night skiing with its special 950 m. slope. Shemshak can be easily reached in less than an hour’s drive from Tehran, 10 km from middle-slope parking of Dizin and 5 km from Darbandsar ski resort. There is a broad range of options for accommodation, from a 3 star hotel and a hotel known as Eskimo homes to self-catered chalets and traditional cottages. There are 4 restaurants. Sure you will find ski and clothing rental and shops here and a ski school. Ski season here runs from November until March.
Darbandsar is a small private resort situated on the slopes of Mount Senechal, at Darbandsar Village. The resort with the elevations of 2,650 to 3,050 m. is located about 60 kilometres to the north-west of Tehran, on the Shemshak-Dizin road. Interesting enough is the possibility to ski from Dizin to Darbandsar, but there is no way back, and you will need a car.
For skiing and snowboarding, there are 11 km of slopes available with 6 lifts that is suitable for intermediate level skiers. There are some good slopes for off-piste skiing and snowboarding, and the region is very suitable for extreme skiers. It can be a very challenging resort. Starting from the summit, the main slope is wide and groomed every day that offers 900 m of vertical drop. Half of it is equipped with a few snow makers, there are also lights for night skiing. You can ski here from early December until late April. There are 2 restaurants, one of which is uniquely wooden. The ski school offers training classes for alpine and snowboard.
Other Ski Resorts than Tehran
There are ski resorts in other mountainous parts of the country as well. Zagros Mountain range, Sahand and Sabalan hold respectively the resorts as follow.
Pooladkaf is the southmost ski resort of Iran, 90 km from Shiraz and 15 Km from Sepidan, surrounded by amazing landscapes of Zagros Mountain Range. The slope is about 3500 meters long and there is a gondola lift with length of 2100 m that connects the first station with the elevation of 2850 to the last one at 3250 of the peak. The ski lift is powerful and gives a quick access to the top in 11 minutes. There are many off-piste trails with changing terrains that make runs really exciting. Ski season in Pooladkaf usually starts from early December to late March and sometimes even to April. Paradoxically, the resort is very near the deserts but it receives considerable precipitation, so you can see heaps of snow at the bottom of resort.
Even though Pooladkaf is relatively small, it offers a large choice of activities: driving snowmobiles and ATVs, riding Segways, mountain bikes and horses, and also riding pedalo boats in the lake. In non-ski seasons all these facilities is still open to public and also grass skiing is possible in summer. There is a 4 star hotel, a small guest house, 4 restaurants and also a coffee shop on the top station of the gondola. Ski rental is available.
Chelgerd ski resort is on the eastern foothills of Zagros Mountain Range, between the elevations of 2,350 and 2,550 m near the village of Chelgerd, home to the Bakhtiari tribe in Chahar Mahaal va Bakhtiari province 85 km from Shahrekord and 200 km from Isfahan. The province is known as the roof of Iran, so you can find tens of summits higher than 4000 m. Though it is located almost at the central part, it heavily snows annually.
For skiing and snowboarding, 3 distinct slopes of 800 m. for women, men and beginners are available with 3 ski lifts. The ski season at this resorts starts from November and continues until March.
It has been open since 1975. You will find restaurants, shops and 3 hotels in here. You can also rent all kinds of ski equipment. There is a gym in the main building at the resort. Chelgerd Ski Resort has a ski school with experienced instructors for you to hire.
It is relatively easy and cheap to go there with public transportation and taxis. Access during snow falls may be difficult but the road is well maintained and the snow is quickly cleared.
Sahand is the ultimate ski resort in the northwest of the country. It is located 40 km south-east of Tabriz on the north side of Sahand mountains in East Azerbaijan province. The area is located in the elevations of 2,915 and 3,295 m. There are 3 km of slopes available with two 1200 m surface lifts for experienced skiers and two 100 m surface lifts for beginners. It is usable up to 6 months a year.
There are accommodation complexes, villa hotels, restaurants and cafes. In the main building, you will find a restaurant and a rental ski shop too. It has a ski school as well. The best way to reach this sport complex is to use a personal car equipped with snow driving equipment.
Alvares ski resort is located near a village with the same name in the steep hillside of Sabalan, an inactive volcano with an elevation of 4811 m, in Ardabil province north-west of Iran. The area is well-known for its tough winters and cool summers. The resort is situated in the Alvares Summit, which is located at an altitude of 3,200 meters above sea level. It can attract skiers for about six to eight months due to its cold temperature. This Ski Resort is the largest one of the country capable of hosting ski players for longer time of year.
It was opened and operated in 2007, and has a main slope of 1200 m. with a chairlift of 1250 m. long, and a smaller slope of 200 m. for beginners with an educational tele ski. There is a snow beater at the site. At Alvares, you can rent all equipment for skiing. There is a guesthouse and a buffet. You will find a restaurant selling food and drinks with a nice point of view at the top of the chairlift. The spa city of Sareyn, 24 kilometres away, offers a great deal of hotels and accommodations.