Everything you need to know about skiing in Iran

Introduction

Iran is a mountainous country and more than 30% of Iran’s area is covered by mountains.(see here)

There are about 600 peaks above 4000 meters in Iran that are covered with snow in winter. That’s why Iran has a very high potential for skiing. Skiing is a popular sport in Iran and there are dozens of ski resorts in Iran.

But what makes Iran an attractive destination for skiing is its pristine and beautiful mountains, which are very attractive for ski mountaineering lovers .
Here you can read articles about skiing in Iran and complete your information in this field .

Since early 1921, skiing in Iran became popular as a luxury sport for the affluent class. In 1944, the Iranian Skiing Federation was established and after its membership in the World Skiing Federation, it officially entered Iran’s sports fields.

On-piste skiing in Iran

In Iran, due to the altitudes of Alborz and Zagros, as well as the high mountains of Sablan and Sahand, there are many ski resorts on the slopes of these mountains, which according to statistics reach 26.

First ski resort in Iran

Abali is the first ski resort in Iran that has lifting devices. The date of installation of its devices is 1954. Before that, athletes, especially those interested in the mountain environment and skiing, do sports in this area. Especially, because this region had very favorable weather in the summer and was also located on the main road of Tehran and the north of the country, many athletes were familiar with Ab-e-ali region.

Biggest Ski resort in Iran

Among the tracks around Tehran, Dezin track is the first offer and the best option for skiing. Dizin ski resort is considered the most equipped ski resort in Iran. Dizin has 4 cabin lifts, 2 siege lifts, 9 plate ski lifts and 1 hammer ski lift. In the summer, the Deisin track is also used for grass skiing.

The most important Iran Ski resort

1- Dizin ski resort

Dizin ski resort is located in the Tehran Province ,the most important Tehran ski resort and this ski area is the biggest one in Iran . There are 18 km of slopes available for skiing and snowboarding and this ski area has 18 lifts transport the guests. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 2,530 and 3,506 m.

Evaluation: 2.9 out of 5 stars

Ski lift : totally 18

• Circulating ropeway/gondola lift : 5
• Chairlift : 4
• T-bar lift/platter/button lift  : 9

General season : late November – late May

Elevation difference : 976m (2530m-3506m)

Slopes difficulty : easy :5000m , intermediate : 9000m , hard : 4000m

Price : 25 USD

Operating time : 8:30-16:30

contact :

• Dizin Parking Lot ,Shemshak ,Teheran ,Iran
• Tel.: +98 / 912 / 8183454
• Fax: +98 / 21 / 84211951
• Email: info@dizinskiresort.com

2-Darbandsar ski resort

Darbandsar ski resort is located in the Tehran Province . There are 11 km of slopes available for skiing and snowboarding and this ski area is equipped by 6 lifts transport the guests. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 2,650 and 3,510 m.

Evaluation: 2.8 out of 5 stars

Ski lift : totally 6

• Circulating ropeway/gondola lift : 1
• Chairlift : 3
• T-bar lift/platter/button lift  : 2

General season : mid December – early May

Elevation difference : 860m (2650m-3510m)

Slopes difficulty : easy :6000m , intermediate : 5000m , hard : 0m

Price : 25 USD

Operating time : 8:30-21:00

contact :

• Darbandsar ski resort ,Shemshak ,Teheran ,Iran
• Tel.: +98 / 9391204040
• Fax: +98 / 21 / 7518600
• Email: info@darbandsarski.ir

3-Shirbad ski resort

Shirbad is the biggest ski resort in Razavi Khorasan Province (Iran). There are  about 1.1 km of slopes available for skiing and snowboarding also one lift transports skiers. The Shirbad ski area is situated between the elevations of 3,000 and 3,200 m.

Evaluation: 2.2 out of 5 stars

Ski lift : T-bar lift/platter/button lift (1)

General season : mid December to late May

Elevation difference : 200m (3000m-3200m)

Slopes difficulty : easy :600m , intermediate : 300m , hard : 200m

Price : 10 USD

Operating time : 8:30-16:00

contact :

Khorasan Razavi ,Mashhad , Iran
Tel.: +98 / 511 / 6656330
Fax: +98 / 511 / 6656330
Email: info@skishirbad.com

4- Sahand ski resort

Sahand ski resort  is one of the sights of East Azarbaijan province( Iran).There are 3 km of slopes available for skiing and snowboarding . this ski area is equipped by 4 lifts  to transport the  skiers .

The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 2,915 and 3,295 m.

Sahand ski resort is in 40 km south-east of Tabriz city , on the north side of Sahand mountains . This ski area  has a ski school . There are two 1200 m surface lifts for intermediate users and two 100 m surface lifts for beginners .

Evaluation: 2.2 out of 5 stars

Ski lift : totally 4

• Rope tow/baby lift : 2
• T-bar lift/platter/button lift  : 2

General season : mid December – early May

Elevation difference : 380m (2915m-3295m)

Slopes difficulty : easy :1000m , intermediate : 2000m , hard : 0m

Price : 10 USD

Operating time : 8:30-16:00

contact :

• Sahand ski resort ,Tabriz , East Azarbaijan,Iran
• Tel.: +98 / 41/34416895

5-Tochal ski resort

Tochal ski resort is located in the Tehran Province (Iran) and is the highest ski resort in Iran . There are 6 km of slopes available for skiing and snowboarding and this ski area is equipped by 3 lifts transport the skiers .

The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 1,910 and 3,850 m

Evaluation: 2.2 out of 5 stars

Ski lift : totally 3

• Circulating ropeway/gondola lift : 1
• Chairlift : 2

General season : late November – late May

Elevation difference : 1940m (1910m-3850m)

Slopes difficulty : easy :6000m , intermediate : 0m , hard : 0m

Price : 10 USD

Operating time : 8:30-15:30

contact :

• Teheran ,Iran
• Tel.: +98 / 21 / 22404001
• Fax: +98 / 21 / 22435933
• Email: info@tochal.org

6-Shemshak ski resort

Shemshak ski resort  is located in Tehran Province (Iran). There are 15 km of slopes available for skiing and snowboarding and also it is equipped by  5 lifts to transport the skiers .

The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 2,550 and 3,050 m.

Evaluation: 2.2 out of 5 stars

Ski lift : totally 5

• Circulating ropeway/gondola lift : 3
• Chairlift : 2

General season : mid December – early April

Elevation difference : 500m (2550m-3050m)

Slopes difficulty : easy :6000m , intermediate : 6000m , hard : 3000m

Price : 15 USD

Operating time : 8:30-21:00

contact :

• Teheran ,Iran
• Tel.: +98 / 21 / 26526912
• Email:info@skicomplex.ir

Ski mountaineering in Iran

More than a thirty percent of Iran’s area is mountainous, and there are about 600 peaks above 4000 meters in Iran, the highest of which is Damavand peak with a height of 5610 meters. Many of these peaks are covered with snow in the winter and are therefore suitable places for ski mountaineering in Iran .
Here we introduce some of the most popular mountain areas in Iran for ski touring :

1. Around Tehran’s big ski resorts (Central Elburz)

The closest and most accessible place for mountain skiing is around the big ski slopes around Tehran: Dizin, Shamshak, Darbandsar (these three slopes are located near each other and within a radius of 5 kilometers), and with an hour’s drive from Tehran, you can go to Reach these tracks.

Also, Tuchal ski resort, which is attached to the city of Tehran and is located near Tuchal peak, is also a special area for mountain skiing.
Apart from being close to Tehran, which is the capital of Iran.

these areas also have other advantages: the variety of routes, the presence of peaks above 3000 meters and 4000 meters, and various accommodation facilities, from local houses to well-equipped hotels and luxury restaurants.

Our suggested routes for skiing in Central Alborz region:

• Abak peak (3400 meters) in the south and near Shamshak ski resort
• Klon Bestak peak (4150 meters) in the northeast of Dizin and Darbandsar ski resorts
• Traverse from Preseth Darbandsar to Dizin
• North and northwest front of Tuchal peak (3960 meters) through the Tuchal ski resort

2. Areas around Mount Damavand

Mount Damavand with a height of 5610 meters acts like a magnet for most ski mountaineers. It is difficult to climb in winter due to unstable conditions, high speed winds and low temperature, and it is better to plan your trip to this area from the end of March.
With an hour’s drive, you can reach Polur village at the foot of Damavand mountain.

You can stay in Polur village in local houses or at the Iran Mountaineering Federation’s camp, and from there you will easily access the ski mountaineering areas. .

Our suggested routes for skiing around Damavand:

• Climbing Damavand Peak from the southern route, which is the most attractive and safest way to climb Damavand Peak with skis.
• Skiing in the Lasem valley and the 4000-meter peaks of Doberar, for skiing in this area, you can  also stay in Lasem village.
• Climbing Pashure or Gol Zard peaks is a suitable option for air conditioning

Zagros , Koohrang , Chelgerd

One of the well-known destinations for mountain skiing in Iran is the Zagros mountain range. The Zagros mountain range extends from the north-west to the south-east of Iran, but the most popular part of it for mountain skiing is the Kohrang area, and many ski tours are held in this area every year.
The small town of Chalgerd is the center of Kohrang region and is located 3 hours away from Isfahan city, and since it has good access to the peaks and routes suitable for skiing, it is very suitable for accommodation.
Kohrang area is located on the slopes of Zardkouh mountain, the highest peak of which is Klonchin with a height of 4200 meters.

There are many and varied mountain ski trails in this area, some of the most famous of which are:

Skiing from Sheikh-Alikhan village to Mohammad Abad village

Ski tour on Mohammad Abad peak(3350m)

Niakan Peak(3500m)

Gilas peak (3280m)

Shah Mansouri peak(3650m)

Samsami peak (3500m)