Great ideas for skiing in Tehran major ski resorts including Tochal Ski Resort, Dizin International Ski Resort, Shemshak International Ski Resort, Darbandsar Ski Resort.
Being located at the foothills of Alborz mountain range, Tehran is one of the best areas in Iran for skiing. Tehran’s major ski resorts are ‘Dizin’, ‘Tochal’, ‘Shemshak’, ‘Darbandsar’ and ‘Abali’.
These ski resorts work around the clock in winters. Although some of them are open to skiers up to mid-spring, the high season for skiing is typically from late autumn to the end of winter.
Abali Ski Resort
Abali is the oldest ski resort in Tehran, and the first to have had ski lift equipment installed. It is located 75 km east of Tehran, within the synonymous city of Abali district along the Haraz Road.
This resort provides its clients with a wide range of amenities. Including five different runs, hot water springs, an Imamzadeh Shrine, good weather throughout the year, and easy access. These have made Abali to be more publicly known in comparison to the other ski resorts.
It has 1 cable car, 5 button (drag) lifts, 1 chair lift, and 3 t-bar lifts (hammer téléskis). The resort is divided into three zones: NIOC (National Iranian Oil Company) ski piste, the private pistes, and the Physical Education Organization piste.
The altitude of its highest point is 2650 m and the lowest is 2400 m above sea level. The resort is host to 6 restaurants and 1 hotel. It is usually more crowded than the other resorts in Tehran due to its easy access.
– Read more about Abali Ski Resort
Darbandsar Ski Resort
The newest ski resort in Tehran was founded through the cooperation of the retired professional skiers and fans in form of a private company in 1982. It is located in Darbandsar village, 60 km northeast of Tehran.
The lift equipment consists of 2 chair lifts and 3 button lifts. Its lowest and highest altitudes are 2600 m3050 m, respectively. The ski season in Darbandsar lasts from mid-December to mid-April, during which large number of skiers enjoy their time at this resort.
As Roudbar-e Ghasran area has a diverse climate and very beautiful and unique terrain, summer skiing is also available in July at ‘Taltangeh’, a valley north of Darbandsar..The ski competitions held in the same season is a reason for the constant interest in this sport.
Several International League Championships have been held at the Darbandsar ski resort since 2008, after being recognized as an International Ski Resort by the International Ski Federation (FIS), in which some of the world’s most renowned skiers competed. For those who want to experience skiing at a newer resort Darbandsar is highly recommended.
– Read more about Darbandsar Ski Resort
Dizin Ski Resort, Tehran
Dizin is not only the most significant ski resort in Iran, but also is the most reputable and prestigious ski resort in the whole Middle East.
Located north of Tehran Dizin is the first ski resort in Iran to be recognized by FIS as an International Ski Resort for holding international tournaments.
This recognition of Dizin is achieved due to various qualities and facilities, including technical mandates such as ski slope, length of the ski trails, venue of the tournaments and the amenities.
Ski-boarding is allowed at Dizin, unlike some other ski resorts, and this brings about more skiers and ski boarders to this resort.
Dizin is 123 km north of Tehran via Chalous Road and 71 km via Shemshak Road. There are 4 cable cars, 2 chair lifts, 9 button lifts (dish téléskis) and 1 t-bar lift (hammer lift) installed at this resort. The lowest altitude of this resort is 2650m and the highest is 3600m.
Dizin is open to patrons from late November to the end of April.
Thanks to the area developments, this ski resort complex includes 2 hotels, 19 chalets, and 6 restaurants. Dizin’s recreational and professional activities are not limited only to the winter sports. The grass ski trails were established at Dizin in 1993 in coordination with the IFS and skiing experts. Ever since, grass skiing has become a favorite summer sport in this area.
If you are a professional skier and would like to have the experience of skiing at an upbeat resort, do not miss Dizin; it suits your needs best!
– Read more about Dizin Ski Resort
Tochal Skiing resort is one of the popular recreational places in Tehran
Skiers and mountain climbers in Tehran who used to love to see the Tochal Mountain covered in snow in winters, always dreamed to be able to ski or climb the nearest peak to Tehran.
Their dream came true in 1976 by establishing the cable cars company in this year and running the first cable car to the Tochal peak of 3944 m. This event made it possible for skier to ski in the northern mountains of Tehran at any time and only within 5 kilometers from Tajrish Square.
The Tochal Ski Resort was planned to be one of the largest resorts of the world; however, due to the problems caused by the Iran-Iraq war only two pistes were launched, one at 2935 m and the other on the Tochal peak. However, only the ski piste on the peak is active now.
Despite the unfinished project, the Tochal cable cars project was so unique at that time. The area behind the peak and 12 lift chairs that were supposed to connect Tochal to Dizin were planned to be built. Such facilities could have provided skiers 7 month of skiing at the largest ski area in Iran.
Currently Tochal 7th station, with2 chair lifts and 1 button lift, is open to winter sport lovers from November to the end of May. The resort host one hotel and two restaurants.
Tochal was also recognized as ‘International Ski Resort’ by IFS, and several International snowboarding competitions have been held here.
Tochal ski resort is quite unique: situated between two valleys, far from the hustle and bustle of the city you could consider it one of the most peaceful, tranquil, and popular ski resorts! Spending a night at Tochal resort hotel is so extraordinary that deserves experiencing and enjoying for at least once. At night, when the trail lights are turned on, an amazing panorama catches your eyes; one that takes your breath away! Staying at this hotel gives you the unique advantage of quick access to lifts, so… no waiting in queues for you!
– Read more about Tochal Ski Resort
Khor Ski Resort
Khor ski resort, with the altitude of 2800 m to 3000 m, is located in the Alborz province,near Amir Kabir Dam (A.K.A. Karaj Dam) adjacent to Khor historical village.
In order to reach this ski resort, 23 kilometers from Karaj on the Karaj-Chalous Road, you should take the Khavar Pay exit before the entrance of Amir Kabir Dam facilities. Pass the two villages of Arangeh and Jey and you’ll arrive at the resort.
This resort was constructed before 1979, and was renovated after the Iran-Iraq War. It started operating again in 2009 after some changes in the management .The resort has two 1850 m and 350 m trails with a capacity of serving 1300 skiers per day.
Khor is now operational and open to public throughout the week. The resort has one button lift at the moment. This resort is one of Karaj’s tourist attractions and welcomes you and your family during the winter to make fun and happy memories.
Shemshak Ski Resort & Complex
Shemshak ski resort is located in 57 km northeast of Tehran in the village of Shemshak. It was first opened in 1958 and has 2 chari lifts, 3 button lifts (dish téléskis) and 2 t-bar lifts (hammer téléskis).
Following some changes in its slope and trails in August 1996, Shemshak achieved the ‘International’ title from FIS after Dizin ski resort.
The resort includes 2 hotels and 4 restaurants, and is open to athletes and nature lovers during the winter. The highest and lowest altitudes of this resort is 3050 m and 2550 m, respectively.
The ski season at Shemshak is variably between late November and early April. It is also an excellent getaway for leisure and sports during the summer. The pleasant weather of this area, combined with its proximity to Tehran attracts plenty of domestic and foreign tourists to visit it and spend time there.
Additionally, the ski runs are open after the dark, known as “the night piste”. Yellow projection lights glittering all over the snow creates a spectacular landscape that makes Shemshak the only skiable resort at night in Iran.
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