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Skiers relax at Iran's top resort, Shemshak, located just north of Tehran.
Although most people wouldn’t imagine mentioning Iran and snow sports in the same sentence, a London-based travel company thinks Iran’s best kept secret isn’t another uranium enrichment plant, but its exceptional skiing.
KOOTCH Adventure Travel are offering skiing and snowboarding holidays starting in January to Iran, where skiers can apparently find some of the best high altitude skiing anywhere in the world. The 10 day packages start from £1400 ($2300 US) and include everything except flights.
Iran’s premier resort, Shemshak, lies between 2550 and 3050 metres and has steep black runs, challenging mogul fields and adrenaline-inducing 45º slopes. It has been recognized by the International Ski Federation (FIS) since 1996 for holding international competitions, which are held here every season. This is the place to meet the best skiers and snowboarders in Iran. There are even floodlit pistes for night skiing.
Another option is Dizin, Iran’s highest and the Middle East’s largest ski resort. At 2700m, its base is higher than the summit of most Alpine resorts. It’s just under 3600m at the top, with a vertical drop of 950m. Dizin has a good range of facilities, including 10 lifts and runs for all standards. The high altitude and dry mountain air provide the perfect conditions for powdery snow.
Freeride possibilities in Iran include the slopes of Damavand (5671m), Iran’s highest peak and the second highest volcano in the northern hemisphere. From either the base camp (3040m) or camp 3 (4250m) you can ride all the way down to the roadside at 2200m, a vertical drop of 2000m.
Skiing in Iran first started in the 1930s by the Germans who were building the railways. This was continued by Iranian students returning home from France and Switzerland. Today, there are numerous resorts throughout the country with Western standard facilities.
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I’ve often skied in Iran — I don’t know why anyone would think it is a secret. I’ve met many Europeans and even a few Americans on Iran’s ski slopes. Skiing is quite popular with the Iranians themselves who regularly make the 2.5 hour drive from Tehran to Shemshak and Dizin, amongst other places. Iran is a beautiful country, with an ancient civilization, and the Iranian people are exceptionally hospitable. There are many travelogues on the web about all of this.