Think of Iran and you might think of sand dunes and blue domes! But the truth is, Iran is also a country of dense jungles and cold mountains! Mountain ranges like Zagros and Alborz have blessed the country with great spots for ski touring, on-piste skiing, and snowboarding. With more than 600 peaks that are over 4000 meters and 15000 peaks that are over 3000 meters, Iran could be the next Alps! Iran’s top ski resorts are mainly gathered around the capital, Tehran. But off-piste spots scatter all over. The ski season in Iran extends from November to mid-May, but January and February are the months for the Persian powder. Stay with me on this Ultimate Iran Ski Guide to find out all you need to know for an unforgettable snowy adventure in one of the world’s most ancient countries…
Contents
Iran Ski Guide: Skiing Experience in Iran
Whether you choose to ski in a resort or venture into the wild mountains, Iran has got you covered. You can choose alpine (or downhill) skiing, ski mountaineering, ski touring, freestyle skiing, cross-country skiing, telemark skiing, freeride skiing, backcountry (or off-piste) skiing, and snowboarding. You name it! But inside Iranian resorts, Alpine, speed, boardercross, and snowboarding are the most popular.
Iran Ski Guide: Iran’s Ski Resorts
Iran has around 16 ski resorts that offer different kinds of facilities and slope ratings. Among them, it is mainly the ones around Tehran that offer the best facilities and snow conditions, as well as the longest slopes. Off-season, most resorts are open for grass skiers, hikers, climbers, and mountain bikers. To have the best experience in Iranian resorts, avoid the crowd of Nowruz holidays and Iranian week-ends.
Top Iran Ski Resorts:
Dizin International Ski Resort (Tehran): Largest and most popular among skiers
5× Green slopes
7× Blue Slopes
8× Red Slopes
3× Black Slopes
Ski Season: Early Dec. – late May
Highest point: 3600m
Shemshak Ski Resort (Tehran): Night ski and challenging slopes
1× Green Slope
2× Blue Slopes
3× Red Slopes
2× Black Slopes
Ski Season: Early Dec. – mid-Apr.
Highest point: 3050m
Tochal Ski Resort (Tehran): One of the world’s highest resorts
2× Blue Slopes
Ski Season: Early Nov. – June
Highest point: 3850m
Darbandsar Ski Resort (Tehran): Iran’s most modern and best-equipped resort
2× Green Slopes
2× Red Slopes
Ski Season: Early Dec. – mid-Apr.
Highest point: 3750m
Pooladkaf International Ski Resort (Shiraz): Iran’s southernmost resort and the most family-friendly
1× Red Slope
Ski Season: Dec. – Mar.
Highest point: 2850m
Abali Ski Resort (Mosha, Tehran): The most reasonable prices.
Ski Season: Late Dec. – Mar.
Highest point: 2650m
Alvares Ski Resort (Ardabil): Host to tournaments, offering hot springs.
1× Blue Slope
Ski Season: Nov. – May
Highest point: 3200m
Some Other Iran Ski Resorts:
The other ski resorts in Iran might not satisfy professional skiers. But they can serve as base camps for a ski touring experience and meeting local skiers.
Chelgerd Ski Resort (Isfahan):
1× blue slope
Ski Season: Dec. – Apr. Highest point: 2550m
Fereydunshahr Ski Resort (Isfahan):
1× green slope
1× red slope
Ski Season: Dec. – Apr.
Highest point: 3050m
Sahand Ski Resort (Tabriz):
1× green slope
1× red slope.
Ski Season: Dec. – May
Highest point: 3300m
Khoshakoo Ski Resort (Urmia):
1× green slope
1× red slope.
Ski Season: Dec. – Apr.
Highest point: 2200m
Bijar Ski Resort (Zanjan and Hamedan):
1× green slope
1× blue slope.
Ski Season: Dec. – Apr.
Highest point: 2250m
Tarik Dareh Ski Resort (Hamedan):
2× blue slopes
1× red slope.
Ski Season: Dec. – Apr.
Highest point: 3000m
Iran Ski Guide: Off-piste skiing in Iran
Thanks to the different heights and the wide range of snowy mountains in Iran, the country is a great off-piste skiing destination from mid-November to mid-June. Depending on your taste, your experience, and the distance between the ski area you choose and the resort, you can choose a particular off-piste style. So, slackcountry, backcountry, sidecountry, freeride, ski touring, ski mountaineering, and splitboarding are all on the table. But which of Iran’s mountains are the best off-piste destinations?!
Iran Off-piste Skiing Destinations
Ski touring around big ski resorts like Dizin, Darbandsar and Shemshak is the most convenient option. They not only offer you with everything you’re looking for, but they also can acclimatize you for Iran’s giants!
On top of the list is Mount Damavand, Iran’s highest peak (5610m). Great slopes, good snow condition, eye-catching scenery, and Polour/Rineh guesthouses make Doberar Mountain Ridge the next best destination. Next in line is Zagros Mountain Range, with limitless ski touring routes. Alvand Mountains in Hamedan, Chelgerd Mountains near Isfahan, Qandil Mountain in Kurdistan, Zard Kuh Mountains in Koohrang Bakhtiari, Oshtoran Kuh in Lorestan, and Dena Mountain in Yasuj are all off-piste destinations on Zagros Mountain Ranges. Iran’s second highest summit, Alam Kuh (4848m), is also a perfect ski mountaineering spot. Like to relax in a hot spring after your skiing adventure? Then Sabalan (4811m), Iran’s third highest mountain, is the place to be!
Here’s a more detailed introduction to Iran’s off-piste skiing destinations:
1. Off-piste Skiing on Mount Damavand
Middle East’s highest peak (5610m) and Asia’s highest volcano, Mount Damavand, is a popular ski mountaineering magnet. To acclimatize yourself before your skiing adventure on Damavand, spend a few days skiing on Doberar Mountain Ranges to acclimatize yourself and enjoy breathtaking views. April and May are the best time to go. And the nearest towns are Polour, Rineh and Rineh. The winter ascent will be tough because of strong winds, unstable conditions, and low temperature. So, you’d better wait till spring. The Southern face route is the most popular for skiing.
Difficulty ratings for ski alpinism (Swiss Alpine Club): D+
Toponeige ski rating system: Ascent rating: AD (fairly difficult) Descent rating: ski 4.3
D scale ski and snowboard route rating: V.D11.R3
2. Off-piste Skiing on Doberar Mountain Range
To the southeast of Mount Damavand, you’ll find Doberar Mountain Range, with an over 70km length, and over 35 +3000 and +4000 peaks. The highest peak of this mountain range is East Doberar (4250m). Most of Doberar’s ski routes are on its northern slopes. Shadow, good snow condition, nice angle, and lack of huge rocks and trees make the northern slopes the perfect place for skiing. Doberar, Changizchal, and Lasem are the best peaks for ski touring on Doberar. Conquering each peak and sliding down to Lasem village takes only a day. The best time for ski touring on Doberar is March and April. To reach Doberar Mountains from Tehran, find your way to Polour village (around 108 km). Then exit the main road and head east toward Lasem village, the starting point of Doberar adventures. For better accommodation, choose Polour or Rineh over Lasem.
Difficulty ratings for ski alpinism (Swiss Alpine Club): AD+
Toponeige ski rating system: Ascent rating: PD (not very difficult) Descent rating: ski 3.2
D scale ski and snowboard route rating: III.D9.R2
Like to experience a safe and unforgettable ski mountaineering adventure on Damavand and Doberar? So hop aboard our Damavand and Doberar ski tour!
3. Off-Piste Skiing on Alam Kuh
Iran’s second highest mountain (4850m) is a top-notch ski touring/ski mountaineering destination. As part of Takht-e Soleyman Mountains that feature over fourteen +4000 peaks, Alam Kuh enjoys different ski touring/ski mountaineering routes. April, May, and June are the ski season there. To reach Alam Kuh from Tehran, Get a ride to Kelardasht town (around 150 km). Kelardasht has 2 well-equipped guesthouses where you can spend the night. For ski touring, find your way to Kalbozon by a 4WD and set up camp there. From there, you can enjoy ski touring on any of the nearby +4000 peaks every day.
Note: the height and the remoteness can make the conditions tough. So be prepared!
Difficulty ratings for ski alpinism (Swiss Alpine Club): D+
Toponeige ski rating system: Ascent rating: D (difficult) Descent rating: ski 4.3
D scale ski and snowboard route rating: V.D14.R4
4. Off-Piste Skiing on Mount Sabalan
To the northwest of Iran, lies the country’s third highest mountain: Mount Sabalan (4811m). With a beautiful crater lake, many hot springs, and several +3000 and +4000 peaks, Sabalan is a ski-lover’s heaven. The ski season is from January until June. To reach Sabalan from Tehran, you should either go to Ardabil (around 590 km- flight time: 1:05 h), or Meshgin Shahr (690 km from Tehran and 98 km from Ardabil). Then get to the highest point of the mountain accessible by a 4WD. Don’t miss a relaxing experience at one of Sabalan’s hot springs!
Difficulty ratings for ski alpinism (Swiss Alpine Club): AD+
Toponeige ski rating system: Ascent rating: AD (fairly difficult) Descent rating: ski 3.3
D scale ski and snowboard route rating: IV.D10.R3
5. Off-Piste Skiing on Dena Mountains (Zagros Ski Tour)
As a piece of Iran’s Zagros Mountains, a 1600-km range that begins in northwestern Iran and extends through its western border, Dena Mountains is a popular skiing spot. These mountains are accessible through Shiraz, Isfahan, and Yasuj. The unchallenging height and several snow peaks make Dena a nice ski touring and winter sport destination. The best peaks for ski touring on Dena are Barfkermo (4110m), Bizhan (4350m), and Ghashmastan (4400m). The ski season is from January to March. To access the best of Zagros, start your adventure from Shiraz or Yasuj. From there, get a ride to Sisakht town (208 km from Shiraz and 34 km from Yasuj).
Difficulty ratings for ski alpinism (Swiss Alpine Club): D+
Toponeige ski rating system: Ascent rating: D (difficult) Descent rating: ski 4.2
D scale ski and snowboard route rating: V.D11.R3
6. Off-Piste Skiing on Zard Kuh Mountains (Zagros Ski Tour)
Another ski-friendly ridge on Zagros Mountains is Zard Kuh Mountains (4200). Shah Mansouri peak (around 7 hours of skiing), Gilas peak (around 6 hours of skiing), Niakan peak (around 6 hours of skiing), and Samsami peak (around 8 hours of skiing) offer the best ski slopes on Zard Kuh. The ski season is from January until March. To reach Zard Kuh from any city, you should first find your way to Shahr-e Kord. From there, get a ride to Chelgerd town (around 92 km), the starting point of your ski adventure.
Difficulty ratings for ski alpinism (Swiss Alpine Club): D+
Toponeige ski rating system: Ascent rating: D (difficult) Descent rating: ski 4.2
D scale ski and snowboard route rating: V.D11.R3
7. Off-Piste Skiing on Oshtorankuh (Zagros Ski Tour)
Another subrange of Zagros Mountains, Oshtorankuh (4150m), is blessed with a number of peaks on its northern face that are great for ski touring. Ease of access to its starting point and more than 30 +3000 and +4000 peaks also give Oshtorankuh prominence. The ski season is from January till March. To get there, you should find your way to Khorramabad.
Difficulty ratings for ski alpinism (Swiss Alpine Club): AD
Toponeige ski rating system: Ascent rating: AD (fairly difficult) Descent rating: ski 3.2
D scale ski and snowboard route rating: III.D10.R3
8. Off-Piste Skiing on Alvand Mountain (Zagros Ski Tour)
Yet another piece of Zagros Mountains, Alvand Mountain (3600m), is a granite giant with nice ski slopes on its northern face. With over +3000m peaks, Alvand is one of the best ski touring destinations on Zagros. The ski season is from January until March. To reach Alvand, you should go to Hamedan.
Difficulty ratings for ski alpinism (Swiss Alpine Club): PD+
Toponeige ski rating system: Ascent rating: PD (not very difficult) Descent rating: ski 3
D scale ski and snowboard route rating: II.D9.R2
9. Off-Piste Skiing in Northwest Iran
In northwest Iran, you’ll discover some of the most beautiful landscapes of Iran. Plus, you’ll find safe ski touring routes. Near Tabriz, Sahand Mountain features eye-catching routes. Also, near Urmia, at the Turkish border, many untouched slopes will be expecting you!
Risks of Skiing in Iran
Like any other ski destination, skiing in Iran is not without its dangers. Steep slopes, unstable weather, and avalanches are always a threat. In Iran, resorts are not prepared for big snowfalls and might get closed in case it happens. For ski touring, be well-prepared with the skills and equipment required for possible dangers. Plus, high mountain rescue teams might be different from European standards.
Renting and Buying Ski Equipment in Iran
In every ski resort in Iran, you can find at least one rental shop. You can also find ski gear shops in the main cities. But don’t expect to find the latest gear everywhere. Only few shops in top resorts and Tehran have them.
Après-ski in Iran
Après-ski experience is totally different in Iran. Alcohol is forbidden and there is no such thing as public nightlife. But Iranian skiers grab a bite or a cup of coffee at the restaurants and coffee shops at the resorts while having a friendly chat.
Accommodation
No worries! Around the ski resorts, finding a hotel, a room, a guesthouse or an apartment for the night is not difficult. In the main ski resorts, accommodation might be a little over-priced. If you are traveling with a group, renting an apartment is the most economical choice. The Iranian hospitality has also made couch surfing a common option.
Comments