Alborz Ski Resorts

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By diba Points Of Interest 15 December, 2019

Overview

Between December and March, Tehran is blessed with five ski resorts within day-trip distance. The easiest to access is Tochal, connected directly to northern Tehran via the Tochal Telecabin. In good weather, even if you’re not skiing, Tochal is a delight to visit, providing a spectacular, scenic escape from the city.
The next closest resorts are Abali, around 50km northeast of Tehran on the way to Mt Damavand, then the neighbouring villages of Shemshak and Darbansar, 62km north of the city. The largest resort, and the pick of the bunch, is Dizin. It is, however, the furthest away – sitting 125km north of Tehran via the Chalus road – the only route usually possible during the ski season.

Dizin

Dizin is an international standard resort with three gondolas and numerous chair and drag lifts. (note the full system of lifts is usually only open on Thursday and Friday). With base camp at about 2700m and a vertical drop of about 900m, it will appeal to anyone feeling the need for speed, although overall the slopes are not so challenging.
Dizin’s ski season can stretch from December to May, but it’s usually safest to plan your visit between January and March. Pistes are sometimes groomed and there is plenty of scope for off-piste if you get a fresh snowfall. Apart from Thursday and Friday, waiting for the gondolas and ski lifts is not really an issue. Ski instructors can be hired for US$100 a day.
It’s possible to rent all equipment, in-cluding snowboards and clothing, at ski hire shops both at the resort and in nearby Velayat Rud. A set of skis, boots and poles starts.

Shemshak & Darbansar

The neighbouring ski resorts of Shemshak and Darbansar, in a steep-sided valley around 50km north of Tehran, both boast slopes that will get hardcore skiers and snowboarders most excited. Outside of the ski season (late December to March) the villages here are also a popular quick es-cape from the pollution, heat and stress of Tehran.
In winter, on the way to Shemshak, look out for the frozen waterfall at Meygoon, where it’s possible to go ice-climbing.

Activities

Boots, skis and poles can be hired in both villages.
The resorts’ proximity to Tehran mean that the slopes can get very busy here on Thursday, Friday and public holidays.

Shemshak Ski Resort

Government-operated Shemshak, Iran’s second-largest ski field after Dizin, offers challenging terrain with mainly black-rated runs. Vertical descents are about 500m (some of it at an adrenalin-inducing 45-degree angle) and there are plenty of moguls. There are no gondolas, just two chair lifts and four drag lifts to get you up its two main slopes.

Darbansar Ski Resort

At an elevation of 2650m, ris-ing to 3150m, Darbansar is privately run and more modern than nearby Shemshak. The runs are moderately challenging and there’s plenty of scope for off-piste skiing, including across to Dizin on the other side of Mt Kashoolak. There’s also a ski school and night skiing here.