The 8 Best Ski Resorts in Iran

If you are planning to travel to Iran and go skiing in the winter, you surely won’t be disappointed. Iran is a mountainous country with a number of peaks with over 4000 meters of height. This fact makes Iran a perfect destination for doing winter sports. Ski resorts in Iran have modern facilities, and you will receive high-quality services with great hospitality and kindness of Iranians. There are many ski resorts in different parts of the country. What makes skiing in Iran so perfect is that most of ski resorts are suitable for great skiing and awesome sightseeing within a short period of time. Here are some reasons for skiing in Iran and the list of best ski resorts in Iran. Check out the ultimate Iran ski tours. 

Three Reasons for Skiing in Iran

Iran is famous among many people for its rich culture and fantastic nature. However, other aspects of Iran such as its skiing resorts are not recognized well enough. Here are some points about skiing in Iran:

1) The costs of skiing is very cheap in Iran. On a daily basis, it costs about 100 to 150 Euros.

2) There are many ski resorts in Iran. Besides having qualified ski resorts, many peaks in the central Alborz mountain range give the skiers the opportunity of ski touring.

3) The largest and the Highest Ski Resorts in the Middle East are both in Iran. Dizin Ski Resort is the largest, and Tochal Ski Resort is the highest ski resort in the area.

The Best Ski Resorts in Iran

While Iran may not be the first destination for ski lovers, it could be considered as one of the top ten destinations. There are a number of international ski resorts in Iran that offer high-quality services. Some of them are the best in the Middle East.

Dizin Resort, the most reputable ski resort of Iran is easy to enjoy for the professionals while providing rare services for amateurs. Furthermore, Tochal and Shemshak ski resorts are considered as the high-quality resorts located in Tehran Province. Poolad’kaf is the only ski resort in Iran that is located in the southern part of the country in the vicinity of Shiraz.

1. Dizin Ski Resort

Going around Tehran, and looking for an adventure activity? Dizin Ski Resort is only one hour drive from the capital. It is the best, and the largest resort among all ski resorts in Iran. If you are not sure about that check the TripAdvisor website to see how many people wrote comments about it and rated it 4.5! Many skiers call it the best resort they have ever seen in Iran. It contains 23 resorts with more than 7.5 kilometers of terrain covered by ski lifts. There are also two hotels and 5 restaurants around Dizin Ski Resort. Moreover, skiing in Dizin is not limited to the winter and you can enjoy grass skiing, archery, and biking in the fine weather of summer.

2. Shemshak Ski Resort

Shemshak ski resort is the second biggest ski resort in Iran. It is just 57 kilometers north of Tehran. It features chairlifts, ski lifts, and powerful LED lamps for skiing at night. The best time for skiing in Shemshak Ski Resort is December to late March.

The resort has facilities such as four restaurants, one of them on the mountaintop with a spectacular view of the snow-covered mountains and valleys.

3. Tochal Ski Resort 

Tochal ski resort is located just three Kilometers away from Tajrish Square in the northern part of Tehran. Tochal is an entertainment complex featuring many entertainment services including a tennis court. You can also enjoy archery, bungee jumping, paintball, hiking, and riding there. There are ski lifts available for a total of 7500 meters of terrain which is among the longest terrains in Iran and the world. Tochal Ski Resort has 7 stations. The first one starts at an elevation of 1900 meters at the end of Velenjak Street. The last station is near the mountain top at an elevation of 3740 meters. You can stay comfortable at Tochal Hotel which has more than 30 guestrooms. The resort features fine amenities including a restaurant, satellite TV, and coffee shop.

4. Abali Ski Resort

Abali Ski Resort is the first resort that has installed ski lift equipment in Iran. You can reach there in less than one hour drive from the east of Tehran. Abali ski resort is home to many hot water springs. It also features five resorts with ski lifts and suitable terrain. You can wind down at the end of the day at the restaurants and hotels around the resort. As a suggestion, it’s better not to go there during the weekends, as you may face heavy traffic on the road and crowds in the resort.

5. Darbandsar Ski Resort

Darbandsar Ski Resort is a must-visit among the ski resorts in Iran, located approximately 60 kilometers from the capital city of Tehran. With two chairlifts and three bottom lifts, the resort offers excellent skiing opportunities. The best time to experience Darbandsar Ski Resort is from mid-December to mid-April. Moreover, for those seeking unique adventures, summer skiing is available at Taltangeh Valley in the north of Darbandsar. Notably, this resort holds international acclaim as it has been recognized by the International Ski Federation (FIS) and has been hosting International League Championships since 2008.

6. Poolad’kaf Ski Resort

Poolad’kaf Ski Resort, one of the prominent ski resorts in Iran, is situated in the southeastern region of the country. Located a short 5 kilometers from Sepidan town, near Shiraz, this resort is an ideal escape from the hot summer, offering a refreshing climate. Alongside skiing, visitors can indulge in a range of activities such as horseback riding, après-skiing, hiking, and biking. The region boasts several restaurants and hotels to cater to your needs. Additionally, the nearby Sepidan ski resort provides another option for winter sports enthusiasts in Iran.

7. Chelgerd Ski Resort

Located at the heart of the Zagros Mountain Range, Chelgerd ski resort is one of the most popular ski resorts in the west of Iran. You can reach there in less than an hour by driving from Shahr-e Kurd. The best time to ski at Chelgerd Ski Resort is late December to late February. You will enjoy beautiful nature and sunny days during the summer in this resort. Also, there are many attractions in Kuhrang, near this resort, including Koohrang Tunnel, Sheikh Ali Khan waterfall, Dimeh Spring, and Chama Cave which is a fantastic ice cave.

8. Sahand Ski Resort

Located on the northern side of Mount Sahand, just 39 kilometers away from Tabriz city, Sahand Ski Resort is one of the top ski resorts in Iran. With a total of 3 kilometers of slopes for skiing and snowboarding, along with four lifts, it offers an excellent experience for ski enthusiasts. The snow depth can reach up to 4 meters, and the risk of avalanches is minimal. The prime time for skiing is generally from January to mid-March, but it’s advisable to check the snow forecast before planning your visit to this remarkable ski destination in Iran.