places Visited: Tehran | Dizin | Shiraz | Isfahan | Kashan
Ski in Iran : At 1.6 million square kilometres, Iran seems a large place to be overlooked, and yet winter sports enthusiasts do not know much about its snow covered mountains and winter resorts.
The Alborz mountain range alone includes a large portion of Iran’s peaks of 4000m and higher with an average snowfall of up to 7m. Alborz resorts are only a short drive from the capital city Tehran. In favourable years Iranian resorts offer good skiing conditions from mid-November to May, but it is better to assume the a skiing season to be between 22 November and 15 March.
Ski in the world class Dizin ski resort
Visit some of the UNESCO World Heritage sites
Meet Iranian skiers and engage in conversations with them sipping tea or coffee
Enjoy the wonderful Iranian Cuisine in the cities you visit.
Tour Details
Dizin Ski Resort
There are some good ski resorts in Iran, the best and most popular is the resort of Dizin to the north of Tehran. Dizin is one of the 40 highest ski resorts in the world and has one of the highest ski lift which reaches to an elevation of some 3,600 m (11,800 ft). Climatic conditions of Dizin allows for prolonged periods of powder snow making for superb skiing. Its high altitude allows for longer snow season compared to other resorts across northern hemisphere. With a variety of runs it serves both the beginner and the professional, given the elevation and the gradient of most slopes it is perhaps the professionals who would enjoy this resort the most. Ski-boarders love the facilities and are welcome.
Dizin’s ski season is not limited to the winter months as it has excellent grass ski facilities. This grass-ski centre was host to the first International Grass-Ski Tournament in 1996, an event organised by the International Ski Federation with participation of some leading countries.
Our Ski in Iran tour can be designed for a long weekend of skiing in Dizin and a visit of Tehran highlights. Another option for those who just need a winter break is to ski for 5 days and then go to Qeshm Island for winter sun, beautiful weather, water sports and natural beauty.
Drive to Isfahan (490 km) after breakfast. This drive will take in a visit to Persepolis, probably the most impressive pre-Islamic monument in Iran, with its astonishing columns, ceremonial staircases, chambers and stunning reliefs celebrating the triumphs of the Achaemenids. Next we will visit the necropolis of Naqsh-e Rostam, the burial place of Achaemenids emperors, then to Pasargadae one of the oldest of the Achaemenids residences with the tomb of Cyrus the Great nearby. This will be a long day and we would arrive in Isfahan mid to late evening. After a relaxing dinner we can stroll over the two main old bridges to stretch our legs or just stay at the hotel. Overnight Isfahan
two unrushed days of strolling in Isfahan, Nesf-e Jahan (Half the world) which is full of architectural jewels and also a great centre for trade and handicrafts o visit the highlights of the city with time to explore the bazaar and shop in the many boutiques of the great square. The great Naqsh-e Jahan Square (Maidan-e Imam) is surrounded by the 16th and 17th C Mosques, a magnificent palace and arcades and the entrance to the 17th century bazaar, full of life and things to buy and an architectural gem in its own right. We visit the Jame Mosque – a magnificent complex, built from the 10th to the 17th C – a miracle of space and decoration, and then to Julfa, the historic Armenian neighbourhood with churches displaying a disorienting mix of Christian symbols and liturgy with a distinct Iranian architectural style. Overnight Isfahan
We will set off to Tehran for a drive of just over 450 km. En route we visit the ancient city of Kashan where we will go to Fin Garden, a 16th to 19th classic Persian walled garden, full of flowing water and little pavilions. Lunch in Kashan is followed by a visit to one of the traditional palazzos. Arrive in Tehran IKIA late evening, a relaxing dinner and a well-deserved night’s rest. O/N Airport Hotel