Posts

Khor ski resort is great for a weekend ski holiday near Tehran

Khor ski resort is one of the best ski resorts and off-piste skiing areas near Tehran, the vivid capital of Iran. The resort is close to Khor village and it is located 65km northwest of Tehran. The ski area is located at an altitude of 3000m. There are two ski routes with a length of 1850m and 350m to enjoy a perfect ski day in the scenic Alborz Mountains. Khor ski resort has enough capacity to welcome 1300 skiers and snowboarders per day. Khor resort has been established in 1973; today it is one of the winter tourist attractions near the capital of Iran. Read this article to find more about the Khor ski resort that is great for a weekend ski holiday near Tehran.


Table of Contents:

Khor ski resort services and facilities

Contrary to Dizin or Tochal ski resort, Khor ski resort does not have many facilities, but it offers satisfactory services to its visitors. A ski lift, a ski school, a restaurant, a café, a parking lot, and a place for accommodation are the facilities provided at Khor ski resort. You can also have delicious foods or hot beverages after hitting the high slopes at Khor ski resort.

For your accommodation, there is no ski-in/ski-out hotel or cheap chalets. There is just a villa with enough rooms for eight persons per night. If you prefer to ski on a budget, it is better to go back to Tehran and stay at one of the affordable hotels or hostels there.

Khor ski resort a great weekend ski holiday near Tehran

Khor ski resort is one of the best ski resorts and off-piste skiing areas near Tehran

Khor ski resort elevation

Khor ski resort sits at an elevation of 3000m. The ski area has a length of 200m beginning at an elevation of 3000m and ending at an elevation of 2800m. A ski lift makes it possible to find access to the high slopes and enjoy skiing. You can also enjoy vertical drops of 200m at the resort. High slopes of Khor ski resort provide a picturesque view of the Alborz Mountains.

Ski season at Khor ski resort

Tochal, Dizin, Darbandsar, and Shemshak ski resorts are the highest ski resorts near Tehran and due to their high altitude, the ski season lasts longer. However, the best time to go skiing at Khor ski resort is a bit different. Khor ski season typically runs from mid-January until March. Therefore, the safest time to plan for a ski vacation in Iran is in January and March when all the ski resorts are open to the avid skier and snowboarders. In winter, it gets cold, but it rarely hits very low temperatures that might bother winter-sport lovers.

Khor ski resort a great weekend ski holiday near Tehran

Enjoy a perfect ski day in Khor ski resort

Ski rental at Khor ski resort

Since it is hard to find the latest skiing and snowboarding equipment at Khor ski resort, it is better to bring yours along. Anyhow, you can rent ski gear at Khor ski resort if you do not have ski and snowboard equipment.

Ski accommodation at Khor ski resort

Though you have a variety of choices for accommodation at Dizin and Shemshak ski resorts, Khor ski resort offers you only a three-bedroom villa. The villa has enough capacity for eight people and it is equipped with convenient facilities. Khor ski resort is perfect for a one-day ski trip; therefore, it is a good idea to enjoy an adventurous day at the resort; and then to head back to Tehran and stay at one of the many budget-friendly hotels or hostels available all around the city.

Other activities at khor ski resort

One of the most beloved winter activities at Khor ski resort is snow tubing. Snow tubing is simply a fun activity that requires no skills, but you need to bear in mind that it is not in agreement with safety standards and it might cause injuries. Khor waterfall as a natural attraction is also located in a short distance from the ski resort; therefore, it is a good chance to enjoy ice climbing or visit enthusiastic ice climbers there. In spring, the weather is so pleasant that one would love strolling around the ski resort, listening to the roaring rivers, and watching the green gardens replete with fruits and flowers. Khor ski resort is not as high as Tochal ski resort or as challenging as Dizin, Shemshak, and Darbandsar ski resorts, but there are many entertaining activities to attract visitors especially locals in all four seasons.

Khor ski resort a great weekend ski holiday near Tehran

ski on a budget and have a memorable ski trip

How to get to Khor ski resort?

Khor ski resort is approximately 23km far from Karaj and 65km far from Tehran and you need to go through Karaj-Chalus road to get to the resort.  Driving from Karaj to Khor ski resort takes you through Chalus road as one of the world’s most spectacular roads. Then, you will have a great time visiting the beauty of the Alborz mountain landscapes before arriving at Khor ski resort.

Khor ski resort a great weekend ski holiday near Tehran

Khor ski resort is great for a weekend ski holiday

As a cheap ski destination, Iran offers high-altitude ski resorts rivaling that of the Alps and the Rockies. In order to ski on a budget and make a memorable ski trip, skip the Alps and go on a ski holiday to Iran. Surprisingly, the top 6 ski resorts and off-piste skiing areas in Iran are close to Tehran, the capital of Iran. Tochal, Dizin, Shemshak, Darbandsar, Khor, and Abali ski resorts as the best ski areas near Tehran have different runs suitable for alpine, cross country, and backcountry skiing and snowboarding.

If you quest for the highest ski resort in Iran, Tochal ski resort will welcome you. If you are seeking for adrenaline, Dizin ski resort and Darbandsar ski resort will satisfy you. If you wish to find one of the best mogul ski resorts in Iran, Shmeshak ski resort will host you, and if you just want to go skiing for a day, Khor ski resort will be the right ski resort for you. To have a great ski vacation in Iran, all you need to do is to apply for your tourist visa and enjoy your unforgettable travel to Iran.

Location map for Khor ski resort

From: Azadi Square, Tehran

To: Khor Ski Resort, Alborz

Photo Source (khor-ski.com)

Darbandsar ski resort is a perfect ski destination for off-piste skiing in Iran

Darbandsar ski resort is a private ski resort located in Darbandsar village, about 60km northeast of the capital of Iran. It is one of the best ski resorts and off-piste skiing areas near Tehran. Darbandsar is the paradise for extreme skiers and snowboarders looking for backcountry skiing in a mountainous country such as Iran. The high altitude of 3150m and plenty of slopes suitable for off-piste skiing have made Darbandsar resort a perfect ski destination for avid skiers questing for ski touring in Iran. It is also an ideal place for acclimatization before experiencing ski mountaineering on the highest mountain of Iran, Damavand. Darbandsar ski resort is the second largest ski resort after Dizin and the second most challenging ski resort after Shemshak. These three neighboring ski resorts might be eventually linked to each other in order to turn this vast skiing area into one of the best ski holiday destinations in the world. Read the following article to find more about Darbandsar ski resort as a perfect ski destination for off-piste skiing in Iran.


Table of Contents:

Darbandsar international ski resort

Darbandsar ski resort is one of the highest ski resorts near Tehran. As a private ski resort, Darbandsar was built by the financial supports of the private sector and it came into operation as the newest ski resort in 1982. It is nestled on the slopes of Mount. Seechal 60km northeast of Tehran. After being recognized by the International Ski Federation (FIS), several international league championships have been held in Darbandsar ski resort and some of the most famous skiers coming from different countries in the world had the opportunity to compete there.

Darbandsar ski resort is a perfect ski destination for off-piste skiing in Iran

Experience skiing at Darbandsar ski resort, IRAN (Photo by Mohsen Rajabi)

Darbandsar ski resort facilities and services

Darbandsar ski resort offers trails for beginners, intermediate skiers, and advanced skiers and snowboarders. All skiers with different ski levels can take advantage of a ski school located in the resort area. Though the ski resort is not over-crowded even during the peak of the ski season, it is possible to enjoy skiing from Dizin to Darbandsar in order to avoid losing time in lift queues. That is a great adventure; however, please note that it is a one-way run and you have to go back to Dizin by car if needed. Moreover, you need to hire a local guide both to inform you of the snow quantity and quality needed for skiing and to guide you through the unmarked skiing slopes from Dizin to Darbandsar. At good weather, Darbandsar ski resort offers night skiing to adventurous skiers and snowboarders who like skiing at night.

Darbandsar ski resort elevation

Darbandsar ski resort is one of the highest ski resorts in Iran and it rivals some of the highest ski resorts in the world. The winter sports area of Darbandsar is situated between the elevations of 2,650m and 3,510m. The lowest piste in Darbandsar has an altitude of 2650m while the highest one has an altitude of 3150m. The ski runs are accessible by several chairlifts and surface lifts.

Backcountry skiing at Darbandsar ski resort

The high altitude of 3150m, 30 to 45 minute runs with perfect untouched powder, plenty of slopes suitable for off-piste skiing, and a vertical drop of 500 meters have turned Darbandsar resort into a perfect ski destination for avid skiers questing for ski touring in Iran. Darbandsar ski resort is an ideal place for extreme snowboarders as well. Not only is Darbandsar a perfect place for backcountry skiing, but also it is the right place for acclimatization needed for ski mountaineering on Mt. Damavand as the highest mountain in Iran and the Middle East.

Darbandsar ski resort is a perfect ski destination for off-piste skiing in Iran

Darbandsar ski resort is a perfect place for backcountry skiing (Photo Source: snow-forecast.com)

Ski rental at Darbandsar ski resort

If you do not want to bring your ski gear along, there is ski rental available at Darbandsar ski resort for a reasonable price. You cannot find the latest skiing and snowboarding equipment at Darbandsar ski resort; however, it will let you experience skiing or snowboarding at Iran’s best budget ski resorts.

Ski season at Darbandsar

The ski season runs from early December until late April or early May depending on the weather condition. Taltangeh is the name of a valley located north of Darbandsar and it is possible to enjoy summer skiing there even in July when the majority of Iran cities are experiencing hot summer days. Since Darbandsar takes advantage of snowmaking machines, ski season is more durable at this private ski resort.

Darbandsar ski resort is a perfect ski destination for off-piste skiing in Iran

Darbandsar ski resort is one of the highest ski resorts near Tehran (Photo By Mohammad Sarmadi)

Ski accommodation in Darbandsar

Contrary to Dizin ski resort, there are no hotels or chalets within Darbandsar complex. However, there are many hotels and suites in Darbandsar village to satisfy skiers’ needs after a long adventurous skiing day. It is also possible to book hotels in Shemshak or Dizin ski resorts as the three ski resorts are located in a distance less than 10km. Since it is very close to the capital, you can also return to Tehran and spend the night at budget hotels or hostels in Tehran. Since Iran is a cheap ski destination, you do not need to worry about your ski accommodation.

Other activities at Darbandsar ski resort

Darbandsar ski resort makes a memorable ski challenge for the enthusiastic skiers and snowboarders; however, it is not all about on-piste skiing, off-piste-skiing, and snowboarding experiences. Hiking, mountaineering, winter climbing, mountain biking, ski mountaineering, ice climbing, alpine scrambling, and rock climbing are the other activities that attract adventure lovers from around the world. There is also an icefall near Darbandsar village called Hamaloon icefall as an ideal place to enjoy ice climbing.

Darbandsar ski resort is a perfect ski destination for off-piste skiing in Iran

Darbandsar ski resort, Tehran (Photo By Mohammad Sarmadi)

How to get to Darbandsar

It is a 90-minute drive to reach Darbandsar from Tehran. In order to get to Darbansar, you need to take a ride through Fasham road. It is also possible to reach there via Chalus road; however, it might be closed during winter to avoid avalanches. Darbandsar ski resort is very close to Shemshak and Dizin ski resorts. It is about 3km away from Shemshak and 10km away from Dizin. Therefore, once you enjoyed skiing in Darbandsar, you also have the chance to ski on the slopes of Shemshak and Dizin ski resorts.

 

Darbandsar ski resort is only one of the top 6 ski resorts near Tehran. Khor, Dizin, Shemshak, Tochal, and Abali are the other ski resorts near Tehran; then you can enjoy skiing when traveling to Iran. High ski resorts of Iran and its affordable ski services will give you enough joy and pleasure; therefore, you might love to skip the Alps and go on a ski holiday to Iran.

Winter is coming! Get your Iran visa, and experience a unique ski holiday in one of the friendliest countries in the world.

Location map for Darbandsar ski resort

From: Tajrish Metro Station, Tehran

To: Darbandsar Ski Resort, Tehran