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Iran isn’t normally the first place people think of when considering ski destinations, but Iran is not just desert, there are some 13,123 feet plus mountains and some ski resorts. Shemshak ski resort was the second ski resort to be built in Iran in 1958. At an altitude of 8,382 feet, the resort is just 35 miles northeast of the capital of Tehran, in the Alborz Mountains.

Shemsak ski resort itself is quite small. The only accommodation available is at one of the two hotels situated here and there are four restaurants. It is usually sunny at Shemshak ski resort and it is blessed with a high snowfall due to its altitude and the dry air, ensuring a lot of high quality powder.

There are a total of seven ski lifts at Shemshak ski resort, two chair lifts, three button lifts and 2 two t-bars. Shemsak ski resort has a reputation as the hardest resort in the country at which to ski and it has more than enough moguls and powder to satisfy advanced skiers.

Apart from eating at one of the restaurants, there is no nightlife in Shemshak; the last bar was shut down in 1979. Iran is a Muslim country and alcohol is forbidden. Though Shemshak ski resort is far more relaxed than the rest of the country, women should keep their hair covered at all times, with a hat when skiing and with a headscarf at other times. Women also have to cover their body - clothes cannot be too tight - loose trousers and a knee-length jacket are ideal. Men should not wear shorts and it is better to wear long sleeved shirts. Even if skiers get hot in the sun, it is best not to ski in a t-shirt.

The nearest ski resort to Shemshak ski resort is Dizin, six miles away. This is suited to beginners and less experienced skiers, with 50 per cent of the runs suitable for beginners and 40 percent suitable for intermediate skiers.

The ski season at Shemshak ski resort lasts from the end of November until the beginning of April. The easiest way to get reach the resort is to fly to Tehran International Airport and then travel by road to the resort.

Skiing in Shemshak

Shemsak ski resort is 8,382 feet up in the Alborz Mountains, 35 miles northeast of Tehran. It is the second largest ski resort in Iran and it has a reputation for having the most challenging runs in the country. Skiing in Shemshak is ideal for advanced skiers. Beginners and novices may feel happier at nearby Dizin ski resort, just six miles away, which has a higher proportion of beginner and intermediate runs.

There are a total of seven ski lifts at Shemshak ski resort, two chair lifts, three buttons and two t-bars. The highest lift tops out at 10,000 feet and the longest vertical drop is 2,624 feet. Most of the ski runs at Shemshak ski resort are of an intermediate standard or above, with plenty of moguls and off-piste action. This is where you will find all of Iran’s finest skiers. The area has good snow cover and snow depths of 6.5 feet are not unusual. There is also normally an abundance of good quality powder thanks to the dryness of the air in these mountains. There is no board park, but snowboarders are welcome and 30 per cent of the people on the slopes are boarders. The terrain is especially suited to more adventurous boarders. Ski lift prices are very cheap and queues are nearly nonexistent, except for sometimes at the weekends when locals come to the resort from Tehran.

There is a limited choice of things to do at Shemshak ski resort. There are only two hotels and four restaurants, and there are no bars or nightlife. For those who have the energy for more after a hard day of skiing there is floodlit skiing. For a change of pistes it’s possible to visit nearby Dizin ski resort, located six miles away. This resort is better suited to novices, with half its runs being of a beginner level and only 10 per cent being suitable for advanced skiers.

The ski season at Shemshak ski resort lasts from the end of November to the beginning of April. The easiest way to get here is by road from Tehran.

Transportation to Shemshak

Located in the Alborz Mountains, 35 miles northeast of Tehran at an altitude of 8,382 feet is Shemshak ski resort. The resort is only accessible by road and can be reached by coach or car.

It is possible to hire a car in Iran, although a large deposit may be required and prices are often quite high. The roads are of a reasonable standard, but not as good as in Europe and a better and safer option may be to hire a car with a driver. The distance from Tehran to Shemshak ski resort is 35 miles and the journey time is about an hour. Snow chains are recommended; they are often needed on the last 12 miles of the journey if there has been heavy snowfall.

Tehran International Airport is the nearest international airport to Shemshak ski resort. It is served by flights from China, India, Japan, neighbouring Persian Gulf countries and many major European cities. Tehran is also a hub for internal flights. The easiest way to get from the airport to Tehran is to catch a cab, a 30-minute journey.

Shemshak ski resort does not have a railway station; the closest railway station is at Tehran. It is possible to catch a coach from Tehran to Shemshak. Coaches in Iran are fairly comfortable and have heating or air-conditioning. Most towns in Iran have a bus service and Seir-o-Safar, the largest coach company in Iran, operates a network of buses that cover the country.

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