Dizin backcountry Skiing and MT Damavand Ski-Mountaineering

8 Days

Duration

Strenuous

Activity Level

Mar, Apr

Best Months

Ski Touring

Activities

Adventure Travel

Travel Styles

Ski Touring holiday in Iran’s best backcountry ski region and ascent Mt Damavand (5,610m) with skis

TOUR CODE

236-STN-SKI

START

Tehran

FINISH

Tehran

REGION(S)

Central Alborz Mountain

INCLUDED

MEALS: 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 5 Dinners
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotel: 2 Nights, Local House: 2 Nights, Shelter: 3 Nights
TRANSPORTATION: Private vehicle
All transportation according to the itinerary Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary Meals as indicated in the itinerary English speaking tour guide Backpack handling by Mules/Horses (limited to 15kg per person)

NOT INCLUDED

Entry fee for the sites not mentioned in the itinerary
Travel insurance
International airfare
Excess baggage charges
Airport and departure taxes
Any extra hotel costs such as early check in or late checkout
Laundry
Mini bar used in the room
Meals not stipulated in the itinerary
Tips (optional)
Cost of medical immunizations
Bottled water
Phone calls
Any other service not mentioned in the itinerary

ski on long runs with relatively easy access near the ski resort of Dizin with many amenities close by
Darband Sar Powder skiing
Mt Damavand ski touring
Village accommodation

Mt. Damavand (5610 m)

Damavand with 5610 meters (according to the latest estimate) is the highest mountain in Iran and western Asia. It is also the highest volcanic cone-shaped peak in Asia. Its volcanic activity has been in the geological past and there is no human historical record of any known activity, so it is considered as a non-active former volcano. As a former volcano, it is endowed with many natural gifts due to its past. It abounds with hot and cold springs on her slopes and the surrounding land. There are sizable areas on its slopes that are covered with sulfur and still active enough to give off that special sulfur odor. There are relatively large glaciers, frozen waterfalls, gas and steam wells. Because of many deep valleys and high slopes surrounding it, the region harbors a great variety of vegetation and wildlife. There are great vistas where one can take in some quiet moments and gaze at beautiful panoramas, while standing in the heart of this remarkable mountain.

It is located in the Central Alborz Mountain chain and has at least 16 recognized routes for ascending to its peak. There is a long history of numerous ascends. Some has become quite mythical in their colorful accounts, courageous deeds and tragic ends. The mountain itself is the subject of many mythical and folkloric tales. During the spring, the slopes are covered by green pastures and wild flowers. From the peak, everyone can see quite some distance. In the north, you will see the Caspian Sea, to the west there are the waters of Lar reservoir and the sprawling city of Tehran. To the south, everyone can gaze into the vastness of the desert which is called Dashte Kavir. A truly remarkable and memorable climb on a unique mountain! For our ski mountaineering trip, we will climb through the south face.

This trip consists of two parts; Powder skiing in Dizin & Darband Sar ski resorts & ski mountaineering in Mt Damavand. It has been designed to take advantage of exceptional deep powder skiing during the late winter and early spring months in Dizin, Darband Sar ski areas and Mt Damavand. In this period snow is quite stable and there is a little chance of avalanche. This program is for people who have previous experience in randonee or telemark skiing. The days spent are quite vigorous engaged both uphill and downhill skiing. So we expect our clients to be quite fit and capable of handling various snow conditions that one will inevitably encounter on such trips. There is also the matter of climbing Iran’s highest peak and then skiing down to double the fun.

Day 1: Tehran Arrival

Upon arrival in Tehran, an Adventure Iran representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to a comfortable hotel in Tehran. The rest of the day is at your leisure for a city exploration to get your bearings and especially to acclimatize to the high altitude. Tehran’s altitude is approximately 1500 meters above sea level. You will have a meeting with your tour guide in the afternoon for a brief introduction in order to give you the necessary information and having a chat, checking your equipment and preparing for the next day departure. We will give you sufficient information, maps, tips etc. in order to make your wonderings in the vast city enjoyable and hassle free. Overnight stay at hotel in Tehran. (-,-,-)

Day 2: Drive to Dizin, full day off piste skiing

Depart from Tehran by a private vehicle. You will be picked up from your hotel early morning around 6 AM. It takes two hours to reach to the Ski resort. On the way to the piste, you will stop at a good restaurant for breakfast. In order to assess the skiing abilities of each individual in the group, we will spend the first day close to Dizin ski area and will do mini forays to the slopes so that we can judge every one’s ability. We will start the day at 9:00 a.m, traveling the gondolas to the top of Dizin ski area. At the top, the guides will steer you towards the See-Chaal off-slope area and we will spend the day for powder skiing and using the Gondola system to go back to the top. You will enjoy a full day off Piste skiing around the resort. In the afternoon, the driver will pick you up from the piste driving to the village. Overnight stay in a local home. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Full day powder skiing

We will rise up early morning; after morning coffee and breakfast, the driver will pick you up from the village to the ski resort for a full day off piste skiing.

Day 4: Darband Sar – Drive to Damavand base camp

Wake up at 6:00 and start at 8:00 a.m. again. Today’s plan is skiing from Dizin peak all the way to another ski resort. So we will pack everything and leave it for the driver to take your luggage to Darband Sar and then we will drive towards Mt Damavand base which takes 3 hours (polor). We will stay in Polor shelter. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Base Camp to the 2nd Camp & Ski touring to 3rd camp

After an early breakfast, we will be picked up by 4×4 cars from the base camp (Polor) taking us towards south face of Damavand Monutain’s second camp called Goosfand Sara (3000m). Sometimes the road is blocked by snow, therefore we might need to skin up on skis from some point towards the second camp. Upon arrival, we will take some rest before continuing ski touring to the third camp (Bargah Sevom or Shelter 3) at 4250m. Skiing time would be between 6 to 8 hours depending on the ability and speed of the group. There will be a good opportunity to socialize with other skiers and climbers who are usually in the shelter (total ascent from 2nd camp 1250m). We will stay at the shelter for the night. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Reaching to the summit (5671m), return to the 3rd camp

After an early morning breakfast, we will start the day from 4200m to the summit at 5671m. This day will be the hardest day since we will push for the summit which usually takes about 6 to 7 hoursFrom the summit we ski down to the 3rd camp and stay at the shelter for the night. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Ski touring to first camp- drive to Tehran

After breakfast in the shelter we ski back to the 2nd camp. It takes a couple of hours to the camp where we collect our luggage and after a short rest drive to Polor. We can change our clothes and take our luggage in the hut and continue driving towards the capital. Overnight stay at hotel. (B, L)

Day 8: Tehran and Departure:

The last day would be free to walk around for the city or do some shopping and exchange photos, etc. Midday will be the checkout time from the hotel. (B)