Ski Iran

Very interesting article in this month's Outside about skiing in Iran. The skiing there is very good, with a long season and good snow. The old regime used to be very into skiing, but after they were overthrown in 1979, the investment has virtually ground to a halt. Since 1979 skiing has been seen as too Western, but the current regime just about tolerates it. Dizin is the main resort and the rich young folk from Tehran like to go there to let their hair down and apartments there go for about $250,000. For the women it is a place where they seem to get away with wearing make-up without fear of being beheaded.

On the above piste map, the first legend is for a mosque - very handy when skiing! Apart from the decrepit lift system, another downside of skiing in Iran is the lack of any real apres ski. The only drink you seem to be able to get in any of the resorts is tea.....