Where to go skiing and snowboarding in Azerbaijan? How much is a full day ski pass for adults and children? What are the conditions for skiing and where is the best place to stay for rest? Consider planning a vacation in the winter and find out how much it will cost to go to the eastern part of the Caucasus, what to do in the mountains, which hotels are better to book.
Alpine skiing is associated with France and Switzerland, sometimes with Italy, Germany and Sochi. But in Azerbaijan there are as many resources for this kind of sport as in other familiar places. Therefore, those wishing to join an almost extreme sport should go here.
Skiing weather in the mountains
If the skiing season in the mountains of Italy has been missed, or there is no chance to go there for various reasons, then visiting a neighboring state is quite reasonable. The absence of a visa requirement, a rather short distance, the elimination of language difficulties, affordable housing fees and the loyalty of local residents are the main reasons why you should go to Azerbaijan on vacation in winter or summer.
There are 9 climatic zones on the territory of the state. For comparison - in total there are 11 of them on the planet. Early cold weather at ski resorts and near them begins in october... And in the last autumn month there is a full-fledged ski season in Shahdag. In Tufandag, this moment comes in December... Winter holidays in the mountains of Azerbaijan are not overshadowed by sudden thaws, although the Caspian Sea is located nearby, the climate is perfect for a trip with children. The average temperature is from - 13 to - 20 degrees... At the same time, the conditions will not seem harsh to tourists. The mountains are fairly diluted with forests, canyons and even waterfalls are found everywhere.
The best ski resorts in Azerbaijan
Shahdag resort
- Difficulty of tracks
The arrangement of the ski complex meets the latest technical requirements. The facility began work in 2011, then there was only 1 cable car and 1 track. Now more than 10 tracks are already in operation. The longest one is 1.8 kilometers long. The total length of all ski slopes is 17 kilometers. In addition to a couple of areas for freestylers, there are 4 red, 5 green and blue routes. The highest point in Shahdag is located 2.1 kilometers above sea level. Thanks to the active processing of the trails with artificial snow, it is possible to lengthen the time for skiing. The administration has attracted trained instructors who can teach beginners to ride in 1 or 2 workouts. There are 12 ski lifts, rental points, dozens of restaurants and hotels.
- How to get to Shahdag?
Most Russians fly to Baku by plane. It is faster and more convenient than getting there by train or bus. Regular air communication with Baku is organized from Moscow, as well as from St. Petersburg. In addition to direct flights, there are transit ones - via Kazan, Astana or Minsk. People travel from the Azerbaijani capital to the ski resort by buses and cars. Flight search services help to save money.
If you leave Baku for Shahdag by car, you can reach your destination in 3 hours. When choosing public transport, they initially get to Gusars, and from the bus station of this city they are already taking a taxi. There is no need to apply for a visa, you only need to present a foreign passport. Bus routes to Gusar depart regularly (once every 1.5 hours) from the Baku bus station, the ticket price is 4 manats. Taxi services charge a fee of 10 to 15 manats, depending on the operator chosen.
- Trip route:
- Ski pass prices in 2021
The cost of the ski pass in Shahdag for the season 2021 is 25 manats. But if you want to get admission for the entire ski season, you will have to pay 390 Azerbaijani currency units. For 50, you can attend a two-hour personal lesson with an instructor.
- Equipment rental cost
For a ski set of skis with poles and boots, you have to pay 20 manats, for a snowboard with boots - 25 manats. Important: those who travel with their own equipment can only rent boots, it will cost from 10 to 15 manats. Conclusion: the cost is on average 2 or 3 times less than in Europe.
- Prices in Shahdag hotels
The question - where to stay in Shahdag - is no less important than arrival. You can rent a room in a five-star hotel for an average of $ 70 per day. Three-star and four-star hotels offer their premises for 35 - 40 dollars per day at least. Having settled in Shahdag Guest House, you can view the mountains from the windows. Each room is equipped with satellite TV and a continental breakfast is served daily. There is no need for a credit card. Staying alone in a double room costs 480 euros per week.
- What to do in the evening after skiing?
If the answer is “in Shahdag” to the question of where to go skiing in Azerbaijan in winter, the infrastructure of the complex will delight tourists. There is an ice rink and a school for training skiers. This allows you to use your free time to improve your qualifications. But they also offer many other entertainments. Thus, hiking and Nordic walking are available to the visitors of the resort. Horseback riding and snowmobile and ATV rides are available. Another type of active leisure is paintball. Animal and plant lovers often head to the national park. In the dark, 90% of hotels have bars with discos. In addition, the prices at the Shahdag ski resort in winter attract lovers of spa treatments and fitness.
- Slope scheme:
Ski resort Tufandag (Gabala)
This facility has been operating since 2014. The creators of the resort are diligently seeking the formation of an infrastructure that is not inferior to the leading Alpine models. There are points for the rental of equipment, there are 5 ski slopes.
- Difficulty of tracks
Downhill routes are located at altitudes from 1 to 1.92 km. The total length of the sections is 17 kilometers, while the difference in altitude between the highest and lowest points of the resorts is 591 meters. There are 4 lifts leading to the launch site, which together are capable of lifting 3000 tourists per day. The slopes are improved with the help of snow groomers and complexes of artificial snow addition. You can ride in Tufandag in December, January, February and March.
- How to get there?
The important question is what and how to get to the resort of Tufandag. The path from Baku (selection of housing) takes 220 kilometers. Cars (taxis, rented cars) and tourist buses cover this distance in 210 - 240 minutes, depending on driving performance and traffic conditions. Planes arrive in Baku from Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, St. Petersburg. Spend about 3 hours in the air. The train from Moscow to Baku travels 60 hours. Air and rail travel fees are constantly changing, so they need to be clarified before the trip.
- Prices for a ski pass in Tufandag
For one day, tourists pay 25 manats. But for children, the fee is 20 manats. Another 10 units need to be paid for using the lifts. Studying at a ski school costs 35 manats per hour for adults and 20 manats for the same time for children.
- The cost of renting uniforms per day
If you rent skis, boots, ski poles and helmets, you have to pay 20 manats. For the same amount, they give out boots along with a snowboard and helmets. The rental of a set of trousers and a jacket for skiers will cost 10 manats.
- Prices in hotels
Positive reviews about the ski resorts of Azerbaijan are more often given by those tourists who stay in hotels directly at the lower stations of the ski lifts. In this case, you will need to pay at least $ 73 per room per day.If you prefer three-star and four-star hotels, you can reduce the payment to $ 30 or $ 40 per day. Staying at Qafqaz Tufandag Mountain, travelers will be able to visit the fitness center, restaurant, will receive a choice of continental or American breakfast. Renting a room with an area of 40 square meters for a week costs 749 euros.
What to do in the evening after skiing?
Gabala is a pleasant place for lovers of hiking in the mountains. Fans of fishing and hunting in winter come here willingly. Their leisure time is 100% provided by the local excursion service. Skiers in their free time examine ancient architecture, go to an amusement park and a winery.
- Route scheme:
- Blue slopes are for beginners;
- Red - slopes of medium difficulty for confident skiers;
- Black - for active skiing and snowboarding.
