Iran 2012: Seeking Quality Beta from TGR Maggots

**boltonoutlaw** · 08-16-2010, 07:18 AM

Like it says - I'm planning a trip for 2012, and am seeking quality information about skiing & riding in Iran. I did a search here at TGR and turned up nada about logistics. The only result at TGR that was not in PolyAssHat or The Padded Room is a brief in The Slide Zone: [ame="http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184340"]Avalanche in Iran[/ame].

Any useful information is welcomed. Especially am hoping to hear from those who themselves have been skiing or riding in Iran. Could not find any Iran TR's at TGR, but I'm willing to bet someone here has been there, and has the story to tell.

Been all over YouTube searching videos. Nice pictures but zero information.
Thanks in advance for anything (useful) that might wash up.

Ahhh summer, soon it will be over...

**Dexter Rutecki** · 08-16-2010, 07:25 AM

I believe Powder ran something fairly recently about skiing in Iran, didn't they? I'm sure you could get in touch with whoever wrote it.

**Slaag Master** · 08-16-2010, 09:36 AM

work for the "company"? try the cia world fact book

**Scottish_Skier** · 08-16-2010, 10:04 AM

Never been....

However one of my good mates is a travel journalist just back from a long trip - which included a month spent in Iran. Funnily enough we discussed this same topic last week over a beer. Although he didn't ski on that trip he reckoned it could be a *very* good exotic ski location (in his opinion possibly better than Gulmarg as there is well developed infrastructure, a very different culture and not many westerners at all).

Sounds like there are lots of resorts very close to Tehran. Mount Damavand itself (5000m / highest peak in Iran) sounds like a fantastic ski touring spot. Apparently they aren't short of snow either despite proximity to equator. He said everyone in Iran was super friendly and it felt really safe. Only downside was the expensive visa that needs to be arranged well in advance. Plus you really wouldn't want to get caught drinking alcohol there....

Maybe one day...
Cool piste map. Would also like to know more!

**skideeppow** · 08-16-2010, 10:11 AM

contact chris anthony, he did a warren miller segment there. YOu can reach him on facebook or drop him an email at anthonychris at hotmaildotcom

**StraightChuter** · 08-16-2010, 10:37 AM

I went there a few years ago and it was one of the coolest ski trips of my life. Highly recommended. Here's a TR:
http://www.pawprince.com/trips/Iran_07/index.htm

This was all backcountry (the hiking type...) skiing, not resorts. We drove by a few closed resorts and they looked like dinkmaster roadside attractions. But, the BC skiing there is fantastic. The Alum Koo (sp?) range is a lot like the Tetons, but even higher. Damavand is the high point of the country (18k plus) and a very easy ski descent.

Just driving around Tehran was a sport in itself. Bring a respirator.

**Grape_Ape** · 08-16-2010, 10:38 AM

I found this video on youtube about skiing in Iran...haven't watched the whole thing yet, but it seems to shed some light on the topic.

Edit: it is by some beginners, but still...
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waMBt6EnsT8"]YouTube- Skiing in Iran[/nomedia]

**jon gaper** · 08-16-2010, 01:12 PM

i cant think of a worse place to spend my money

**Sunstone** · 08-16-2010, 02:06 PM

this is quite a good article on Dizin, Shamshek and Damavand by Kiwi Simon Shelton. I'm going to a presentation in September at the Canterbury Mountaineering Club in Christchurch, NZ so will fill you all in on details! Check out:

http://www.bivouac.co.nz/ar-ski-mountaineering-iran

I'm also putting together a trip for next year in April so should have full details soon!

Cheers,
Paul

**StraightChuter** · 08-16-2010, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by jon gaper

i cant think of a worse place to spend my money

Seeing and skiing is believing. The Iranians are some of the nicest people I've ever met and their mountains are fantastic. Persia has a millennium long tradition of hospitality and it is only recently that they have been branded part of the Axis of Evil, apparently because they don't want to give their oil away for free.

**Mike Pow** · 08-16-2010, 03:41 PM

David Hamilton of High Adventure has skied Damavand. Top bloke. Drop him a line.

http://www.highadventure.org.uk/

doughboyshredder · 08-16-2010, 06:22 PM

Researched this heavily for quite a while. End result is that as an American, it's not going to happen.

edit****
might be a little easier than I thought, but requirements do change often.

**changodeoro** · 08-16-2010, 06:49 PM

My in-laws are traveling across mostly Eastern Europe from Denmark to Turkey for 3-4 months before heading back to the States from Spain. They want to go to Iran to trek and do some general touring and sightseeing for several weeks while they are there, and have applied for all the permits, visas, etc. from the Iranian government. So far they have not heard back. Apply early, be patient and flexible, and you may have a chance. Maybe there are easier ways, but that has been their experience. Hope that helps. Happy travels!!

**hop** · 08-16-2010, 08:44 PM

How about as a Canadian?

Lots of my Scando buddies have made the trip with excellent results.

**StraightChuter** · 08-16-2010, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by doughboyshredder

Researched this heavily for quite a while. End result is that as an American, it's not going to happen.

edit****
might be a little easier than I thought, but requirements do change often.

Things might have changed since I was there, but overall it was easier and far less expensive than a trip to Nepal, etc.. You need to get a Tourist Visa (way easier than a journalist visa) which involves hooking up with an accredited Iranian guide who will vouch for you the entire time you are there. They meet you at the airport and you spend your entire time with them (including skiing), but the price is reasonable and you'd be completely lost without them, so it is a win/win. The guy we were with, Majid, is now a good friend.

Hugh Conway · 08-16-2010, 09:32 PM

For a tourist to Nepal you show up, pay cash, get visa. No guide necessary. For the trekking peaks bureaucracy is relatively simple - $. But the skiing would be less than stellar. Other peaks I dunno.

I've heard similar stories of how cool it is, and similar stories of it being a relative pain for Americans to get Visas in the current climate. It certainly has appeal but other places that have more appeal for less government hassle (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, etc. )

**boltonoutlaw** · 08-16-2010, 10:08 PM

Sometimes the hassle is the appeal, AND the filter. If there is sufficient time, I don't mind a few difficulties, especially if it thins the herd.
So far, some great leads for me to chase have come out of this thread; thank you to all who have contributed except

Originally Posted by jon gaper

i cant think of a worse place to spend my money

Whatevs Gaper, I'm not here (in Ski/Snowboard) to discuss politics, just downhill therapy.

Hugh Conway · 08-16-2010, 11:40 PM

Not sure if there's fewer ski tourists than the places I mentioned above at all - I think I've met more Euros who've been to Iran than have been to Gulmarg. Just that there are fewer Americans (USA)

**boltonoutlaw** · 08-17-2010, 03:46 AM

I don't doubt that the tourists are fewer, and the rewards many in the places you mention, but that is a trip for a different day.
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, - these are Turkic states, majority Sunni, formerly part of the Soviet Union, and clearly part of central Asia.

Iran, straddling the Middle East and Eurasia, and majority Shi'a, has more interest to me as one of the world's oldest major civilizations. It is far more developed and sophisticated than the Turkic states, has contributed much more to the arts & sciences, and the cultural experience, I believe, will be far more interesting (for me).

Furthermore, I can't deny, I'm curious to see with my own eyes this nation which has been demonized by the USA since 1953 (Operation Ajax). I've been subjected to anti-Iranian propaganda since birth, and I believe most of it is bull-

.

Moreover, it seems the ski industry is more developed in Iran than in the Turkic states, and one of my goals is to find a deeper "local scene" than exists in, say, Kashmir for instance, where the "local scene" is pretty thin, and hardly anyone can or does part with $$$ for recreation.

Lastly, the wimmins in Iran are beautiful, curious, educated, and hopefully, willing, so that kinda seals the deal.

EDIT* Of course, they don't all look like that ^^^. I'm sure to come across the Persian version of Nanny McPhee:

**StraightChuter** · 08-17-2010, 09:12 AM

Bring as much extra gear as you can and trade it for carpets on the way out.

"All the Shah's Men" is highly recommended reading.

**boltonoutlaw** · 08-17-2010, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by StraightChuter

"All the Shah's Men" is highly recommended reading.

Buying that today as I need a good read.

Originally Posted by StraightChuter

Bring as much extra gear as you can and trade it for carpets on the way out.

I might have thought of that, but thanks for the reminder. I bought some antique carpets in Srinagar, mainly from Kashmir, but two of the best had travelled east from Iran, so I'll be adding to the pile...Not sure if this will work again, but I avoided paying customs tariffs on imported carpets by having them declared as wall-hangings.

**samthaman** · 08-17-2010, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by boltonoutlaw

Buying that today as I need a good read.

I might have thought of that, but thanks for the reminder. I bought some antique carpets in Srinagar, mainly from Kashmir, but two of the best had travelled east from Iran, so I'll be adding to the pile...Not sure if this will work again, but I avoided paying customs tariffs on imported carpets by having them declared as wall-hangings.

why not just declare an absurdly low value? They won't really have a way to prove that some villager didn't sell you the carpet for pocket change.

**StraightChuter** · 08-17-2010, 01:26 PM

If I was to do it again I'd only bring gear that I could trade and I'd bring as much extra as I could carry. I had all new gear on my trip and ended up trading off some of it, but didn't want to trade my skis, bindings, boots, poles, transceiver, etc.. Iranians are desperate for ski gear and you get. Arrive with nothing but gear, leave with nothing but worthless carpets.

**Big Tim** · 08-17-2010, 03:15 PM

Bob did this trip...

http://www.telemarktips.com/FSbobIran.html

You can always PM him (Mazarei) on TTips. But I'm sure that Staightcooter guy has some solid beta.

BT