Skiing In Azerbaijan: Is It Possible?

Azerbaijan is home to several ski resorts, with 46 kilometres of slopes served by 22 ski lifts. The country's two ski resorts in the Caucasus Mountains offer a change of scenery from traditional slopes, with challenging runs for experts and easier options for beginners. The Tufandag Mountain Resort in Gabala is just 4 kilometres from the city centre and offers 12 kilometres of slopes, while the Shahdag Mountain Ski Resort in the Gusar region offers over 17 kilometres of pistes.

Skiing in Azerbaijan: the best ski resorts

Azerbaijan is home to several ski resorts, with 46 kilometres of slopes in total. The ski resorts are served by 22 ski lifts. The ski resorts in Azerbaijan are the perfect exotic change if you like skiing away from touristy areas. The raw mountain landscape and the Caucasian mountains make skiing there a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Tufandag Mountain Resort

Tufandag Mountain Resort is located in Gabala, 4 kilometres from the city centre. It offers 12 kilometres of slopes, with a mix of challenging reds and blacks for experts and easy options for beginners. The slopes are equipped with state-of-the-art snow guns and are accessed by a network of cable cars, which offer gorgeous views of the Caucasus Mountains. Tufandag has a ski school and a range of accommodation options, including several luxury and upper-mid-level hotels. The resort has received wonderful reviews on Booking.com, with an average rating of 9.0 out of 10.

Shahdag Mountain Resort

Shahdag Mountain Resort is located in Qusar, Guba-Khachmaz Region. It is the best ski resort in Azerbaijan, with 3.3 out of 5 stars. The resort offers 32 kilometres of slopes and reaches an altitude of 2,552 metres. It has received great reviews on Tripadvisor, with many praising the well-prepared slopes and ski school.

Qafqaz Riverside Hotel

Also located in Gabala, this resort features a spa centre, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and free Wi-Fi. It offers air-conditioned rooms and cottages with mountain views. Qafqaz Riverside Hotel has received wonderful reviews on Booking.com, with an average rating of 9.1 out of 10.

Tufandag Mountain Resort: what to expect

Azerbaijan has two ski resorts in the Caucasus Mountains, one of which is the Tufandag Mountain Resort in Gabala. The resort is located just 4 kilometres from the city centre and offers 12 kilometres of slopes, catering to both experts and beginners. The Tufandag Mountain Resort is a great option for skiing enthusiasts looking for a change of scenery.

The resort features state-of-the-art snow guns and cable cars that offer breathtaking views of the Caucasus Mountains. It provides a mix of challenging red and black slopes for experienced skiers, as well as easier options for those just starting out. Visitors can also take advantage of the ski school to improve their skills.

In addition to skiing, the Tufandag Mountain Resort offers a range of accommodation options, including luxury and upper-mid-level hotels. The Qafqaz Tufandag Mountain Resort Hotel, a 5-star hotel, features a fitness centre, a garden, a terrace, and a restaurant. It also offers ski equipment hire, making it a convenient choice for skiers. The hotel provides free WiFi, a kids' club, and room service. Guests can also enjoy the spa and wellness centre, which includes a sauna and a hammam.

During the summer months, the resort offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, paragliding, and jeep tours. The cable cars provide a great way to take in the surrounding natural scenery, which has been described as "incomparable beauty and harmony."

The Tufandag Mountain Resort is a highly-rated destination, with visitors praising the spectacular views, well-maintained cable car service, and delicious food. It is a must-visit place for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts alike.

Shahdag Mountain Resort: what to know

Shahdag Mountain Resort is Azerbaijan's first and largest winter resort. Located in the Azerbaijan Greater Caucasus range, it is a 3.5-hour drive from Baku and 29km from Gusar city. The resort is named after the majestic Mount Shahdag, which stands at 4243 meters above sea level.

The winter season at Shahdag typically runs from the second half of December to the beginning of April, depending on snow conditions. The resort offers 30km of terrain for skiing and snowboarding, with 28 slopes catering to all skill levels. There are 17 lifts providing access to the slopes, including two gondolas for eight people and eight chairlifts with four seats each. The highest ski slope extends up to an altitude of 2,552 meters.

The resort features five hotels, with a total of 1,156 beds, and over 30 restaurants, cafes, and bars. There are also three spa and wellness centres, four conference centres, and seven car parks. The resort caters to families, with an adventure park, trampoline tower, and electric cars for children. There is also a ski and mountain school with national and international instructors, as well as a children's entertainment centre and a kindergarten.

In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Shahdag offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, quad and buggy tours, and horse riding. The resort also provides an ice rink and a roller coaster, the Shahdag Coaster, for those seeking an adrenaline rush.

The resort is known for its breathtaking views of the Caucasus Mountains and its proximity to the ecologically intact Shahdag National Park.

Skiing in Azerbaijan: accommodation options

Azerbaijan has two ski resorts in the Caucasus Mountains, offering a refreshing change of scenery from traditional ski destinations. The Tufandag Mountain Resort in Gabala is just 4 kilometres from the city centre and offers 12 kilometres of slopes, catering to both beginners and experts. The ski resort Shahdag is the largest in the country, with 32 kilometres of slopes.

Accommodation options

Tufandag Mountain Resort

The Tufandag Mountain Resort Hotel is a 5-star hotel with a fitness centre, garden, terrace, restaurant, kids' club, and room service. Guests can use the spa and wellness centre with a sauna and hammam, and ski equipment is available to hire. The hotel has excellent reviews, with an average rating of 9 out of 10.

Shahdag

The Park Chalet, Shahdag, Autograph Collection, is a highly-rated ski-in/ski-out hotel. The Pik Palace, Shahdag, Autograph Collection, is another excellent option, with plenty of dining options and entertainment for kids and adults.

Gabala

Gabala has a range of accommodation options, including villas, chalets, and hotels. The Qafqaz Riverside Hotel is a highly-rated ski resort with a spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and free Wi-Fi. The Qafqaz Falcon Chalet offers free WiFi and free private parking, and the Nohur Hotel Gabala is a 5-star hotel with free bikes, a garden, a terrace, and a restaurant. For a more private option, the Vip villa Green and Emerald House Gabala are excellent choices, with exceptional reviews.

Skiing in Azerbaijan: travel and transport

Azerbaijan has three ski resorts, served by 22 ski lifts, with 46 kilometres of slopes. The largest ski resort, Shahdag, offers 32 kilometres of slopes and reaches an altitude of 2,552 metres.

Travel

The main air hub in Azerbaijan is Heydar Aliyev International Airport, located just outside Baku, the capital city. The airport connects Baku to cities throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia. There are also five other international airports in the country.

Azerbaijan has a modern transport network, including trains, buses, taxis and a metro system in Baku. The Baku Metro connects the city centre to the suburbs and is well-maintained, clean and efficient. Tickets are managed via a smart card system, known as BakıKART or BakuCard.

Azerbaijan also has an established rail network, although services are not known for their efficiency. The network connects Baku to other main towns and regional neighbours, including Kars in Turkey and Tbilisi in Georgia. Baku Central Station has recently been renovated and offers modern facilities.

Buses, coaches and minibuses connect most cities within Azerbaijan, as well as with cities in neighbouring Georgia, Turkey, Iran and Russia. Tickets can generally be bought directly from the bus driver.

Taxis are widely available in major urban centres, although they are not usually metered, so it is important to negotiate the fare before embarking on a journey. In Baku, the state-owned Baku Taxi Service has metered cabs.

Security

Azerbaijan has a Level 2 Travel Advisory: exercise increased caution due to terrorism concerns and areas of armed conflict. Terrorist groups pose a risk, and targets may include tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, hotels, restaurants and airports.

Frequently asked questions