Dizin
Dizin is a ski resort north of Tehran. The highest ski lift reaches 3,600 m (11,800 ft), making it one of the 40 highest ski resorts in the world. Popular with rich Iranians form north Tehran on the weekend (Thursday and Friday) but during the week it is barely visited. Most people just take the gondola up and ski to the restaurant in the middle of the slope and spend the day showing off their latest gear while sipping tea. It is probably the most liberal public place in Iran but police still occasionally patrol the slopes. However, girls can be seen with a fair amount of hair showing and young couples are openly chatting away.
Get in
From Tehran:
- Taxi. 300-350,000 rials one-way.
- Group tour organized by hotel or your travel agent.
- Minibus (Tel: +9 89126708975) [dead link] Leaves very early in the morning, around 05:00, and departs from Dizin around 15:00. Price is 100,000 rials return.
There are two ways to reach Dizin from Tehran. The longest and safest way is through Karaj, this road is usually open but it takes about 2.5 hours. The quickest way is directly north passing through the resort of Shemshak. Between Shemshak and Dizin the road is steep and frequent avalanches means this part of the road often is closed. The minibus mentioned above use this way - Unless you are on a day-trip it is strongly advised you take the road through Karaj.
Make sure you check the weather and snow forecast before you leave, especially if you're traveling the direct route.
Get around
The hotel is 20 m from the bottom of the slopes. The parking area is 50 m away with a few shops that rent out ski equipment.
See
You can see Mount Damavand, the highest mountain in Iran, from Dizin. The scenery with the surrounding mountains is spectacular.
Do
Dizin is an excellent place for skiing and snowboarding, with 22 lifts in the area. A day pass costs between 120,000 and 150,000 rials (more on the weekend). A snowboard can be rented for 100,000 per day, but can go as high as 300,000 per day depending on where you rent and quality. Cheaper rentals are available in Shemshak or at the parking lot on the top of Dizin.
Buy
It is possible to rent ski and snowboard equipment at three places: the pro-shop at the hotel which has the newest great and thus much more expensive, the rental places around the parking lot by the hotel and a few small places along the road at the parking lot on the top. The latter is about half the price compared to the ones at the bottom of the slopes. Same applies to rentals in Shemshak.
Ski instructors are available for hire. It is also possible to hire an experienced guide who can take you to other mountains and off-piste skiing.
Eat
During the day there is a SFC (Iranian version of KFC) in the middle of the slope and a snack bar at the top. The latter also serve breakfast.
At night there are only two restaurants (also open for breakfast and lunch); one in Dizin Hotel and another in the other hotel (only restaurant is open).
Drink
Sleep
There is also a hotel in Shemshak from where you can catch a ride or a taxi to the top of the slope. Next to Dizin Hotel 1 there is another hotel with the equally creative name Dizin Hotel 2.
- 1 Dizin Hotel, Dizin Road (in front of the ski slopes), ☏ +989353836810, fax: +98 261 5212449, iran.dizin.hotel@gmail.com. Old hotel. Great view from rooms facing the slopes. There is one very friendly and resourceful lady at the front desk, make sure you deal with her as everyone else is incompetent. Restaurant serves the usual kebabs. The former cool-looking retro bar has been turned into a coffee shop with non-alcoholic beer. 30% discount on weekdays. US$80-200.
- Gajereh Hotel, Dizin Road (five minutes before arriving at Hotel Dizin), ☏ +989353836810, gajereh.hotel.dizin@gmail.com. There is also this hotel on the same road. This hotel is slightly cheaper and will have a higher chance of having vacant rooms on weekends. It has a free shuttle bus to the slope. US$65-130.
Connect
There is no public telephone in Dizin. Irancell mobile network has coverage (early 2009). You may also be able to use the phone in the reception of Hotel Dizin for local calls.
Go next
You can get a taxi from the top of the slope down to Shemshak which is another ski resort 15 minutes away. Shemshak is steeper and very good for experienced skiers.