Mountain ski resorts in Armenia - unique beauty and European service

Small Armenia attracts travelers with its climate, a lot of cultural, historical and architectural monuments and affordable prices. At the same time, the tourism sector continues to develop: new hotels and restaurants open, cities and resorts are settled.

In winter, tourists are welcome to ski resorts in Armenia: Tsakhkadzor, Jermuk and Sevan. The whole country is on an elevation (an average of 1800 m above sea level). At the same time the climate allows you to enjoy both summer holidays and conquer snow-covered slopes in the winter. The ski season lasts from the second half of December to the end of March, sometimes the snow lies all April.

Tsaghkadzor is the "star" of Armenian tourism

The unequivocal prize-winner of the nomination "The best ski resorts of Armenia" - Tsakhkadzor. Reviews of skiers leave no doubt that this is the most developed resort of the country. Over 30 km of trails cover the slopes of Mount Teghenis, at the foot of which the city is built. Modern lifts quickly and comfortably deliver to the routes of different levels of complexity. During the ascent, a panorama of most of Armenia opens before our eyes. In the warm season Tsaghkadzor is surrounded by flowering meadows, for which it was called the "valley of flowers".

Tsaghkadzor is located only 50 km from Yerevan, so it's the easiest way to get to the resort through it. The capital of Armenia regularly flies such large airlines as Aeroflot, Armavia, S7 and Ural Airlines. You can cross 75 km from Yerevan airport to Tsaghkadzor by bus, minibus or taxi, there is a possibility to book a transfer. The fare on the bus and minibus does not exceed 100 rubles, while for the car you have to lay out a half or two thousand. The roads in the country are excellent, the trip will pass easily and quickly. If you travel on your own, look at Hrazdan, from it to the resort is only 5 km.

Tsakhkadzor for skiers: trails and ski lifts

The resort attracted the attention of skiers from all over the world after the broadcast of the Soviet national team on the slopes of Tegenis. It was an excellent indicator that the ski resorts of Armenia are in no way inferior to the more popular destinations. With increasing number of people wishing to get acquainted with the culture of the country and personally check the routes of Tsakhkadzor, the resort attracted more attention. In 2004, Lightner, one of the leading companies in the production and installation of cable cars, began to implement its project in the Armenian resort.

The Austrian-Italian company for several years installed five lifts with a total length of more than six kilometers. They can climb to the highest point (at a height of 2819 m), from which you can see the whole gorge, Lake Sevan and even neighboring Ararat. A big plus of the new chairlift - the seats are soft and heated, giving maximum comfort even in frost. The lower station is at the level of 1966 m above the sea. If you choose the farthest route, you get a height difference of 850 m. The cable car from Leitner is designed for the maximum influx of tourists and so quickly delivers them to the tracks that there are almost no queues at stations.

Ski resorts in Armenia will suit both beginners and aces in skiing and snowboarding. In Tsakhkadzor, blue, red and black trails are marked (depending on the difficulty level). Those who are not sure of their abilities will be helped by instructors of local ski schools. The longest route of the resort is about eight kilometers in length. Professionals can ride on a sports trench and a former track for bobsled. It will give a lot of vivid impressions and even more adrenaline.

Tsakhkadzor Attractions

For fans of not only skiing, but also the excursion program it is worth to visit the ski resorts of Armenia, Tsakhkadzor - in particular. During the break from the dizzying descents you can visit one of the attractions to your taste. The most popular is Kecharis - a complex of churches and chapels, in which monks live to this day. The first church was built in 1013 and is named after St. Grigor, whose relics are kept in one of the chapels.

Across the road from the monastery is another church, which many miss on the background of Kecharis. The Orbeli Brothers Memorial Museum is a 5-minute walk away. The history of the whole family of scientists can be read on the plates, but it is better to book a tour with a professional guide. The House of Writers of Armenia hosts a variety of seminars and conferences. The cultural program should include Lake Sevan and hot springs.

Prices for holidays in Tsakhkadzor

Another reason to choose ski resorts in Armenia - prices. They are much lower than in most European countries. Daytime skipass will cost 1300 rubles. For a week - about 5100 rubles. For one raise ask 220 rubles. An hour of riding with an instructor costs about 2000 rubles. Prices for hotels start at $ 17 per person per night.

In the city and near the stations there are rental outlets. The cost of a set for skiing is about 550 rubles. A day, on snowboard - 750 rubles., For points and a helmet will ask for 220 rubles.

Hotels and Entertainment in Tsakhkadzor

For accommodation there are hotels from 2 * to 5 * in different price categories. All of them are located at the foot of the mountain, at 1.5-3 km from the first cable car station. Before the ski lifts from some hotels carry on their buses, you can take a taxi for 100 rubles. There are several cafes near the stations, all the rest are located in the city. Almost all the entertainment is in hotels, although the infrastructure continues to evolve, attracting more people to the ski resorts of Armenia.

Travelers' reviews are provided by such hotels as "Russia", "Jupiter", "Kecharis" and the rest house "University". All of them provide good service and have a shuttle service to the cable car.

Jermuk - healing water and mountains

Balneological health resort of the country called the resort since 2007, when it began to actively develop. In the ski resorts of Armenia it can be enrolled due to two routes on Mount Shish, located 170 km from the capital. The slopes are shallow, so they are suitable for beginners.

In Jermuk you can come any time of the year for treatment, in the winter the possibility of skiing is added. By the beginning of the trails laid lift, there is a rental of equipment for those who did not plan to get on the skis. The resort is going to develop, build more cable cars and hotels, prepare new routes projects.

Sevan is a union of water and mountains

This is another developing direction, combining skiing and rest on the coast of the famous lake. The tracks are mainly of interest to beginners, since they are very flat and level. A big plus will be a variety of attractions nearby.

Any of the ski resorts in Armenia is worthy of attention now, and in a few years they promise to become only better.