Small Armenia attracts travelers with its climate, many cultural, historical and architectural monuments and affordable prices. At the same time, the tourism sector continues to develop: new hotels and restaurants are being opened, cities and resorts are being equipped.
In winter, vacationers take ski resorts in Armenia: Tsaghkadzor, Jermuk and Sevan. The whole country is on a hill (an average of 1800 m above sea level). At the same time, the climate allows you to enjoy both summer vacations and conquer the snow-covered slopes in the winter. The ski season lasts from the second half of December to the end of March, sometimes snow lies all April.
Tsaghkadzor - the "star" of Armenian tourism
The unequivocal winner of the nomination "The Best Ski Resorts of Armenia" is Tsaghkadzor. Reviews of skiers leave no doubt that this is the most developed resort in the country. More than 30 km of slopes cover the slopes of Mount Teghenis, at the foot of which the city was built. Modern lifts quickly and comfortably deliver to the slopes of different difficulty levels. During the ascent, a panorama of most of Armenia opens before the eyes. In the warm season, Tsaghkadzor is surrounded by flowering meadows, for which it received the name "Valley of Flowers".
Tsaghkadzor is located just 50 km from Yerevan, so it is easiest to get to the resort through it. Major airlines such as Aeroflot, Armavia, S7 and Ural Airlines regularly fly to the capital of Armenia . You can overcome 75 km from Yerevan airport to Tsaghkadzor by bus, minibus or taxi, it is possible to order a transfer. The fare on the bus and minibus does not exceed 100 rubles, while the car will have to pay one and a half to two thousand. The roads in the country are excellent, the trip will be easy and quick. If you travel independently, focus on Hrazdan, from it to the resort only 5 km.
Tsaghkadzor for skiers: slopes and ski lifts
The resort attracted the attention of skiers from all over the world after the broadcast of the Soviet team on the slopes of Teghenis was shown. This was an excellent indicator that the ski resorts of Armenia are in no way inferior to more popular destinations. With the growing number of people wishing to get acquainted with the culture of the country and personally check the routes of Tsaghkadzor, the resort attracted more and more attention. In 2004, Lightner, one of the leading companies in the production and installation of cable cars, began to implement its project in an Armenian resort.
The Austrian-Italian company in five years installed five lifts with a total length of more than six kilometers. You can climb them to the highest point (to a height of 2819 m), from which you can see the entire 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 cold weather. The lower station is located at a level of 1966 m above the sea. If you choose the longest 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 the stations.
The ski resorts of Armenia are suitable for both beginners and experts in skiing and snowboarding. In Tsaghkadzor, tracks of blue, red and black colors are distinguished (depending on the level of difficulty). Those who are not confident in their abilities will be helped by instructors from local ski schools. The longest route of the resort is about eight kilometers in length. Professionals can ride the sports trench and the former bobsled track. This will give a lot of vivid impressions and even more adrenaline.
Sights of Tsaghkadzor
Fans of not only skiing, but also an excursion program should visit the ski resorts of Armenia, Tsaghkadzor in particular. During respite from the dizzying slopes, you can visit one of the attractions to your taste. The most popular is Kecharis - a complex of churches and chapels in which monks still live. The first church was built back in 1013 and named after St. Gregory, whose relics are stored in one of the chapels.
Across the road from the monastery is another church, which many overlook against the backdrop of Kecharis. The Orbeli Brothers Memorial Museum is a 5-minute walk. The history of a whole family of scientists can be read on the tablets, but it is better to book an excursion with a professional guide. Various seminars and conferences are hosted by the House of Writers of Armenia. The cultural program should include Lake Sevan and hot springs.
Prices for holidays in Tsaghkadzor
Another reason to choose the ski resorts of Armenia is the price. They are significantly lower than in most European countries. A daily ski pass will cost 1300 rubles, for a week - about 5100 rubles. For one lift they will ask 220 rubles. An hour of skiing with an instructor costs about 2000 rubles. Hotel prices start at $ 17 per person per night.
There are equipment rental points in the city and near the stations. The cost of a ski kit is about 550 rubles. per day, on a snowboard - 750 rubles, for points and a helmet they will ask for 220 rubles.
Hotels and entertainment in Tsaghkadzor
For accommodation there are hotels from 2 * to 5 * in different price categories. All of them are located at the foot of the mountain, 1.5-3 km from the first cableway station. To 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 entertainment is in hotels, although the infrastructure continues to develop, attracting more and more people to the ski resorts of Armenia.
Traveler reviews are highlighted by such hotels as Russia, Jupiter, Kecharis and Universitet Recreation Center. All of them provide good service and have a shuttle service to the cable car.
Jermuk - healing water and mountains
The resort has been called the balneological health resort of the country since 2007, when it began to actively develop. It can be credited to the ski resorts of Armenia thanks to two slopes on Mount Shish, located 170 km from the capital. The slopes are gentle, so they are suitable for beginners.
You can come to Jermuk at any time of the year for treatment; in winter, the possibility of skiing is added. A ski lift has been laid to the beginning of the slopes, there is a rental of equipment for those who did not plan to go skiing. The resort is going to develop, build more cable cars and hotels, new projects are being prepared.
Sevan - the union of water and mountains
This is another developing area combining skiing and relaxation on the coast of the famous lake. Trails are mainly of interest to beginners, as they are very gentle and even. A great plus will be the 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.