Dizin Sneeuwverwachting

Very good skiing, plenty of snow, normally the resort is open between November and April. All snow is natural. Pistes are mostly intermediate, but there are a few expert pistes available. A lot of safe off-piste if you feel like it. There are around 15 lifts, and 20 pistes, but do not expect everything to be open. This depends on how busy the resort is, and on the weather. We stayed for 5 days, the last day only the main gondola lift to the middle station was open. There is plenty of skiing from there, so it was no problem. It had snowed a lot the night before and, best guess, maximum 50 people were skiing that day. The lifts are 40 years old but they work. Lifts start at 0830 and close around 1530 (time in Iran is flexible). Different maps give different altitudes; according to GPS the highest lift reaches 3600m and the entrance is at 2650m. On Thursdays and Fridays and around the Persian New Year expect some lines, especially at the bottom. Weekdays the resort is not very busy. Both hotels in Dizin have the same standard prices and food. Both hotels are really nice, 60's architecture, clean and up to a good standard. The staff are very friendly and helpful, just try a few words of farsi (that goes for the whole resort, by the way). Food was good simple Iranian kitchen; perfectly adequate. Hotel 2 has good coffee in the Coffee Shop, while Amirs chocolate in hotel 1 makes very good hot chocolate After-ski is non-existent, unless you are invited to a private party. You come to Dizin for the skiing/snowboarding. You can reach Dizin from Tehran by the direct road in about one hour but this road is often closed in winter and the longer Chalous road takes about 2-3 hours, depending on traffic. Taxi is not expensive; around 45$ each way. Prices were about or less than half of what you would pay in Europe. Rent equipment from the shop at the parking lot, cheaper than at the hotel, and the equipment is of good enough quality. Ski equipment rental was 60$/person for 5 days, the hotel 60$/night for a double room, ski pass 23/day. Food around 30$/day altogether. It may be advisable to use a ski instructor/guide at least for the first days. This costs around 60$/day.