Tsaghkadzor remains Armenia's only ski resort. In December, 2004, two brand new lifts opened to the public, replacing older Soviet ones. Now when you get to the resort, just past Kecharis Monastery, the first lift, costing 1,000 dram (approx $2) each time with four person seats will take you up to the real staging area, where a second new lift, two seats wide will take you up to the ski slopes for 500 dram. From that point you can ski down this easier slope, or take the third, older, one seater lift up to the harder slopes. There is a little ski lodge up here, but the options on food are limited, and it can get smoky. The slopes can get a bit confusing with skiers, sledders, and snowmobiles going all at once, but are not bad. The skis are best rented before arriving at the slopes (probably the writers house is your best bet), the photo of the ski "rental area" below should illustrate why. But at that rental area in the parking lot shown, the skis are 1,000 dram an hour or 4,500 dram a day. The third lift to the crest was replaced with a brand new one in late 2005, and opened for the winter. The view from the top of the crest is stunning.

The 2500 meters long lift has been renovated by a prominent Swiss company specializing in assembling aerial tramways and other construction works. The Tsakhkadzor resort is on the eastern slope of Mount Teghenis and is famous for its numerous lodges and sport facilities.

Details

Elevation: 2,820m (9,260ft)
Skiable Area: 850m (2,790ft)
Lifts: 5
Passes: Day (10,000AMD) / One Ride (1,500AMD)
Website: http://www.winterarmenia.com/

Piste Map