In the Alborz mountains north of Tehran wild landscapes of rarefied oxygen host few chalets of western inspiration, with a vintage twist. If snow sports are not new in Iranian history, their development on a wide scale is young, witnessing a slow but steady expansion.
Foreign travelers grow considerably in number from one year to the following, while the local young generations recently started to improve in freestyle ski and snowboard, with the help of foreign organizations. Families and youth often head to the mountain to get away from the chaos and the strictly controlled atmosphere of Tehran, giving life to scenes that are very dissimilar from the stereotypical representations of Iran.
Tehran is seen from inside a cabin of the gondola lift that leads to the resort of Tochal. Alborz Mountains, North of Tehran. January 06, 2015
Scattered skiers and a dog are photographed at the Tochal resort in the Alborz Mountains north of Tehran. Iran. December 29, 2014
Clients and a worker are photographed in the restaurant of a chalet in Tochal, Alborz Mountains, North of Tehran. December 29, 2014
An Iranian woman is photographed on the slopes of Darbandsar. Alborz Mountains, North of Tehran. January 03, 2015
Arnaud Cottet, founding member of We Ride in Iran, jumps from a ramp for freestyle that he and his colleagues dug by shovel, given the lack of a snow machine. Dizin, Alborz Mountains, North of Tehran. December 31, 2014
The Hamaloon Ice Wall, formed by the leaking of water brought to the shady Hamaloon Valley from a nearby spring, is a popular destination for rock climbers. Nearby Darbandsar, Alborz Mountains, North of Tehran. January 03, 2015
A taxi driver is photographed during a pause on a trip back to Tehran from the ski resort of Darbandsar, one hour away from the city. Alborz Mountains, North of Tehran. January 03, 2015
A skier is photographed in the hall of a hotel in Tochal, Alborz Mountains, North of Tehran. December 29, 2014
Wild dogs fight on the slopes of Darbandsar in front of Mount Damavand, the highest volcano in Asia, a national pride that takes on a prominent role in Zoroastrian mythology. Alborz Mountains, North of Tehran. January 03, 2015
Young Iranian snowboarders relax at a chalet in the resort of Dizin, Alborz Mountains, North of Tehran. December 31, 2014
Skiers go back up Tochal’s slope on a chair lift. Alborz Mountains, North of Tehran. December 29, 2014
An Afghan worker stands out of a chalet in Dizin, Alborz Mountains, North of Tehran. December 30, 2014
The remnants of a picnic are photographed at a midway station of the of 45 minute-long gondola lift in Tochal, Alborz Mountains, North of Tehran. December 29, 2014
A worker is photographed close to the station of the funicular railway that brings skiers to the slopes of Dizin. Alborz Mountains, North of Tehran. December 30, 2014
A child plays on a pool table in the basement of a hotel in Dizin. Alborz Mountains north of Tehran. Iran. December 31, 2014
