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Skiing in the Land of Fire: Azerbaijan

Despite Baku, its capital, being a popular tourist destination and Azerbaijan gaining more worldwide visitors, it is still not a well-known skiing destination in the western world.

Azerbaijan is known as “The land of fire” due to its natural burning gas resources that have been present since ancient times because of the existence of oil fields.

This transcontinental country is located at the boundary of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is also considered a country of the Middle East and is a part of the South Caucasus region. Azerbaijan is bordered by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia (Republic of Dagestan) to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia and Turkey to the west, and Iran to the south. Baku is the capital and largest city.

The highest peak in Azerbaijan is Mount Bazardüzü, which stands at 4,466 meters (14,652 ft), while the lowest point lies in the Caspian Sea at −28 meters (−92 ft). Azerbaijan is also known for having nearly half of all the mud volcanoes on Earth, which were nominated for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

Skiing in Azerbaijan is an activity that is gaining popularity among tourists and local residents. This country has three high-quality ski resorts that offer a unique skiing experience and all year round activities.

One of the main skiing destinations in Azerbaijan is the Shahdag ski resort, located in the Gusar region. This resort offers more than 20 ski slopes for all levels, from beginners to experts and offers stunning views of the Caucasus Mountains.

Other ski resorts in Azerbaijan include Tufandağ and the Agbulag ski resort in the Nakhchivan exclave. 

Tufandağ has 15 kilometers of perfectly groomed slopes, offering beautiful views of the Caucasus Mountains. The resort also offers a variety of winter activities such as sledging, snow tubing, and snowmobiling. 

Located in the Shahbuz region, the village of Agbulag is home to the first all-round tourism infrastructure complex in Azerbaijan’s Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan. The ski resort offers skiing, snowboarding, and sledging, as well as opportunities to enjoy the Lesser Caucasus Mountains scenery and try interesting local dishes. 

Azerbaijan provides a unique skiing experience with its mountains and world-class ski resorts, coupled with a rich culture and cuisine. Additionally, visitors can enjoy the local architecture and explore places like its capital, the ancient city of Baku, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sources and useful links:

www.skiazerbaijan.com

www.azerbaijan.travel

www.shahdag.az

www.tufandag.com