Article- To Live And Ski in Armenia
An article written in 2000, before the new lifts were installed.
To Live and Ski in Armenia
2000/2/20
by Raffi Kojian
More and more people answered that it was indeed possible. Asking around is usually the best way to get information in Armenia, and the more people you ask the better. We decided that today was the day, and with the recent snowfall and a pleasant temperature, it seemed ideal.
No snow remained on the streets of central Yerevan, but as the highway to Sevan took us higher and higher, everything was blanketed in snow. When you pass the beautiful monastery of Kecharis, you know you are only minutes from Tsaghkadzor, Armenia's only ski resort. We each were imagining the upcoming scene, and ourselves flying through this beautiful snow when we arrived.
The parking lot was overflowing to our surprise, and we bundled up before heading towards the first lift. The first lift takes you to a mid point from which most people take a second lift which they ski down. The ski rental system was hectic as a couple of people with miscellaneous skis rented them out by the hour. Not finding the right sizes for ourselves we headed up the first lift at the top of which was said to be additional ski rental opportunities. Tickets are sold per lift, not per day, and we paid 400 dram each to ascend to the mid-level.
As luck would have it, the bustling mid-level rest area also did not have the right sized skis for all of us, and so after getting hot dogs at the snack stand, two of us headed for the top with some fancy sleds, not knowing what to expect, while the other two waited below hoping for skis. The chairs on the lifts are one-seaters, and as we each slowly crept higher, the biting wind began to make the 20 minute lift seem a private eternity. By the time we reached the top, we were demoralized, and hurting from the cold. Seeing a ski lodge was more than we could have hoped for and we ran into the packed lodge, luckily grabbing the two seats right next to the heater. A couple of cups of tea later, we felt ready to brave the slopes again, and headed out.
The sled ride down, among skiers and snowmobiles was fun and fast, with perfect snow conditions and some unavoidable moguls adding to the excitement. Upon reaching the bottom, we learned that one of our friends had obtained a pair of skis and had ascended the lift-without a jacket or hat. While waiting, we speculated on the number of glasses of tea he would drink. After a long wait we found out the number was only one, but preceded by four shots of vodka.
Welcome to the Armenian ski slopes!
notes:
$1 US = 527 Drams (AMD)
400AMD per lift
1,500AMD/hour ski rental
1,500AMD/hour sled rental
1,500AMD/5 minute snowmobile rental
200AMD/hot dog