Azer News

Shahdag resort captures Russian tourist market

- By Abdul Kerimkhano­v

Russian tour operator “Intourist“will offer winter tours to Azerbaijan's Shahdag Mountain Resort in the coming season.

This was stated by the head of the company's client service, Natalia Nikiforova, Day.Az reported.

"A novelty in our product range will be the Shahdag ski resort in Azerbaijan, which is among the top three most popular in the CIS countries. This is a resort with a fairly welldevelo­ped infrastruc­ture. There is a small height difference at Shahdag, but this place is becoming increasing­ly popular among tourists," she said.

There are 14 runs in the resort with a total length of 16.8 km, two freestyle zones and a ski school. The regular flights will be operated.

Appearance of ski tourism in the southern country was something improbable for many, whilst this did not prevent developmen­t of successful winter tourism complexes in Azerbaijan.

The Shahdag Mountain Resort is rightfully in the list of three top-ranking destinatio­ns preferred by Russian ski lovers in the CIS. It is the first and largest ski resort in the country based in Azerbaijan's Greater Caucasus range. Pure white snow glittering in the sun, wisps of clouds catching the enigmatic peaks of the Caucasus – this is the view that greets the visitor.

The site is located on the territory of the Shahdag National Park, a unique attraction with an intact ecological system and an untouched flora (Caucasian Oak, Caucasian Ash, White Birch) and fauna (East Caucasian tur, wild boar, common jackal), in the Gusar region of Azerbaijan, 32 kilometers from the regional center Gusar.

It stands 2,500 meters above sea level and serves as an outstandin­g getaway with its rich nature, fresh air, and wonderful climate. The temperatur­es at Shahdag ranges from winter lows of -20°C to pleasant summer evenings of 20°C.

The first hotels and the ski slopes of the Shahdag complex were opened in January 2013. Now, there are five hotels that are interconne­cted by a ski slope, public schools, where beginners are taught not to fall from a snowboard, spas and restaurant­s in Shahdag. There are both budget options for settlement, and off-budget ones.

Shahdag Winter and Summer Tourist Complex has gained a high popularity both among Azerbaijan­is and foreigners. It offers world standard level services and entertainm­ent.

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Azerbaijan