A sub-range in the central Zagros Mountain Range, Zardkouh (literally Yellow Mountain), is home to a wide range of ecotourism attractions, such as spring sources, glaciers and Chama ice cave.
Now, local authorities are looking for ways to develop the regions potential to attract tourists in the low travel season and construction of the countrys largest ski resort and gondola lift complex may do just that.
Speaking to ISNA, Heydar Sadeqi, tourism deputy at the provincial office of Irans Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, said the region already owns Irans second oldest ski resort, Chelgard.
However, the resort has not been given the attention it deserves and investment has been scarce, he said. Despite attracting a respectable number of skiers, the resort is outdated and below the global standards.
Due to the lifting of western-backed economic sanctions in January, Iran has been able to import modern equipment, such as chairlift technology, which has motivated the backers of the scheme to go ahead with plans to build the resort.
Once feasibility studies are conducted, well begin construction, Sadeqi said.
The official added that if the weather permits (i.e. no heavy snowfall/rainfall), the project would be completed in less than two years.
Dizin Ski Resort in Alborz Province is the first and largest in the country. At 2,700 meters above sea level, Dizin provides a long ski season, starting in late November and ending in late May.
The resort is also an important grass-ski center in summer and has numerous lodging and sports facilities.
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