The Travel Diary: Taking to the snow covered ski slopes of Iran

What you see along the way — Photographer Oscar Yoosefinejad headed to the pistes of Iran, to find out more about the country's ski community, finding a community who take to the snow with passion.

When travelling off the beaten track it’s probably advisable to blend in to your immediate social environment as much as possible. Using sunscreen in a country where such a thing is unheard of is one way not to blend in. Especially if you choose an SPF 30 that comes with its own skin foundation blended into it, as my 56-year-old father and I discovered to our horror. The Iranians of the Albourz Mountains would appear to have avoided this dermatological pitfall by embracing their leathered skin as a trophy of their passion for the snow.

Ski Iran Ski Iran

Not known widely for its tourism industry, let alone its ski season, Iran is home to just under twenty ski destinations. With three main resorts situated just over an hours drive north of Tehran, the slopes are used both professionally and for leisure. The industry draws in tourists from all over Asia, as well as from the likes of Scandinavia. More importantly, many Iranians come here to relax and leave behind the politics of day-to-day life for a moment.

Ski Iran Ski Iran

For the locals life revolves around the Albourz Mountains. Many work for the Iranian Ski Federation, have become professional winter athletes, or are on the Iranian national team for one winter sport or another. Even the older generations of the population, many of whom now work either in local shops or as instructors, have been through this ritual of the Iranian piste.

Professional snowboarder Mona Seraji is a pioneer of snowboarding in Iran, and in an industry where there is little invested in the sport as a whole, she has become quite a figure to look up to. Having started snowboarding in 2001, she became the first person from the Middle East to compete in the Freeride World Qualifier in Switzerland earlier in 2016. On top of her many accomplishments, Mona is the only international snowboard instructor in the Middle East, having spent considerable time and effort getting to New Zealand to undergo the training.

Ski Iran Ski Iran

Just as dedicated to the snow is Yassin Shemshaki, a prominent figure on the Iranian National Cross Country Ski Team who competes both nationally and internationally. As a local, when he isn’t training on the slopes, you can find him working in the fire station in his village of Shemshak.

His teammate Yaghoob Kaishemshaki is currently of an age where he must carry out two years of compulsory national service in the Iranian Army. Such is the prestige of competing for his country, however, that his service is limited. He too lives in his family home a stone’s throw from the piste, with his father who served on the same team when he was his age.

Ski Iran Ski Iran

There are three main, closely connected, resorts that people tend to head to; Shemshak, a small but steep piste that is used by the likes of the Iranian ski teams as well as other professionals; Dizin, which is more of a tourist hot spot, incorporating international competitions; and Darband-Sar, which is popular with the younger, trendier crowd. What is absolutely clear from visiting these mountains is the sense of community within the region. No matter which of these pistes people head to, everyone seems to have a mutual understanding and shared passion for the slopes.

Ski Iran Ski Iran

The general population here aren’t after a Westernised ideal, but merely the freedom to enjoy the slopes in their own way. From halfway up the Piste at Darband-Sar, Mount Damavand can clearly be made out amongst its smaller neighbours. The tallest mountain in the Middle East, Mount Damavand stands as a symbol of protection against tyranny and foreign rule in much of Iranian literature. It’s a fitting backdrop for those taking to the slopes.

Ski Iran Ski Iran Ski Iran Ski Iran Ski Iran Ski Iran Ski Iran Ski Iran Ski Iran

Follow Oscar Yoosefinejad on Instagram and check out his website

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.


You might like

Bus shelter display advertising Father's Day with orange and black text against an image of a man's face.
Activism

Campaigners hack UK bus ads on Father’s Day to demand Alaa Abd El-Fattah’s release

A father behind bars — Placing posters at bus stops around London, Leeds and Manchester, they called for greater action from foreign secretary David Lammy to reunite the British-Egyptian activist with his son and family.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Snowy mountain peak, cloudy sky, people on horseback in a field
Sport

In The Road to Patagonia, Matty Hannon holds “a mirror to the human condition”

From tip to tip — More than a surf and travel documentary, the Australian filmmaker meditates on capitalism’s pitfalls and the importance of existing within nature while embarking on a marathon journey from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego.

Written by: Sam Haddad

Man singing at microphone on stage, wearing red shirt and tattoo on arm, playing electric guitar.
Activism

Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong tells ICE to “fuck off” in LA protest video

Saviors — The singer shared the post on Sunday, featuring the band’s recently released song ‘Fuck Off’ as its soundtrack.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Family of 6 people, including 3 children, standing together in front of a wooden fence.
Activism

Meet the Kumeyaay, the indigenous peoples split by the US-Mexico border wall

A growing divide — In northwestern Mexico and parts of Arizona and California, the communities have faced isolation and economic struggles as physical barriers have risen in their ancestral lands. Now, elders are fighting to preserve their language and culture.

Written by: Alicia Fàbregas

A person wearing a red bandana and denim jacket, looking directly at the camera.
Activism

A new book explores Tupac’s revolutionary politics and activism

Words For My Comrades — Penned by Dean Van Nguyen, the cultural history encompasses interviews with those who knew the rapper well, while exploring his parents’ anti-capitalist influence.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Crowd of protesters holding Palestinian flags and signs calling for "Free Palestine" outside the UK Houses of Parliament.
Activism

A reading of the names of children killed in Gaza lasts over 18 hours

Choose Love — The vigil was held outside of the UK’s Houses of Parliament, with the likes of Steve Coogan, Chris O’Dowd, Nadhia Sawalha and Misan Harriman taking part.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Huck is supported by our readers, subscribers and Club Huck members. It is also made possible by sponsorship from:

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, featuring personal takes on the state of media and pop culture from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...

Accessibility Settings

Text

Applies the Open Dyslexic font, designed to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia.

Applies a more readable font throughout the website, improving readability.

Underlines links throughout the website, making them easier to distinguish.

Adjusts the font size for improved readability.

Visuals

Reduces animations and disables autoplaying videos across the website, reducing distractions and improving focus.

Reduces the colour saturation throughout the website to create a more soothing visual experience.

Increases the contrast of elements on the website, making text and interface elements easier to distinguish.