20 Te Travel Guide Ski & snow


Promotional Content • Saturday 28 January 2023


Escape into the highlands of Armenia this winter A


Whether you’re a history addict, nature lover, foodie or adventure seeker, Armenia has something for you. Visit the country to explore historical sites, be awestruck by its impressive nature and get a dose of adrenaline-pumping activities


lthough the country is abso- lutely stunning year-round, winter in Armenia is truly


something special. Armenia welcomes everyone this


winter season! Tere are plenty of fun and exciting activities to choose from. Whether you’re an adventure


seeker, a cosy vacation idealist, or an insightful culture explorer, Armenia has got you covered. Come with a group or solo to feel, explore and enjoy your vacation. You’re guaranteed to meet amazing people, experience new and exciting activities, and leave with a full set of wonderful memories.


The perfect hike is just a click away For all hiking aficionados, Armenia embodies everything you’re looking for. With a wide diversity of land- scapes to choose from, there’s always something new to explore. In Armenia, you can find lush


forests, high-altitude lakes, water- falls, streams, jaw-dropping gorges and cliffs, and a variety of breath- taking landscapes. For these reasons, CNN listed Armenia and the Silk Road as one of the world’s best hiking trails.


Tsaghkadzor ski resort Te number one destination for winter sports is Tsaghkadzor. It’s the largest ski resort in Armenia, located on the picturesque slopes of Mount Teghenis. Te highest skiing point is 9,250ft above sea level. From that peak, an incredible view opens up towards endless snowy landscapes, Mount Ararat and Lake Sevan. Te skiing season starts in mid-December and lasts until the end of March. During this time, skiers and snowboarders of all levels come to practise their favourite sports. Learning to ski or snowboard for the


first time is also an option here. All the necessary equipment can be rented on the spot and professional trainers will teach the beginners. Tsaghkadzor is very lively in the winter. In addition to sports, the resort has many other entertainment options including zip lines, museums,


restaurants, bars,


clubs, excursions and much more. And, of course, you’re sure to find a comfortable stay that suits your taste, from Airbnb rentals Marriott hotel rooms.


to luxurious


Skiing and snowboarding in Tsaghkadzor Tsaghkadzor is a stunning resort town less than an hour from Armenia’s capital city, Yerevan. Formerly the training ground for the Soviet Olympic ski team, Tsaghkadzor is a winter wonderland for avid skiers. With cosy cottages, fresh snow, luxury hotels and a variety of shops and restaurants to unwind in after hitting the slopes, Tsaghkadzor is an ideal place for a winter escape.


Snow kiting Vast spaces, wind and lots of snow are all you’ll need for an amazing winter kiting experience. Currently, there are a couple of popular spots in Armenia for practising this wonderful extreme sport, including Aparan, Amasia, Gyumri, Sevan and Lernanist. Having experience in skiing or snowboarding is preferable, since snow kiting is not an easy sport. You’ll have an oppor- tunity to enjoy the entire beauty of


Winter rafting Glamping Garni Temple


Zip line Te most daring of extreme-sport lovers can go zip lining in multiple loca- tions in Armenia. Te largest zip-lining stations are in Yerevan, Yenokavan, Tsaghkadzor and Dilijan. Each will offer you a completely different view of the surrounding landscapes. Flying over endless forests, gorges and canyons hanging on a single cable is simply breathtaking. Zip lining is an incredible feeling of freedom and a one-of-a-kind experience!


Glamping If you’re looking to absorb Armenia’s spectacular natural sights without sacrificing the comforts of modern life, then glamping options are also available in this breathtaking land. Glamping provides a healthy balance between a traditional hotel and all-out camping. Typically, the rooms are covered with a tent with plenty of space, modern amenities and on-site staff. Armenia’s


glamping options


are situated off-the-beaten-track, set cosily among the country’s deep gorges and expansive mountains. Many of these glamping sites are located in the Lori and Tavush regions. Glamping is the perfect getaway for many because of the alluring balance between nature and civilisation.


Skiing and snowboarding Snow kiting


Hot springs Armenia has many hot springs spread throughout the country where you can relax in any of the hot pools, Jacuzzis or saunas. Te most well- known are those at Jermuk, which is roughly a two-hour drive from Yerevan. However, others are signif- icantly closer to the capital, such as Aghveran, approximately an hour away, or Hankavan, which is around 45 minutes from the city.


Wellness resorts Armenia has many excellent options for leisure and recreation. Spa hotels and resorts can be found in the enticing regions of Kotayk, Tavush and Vayots Dzor, offering mineral water treatments, hydrotherapy pools, hot stone massages, grape-seed peeling massages and relaxation in hot water saunas. Enjoy these and more without a care in the world. It’s estimated that there are more than 700 thermal springs in Armenia. People from all over the world visit the hot springs for medical purposes, as the heated water emerging from the underground is said to have healing qualities. Unique experiences can be had in


Hiking


snowy landscapes at your preferred speed (it can range anywhere between 10mph and 150mph). Choose to ride on skis or a snowboard and enjoy your one-of-a-kind snow-kiting experience in Armenia!


Winter rafting For the past few years, rafting has become one of the favourite activi- ties in Armenia. In Lori province you can go winter rafting this season. For all the adrenaline seekers, rafting in the Debed River will be an unforget- table


experience. Special clothing


and equipment can be rented on the spot. After the cold waters of Debed,


Hot-air balloon


there’s a very nice bonus — a furako bath! Tis Japanese-style wooden bathtub can be placed either indoors or outdoors and the water can be heated up to 45C. A furako bath will relax your body and harmonise all your internal bio-streams. Welcome to Lori and a special rafting area along Debed.


Hot-air balloon Tose who love breathtaking pano- ramic views and unforgettable emotions can experience a hot-air balloon ride. It will offer an amazing bird’s-eye view of the beautiful moun- tainous landscapes anywhere in the country. Te main balloon flights


Wellness


are organised in Garni, one of the oldest settlements in Armenia. Te higher the balloon goes, the nicer the views are from above. You’ll see the village of Garni, Khosrov Forest State Reserve, the ruins of the Havuts Tar Monastery and the picturesque Garni gorge. But the jewel of the entire site is the Garni Temple — a masterpiece of pre-Christian Armenian architec- ture. Te temple was built in 77BC by King Tiridates I Arsacid and is the only pagan temple that has survived in the entire region to this day. Te views and emotions experienced on the hot-air balloon will stay in your memory forever.


Jermuk, Hankavan, Arzni and Dilijan. Jermuk is well-known for its mineral water resources and offers a variety of fantastic spa hotels for relaxation and treatments. Hot springs and renowned mineral water therapies are also offered in Hankavan and Arzakan. A number of spa resorts stand out for their superior customer care, exten- sive selection of activities and family- friendly packages. You can choose from a variety of therapies to help you unwind, recover and feel revitalised.


For more information, visit: armenia.travel


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