A winter’s tale in Azerbaijan: From thrilling slopes to serene forest trails

16.12.2024 - 08:03 / euronews.com / Caspian Sea

Winter in Azerbaijan is the season for adventure. Mountains blanketed in snow, exceptional resorts and charming villages provide the perfect setting to embrace the chill.

Adventurers will be swept away by the variety of winter activities on offer, from snowshoeing and ice climbing to forest trekking amidst Azerbaijan’s incredible snow-dusted landscapes.

Azerbaijan’s winter activities invite both family fun and daring adventure, with calmer moments to embrace the slower rhythms of mountain life, warming up on hearty meals and authentic rural hospitality.

The great Caucasus Mountains cut through the landscape of northern Azerbaijan, creating a rocky playground of peaks and valleys, blanketed in snow from December to March. Two of Azerbaijan’s most popular mountain resorts – Shahdag and Tufandag – serve the slopes on each side, each offering bustling atmospheres and a range of facilities, including ski schools and après-ski lounges.

As well as skiing and snowboarding, Shahdag is also home to a variety of winter activities including paragliding, horseriding, snowmobiling, tubing and more. The Alpine Coaster is also a highlight for all ages – a twisting toboggan ride that zips through Shahdag’s snow-covered pine forests and icy terrain.

Though Shahdag and Tufandag remain ideal choices for winter holidays in Azerbaijan, today we expand our view beyond these two resorts, to experience a fresh take on Azerbaijani winter, encompassing both winter activities and cultural experiences.

Found amongst the dense forests on the southern slopes of the Caucasus Mountains, Gabala district is a year-round resort destination that transforms into a winter playground from December to March.

Beyond all the skiing, snowboarding and tubing fun of Tufandag Mountain Resort, Gabala leaves plenty of time for scenic reflection. Tour Gabala’s fortified ancient capital and the icy-covered Nohur Lake, setting your own pace on snowshoeing excursions upon Gabala’s gentle slopes and forests in the wilderness of Shahdag National Park.

Paragliding is another way to explore Gabala on clear winter days, offering unbeatable views of Azerbaijan’s snow-covered forests, winding rivers and mountain scenery. Safety is paramount and professional paragliding guides adjust equipment for winter conditions, ensuring a smooth take-off from high elevation, allowing you to capture the quiet beauty of the icy landscape below.

Alternatively, hop on a nearby cable car for sweeping vistas across the region and the majestic Tufandag peak.

Nestled between Mount Shahdag and the Caspian Sea, with their capital cities just 15 kilometres apart, the regions of Guba and Gusar come as the perfect winter pairing.

Hundreds of metres above sea level, Guba and Gusar boast vast