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Shemshak resort snow
Lat Long: 36.02° N 51.50° E
Ski Iran

Shemshak Resort Reviews

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Issued: 2 pm 11 May 2026 (local time)

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Visitor reviews for Shemshak Ski Resort

Shemshak Ratings

Overall: 3.2. Based on 29 votes and 16 reviews.

Rate this resort

Snowsure: 3.5

  • Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing
  • Is often closed due to a lack of snow
  • Occasionally suffers from a lack of snow
  • Rarely suffers from a lack of snow
  • Shemshak is snowsure even in the poorest seasons

Variety of pistes: 3.4

  • The ski runs are featureless and unvaried
  • The ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week
  • Shemshak has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain

Off-piste: 3.6

  • No off-piste worth mentioning
  • Off piste is out-of-bounds
  • Some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days
  • A vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days

Scenery: 3.8

  • An ugly resort in a bland setting
  • Average mountain views and resort
  • A spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town

Access: 3.7

  • At least one overnight stop
  • Requires a whole day
  • Requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns
  • Arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon
  • There is a main airport within an hour of Shemshak

Public Transport: 2.7

  • There are no buses or taxis to Shemshak
  • There are slow or infrequent buses / trains available
  • Getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections

Accommodation: 3.4

  • No places to stay in/near Shemshak
  • A few places to stay in the resort
  • A wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets

Cheap Rooms: 3.3

  • No budget accommodation available
  • Just one or two hostels so book ahead
  • Several cheap hostels and pensions available

Luxury Hotels: 2.5

  • No luxury accommodation available
  • Just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead
  • Several up-market hotels in Shemshak

Ski in/Ski out: 3.8

  • The ski area is located far from any accommodation
  • A free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip
  • Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available

Childcare: 2.4

  • There are no child care facilities at Shemshak
  • The resort has limited child-care facilities
  • the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche

Snowmaking: 2.3

  • Shemshak relies entirely on natural snow
  • There are just a few snow cannons
  • There are snowmaking facilities on all pistes

Snow Grooming: 3.6

  • There are no snow groomers at Shemshak
  • Occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state
  • All the runs at Shemshak are groomed daily

Shelter: 3.0

  • There is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut
  • There are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close
  • Shemshak is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close

Nearby options: 3.5

  • If snow conditions are poor at Shemshak, it will be poor everywhere nearby
  • There are good alternatives within an hours drive
  • Other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions

Regional rating: 3.0

  • Shemshak usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region
  • Has average conditions for the region
  • Usually has the best snow conditions in the region

Lift Staff: 3.7

  • The staff at Shemshak are rude or unhelpful
  • Lift staff at Shemshak are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help

Crowds/Queues: 3.2

  • The resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues
  • It is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays
  • It is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare

Ski Schools: 3.2

  • No ski schools available
  • One or two ski schools but local language only
  • A few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors
  • Plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available
  • Excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors

Hire and Repairs: 3.4

  • Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex
  • There are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance
  • Good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible

Beginners: 3.2

  • Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard
  • A few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week
  • Vast areas of gentle terrain

Intermediates: 3.5

  • No intermediate terrain at Shemshak
  • Intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days
  • Vast areas of cruising runs

Advanced: 4.0

  • Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders
  • Enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste
  • Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week

Snow Park: 2.6

  • Not even a kicker at Shemshak
  • Average sized park quite well looked after
  • Huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails

Cross-country: 3.5

  • There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Shemshak
  • There are some cross country trails available
  • The area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails

Luge/Toboggan: 2.4

  • No designated luge or toboggan runs
  • There are toboggan runs that open quite often
  • Shemshak has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages

Mountain Dining: 3.6

  • Nowhere to buy food by the pistes
  • Some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive
  • There is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets

Eating: 3.7

  • Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop
  • There are a few places to eat in the resort but nothing special
  • A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants

Apres-Ski: 2.5

  • Nothing to do, not even a bar
  • There are a few bars in the resort but nothing special
  • Clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere

Other Sports: 2.4

  • No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts
  • Resort has just a small public swimming pool
  • Resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool

Entertainment: 3.0

  • Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here
  • The non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week
  • The resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports

Winter Walks: 2.8

  • Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails
  • A couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails
  • Extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities

Ski Pass Value: 3.2

  • A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available
  • The ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts
  • Ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area

Value (National): 3.6

  • Overall, Shemshak is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money
  • Overall represents average value for money
  • Overall offers the best value resort in the country

Value (Global): 3.9

  • Overall, Shemshak is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world
  • Overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries
  • Internationally the resort offers excellent value for money

Show all 35 ratings

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March 23, 2012
Kamran Kashani from Ski Iran Iran
Shemshak, this resort is more than 60 years old, only 45 minutes drive from Tehran. This used to be a coal mine village, and 65 years ago some German engineers working in the mines started to use the slope for skiing. The runs are mainly black, but for average skiers, there are couple of slopes, at the bottom of the slope there is a beginners slope with a drag lift and ski school. Advanced skiers and mogul freaks love Shemshak, lots of powder is also available. The ski season is four months, from December to end of March. A nice small hotel is located in the village, and the chair lift station is next to it. A halogen lit night slope is also available from 6 to 10 PM. There are lots of coffee shops and restaurants in the village, also you can find rooms to rent. There are lots ski repair shops , which also provide snow boards and skis and boots to rent. You will enjoy skiing in Shemshak, Cheers.
December 20, 2011
Parvis from Ski Iran Iran
Shemshak ski slopes was operational today. The lifts are modest where the scenery is awesome and stopping at Sierra Building with it's fine restaurants, coffee shops, fast-food restaurant and spots shop makes up for whatever there was missing. Balcony Restaurant has a fine array of European cuisine and a delicious pizza. Dejaue coffee shop is a complement to a day of skiing the Wall. Lantern spots shop is at the top of it's game with finest array of spots equipments for playing in snow or just demonstrating the latest snow fasion. Sierra has a full gym with sauna and jaquzy to sooth that tired body. Come to Shemshak, come day or night. Enjoy the serene beauty of the nature and indulge yourself and that special person a time to remember.
March 17, 2011
Bozorgzadegan Amir from Ski Iran Iran
How about my yesterday review? who edits and concise different visitors writings? and what will be the sensitivity about? Regarding the shortness, we see long reviews so much, who are discusing about the resort and village around ! what they have eaten, mostly about after ski, etc... and all are nice. Sometimes we see that reviews will be omited completely ! or at least, will change the contents and shortening the sentences! so that, it does not carry the thoughts of writer any more. Thanks and regards. where, we think we are free to transfer our thoughts on whatever we see, either positive or negative and all are for progress of the resorts, and side subjects in related with... We hope, we will be able to write our thoughts freely at least here. [Editor's note: alteration of text is done to try and maintain direct relevance. The opportunity to review is focused on gathering opinion on standards of services at the resort. We prefer to limit 'political' opinions regarding management etc. It is never our intention to upset the users of this service.}
March 16, 2011
Bozorgzadegan Amir from Ski Iran Iran
A nice sunny, no wind and reasonable snow and not so crowded in professional piste of Shemshak. As though, the road to the neighbour resort (Dizin) was closed as usual, because of avalanches fear! But in Shemshak everything were gathered to enjoy. We could see different generations, children to olds, men and women, Iranian and foreigners, all were satisfied for the lovely day related to the items out of human powers! But during the way back home, we had one and half hours delay because the narrow mountain road between restaurants Hamaloon and Koohestan before Meygoon was closed both directions neither for avalanches, nor for stone falling! A truck was demolished on narrow road and a new barrier was created! and repeated phones by different passengers, finally solved the problem after 1.5 hours attempt. The problem which could create a big disaster in that area, by falling stones or avalanches indeed, and so many passengers inside the stopped cars could bury and forget the lovely passed hours. But woe betide their families! We must not forget, the above road supports and connect to 3 ski resorts, north suburb of Tehran. The resorts like Darbandsar, Shemshak, and Dizin. plus, it is stand-by road to Caspian sea, about 6 month of the year... Today's world believe that safety is first. One of the Russian visitors who did ski well, was surprised of the Shemshak slopes and he compared it with Cheget in north Caucasus, and didn't notice the same for Elbrus and Dombai on the same ranges in his country. As though he hadn't chance to see other resorts in Iran like Darbandsar and Dizin in the same area yet. Regarding Crasnaya Polyana, host of winter Olympic 2014, he was disappointed because of Black Sea effects on it. Mostly you see rain there and the altitude is not high enough, while Russia has Elbrus, Cheget, Dombai,etc... more suitable to be host for such a games.
February 16, 2011
ali_salemi from Ski Iran Iran
Before I go to this skiing resort (Shemshak) I have heard that it is hard with no standards slopes. But it is joyful of adventure even more than Darbandsar skiing resort. Do not be afraid and just try it!
February 09, 2011
Afshin from Ski Iran Iran
Shemshak is a real challenge for all skiers, especially " The Wall"!
January 30, 2011
kiarash rabbani from Ski Iran Iran
I think Shemshak is one of the best pistes for experts who really want to enjoy skiing but the lifts are the worst in the world. Tnanks snow-forecast for good and exact weather information.
January 22, 2011
jubin del from Ski Iran Iran
The most adventure in skiing could be found at Shemshak ski tracks. The best for experts where you can enjoy a full-day skiing. I agree, it is somehow not standard (especially the bumps and the slope), but it still seems to be the best.
February 01, 2009
Ali Ganjali Beyk from Ski Iran Iran
13,123 feet plus mountains and some ski resorts. Shemshak ski resort was the second ski resort to be built in Iran in 1958. Shemsak ski resort itself is quite small. It is usually sunny at Shemshak ski resort and it is blessed with a high snowfall due to its altitude and the dry air, ensuring a lot of high quality powder. Seven ski lifts, two chair lifts, three button lifts and 2 two t-bars. A very big thank you to the SNOW-FORECAST Team for a most accurate weather forecast. Enjoy.
January 01, 2009
ardeshirdadras from Ski Iran Iran
Enjoy the snow every day of the year with a ski in Shemshak . Life may be full of ups and downs. Shemshak happens to prefer the downs.