Sensational snow and skiing

Feel like hitting the slopes — in Iran? Here are some of the world’s most exotic spots

Are the New England mountains just too small-time for you? Do you think that the Rockies are becoming boring? If you’re looking for exotic — and extreme — skiing this winter season, have we got some unusual winter sports destinations for you.

Oukaimeden Ski Resort
High Atlas Mountains
Morocco
www.amazingmorocco.co.uk/skiing
Oukaimeden is North Africa’s largest ski resort. At the High-Atlas mountain range, sand turns to snow. Oukaimeden boasts some of the best free-style skiing and snowboarding in the continent. At dusk, head back to a cozy chalet run by a French couple called “Chez JuJu” (jujuoukaimden@caramail.com).
Lifts/slopes: 7/20
Day ski pass: approx. $38

Ski Dubai
Dubai Emirates Mall
United Arab Emirates
www.skidubai.com
Swap the camel bump for a ski one. The Middle East’s very first snow resort boasts a snow park, bobsled, ski and snowboarding runs. Snow at Ski Dubai is 100 percent natural, created through a non-chemical water-cooling system.
Lifts/slopes: 1/5
Day ski pass: approx. $93

Bearstown Ski Resort
Seoul, South Korea
www.bearstown.com
A day trip from the intensity of Seoul’s city life in the deep valleys of Mount Sorak, Bearstown combines gentle beginners’ slopes and lively karaoke sessions at the local station bar.
Lifts/slopes: 9/11
Day ski pass: approx.. $48

Lecht Ski Resort
Eastern Cairngorms, Scotland
www.lecht.co.uk
Don’t expect perfect powder, but Scotland’s premiere ski resort does get snow and is a great place to learn to ski. Wrap up the day with a dinner of haggis and a dram
of whisky — the perfect
way to sustain energy levels.
Lifts/slopes: 14/20
Day ski pass: approx. $38

Gala Yuzawa Ski Resort
Japan
www.galaresort.jp/winter/english
The snow blows in from Siberia, so ski conditions are excellent in Japan. Close to Tokyo, Gala Yuzawa offers soft powder snow, a fabulous spa and of course plenty of freshly-made sushi.
Lifts/slopes: 11/15
Day ski pass: approx. $47

Volen & Stepanovo
Russia
www.volen.ru/winter
Striking the perfect balance between sleepy slopes and cross-country craziness,
Volen is Moscow’s top snow park. Volen also lights up its slopes until 2 a.m. on the weekend.
Lifts/slopes: 9/13
Day ski pass: approx. $16

Dizin Ski Resort
Tehran, Iran
www.skifed.ir
Tucked away on the Alborz Mountain range, Dizin is not only Iran’s first ski resort, but also has one of the largest ski slopes in the Middle East.
The resort’s north-facing slopes and high altitude give it one of the longest lasting
seasons in the world (November-May).
Lifts/slopes: 11/14
Day ski pass: approx. $3

Kopaonik Ski Resort
Serbia
www.serbia-visit.com
The biggest mountain range between Kosovo and Serbia, Kopaonik offers snowboarders and skiers miles of Serbian snow as well as 200 days of sun a year at a fraction of the price of similar European resorts. Don’t forget to have a go at sled riding while you’re there.
Lifts/slopes: 21/ 24
Day ski pass: approx. $24