 Poster: A snowHead
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Anyone ever done it?
Big.mountains.....
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@cameronphillips2000, fco advises against all travel to Iran ...imvalid travel insurance, never mind risk of arrest or death. Big mountains might have to wait
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Great country, would go back in a heartbeat, can't recommend it enough. Don't believe the media, the Iranian people hate their government and are super friendly. Unfortunately I didn't get to tag on any skiing. Was planning to do a day but got delayed getting back to Tehran and traffic out was too bad to reach dizin. There are plenty of mountains out there. Some good documentaries/YouTube videos showing them.
The downsides would be it's a lot of hassle. Assuming British passport you can't travel independently so have to organise and pay for a guide (general tourist, not ski) to accompany you for the whole trip. In fairness my experience was a guide who was really open and gave me lots of freedom to wander around on my own. Also I think the visa cost was around £150-200 alone (at least now you should be able to pick it up in London rather than having to stop en route in Istanbul).
For a trip purely focused around skiing I think in the region Georgia, turkey, Kyrgyzstan are all better options. You will get some culture and an equally off the beaten path/"exotic" location, however don't have the hassle. From a non skiing point of view I think Iran is the most interesting. So if your idea is a holiday with some skiing tagged on and you don't mind the hassle and cost it's a good choice.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| boarder2020 wrote: |
For a trip purely focused around skiing I think in the region Georgia, turkey, Kyrgyzstan are all better options. You will get some culture and an equally off the beaten path/"exotic" location, however don't have the hassle. From a non skiing point of view I think Iran is the most interesting. So if your idea is a holiday with some skiing tagged on and you don't mind the hassle and cost it's a good choice. |
Some long time ago (when Iran was less of an international pariah), I ran into someone who had skied there. I was even mildly tempted. But…
There’re sooooo many places to ski around the world, skiing in Iran doesn’t stack up, all the extra hassle notwithstanding. From the report of that 1 skiers (he lived there for several years though), condition can be hit or miss.
So, if one is going to be in Iran for other reason anyway, well, it’s a bragging right to say you have skied in Iran! On the other hand, I would think having visited Iran is enough of a bragging right in the pub, with or without the skiing 
As for the “risk of arrest or death”, it may depends on what passport you’re entering with. (I suspect some member of snowheads have multiple passports)
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Thu 26-09-24 20:38; edited 1 time in total
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Odly enough I bumped into a Persian skier in the Hemel Fridge yesterday.
By bumped into him, I mean I was chatting to him.
I don't think he has lived there for years though.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
As for the “risk of arrest or death”, it may depends on what passport you’re entering with. (I suspect some member of snowheads have multiple passports)
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Dual nationality is not recognised in Iran. So I'd be wary of "being British" and entering on a different passport. Probably the easiest way to get accused of being a spy. Although I think the majority of arrests for this are people that have Iranian as one of their dual nationalities. It's not something I'd worry about to be honest, the vast majority (5.9 million foreign tourists visited Iran last year) of genuine tourists are having no problems at all.
Risk of death. Well crossing the street in Tehran There is some risk of terrorist attacks. Also there situation with Hezbollah and Israel is not good for regional safety.
Regarding insurance it used to be possible to buy insurance at Tehran airport upon arrival. However I've heard stories that tourists getting sick/injured in Iran are looked after free of cost very well by the government (they don't want the bad pressure). They have free healthcare there, unlike USA Canada where if your insurance doesn't cover it you are financially destroyed.
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Eastern Turkey (also big mountains; and big snow) feels a little more sensible currently... 
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| boarder2020 wrote: |
| Quote: |
As for the “risk of arrest or death”, it may depends on what passport you’re entering with. (I suspect some member of snowheads have multiple passports)
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Dual nationality is not recognised in Iran. So I'd be wary of "being British" and entering on a different passport. Probably the easiest way to get accused of being a spy. |
Dual nationality is a matter of fact for some people. Iran may not recognize Iranians holding both Iranian and non-Iranian passports. Brits holding Swiss passport for example have the option to use either to enter. Iranian government has no ground to view either passport is “more appropriate” for entering Iran.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Wiigman and I shared a chair with an Iranian at Sarakamis in Turkey
Top bloke
Spoke very highly of Iranian skiing (he was in Turkey to see family)
Given half a chance I'd go
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| wiigman wrote: |
| Eastern Turkey (also big mountains; and big snow) feels a little more sensible currently... |
And loads of cultural, exotic stuff too
Fabulous food & drink
People are fantastic
Tremendous value for money
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| abc wrote: |
| boarder2020 wrote: |
| Quote: |
As for the “risk of arrest or death”, it may depends on what passport you’re entering with. (I suspect some member of snowheads have multiple passports)
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Dual nationality is not recognised in Iran. So I'd be wary of "being British" and entering on a different passport. Probably the easiest way to get accused of being a spy. |
Dual nationality is a matter of fact for some people. Iran may not recognize Iranians holding both Iranian and non-Iranian passports. Brits holding Swiss passport for example have the option to use either to enter. Iranian government has no ground to view either passport is “more appropriate” for entering Iran. |
Great in theory , but I think you will find they can and do what they want! I'm sure a lot of people do enter Iran with their "other" passport simply to avoid visa requirements, and it's generally fine. But I think you are potentially leaving yourself a bit open.
Not recognising dual nationality is actually not as rare as you may think. Andorra and Austria for example both don't seem to allow it (at least in theory, perhaps practically is different). USA allow it, although they expect you to still pay income tax when living and working abroad which seems wild, land of the free
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Mike Pow wrote: |
| wiigman wrote: |
| Eastern Turkey (also big mountains; and big snow) feels a little more sensible currently... |
And loads of cultural, exotic stuff too
Fabulous food & drink
People are fantastic
Tremendous value for money |
Agree. The sights are not on the same level as Persepolis, Isfahan etc. though (even comparing to Istanbul - although the hagia Sofia is particularly beautiful). Culturally it's a bit more westernised. But if your focus is skiing that's perhaps not so important anyway. You are still getting an amazing off the beaten path experience with lots of culture in turkey, Georgia, kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan. I don't think any are worse than Iran for skiing, in fact I'd say Kyrgyzstan and Georgia are bette, and Kazakh and turkey at least as good.
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| boarder2020 wrote: |
| abc wrote: |
| boarder2020 wrote: |
| Quote: |
As for the “risk of arrest or death”, it may depends on what passport you’re entering with. (I suspect some member of snowheads have multiple passports)
|
Dual nationality is not recognised in Iran. So I'd be wary of "being British" and entering on a different passport. Probably the easiest way to get accused of being a spy. |
Dual nationality is a matter of fact for some people. Iran may not recognize Iranians holding both Iranian and non-Iranian passports. Brits holding Swiss passport for example have the option to use either to enter. Iranian government has no ground to view either passport is “more appropriate” for entering Iran. |
Great in theory , but I think you will find they can and do what they want! I'm sure a lot of people do enter Iran with their "other" passport simply to avoid visa requirements, and it's generally fine. But I think you are potentially leaving yourself a bit open.
Not recognising dual nationality is actually not as rare as you may think. Andorra and Austria for example both don't seem to allow it (at least in theory, perhaps practically is different). USA allow it, although they expect you to still pay income tax when living and working abroad which seems wild, land of the free |
“They” would include more than just Iran! China for example also doesn’t “recognize” dual nationality. Why do you think many foreign professionals are leaving Hong Kong for good? And Russia will detain anyone randomly as a bargaining chip for criminal exchange. There, “risk of arrest or death” are no less real than Iran.
However, if you enter with a passport from another country, “they” wouldn’t have thought of you as a Brit. 
Also, USA isn’t the only country that tax you regardless of where you live. You must know Canada does the same, since you spent so much time living there. Perhaps North America is more “wild” than Europe
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You know it makes sense.
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Iran has some of the best scenery in the world, very tall mountains, deserts that dry the snow, and some of the fluffiest powda on Earth.
But... Iran today is not friends with the West, and is (currently) on the brink of war.
Without a Russian or Chinese or North Korean or Shia-led passport, Iran is super high-risk.
Nobody wants to be rotting in a cockroach cell, or doing the long walk to a crane in the town square.
As above, plenty other countries give a similar experience, with much less risk, such as Turkey, Kazakhstan, Utah, etc.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Love to go, but they've had no investment for 50 years. I'm also worried about a ruling clique that consider "this world" to be a test for "the next world".
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Poster: A snowHead
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Doesn't a visit to Iran mean you can't enter the USA on the ESTA (visa waiver) scheme? I think you need to visit an embassy to get a visa 
A bit of hassle for regular snowsports visitors to the Rockies etc.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Yeah ..
I skied Iran back in the 80's
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