Tufandag, the Gabala ski resort: what to do in winter and in summer
Tufandag is about 225 km from Baku, some three hours by road, on the slope that drops down to Gabala. It is the largest ski resort in Azerbaijan and, outside the snow season, the cable car keeps running so you can go up to walk or simply look at the valley. It opened in 2014 and has since become the mountain outing most people repeat when they travel to the north of the country.
In winter: skiing and snowboarding
The season runs, depending on the year, from December to March. There are green and blue runs for beginners and red ones for those who already ski, a school, equipment hire and modern lifts. It is not an Alpine resort in size, but for a day or two it does the job, and the lift pass is cheap compared with Europe. On weekdays there are hardly any queues.
In summer: cable car, trails and paragliding
The cable car
The gondolas climb in several sections from the base to the upper area in about twenty minutes. It is what almost everyone who does not ski does: go up, walk along the ridge for a while and come down for lunch. The views take in the Gabala valley and the peaks of the Greater Caucasus.
Hiking, biking and paragliding
The winter runs become summer paths. There are short trails from the upper stations, mountain bike hire and, in good weather, tandem paragliding flights from the top. Bring a jacket even if it is hot below: it gets cool up there.
Adventure park
Next to the base there is a park with zip lines, suspension bridges and a climbing wall. It works well with children and is the reason many families from Baku spend the weekend here.
Where to sleep and what to eat
At the base and nearby there are four- and five-star hotels, wooden cabins and apartments; in Gabala, ten minutes away, the options are cheaper. The resort restaurants serve Azerbaijani food (plov, kebab, dolma) and international dishes. If you travel with us, Tufandag pairs well with the Sheki khan's palace, about 90 km away, on the same route through the north.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to go to Tufandag?
For skiing, January and February, when the snow is most reliable. For walking and the cable car, May to October. In April and November there are days when the cable car does not run because of maintenance or wind.
How do you get there from Baku?
It is about 225 km, around three hours by car. There are buses from Baku's international bus station to Gabala, and from there a taxi to the base. We also arrange private transfers.
Is it worth going without skiing?
Yes. The cable car, the trails and the adventure park run all year, and the Gabala valley has plenty to see on its own.
