Iran might not be the first -- or even last -- destination that comes to mind when many people think of skiing or ice climbing, but that could change as it the country tries to lure more foreign visitors.
Iran winter sports —
Iran might not be the first -- or even last -- destination that comes to mind when many people think of skiing or ice climbing, but that could change as it the country tries to lure more foreign visitors.
BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images
The Alborz Mountains, north of Tehran, have the snow, ice and 3,600-meter peaks to rival other world-class winter sports destinations.
Alborz Mountains —
The Alborz Mountains, north of Tehran, have the snow, ice and 3,600-meter peaks to rival other world-class winter sports destinations.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
Darbandsar is one of the largest and most modern ski resorts in Iran. Run by private investors, it tries to offer facilities to match those on offer in Europe or America.
Darbandsar ski resort —
Darbandsar is one of the largest and most modern ski resorts in Iran. Run by private investors, it tries to offer facilities to match those on offer in Europe or America.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
Because of its elevation -- the lifts go up more than 4,000 meters -- skiing is usually possible for six months a year.
Six months of skiing —
Because of its elevation -- the lifts go up more than 4,000 meters -- skiing is usually possible for six months a year.
The apres-ski food is Western in style, with fried chicken, hot dogs, burgers and pizza on offer. The bars offer alcohol-free cocktails.
Food and drink —
The apres-ski food is Western in style, with fried chicken, hot dogs, burgers and pizza on offer. The bars offer alcohol-free cocktails.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
An on-site DJ entertains the crowd with tunes. While the facilities might appeal to foreigners, few have so far visited.
Entertainment —
An on-site DJ entertains the crowd with tunes. While the facilities might appeal to foreigners, few have so far visited.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
Ice climbing is a fairly new sport in Iran but it's increasingly popular. On an average day, between 60 and 70 people come to the ice-climbing school in Meygoon.
Ice climbing —
Ice climbing is a fairly new sport in Iran but it's increasingly popular. On an average day, between 60 and 70 people come to the ice-climbing school in Meygoon.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
"Ice climbing is much more risky than rock climbing," says Sepideh Javan, one of Iran's best female ice climbers. "The ice can come down anytime and fall on you, rocks are much more stable. But if you love the sport then it is really good."
Risky sport —
"Ice climbing is much more risky than rock climbing," says Sepideh Javan, one of Iran's best female ice climbers. "The ice can come down anytime and fall on you, rocks are much more stable. But if you love the sport then it is really good."
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
On weekends, dozens of people can be seen scaling the frozen mountain walls here with pick axes and spiked shoes.
Weekend attraction —
On weekends, dozens of people can be seen scaling the frozen mountain walls here with pick axes and spiked shoes.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
It's a difficult and challenging sport, but also one, at least at the Meygoon ice climbing school, that's practiced by men and women alike.
Mixed climbing —
It's a difficult and challenging sport, but also one, at least at the Meygoon ice climbing school, that's practiced by men and women alike.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN
Darbandsar likely needs to overcome a serious lack of parking spaces and improve the narrow, traffic-clogged access road to fulfill its potential as a winter sports destination.
Gridlocks and parking —
Darbandsar likely needs to overcome a serious lack of parking spaces and improve the narrow, traffic-clogged access road to fulfill its potential as a winter sports destination.
Fred Pleitgen/CNN