A winter’s tale in Azerbaijan: from thrilling slopes to serene forest trails

Winter in Azerbaijan is the season for adventure. Mountains blanketed in snow, exceptional resorts and charming villages provide the perfect setting to embrace the chill.

Adventurers will be swept away by the variety of winter activities on offer, from snowshoeing and ice climbing to forest trekking amidst Azerbaijan’s incredible snow-dusted landscapes.

Azerbaijan’s winter activities invite both family fun and daring adventure, with calmer moments to embrace the slower rhythms of mountain life, warming up on hearty meals and authentic rural hospitality.

Caucasus slopes: Azerbaijan’s most popular winter resorts

The great Caucasus Mountains cut through the landscape of northern Azerbaijan, creating a rocky playground of peaks and valleys, blanketed in snow from December to March. Two of Azerbaijan’s most popular mountain resorts – Shahdag and Tufandag – serve the slopes on each side, each offering bustling atmospheres and a range of facilities, including ski schools and après-ski lounges.

As well as skiing and snowboarding, Shahdag is also home to a variety of winter activities including paragliding, horseriding, snowmobiling, tubing and more. The Alpine Coaster is also a highlight for all ages – a twisting toboggan ride that zips through Shahdag’s snow-covered pine forests and icy terrain.

Though Shahdag and Tufandag remain ideal choices for winter holidays in Azerbaijan, today we expand our view beyond these two resorts, to experience a fresh take on Azerbaijani winter, encompassing both winter activities and cultural experiences.

Gabala: a picturesque base for paragliding, skiing and family fun

Found amongst the dense forests on the southern slopes of the Caucasus Mountains, Gabala district is a year-round resort destination that transforms into a winter playground from December to March.

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Beyond all the skiing, snowboarding and tubing fun of Tufandag Mountain Resort, Gabala leaves plenty of time for scenic reflection. Tour Gabala’s fortified ancient capital and the icy-covered Nohur Lake, setting your own pace on snowshoeing excursions upon Gabala’s gentle slopes and forests in the wilderness of Shahdag National Park.

Paragliding is another way to explore Gabala on clear winter days, offering unbeatable views of Azerbaijan’s snow-covered forests, winding rivers and mountain scenery. Safety is paramount and professional paragliding guides adjust equipment for winter conditions, ensuring a smooth take-off from high elevation, allowing you to capture the quiet beauty of the icy landscape below.

Alternatively, hop on a nearby cable car for sweeping vistas across the region and the majestic Tufandag peak.

Guba and Gusar: valley trekking, ice climbing and rural interludes

Nestled between Mount Shahdag and the Caspian Sea, with their capital cities just 15 kilometres apart, the regions of Guba and Gusar come as the perfect winter pairing.

Hundreds of metres above sea level, Guba and Gusar boast vast snow-laden valleys with ideal winter hiking conditions. Mount Shahdag is based in the Gusar region but the vast region has many quieter adventure options, including remote cross-country, back-country and freeride skiing trails that allow both beginners and advanced skiers to zigzag through forests and over gentle hills in perfect serenity.

The remote Laza village is accessible through Gusar, offering a quiet village experience amidst stunning landscapes. Hike along the Laza-Kuzun trail to find waterfalls and impressive valley views, before returning to Laza for well-deserved hot tea and warm hospitality.

Come January, Gusar gleams with frozen rock faces and icy waterfalls, creating the perfect conditions for intrepid climbers who crave technical terrain. To ensure safe ascents, join a guided excursion with experienced climbers from Gusar City.

There are also accessible options from Gusar city such as the forested Terrenkur trail, perfect for leisurely nature walks towards Lakar village.

Another gateway to the Caucasus Mountains is Guba, home to a culture-filled capital city and natural surroundings that become especially beautiful in winter. Starting from Guba and heading west further into the valley, more winter hiking trails await, with optional stop-offs at charming mountain villages such as Griz.

Along the rugged Griz-Galakhudat route, hikers are met with views over Gudyalchay Canyon and the fairytale Gurgur Waterfall frozen in time during the winter months. Alternatively, head deeper into the valley to Khinalig. A remote, high-mountain village often blanketed in snow, Khinalig is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with great significance upon the ancient, 200-kilometre trail Köç Yolu (“Migration Route”).

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While winter conditions can be extreme, Khinalig is a fantastic example of human resilience, seeing the semi-nomadic Khinalig people migrate yearly between summer and winter pastures. For visitors, the village has access to ancient hiking trails that lead to rewarding panoramas over the Caucasus Mountains. Traditional handcrafted mittens can be purchased in the village to keep the chill at bay!

For more information on hiking through Azerbaijan’s spectacular northern mountains, find listed routes on the Azerbaijan Travel website.

Nakhchivan: remote and untouched winter beauty

Nakhchivan’s secluded environment in a far-westerly exclave offers a lesser-known winter experience steeped in natural beauty and heritage, with heritage starting points such as Nakhchivan City or the medieval city of Ordubad.

Home to the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, Nakhchivan is where you’ll find Azerbaijan’s newest ski resort, Agbulag, based near the village of the same name some 2,000 metres above sea level. The resort is suitable for both beginners and advanced skiers, complete with a ski school, family entertainment parks and a hotel.

In the Shahbuz region, the village of Kükü attracts nature lovers year-round. In winter the trails become especially scenic, with opportunities to explore snow-covered valleys and nearby mineral springs, such as Gurbulag Spring, which are believed to have therapeutic properties.

The combination of peaceful surroundings and relatively light foot traffic makes Nakhchivan a hidden gem for hikers looking for a quieter winter retreat​.

Embrace Azerbaijan’s winter magic

Azerbaijan’s winter season presents a world of possibilities for active travellers. Whether on the slopes, exploring quiet trails, or enjoying hearty Azerbaijani cuisine in a rural mountain village, winter in Azerbaijan captures the essence of the season’s magic.

Azerbaijan’s lesser-known winter activities are perfect for those who value discovery and tranquillity, spotlighting Azerbaijan’s untamed, seasonal beauty with warm restful moments in between.