In the same season that tour operator Mountain Heaven announced it was launching ski package holidays to Iran next season, a second company, Untamed Borders, has announced it will be organising a 10 day “reccy” ski trip to Iraq from 28th January – 6th February 2017.
“As far as we are aware, this will be the first ever commercial ski trip to Iraq,” said James Willcox of Untamed Borders Ltd, a company experienced in organising trips to very off-the-beaten-track ski destinations, including Afghanistan.
Iraq is of course a country more associated with deserts but in fact has some great mountainous terrain in the northern semi-autonomous Kurdistan region which the first skiers travelling with Untamed Borders will explore with a qualified international ski guide.
“Using the experience the Untamed Borders team has of guiding and climbing in Iraq, we have identified areas that offer some great ski touring terrain,” said James.
Guests should ideally have some prior experience of ski touring although the trip is designed for people of all abilities to come along.
Skiers will follow paths and routes explored by Untamed Borders’ guides trekking and climbing in the area over the past two winters. The group will ski the slopes of Halgurd – Iraq’s highest peak and other areas. The group will be also exploring new routes and runs. Almost all of the area has never been skied.
The tour will start in the historic city of Erbil and head straight to the peaks around the town of Choman near the Iranian border which has a reputation for the region’s best and most reliable snow.
Tour participants will also head to the village of Penjwen to witness and ski with Iraq’s only ski club that teaches winter sports to local school children.
There will also be a visit to Korek Mountain Resort, subject to conditions, which is home to Iraq’s only ski lifts.
Despite their similar names, Iraq is a very different winter sports experience to Iran, which has a dozen or so organised ski resorts, some with some of the highest ski lifts in the world. With the easing of political tensions the country is also currently seen as a safe destination for tourists except in some border areas.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to large parts of Iraq however, and all but essential travel to the rest of the country.
“Iraq has some major problems at the moment but in the far north of the country security is good and it is possible to experience some of the famous Kurdish hospitality amongst the peaks. The chance to truly blaze a tourist trail is a rare opportunity,” responds James.
The trip costs US$2450 (approximately £1,850) which includes all accommodation, breakfast daily, lunch when skiing, all ground transport and guiding.
A maximum number of 10 people can take part in the trip and are asked to make their own arrangements for travel to Iraqui Kurdistan and bring their ski equipment with them, as well as their insurance and visas (which can normally be arranged on arrival in Iraq) although Untamed Borders can provide advice on all these matters.
