Tochal Complex is consisted of many recreational and sports facilities located in Velenjak, North of Tehran.
Contents |
Tochal Telecabin [1] is probably the world's longest gondola lift lines with a length of 7500 m.[1]. The project started in 1974 and has been open to the public since 1978[2]. It starts at the Velenjak valley in north of Tehran at an altitude of 1900 m. and ends at the last station at an altitude of 3740 m., near the main ridge of Mount Tochal. This gondola lift is used for accessing ski resorts and other recreational centers on the mountain. Beautiful landscape, mountain fresh air and a multitude of fresh water springs adds to the freshness of the area. With upgrading the safety standards of telecabin lines, families and sportspeople can enjoy the telecabin ride and other facilities with joy and pleasure.
The gondola lift has four stations:
Station 1 is at an elevation of 1900 m. and located at the beginning of Velenjak valley (end of Velenjak Street). Parking, inns and some other facilities are available.
Station 2 is at 2400 m. and has very limited facilities.
Station 5 is at 2935 m. There is a restaurant and a rescue center. This station is in the middle of one of the ski slopes which is open only in mid-winter but rarely used. This station is also accessible through several climbing paths like Shirpala shelter, Osoon valley and Palang-chal shelter. In order to get to Station 7 you have to change here.
Station 7 is at 3740 m. and very close to the Tochal main ridge. It is the last station of the gondola lift. This station is in the middle of the Tochal ski slope. The Tochal main peak is a 30-minute walk from this point. This station is also reachable from Hezar-cham climbing path from Station 5.
The main ski slopes [3] are located in Station 7:
Peak: This slope is started from the foot of Tochal (at 3850 meters) and ends in the hotel (at 3550 meters). The length of the slope is 1200 meters and the very suitable slope. There are one Doppelmayr chairlift and one teleski improvised in this ski slope, for transferring ski players. Because of the height of the ski slope in station 7 (more than 3,500 meters above the sea level), similar to the Alvares Ski Resort in Sabalan, Azarbaijan, Iran, these slopes are covered with snow for more than 8 months during the year. Also Half Pipe is available for the customers in this ski slope[3].
Western Foothill: This slope is located on the western foothill of the Tochal Mountain and the unique views of the surrounding mountains have given it a spectacular manifestation. The length of the ski slope is 900 meters, the peak having 3,750 meters height, and its lowest spot (Tochal Hotel) is 3550 meters high. A Poma chairlift is built in this slope for skiers[3].
Unique location, proper services, and mountainous natural beauty are the specialties of the Tochal Hotel [4]. The hotel is located 3,545 meters above the sea.