About an hour’s drive from Yerevan in the Kotayk region is the popular winter resort of Tsaghkadzor, which attracts skiers and snowboarders from all over the country. World famous athletes and Olympic champions come here to train. The height of the resort is 1800 meters above sea level. Such a sound name appeared not so long ago. In translation from Armenian Tsaghkadzor means “gorge of flowers”. The historical name of the settlement is Kecharis.
This area once belonged to the dynasty of Armenian kings Arshakuni (IV-V centuries.) In the course of history it was conquered by Turkic and Kurdish tribes more than once. Only in the first half of the XIX century it became a part of the Yerevan district and became a part of the Russian Empire. The present name was given in 1947 by the Ministry of the Armenian SSR. In Soviet times it was one of the best such resorts in the country. Training for various winter sports before important competitions took place here.
Today Tsaghkadzor is a popular ski resort with favorable climatic conditions. It is perfect for both winter and summer tourism. The city has a large number of modern hotels and inns of different classes of service. The ski season lasts from December to the end of March. The winter is quite mild and sunny. It is believed that negative ionization of the air in this area guarantees resistance to colds and long life.
Tsaghkadzor slopes are perfect for both professionals and beginners. The ascent is made with the help of a high-speed chairlift of the cable car. This paradise corner was once visited by such famous writers as Osip Mandelstam and Vasily Grossman. They later described their impressions in literary essays and poems.