President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has examined the progress of construction of the Gabala summer and winter mountain skiing complex “Tufan”.
The President of Azerbaijan was informed that this tourist site is situated in a mountainous terrain and has favorable conditions for recreation and rest. It is situated about 4 kilometers from the city of Gabala. The cable way and the mountain skiing complex will consist of eight stations.
The first station is located at an altitude of 950 and the final 1,920 meters above sea level. Assembly work at five stations has already been completed. Assembly work has also been completed at the stations located at a distance of 1,414 meters from each other and at an altitude of 1,250 and 1,650 meters above sea level respectively.
President Ilham Aliyev toured the complex in a cable car.
It was noted that the “Qafqaz Resort” hotel complex located in the vicinity of the skiing center currently under construction consists of three hotel buildings, a SPA-center and an amusement park. It is well suited for summer recreation. Under such circumstances, the availability of a winter recreation facility at “Qafqaz Resort”, i.e. the construction of a nearby mountain skiing complex, will not only provide opportunities for excursions and other outdoor activities throughout the year but will also encourage people to engage in winter sports near the hotel. Downhill tracks are designed in such a way as to provide everyone with the opportunity to choose a suitable track and slope of any degree of complexity. The slopes are reinforced by special compacting machines “Everest”. The use of this equipment in developing tracks on the edge of mountain slopes or on flat terrains has proved very effective. The total length of the 10 downhill tracks planned to be built will be 18,000 meters. Ski lifts intended to deliver guests to a selected area are designed to adapt to wind speed and direction and other climate factors. The decision has been made to equip all downhill tracks with "artificial snow" units. In order to provide downhill tracks with snow there are plans to install a total of 223 “artificial snow” units in the complex. The center will be able to serve up to 3,000 people a day.
President Ilham Aliyev was also informed about the project of a sports and leisure center “Golf Resort”. In order to promote golf in Azerbaijan and enhance interest in this sport, the decision has been made to set up a golf course, a golf academy and a golf club, in Gabala District, one of the most picturesque parts of the country.
According to the project, there are plans to build a golf course, a golf club, a hotel, villas and the associated infrastructure on an area of 80 hectares between the Damiraparan River flowing through the district and the mountain range. In order to prevent spills that may occur on the Demiraparan River due to seasonal rains and melting of snow in the mountains and to protect the golf course, retaining walls will be built on the banks of the river. The center, to be built in a classical style, will have all the conditions for the recreation of club members and guests.
President Ilham Aliyev gave instructions associated with high-quality construction of both the skiing complex “Tufan” and the sports and leisure center “Golf Resort”.
