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UNDER
CONSTRUCTION
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Best
way to reach Tsaghkadzor, Armenia’s premier sports facility and
the former training ground of the Soviet Olympic Ski Team, is to take
the make a U-turn (at the marked location) just after the second (now
non-existent) Hrazdan exit from the Sevan highway.
At 4.2 km, one goes straight at the large traffic
circle. At |
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Following the Marmarik
river (reputedly rich in fishing possibilities)
from the second roundabout, jog left, and pass at 7.5 km from the 2nd
circle the turnoff to Aghavnadzor
(till 1948 Babakishi, founded in 1829 by emigrants from Alashkert).
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UNDER
CONSTRUCTION
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the second traffic circle (0.7 km further), going
straight
takes one to Tsaghkadzor
(in Persian times Darachichak), the Kecharis
Monastery, and the ski slopes. Right
goes to Meghradzor and Hankavan. Turning
left from the main square of Tsaghkadzor, the Writer’s Union guest
house is relatively opulent and available to paying customers.
The road bearing right through town leads to Kecharis Monastery,
founded early in the 11th c. by Grigor Magistros Pahlavuni.
At the monastery, the left fork goes to the Armemenian Olympic training
facility, the right fork to the ski slope.
The lower chair lift
runs all year, creaky but charming (500 dram), with excellent views of
the forests surrounding.
Skiing is indeed possible-small entrepreneurs in the parking
area rent out skis and boots, on a one-size-fits-all basis.
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