Powder Project Logo

West Summit is the second highest summit (3,995m., 13,108ft.) of Mount Aragats.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

7.4

Miles

11.9

KM

Ski Line

11,914' 3,631 m

High

7,855' 2,394 m

Low

0' 0 m

Up

4,059' 1,237 m

Down

10%

Avg Slope (6°)

41%

Max Slope (23°)
Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Need to Know

Ucom and VivaCell-MTS networks are almost always available between Aragats village up to the west summit of Mount Aragats. In case of emergency, call 911, a service available throughout Armenia.

Description

To take this ski run, you need to get to the village of Geghadzor, in Aragatsotn province. At the southern end of the village, the road heads toward the mountain with the West Summit Ascent and can be driven until the conditions do not permit further travel.

From the top, there are unbelievable views of the peak to the east and the sprawling lands to the west toward the Turkish border. The first mile and a half have the steepest grades ranging upwards of 40 degrees. The run follows parallel to the ascent before crossing to the west to stay on top of the ridge. Continue back to the starting point.

Mount Aragats is considered the highest peak in Armenia (4,090m., 13,419ft.). It is an isolated shield-like massif of about 200km in circumference. Together with its fan-shaped slopes, it covers 4,000 sq. m, and is situated in both the Aragatsotn and Shirak provinces. Aragats used to be one of the world’s largest volcanos. It has a gigantic 400m-deep crater, 3km in diameter, and 4 peaks. The highest point is the North Summit; the West Summit is second (3,995.3m., 13,207ft.) and is followed by the East (3,908.2m., 12,822ft.) and South Summit (3,887.8m., 12,755ft.)

According to legend, the name ‘Aragats’ originated from the name ‘Ara’, and the word ‘gah’ (throne): that is to say ‘Ara’s throne’ (the Armenian king Ara Geghetsik, meaning Ara the Beautiful).

Heading for the West Summit of Aragats from Yerevan or vice versa, you can visit the Armenian Alphabet Monument after M. Mashtots, Hovhannavank (5th-13th centuries), Saghmosavank Monasteries.

The best time to ski is January to April. Yerevan is 81km away from the village of Geghadzor, so the road there takes 1h 30m and costs 8,100-8,500 AMD (by taxi).

History & Background

The winters on Mt. Aragats are long, cold, and snowy. There is steady snow cover for 250 days of the year. Near the summit, it is cold during the summer, too. While passing the trail, you may come across wolves, foxes, and wild rabbits.

Shared By:

State Tourism Committee Repub…

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 1 vote

#208

Overall
  5.0 from 1 vote
5 Star
100%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Ski Line Rankings

#14

in Armenia

#208

Overall
0 Views Last Month
81 Since Dec 20, 2017
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
0%

Photos

Enjoying the vistas of Mount Aragats
Dec 20, 2017 near Hnaberd, Not set (Republic of Armenia)
Changing tactics on the way up.
Dec 20, 2017 near Hnaberd, Not set (Republic of Armenia)

0 Comments

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.