February 2024
The 5th annual Iraq Ski Rally Kurdistan
The Iraq Ski Rally is a backcountry ski race in the northern Zagros mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan. Designed to bring together international skiers with Kurdish ski enthusiasts, racers of all abilities and experience compete in this fun and friendly tour. Taking place near the “ski town” of Choman, the rally includes several days of skiing where few have trod before, a local winter festival with local food and dancing, and a chance to learn about this region of the world. The fifth Iraq Ski Rally takes place in February 2024. For more information and registration, please contact info@iraqskirally.com
Location
Choman, Iraq is located 93 miles (150 kilometres northeast of Erbil, the second largest city in Iraq and the capital of the Kurdistan region. The town lies at the Iraqi-Iranian border and is bisected by the most famous land road in the region: the Hamilton Road. Built between 1928 and 1932, it was named after lead engineer A.M. Hamilton, and once comprised a grander plan to establish a trade route linking the Persian Gulf with the Caspian Sea, Other features of the Choman region include: Khanzad Castle, Rawanduz Canyon, Gali Ali Bag waterfalls and Mount Halgurd, the tallest mountain in Iraq.
The Race
A human-powered up and downhill ski race of 10 kilometers, the Iraqi Ski Race starts at an altitude of 2000 meters with roughly 2000 meters of elevation gain, ending at the festival grounds. Trophies and prizes are given to the fastest international and local skiers. Tours are led internationally by Untamed Borders and locally by VI Kurdistan.
The Choman Ski Club
The Choman Ski Club celebrates backcountry skiing by joining together international skiers with local Iraqi Kurds to regularly ski the Zagros mountains of northern Iraq. Every year, the club puts on the Iraqi Ski Rally to introduce ski touring, as well as attract interest in building ski and snowboard infrastructure in the region.