Ski season in Gabala: Tufandag
A cable car above a snowy forest, the Caucasus under a deep blue sky and a compact resort right next to the town. Tufandag is the easiest ski trip from Baku for one or two days.
Off season now. The next season starts on 15 November — you can already book a car in advance.
Tufandag in a few words
Tufandag Mountain Resort opened in 2014 on the slopes above Gabala. It is a compact resort: 10 runs with a total length of about 12 km between 956 and 1,920 metres, two green, two blue, three red and three black ones.
Four lifts — gondolas and chairlifts — cover about 6 km. Even if you do not ski, the ride up is worth it: the cable car opens a wide view of the Greater Caucasus, and on a clear day the snowy ridges seem endless.
When to go
The resort usually works from early December to the end of March. Exact dates for 2026/27 have not been announced yet, so check the opening before you plan the first days of the season.
The New Year holidays and weekends are the busiest time. If you want quieter runs, choose weekdays in January or February.
Who it suits
Tufandag is a good choice for beginners and families: there is a ski school, and the hotels are either at the resort or in Gabala itself, about 4 km away. Experienced skiers will find red and black runs, but for a whole week of skiing Shahdag offers more terrain.
Many guests combine a ski day with a walk in Gabala and a visit to Nohur Lake nearby — that is why the resort works so well as a one- or two-day trip.
How to get there from Baku
The road from Baku to Gabala is about 220 km, usually 3–3.5 hours by car depending on weather and stops. A private car picks you up at your hotel or at the airport and drives you to the resort or to your hotel in Gabala.
Tell us about skis and snowboards when booking: a 5-seat minivan takes up to 5 suitcases, and for groups there are minibuses for 8, 16 or 20 seats. The Gabala day tour lasts 10 hours: the car waits for you all day and brings you back to Baku in the evening.
Good to know
Ski pass and rental prices for 2026/27 should be checked with the resort. In winter it is cold in the mountains, so take warm layers and make sure your travel insurance covers winter sports.
You can pay the driver by card, and an eSIM can be bought in advance — the Airalo link is in the site header.
4T prices, per car
Prices in USD for the whole car, not per person. On some holiday dates a holiday rate applies — the booking form shows it before you send the request.
Book a private car
Write the dates and the address — the form shows the price before you send the request. 30% online, the rest to the driver; free cancellation 24 hours before pick-up.
Questions and answers
How far is Tufandag from Baku?
About 220 km, usually 3–3.5 hours by car.
When is the ski season in Gabala?
Usually from early December to the end of March. The resort has not announced the exact 2026/27 dates yet.
How many runs are there?
10 runs, about 12 km in total: 2 green, 2 blue, 3 red and 3 black. 4 lifts, about 6 km.
Is Tufandag good for beginners?
Yes, there is a ski school and green and blue runs. For a long ski holiday with more terrain, look at Shahdag.
Shahdag or Tufandag?
Shahdag has more runs and hotels — for a week. Tufandag is next to Gabala — for 1–2 days or together with sightseeing.
Is the price per person or per car?
Per car, in USD. It does not depend on how many of you there are, within the seats of the chosen car.
Will skis fit in the car?
Yes — tell us when booking and we will choose a minivan or a minibus with enough space.
Can I cancel?
Yes, free of charge up to 24 hours before pick-up.
Guests about 4T Transfer
4.9 on Google · 214 reviews · All reviews on Google →
Excellent service! We originally booked a smaller car and didn’t realize all our luggage wouldn’t fit. Before the trip, the company contacted us to confirm our baggage and kindly upgraded us to a larger vehicle at no extra charge. The driver was very polite, drove carefully, helped us with all our luggage, and chose the most convenient drop-off point at the airport. The car was new, spacious, and spotlessly clean.Polina G. · Google
Malik was my designated driver and as a solo woman traveler the experience was amazing and it felt very safe. Good behavior on the road, polite, confident, great speaker, the car well maintained... top notch service. Thank you!Grechen B. · Google
Great experience. I had a massive delay and they still did not charge me extra and were understanding. The driver they sent, Malik, was very good and I can’t praise him enough!! Highly recommend.D. S. · Google
Other seasonal pages
Useful pages
Baku → Gabala transferGabala day tourAbout GabalaGuide: Baku to GabalaQafqaz Tufandag Mountain Resort HotelGuide: Azerbaijan in winter