TsaghkadzorTsaghkadzor («Flower Canyon», before Kecharuik, Tsaghkotsadzor, Tsaghkuniats Dzor, Tsakhnots and till 1949 Darachicak, elev. 1837, pop. 1645) is surrounded by forests on the eastern slope of Mt. Tsaghkuniats (2820.5 m). Located in one of the most beautiful areas of the country, the village exists as a resort, its once pristine hunting grounds for the rulers of Armenia now teeming with modern tourists hot-dogging down its ski runs or lounging in the cool summer breezes at any of a number of pensionats, hotels, motels and camps. Second only to Lake Sevan for the summer trade (only 20 km away), a growing number of «Novi Armeniyi» commutes between the two resorts, basking on the beaches of Sevan by day, partying at one of the disco-bars in Tsaghkadzor at night. In the winter, all eyes are on Tsaghkadzor, which is still Armenia’s only ski resort. Until other, better ski runs are built, if you want to downhill ski, this is where you come. Impromptu winter festivals pop up each year, drawing large groups of the in-crowd who pluck up their Kodak-courage to side-slip downhill but feel (and look) more in place at one of the new lodgings popping up in town. Enough of the family trade continues, and locals and visitors alike are friendly and open, something not seen much more upscale, western resorts. New restaurants and bars add to a cosmopolitan atmosphere that somehow mixes well with the historical, family-oriented aspect of the resort, if it drives up prices. Like Sevan, Tsaghkadzor is in danger of pricing itself out of business, something to watch. In the meantime, cheaper spots exist, and if you don’t mind going rustic, it can be pretty affordable. The village is also the location of the reconstructed Kecharis Monastery and a number of hiking trails that comb the surrounding forests and alpine meadows. |
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