Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec.21 / Trend /
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva have today attended the opening of Zirva hotel, which is part of Shahdag winter and summer tourism complex.
The two-storey Zirva hotel has a total of 40 suits. The President and his spouse viewed the suits, and visited the elevator base, a conference hall and a sports store.
Culture and tourism minister Abulfas Garayev told the Head of State that preparations for the construction of the complex had commenced in 2006. The bidding conducted at the time was won by the world`s leading companies. In September 2009, the foundation of the complex was laid with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev.
The area under construction is environmentally friendly and rich with flora and fauna. The facility is located at an altitude of 1,300-2,300 meters above the sea level. The bigger part of the complex is situated on a mountain plateau, at an altitude of 1,440-1,640 meters above the sea level. The complex covers an area of 2,058 hectares.
The Shahdag winter and summer tourist complex, which will operate all year round, is one of the most advanced projects not only in Azerbaijan but also in the world.
This project will create opportunities for the development of skiing and other winter sports in the country. Tourists will be able to fully relax here during the summer season as well.
The Shahdag winter and summer tourist complex is Azerbaijan`s first ski resort. The construction will be carried out in several stages.
In February 2011, President Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of cable way No. 2 and an Alpine skiing slope. At the end of last year, the President, who has been keeping the project in the spotlight, examined the progress of work.
To extend the ski season, an "artificial snow" system will be set up in the complex. To this end, snow generators have been installed on all slopes.
German equipment will be used to consolidate the snowpack and bring the ski-run to the required level. There will be nine cable ways at the first stage.
