Where to find $20 ski lift tickets next winter: Would you believe Iran?

Now that the U.S. has hammered out a nuclear deal with Iran, maybe it’s time to chill out and go skiing.

Hard to believe the land of vast deserts in its Central Plateau has ski resorts tucked away as close as a few hours north of its capital Tehran. Vogue asked in its January issue of the magazine: “Could Tehran (Yes, That Tehran) Be the Next Aspen?”

The slopes are accessible and inexpensive too.

For example, the Dizin Ski Resort, built in 1969, sits at 8,500 feet in the Alborz Mountains and has a ski lift that tops out at 11,482 feet. The season typically starts in December and lasts as long as May because of the high-altitude slopes.

Lift tickets cost about $20 to $25 a day.

Iran Luxury Travel, which organizes trips to the ski resort, says in a statement that Dizin is best for intermediate and experienced skiers and boarders. The resort has up to 20 green, blue, black diamond and double black diamond runs.

There’s also a ski-in, ski-out hotel and cottages at the base of the mountain.

Advanced skiers may also want to visit nearby Shemshak resort, where they’ll find double and triple black diamond runs.

For those already thinking about a winter ski vacation, the company based in Asheville, N.C., offers a five-day Ski/Snowboard Iran package that includes four nights at the Dizin hotel and breakfast as well as airport transfers. Airfare and ski lift tickets are extra. The cost is $950 per person, based on double occupancy.

Info: Iran Luxury Travel, (828) 505-3439