Mount Hatis (2,528m)

Description of the Trail
Hatis is a volcanic massif in the Kotayk province of Armenia. The mountain has a conical structure indented with numerous gorges, which can be seen in winter as well. There are a lot of rocky formations in the higher spots of the Mountain. The ski trail begins in the village of Hatis, on the northern slopes of the mountain. You can enjoy the ski trail at Mount Hatis from January to April. The climate is mild here due to the geographical location of the trail. Most of the winter is sunny, and the sky is blue. Yerevan is 30km away from the trail. Please, check the weather conditions before attempting the ski trail. The best time for skiing downhill is midday, as the snow is frozen during morning and evening hours.

Monuments description
Heading for Mount Hatis from Yerevan or vice versa, you can visit:
Surb Poghos-Petros Church (St. Paul and Peter Church)
The church is located nearby Zar village, at the foot of Mount Hatis, in the Kotayk province. Poghos-Petros chapel-sanctuary was originally built in the 13th century. In 1930, a foreman named Grigor (Gregory) had a dream in which he saw the grand design of the church and continued its entire construction. Two churches were built next to the chapel named Poghos and Petros. Now it has also become a place of pilgrimage. Each year, two weeks after Holy Easter, people go on pilgrimage to the Church to celebrate Saint Poghos-Petros Day. In 1969, and later in 1989, the two chapels were reconstructed, and the re-modelers were later buried in the Churchyard after their deaths.

Saint Hovhannes Mkrtich Church (Saint John the Baptist Church) in the Town of Abovyan, Kotayk Province.
This church is a new construction, being completed in 2006, and was then consecrated in 2013. It is in the town of Abovyan, in the Kotayk Province of Armenia. The architectural team of the church consisted of around 40 painters, sculptors and architects.

Temple of Garni
The pagan temple of Garni is situated in the Kotayk province, in the village of Garni, on the right bank of the Azat River. The temple was founded by Patriarch Hayk’s great grandson Gegham, and was named Garni in honor of his grandson. Garni was also called the Temple of the Sun, as it was dedicated to the God of the Sun, Mihr. King Trdat the First, on a high triangular cape in 76 BC, constructed the fortress as a Hellenistic building. Garni fortress was damaged several times over the centuries. However, the kings of Armenia reconstructed the fortress using it as a house, a place for military exercises and an Episcopal Residence. Now, we can see the Temple of Garni with its majestic architecture attracting numerous tourists and visitors with its beauty. The temple is open to everyone all year round and is illuminated at night.

Geghard Monastery (in the Village of Geghard) is one of the ancient monasteries of Armenia. It includes two-storied stone temples and a church. It’s located 35km from Yerevan, and is situated on the right bank of the Azat River, in the historical gorge of Geghardadzor.
The Geghard Monastery, is a complex of cave structures consisting of a main temple, two vestibules and two churches. It also has several chambers and tombs. The entrance of the cave building, indoor walls and columns are decorated with ornate carvings. High rocks surrounding the Monastery make the site uniquely attractive and majestic. Geghardavank was founded during the early years after declaring Christianity as the state religion (IV c.). It was founded by Grigor Lusavorich (Gregory the Illuminator). Geghardavank is one of the religious and cultural centers of medieval Armenia. Numerous manuscripts were found here, some of which are kept in the M. Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran) of Yerevan, even though the Monastery was repeatedly raided over the centuries. Geghardavank has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of the top sights of Armenia.

Fauna
In the territory of Mount Hatis you’ll most probably come across wolves, Armenian yellow foxes, and wild rabbits searching for food.

Safety and Security
No mobile connection is available between the village of Hatis up to the summit of Mount Hatis, Ucom and VivaCell-MTS networks are available only at the top of Mount Hatis. In case of emergency, call 911 services, which are available throughout Armenia.

Technical parameters
Best period: January- mid April
Distance: 36km from Yerevan.
Ski trail length: 4.5 km
Ski run: 1.5 hours.
Altitude from sea level: 2,022-2,528 m
Check the weather conditions before traversing the trail.
The best drink to have on hand is warm tea.

How to Reach the Ski Trail
To reach the above-mentioned ski trail, you need to get to the village of Hatis, in the Kotayk province. It is most convenient to travel by taxi. Taxi services are quite affordable throughout Armenia. We recommend taking a cab with a taximeter.