ICE BROKE

We have often heard that winter sports in Azerbaijan lack promising prospects—and such statements were not entirely unfounded. Since gaining independence, Azerbaijan has frequently naturalized foreign athletes to represent the country in international competitions. Under these circumstances, interest in winter sports struggled to gain widespread traction, though it persisted among dedicated fans. With snowfall being a rarity in Azerbaijan, the development of these disciplines faced inherent challenges. However, recent improvements at the Shahdagh Mountain Resort and the opening of an ice hockey rink at Baku’s Heydar Aliyev Sports and Concert Complex have begun to shift the landscape.

New leadership, new vision

The revival of winter sports in Azerbaijan gained momentum following a managerial overhaul within the Azerbaijan Winter Sports Federation. Initiatives were launched to develop skiing and other programs at winter sports schools affiliated with the country’s mountain resorts. Projects were introduced to make winter sports accessible to all segments of society, particularly children and youth—even at an amateur level. By 2025, the federation had strengthened international ties, successfully negotiating to host prestigious competitions in Azerbaijan.

A key milestone was the partnership with the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). After prolonged discussions, FIS and the Azerbaijan State Tourism Agency signed an agreement to collaborate on expanding winter tourism and sports infrastructure. The deal also paves the way for Azerbaijan to host elite international competitions. Key objectives include:

- Upgrading existing winter tourism facilities to attract foreign visitors;

- Establishing Shahdagh as a venue for international ski events;

- Promoting Azerbaijan as a destination for world-class winter sports;

- Launching large-scale global marketing campaigns for the country’s tourism brands.

As part of this partnership, Azerbaijan will serve as an official sponsor at FIS World Cups and Championships. The first major event—a FIS-sanctioned competition at Shahdagh—is slated for the 2026 winter season. The proposal has already been approved and added to the international sporting calendar.

This marks a historic first for Azerbaijan: the country will host the European Winter Sports Championship. The European Ski Mountaineering Championship is scheduled for March 4–8, 2026, followed by the World Cup from March 6–8 at the Shahdagh Tourism Center.

Gearing up for the Winter Olympics

Another significant development is Azerbaijan’s participation in next year’s Winter Olympics in Italy. Figure skater Vladimir Litvintsev will represent the nation, having secured his spot by finishing 15th at the World Championships in Boston and earning a 2026 Olympic license.

To bolster domestic competition, the Winter Sports Federation has also naturalised two foreign athletes. One of them is Veronika Zhilina (17), now an Azerbaijani passport holder, awaits final approval to switch her sporting nationality from Russia. Expected to join the national team by August, she will be eligible for the 2026 Olympic qualifiers in Beijing this fall pending clearance from her former federation.

The other naturalised athlete is Zakhir Jafarov. A ski jumper and cross-country skier of Azerbaijani descent, the 26-year-old previously competed for Russia and will now represent Azerbaijan.