Site Location and Construction of Ski Resorts Using Geographical Information System (GIS) in Isfahan Province

Abstract

© 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. Considering the dry and hot climate governing Isfahan province, development of winter tourism (tourism development and providing the conditions for tourism) can bring in a different attraction for this province adding to its tourism potentialities i.e. The countless historical and cultural tourism attractions. The availability of high mountainous regions appropriately covered with snow can provide a susceptible field for winter tourism. This research is applied-developmental in nature aimed to locate and identify the appropriate areas and points for the construction of ski resorts in Isfahan province. For positioning and identifying the susceptible areas for the construction of ski resorts, the Isfahan's high areas over than 2300 m were taken into account which were identified by applying analytic functions technique and satellite images. For locating, 7 measures including height, slope degree, temperature, snow depth, distance from the residential areas, infrastructure facilities and accessibility to communication roads were used. Besides, the statistical data obtained from 21 synoptic stations including that of Isfahan as well as nearby stations of Borujen, Saman, Si Sakht and Yasuj were also used. As per the obtained maps, Fereydunshahr, Semirom and a part of Chadegan were of high capability for the construction of ski resorts and winter tourism, respectively. In addition, the near distance between several villages and towns located close to these regions not only can play an effective role in the economic variety and development of these regions but also can significantly assist the management and maintenance of the ski resorts which should be deemed as a very important issue for the survival of such ski resorts.