Magnum Editions Poster: Dizin ski resort in Iran, 2016

On assignment for The New York Times Magazine, Magnum photographer Newsha Tavakolian traveled from her home in Tehran to winter resorts in the Alborz Mountains. Though monitored by a security guard while she photographed, Tavakolian noticed tremendous differences between the ski slopes today and those she remembered from her last visit, 15 years ago; loud house music playing, young boys and girls hanging out together, people wearing hip ski clothes and a general feeling of joy. Of this recent trip, she noted “It was a very relaxed atmosphere, maybe the most relaxed atmosphere I have ever experienced in Iran.”

Iranian skiers and snowboarders enjoying their weekend in the mountains. Iran, 2016.