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Freeride Cat-skiing in TURKEY
Explore an unparalleled cat-skiing experience amidst the vastness of the Kaçkar Mountains in Turkey. Embark on an adventure surrounded by peaks soaring up to 3,900 meters, boasting the world’s longest commercial cat-skiing lines. The proximity to the Black Sea ensures exceptional powder snow quality.
Discover the thrill of Turkey's most snow-laden region with our cat skiing packages, available from December to April. Our week-long expeditions span from Saturday to Saturday, commencing and concluding in the lively city of Erzurum.
From the moment of your airport pick-up, enjoy inclusive meals, seamless transfers, and transportation. Indulge in the delights of Turkish cuisine throughout your journey, culminating in a memorable farewell gala dinner on the final night in Erzurum. Brace yourself for an unforgettable adventure amidst Turkey’s powder paradise!
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Ski or Board Ability
We do ask for a reasonable level of fundamental fitness and previous off-piste skiing experience from all participants. Once you enquire about your spot, we’ll engage in an open dialogue regarding your skiing or boarding skills.
Upon arrival, a thorough safety briefing awaits, ensuring you are proficient in using transceivers and familiar with mountain safety protocols. Whether refreshing your knowledge or introducing these practices, rest assured that your safety stands as our primary commitment.
Terrain and location
The Kackar Mountains, part of the Pontic range, feature peaks such as Kackar Dagi at 3,931 meters, accessible from the base. Situated 45 kilometers from the Black Sea and 80 kilometers from Georgia, the location offers diverse landscapes.
Huge virgin powder runs accessed from the snowcat, with descents up to 1,000 meters. The terrain is mostly open with a 30- 35 degree slopes, perfect for hero powder skiing
We will explore couloirs of varying difficulty, some steep and narrow, others wider and longer, catering to different skiing abilities. Sparse woodland acts as a safety net in low visibility.
Weather and Snow conditions
At our base located at 2,000m, skiing and boarding take place above 3,200m, offering exceptional snow quality. Thanks to the proximity of the Black Sea, precipitation gathers from across the sea, resulting in substantial deposits of fluffy snow.
Snow Cats and Guides
Turkey Snowcats runs two new Pistenbully snowcats equipped with cabins accommodating up to 15 people (limited to 12 guests per tour). One snowcat is designated for the day’s tour, while the other serves as a backup, a prudent measure considering the remote setting. Additionally, snowmobiles are readily available to aid in any emergencies or breakdowns.
Our guides possess extensive local expertise and hold qualifications from the Turkish Mountaineering Federation (TMF). The minimum guide-to-guest ratio stands at 1:6, increasing to 1:4 during days with limited visibility for enhanced safety.
Food and lodgings
Your stay is at Kaçkar Pansiyon in the village of Olgunlar, the only open building during winter. The lodgings are cozy in Kackar Pension, offering 6 nights in charming double rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Enjoy farm-fresh buffet breakfasts and satisfying two-course dinners. Lunch is picnic-style with hearty sandwiches. The lounge offers relaxation in the evenings.
The pension, managed by a local family, earns high ratings for its homely atmosphere. Alcohol isn’t sold onsite, but the owner can bring drinks from the nearby town or you can stock up on during the transfer to the lodge. The trip concludes at Grand Çatalkaya Hotel in Erzurum, featuring delightful cuisine and a special farewell gala dinner.
Freeride adventure in the Kaçkar Mountains
The 8-day Cat Skiing Freeride adventure in the Kaçkar Mountains commences upon arrival at Erzurum Airport in the evening. To reach Erzurum, flights from Istanbul (IST) are available. Your journey will be centered at Olgunlar, situated in Kaçkar Pansiyon. Nestled at an altitude of 2,120m, this base serves as the starting point. During winter, the nearest inhabited village, Yaylalar, is a mere 3km away.
Your guides and hosts
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ITINERARY
Our journey from Istanbul to Erzurum is on the Pegasus flight departing on Saturday at 17:40 from Istanbul SAW, arriving at 19:30 in Erzurum. Due to the late arrival in Erzurum and the long overland transfer time required to get to the lodge (4.5 hours), we will have dinner and stay overnight in Erzurum. To ensure we don’t miss any ski time, we will head to the freeride resort of Konaklı the following day.
This fully guided day will help get our legs working and allow the guides to assess everyone’s skiing level before we venture deep into the Kaçkar Mountains. We will depart Konaklı at 3 PM, arriving at the lodge around 19:30. The road journey is stunning, with many parts on unmade roads. For the final ascent, we will transfer into 4×4 Land Rovers. Check-in and dinner will be at approximately 20:00.
From 7:30 to 8:30 am, enjoy a buffet-style breakfast. Between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm on the first day, the group engages in avalanche and safety training. Subsequently, the team embarks on the snowcat to explore an expansive terrain spanning over 100 square kilometers. This terrain encompasses glades, couloirs, and notably, wide-open steep slopes featuring an average angle of 25 degrees.
In case of adverse weather conditions, a sizable sparsely forested area near the base is available for sheltered skiing with excellent visibility. The majority of time is dedicated to riding in the valley between the Yüncüler Pass and the town of Yaylarar, boasting numerous slopes and expansive open alpine fields. At 6:30 pm, indulge in a two-course meal. By 8:30 pm, gather for a recap of the day’s adventures and plan for the following day’s activities.
Day 7: Cat Skiing & Transfer to Erzurum
Between 7:00 and 8:00 am, relish a buffet breakfast.
From 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, savor the final day of catskiing.
Between 2:00 and 6:00 pm, transfer to the hotel in Erzurum.
At 6:30 pm, settle into a high-quality double room in the city center and enjoy a gala dinner.
Day 8: Erzurum & Departure
From 8:00 to 9:00 am, indulge in an exceptional breakfast at the hotel. Afterward, you’ll be transferred to Erzurum airport for departure.
TRIP SUMMARY
What's included
What's not included
Get in touch
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