The Kaçkar Mountains welcome adrenaline enthusiasts not just in the summer but also during the winter season. The majestic peaks of Turkey’s fourth-highest mountain continue to be a favored hub for alternative tourism. While all the plateaus in the Eastern Black Sea region fall into silence during winter, tourism activities, particularly in Ayder, continue. Various activities can be carried out on snow masses reaching up to two meters on the slopes of Kaçkar. Adrenaline enthusiasts creating colorful scenes on the white ground engage in activities such as skiing, snowboarding, ski touring, snow rafting, snow kayaking, heli-skiing, parachuting with snowboards, or parachuting with skis. Sledging and Lazboard (local sled) are a passion for the people of the region. Adventure seekers can also undertake light climbs on certain frozen waterfalls.
1. Skiing-Snowboarding: The Kaçkar Mountains are emerging as a new alternative hub for skiing. The powdery snow characteristic of the glacial valleys on the slopes of these wild mountains creates highly suitable tracks for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. Despite the lack of regular slopes, the dense snow texture forms suitable tracks for skiing enthusiasts throughout the winter season. Due to the abundance of wooded areas in Ayder Plateau, parachute activities cannot be performed, but snow kayaking, snow rafting, snowboarding, and skiing are among the existing sports. Construction of the Ayder Ski Facilities, planned in 2013, is set to commence soon in Hazindak Plateau. After the creation of the tracks, plans include establishing a cable car line between Ayder and Hazindak. At Mount Ovit, activities such as snow rafting, snow kayaking, parachuting with snowboards, and parachuting with skis are available. Due to the long natural tracks and easy accessibility, this area is preferred by skiing enthusiasts.
2. Ski Touring: Distinguished from regular skiing by its lighter and shorter design, featuring a hole at the front and notches at the back, ski touring is one of the demanding sports requiring high performance. You can experience this activity by descending from a slope reached after a long skiing trek in the Ovit and Ayder regions.
3. Heli-Skiing: Since 2005, a skiing company from Switzerland has been conducting heli-skiing in the Kaçkar Mountains. It’s worth mentioning that this is the only heli-skiing activity in our country conducted in this geography. This activity, facilitated by the world’s best mountain guides and experienced pilots, doesn’t necessitate professionalism in skiing or snowboarding. The main difference from traditional winter sports is accessing the pistes close to the summit areas via helicopters instead of ski lifts. The untouched and wild nature of the Kaçkar Mountains doesn’t allow for construction, so natural facilities are utilized for heli-skiing activities. The snow-covered plateaus in winter turn into natural skiing tracks extending for kilometers. The nightly snowfall at high altitudes allows for pristine skiing pistes the following day. During the ‘Kaçkar safari from the sky’ helicopter journey, ensure you have your camera. You’ll go through a brief safety test on the slopes. Subsequently, professional mountain and ski guides will provide enjoyable moments amidst breathtaking scenery. In the tranquil setting created by the green forest texture and the white blanket of snow, only the echoes of your excitement-filled shouts and the sounds of ski equipment on the snow will resonate.
4. Snow Canoeing: This sport, practiced by sliding on a steep and snowy terrain with a canoe, isn’t very widespread. Snow canoeing can be likened to the joy of sliding on a sled in childhood snow, but the most important thing to note is the need for a large flat area to stop after the descent. You can find slopes with sufficient inclines for this sport around Ovit, Anzer, and Ayder.
5. Snow Rafting: Conducted in the form of descending snowy slopes by rowing in boats with groups of 4-6 people, this activity, although not very common in our country, is a winter sport preferred by adventure-seeking travelers.
6. Lazboard: Lazboard, carried out in the summer months in the Tunca Valley with wheeled wooden carts, transforms into wooden sleds especially during the Petran Festivals organized in Meşeköy, a district of İkizdere in the winter. Referred to as ‘üzme tahtası’ by the locals and known as ‘Lazboard’, these authentic sleds made of boards are used.
7. Ski Biking: For those interested in trying this little-known sport, we can recommend the pristine areas on the slopes of Mount Ovit