While there may be not sufficient snow within the Swiss Alps and in most of the world’s ski resorts this yr, the Kaçkar Mountains, in northern Türkiye, have become the middle of heli-skiing within the nation and are stuffed with sports activities fans due to the snowboarding and heli-skiing actions which might be set to final for 13 weeks.
Heli-skiing is an excessive winter sport by which athletes glide down pristine slopes after being dropped off on distant summits by helicopters. The sport is barely supported in a couple of winter sports activities facilities on the planet, together with on the plateaus of the Kaçkar Mountains near Rize at an elevation of about 3,000 meters (9,800 toes).
This sport, which is as thrilling as it’s harmful, has been energetic since 2005 within the Çamlıhemşin district of Rize by the help of the Turkey-Ayder Heliski Aviation and Tourism Company, which operates in partnership between Türkiye and Switzerland.
The Kaçkar Mountains, situated in a area the place the snow depths typically measure over 1 meter (3.28 toes), gained fame on account of their proximity to Europe and snow high quality.
Esra Alemdaroğlu, director of Rize Culture and Tourism, instructed Anadolu Agency (AA) that the 2023 actions have kick-started after analysis and examination decided that Kaçkar has the most well-liked tracks and snow high quality. She additionally stated that the middle noticed 432 purposes for heli-skiing final yr, whereas greater than 400 purposes have been made thus far this yr.
”We obtain purposes typically come from Switzerland, different European nations, Russia, Canada and Türkiye. The snow high quality on our tracks and the fantastic thing about our valleys come to the fore. Athletes expertise each pleasure and pleasure within the valleys,” she famous.
Stating that the season is progressing easily and remarking on observations performed in the previous few years, she famous Kaçkar has now confirmed its place on the planet as ”a model.”
Celal Özkan, operations supervisor for the heli-skiing mission, for his half, stated that this group is essential for Türkiye, noting that a very powerful elements in selecting Kaçkar are the skilled groups working there in addition to the fantastic thing about its nature. “We have the extremely stunning Kaçkar Mountains. The high quality of snow is superb, and the slope of the mountain is good for heli-skiing actions,” he famous.
Emphasizing that the Kaçkar Mountains are among the finest on the planet for heli-skiing, in addition they famous that they began opening reservations for 2024. ”We have decided a date vary by planning the season as 14 weeks in 2024. Sales are progressing properly,” stated Özkan.
Roland Brunner, who has been working as a pilot and ski information on the mountains for the reason that launch of the sports activities program, stated that the geography of the area is gorgeous and that he’s working there with pleasure. While noting there are round 500 ski tracks within the area, Brunner stated, ”Conditions for heli-skiing are supreme.”
He defined that since there isn’t any snow within the Alps this yr, it is rather exhausting to conduct operations there. Meanwhile, as Türkiye is understood extra for summer season tourism, athletes who come to Kaçkar are actually shocked once they uncover its potential. “Those who come want to come again. That’s why we’re extending the season. Many skiers from Canada and the U.S. have started coming here as well. Many come back after they discover the skiing is ‘the best skiing ever,'” Brunner stated.
