Cat skiing in the Kaçkar mountains
Situated at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level the base camp is surrounded by peaks reaching 3,000 meters. The mountain range where you’ll be skiing is called Yalnızçam and is an extension of the Lesser Caucasus.
This is where the road stops, and all we can see around us are high mountains with peaks of 3,500m.
A lot of wide open terrains with a lot possibility's
Suited close to the Turkish-Georgian border, comfortable cabins, the best Turkish food, the snowiest region in Turkey, peaks reaching 3,000 meters, and absolutely no other people, only untouched lines.
Join us for 6 days of catskiing in the mecca of freeriding!
The skiing
Here we have mostly wide open terrains that is surrounding the area where we are accommodated
There are a lot of couloirs going down the valley while some are steep and rocky others are wider and longer.
Also "the woodland"- tree skiing that serves as a safety net when visibility is low
The runs have a vertical drop of 500–600 meters. But we can also end the day with a long run featuring a 1,000-meter vertical drop!
We also have an “alpine” section accessible by snowcat—it consists of countless gullies spanning 7 kilometers. Each couloir is different, but all are very steep, difficult, and accessible only to very skilled skiers under stable snow conditions.
The skiing schedule
Day 1
— we’ll pick you up at the airport in Kars (or other airport) and transfer to Yayla (transfer will take around 3 hours). If you coming earlier and don’t want to wait for others its possible to organize private shuttle (extra cost). After arrival; dinner!!
Day 2-6
07:30 to 8:30 — Buffet breakfast
09:00 to 15:00 — on the first day, we do avalanche and safety training (around 2-3 hours). After that, we get on the snowcat and just like on the other days, explore our beautiful area (forest, couloirs, and, most importantly, open steep slopes with an average angle of 25-35 degrees). In case of bad weather, we have a large, sparsely forested area. We have 3 big valleys to explore (more then 20 square kilometers and only our group = untouched lines)
18:00 — Two-course dinner and dessert
20:00 — Summary of the day and briefing for the next day
Day 7
06:00 to 07:00 — Buffet breakfast
07:30 to 13:00 — Last day of catskiing
14:00 to 17:00 — Transfer to the hotel in Kars (or other town in case if you flight from other airport)
18:30 — Accommodation in a high-quality hotel in the city centre and a fancy dinner and hammam
Day 8
07:00 to 9:00 — breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, the guests get transferred to the airport.
Price
Dates
The skiing includes
- Guiding by a International Mountain Guide, IFMGA
- 6 nights in twin rooms in the middle of Yalnızçam mountains in Turkey
- 1 night in a high-standard hotel in the Kars city centre
- 7 buffet breakfasts (6 in mountains, 1 in Kars)
- 7 two-course dinners (include fancy dinner in Kars)
- 6 lunch packages
- 6 days of cat skiing
- 1-2 hours presentation of the terrain, first aid and avalanche risks
- Avalanche training (first day)
- Transfers: airport – Yayla, Yayla – Kars center, Kars center – airport
- Snowmobile: If someone gets hurt
- Unlimited Turkish tea
The skiing does not include
- Insurance for extreme sports (freeride) including rescue helicopter action
- Avalanche backpack – is mandatory in Kackar Mountains. Can be rented at place
- Single room – 40euro/per day
- Tips
- Alcohol
Who is it for
Are in correct shape and fitness level, which means that they can finish three 1,000-meter-high ski rides a day in variable snow conditions.
They easily ride on black ski slopes. Have intermediate or advanced off-piste skiing experience, which means they can ski easily and quickly in different snow conditions in open terrain (broad terrain) with slopes of up to 35 degrees and in woodland and couloirs with slopes of up to 25 degrees without falling
Good knowledge of avalanche safety and gears
Would you like to personalize the trip to your needs and skills? Write to us, and we’ll make you a special offer.
Contact Alpine Madness for more details
