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. Based in the snowiest region in Turkey, peaks reaching 3,000 meters and absolutely no other people. Only untouched lines. Join us!
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; installation in your room & dinner!!
Briefing about the next days skiing
Day 2-6
07:30 to 8:30 — Buffet breakfast
09:00 — Skiing! On the first day we reserve a bit of time for avalanche and safety training.
After that, we get on the snowcat and just like on the next days, explore our beautiful ski area (forest, couloirs, and most importantly, the open steepish slopes. 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 so an good chance of untouched lines)
18:00 — Two-course dinner and dessert
20:00 — Summary of the day and briefing for the next day
Day 7 Last day of cat-skiing
07:00 — Buffet breakfast
08:00 — A bit shorter day of skiing since you will be transfered to the hotel in the afternoon but we use as much as possible of the day
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 with a dinner and hammam
Day 8
07:00 to 9:00 — breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast we have you transferred to the airport
Note: this means you have to travel one day, or more, in advance to get to the airport pick up day 1
Normally via Istanbul airport and an overnight
Example; If day 1 is on the 3rd, you need to start the trip on the 2nd with a flight to Istanbul. For the return the flight back from Kars would be on the 10th
The Accomodation
- a total of 15 houses are available (of which 6 with double beds and 9 with two single beds)
- Each house has its own bathroom
- The standard is simple, however guests have given the facility a high rating overall (4.7 on google maps).
- After skiing, there is a large lounge/restaurant where we do briefing for the next day, watch freeride movies. There is also Wifi in the facilities and mobile range.
- The guesthouses is maintained by a single family, and breakfasts are served buffet style, with largely farm-fresh goods such as butter, cheese, jams, eggs, meats, different kind of veggie. Dinners are usually made up of two courses + sweets, so everyone will leave feeling happy and strong for the following day!
Price
3450€
Dates for 2027
The skiing includes
- Guiding by an 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
- buffet breakfasts (6 in mountains, 1 in Kars)
- two-course dinners (include dinner in Kars)
- lunch packages during skiing
- 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
- 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
Everyone who is 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 and if you easily ride on black ski slopes.
Have intermediate or advanced off-piste skiing experience, which means you can ski easily and relaxed in different snow conditions in open terrain (broad terrain) with slopes of up to 35 degrees and in and couloirs with slopes of up to 35 degrees
Good knowledge of avalanche safety and equipment
Contact Alpine Madness for more details
