The 'heliski' thrill in the Kaçkar Mountains

Heliski, a sport where skiers are dropped by helicopter onto mountain peaks to ski down steep slopes and high-gradient terrain, has been practiced in Turkey since 2005 within the Kaçkar Mountains, specifically in the Çamlıhemşin and İkizdere districts of Rize, as well as the Yusufeli district of Artvin.

The heliski activity, carried out in the Ayder Plateau of the Çamlıhemşin district and the Kaçkar Mountains, is managed by the Turkey-Ayder Heliski Aviation and Tourism Company, a Turkish-Swiss partnership.

Following the completion of technical preparations in the region, the activity began with a group of 18 athletes using three helicopters, while 16 people participated in the second week. In the third week's event, which began over the weekend, a group of 12 athletes from Italy, Spain, Germany, and China are enjoying the snow.

In the region, where snow depth exceeds 1 meter in addition to favorable weather conditions, safety is maintained at the highest level for the athletes skiing.

In addition to the peaks, athletes spend adrenaline-filled time among snow-covered pine forests on days when helicopters cannot fly due to snowfall.

Athletes are brought to the region by snow vehicles and are transported into the forests to ski there.

Nearly 400 athletes have been accredited for the event, which is planned to continue until mid-April.

News Source: AA