Heli-skiing fever in full swing in Turkiye's Kaçkar Mountains

Heli-skiing lovers continue to flock to the Kaçkar Mountains of Turkiye, which have become a top destination for local and foreign skiers alike with their convenient proximity to Europe and high-quality snow. Going higher than ski lifts could ever reach, heli-skiing enthusiasts jump from helicopters onto steep mountain slopes, challenging their bodies along with their high-alpine skiing skills. After the skiers get down to their destination, helicopters can ferry them back up to the top of the mountain again to take another go. Heli-skiing has been offered along the Black Sea coastal destinations of Çamlıhemşin, Ikizdere and Yusufeli since 2005, as organized by the Ayder Heliski Aviation and Tourism Company. This week the Kaçkar Mountains has welcomed two dozen ski lovers from Spain, Switzerland, and France. When snowfall didn't allow for traveling by copter, the skiers arrived in the Galer Düzü region using a special snow-track vehicle. A total of 370 skiers are currently slated to enjoy heli-skiing fun through the end of March.