Istanbul - Turkey
Heliskiing from Turkey Heliski
We have two ideal locations from which to ski :
The first is the Kaçkar range, North East Turkey, close to the Black Sea. We have chosen an awesome stretch, some 100 km long by 35 km wide. The highest summit is 3.900 m with the average vertical drop between 700 m and 1.200 m. The range is reputed for its good snow and the stability of the snow cover due to the proximity of the ocean.
The second is located to the south east of the country within the Taurus Mountains in the Aladağ Range, in close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea. The highest summit in this sector has an altitude of 3.700 m with a greater average vertical drop of 1.000 m to 1.500 m. The Taurus Mountains, whilst not as steep as the Kaзkar range, benefit from more sun. No stay will be organized in this mountain in 2007.
Our structure is built to allow you to live your dream in the best conditions:
No inertia due to the size of the groups.
No unnecessary waiting for the helicopters.
Choice of the slopes according to your wishes and to the group level.
Independence within the groups
The "STANDARD" package
We take a maximum of 4 groups of 4 people per week. Each group is lead by a guide. One helicopter takes the groups in rotation.
The "PRIVATE" package
One helicopter for one group. With this arrangement, you will benefit from a greater flexibility in the choice of slopes on the summit and you will be completely independent in the organization of your stay. We take one private group of 1 to 8 people per week, with 2 guides leading the party regardless of the size of the group.
Staff at the base:
2 helicopter pilots.
1 mechanic.
6 mountain guides.
1 base manager for the organization and the coordination of the hotel and the land infrastructure.
" The sum of their experiments is at the same time the richness of our company and the guarantee of your safety "
The helicopters :
The helicopters, Ecureuil B2 or B3, belong to the company Air Zermatt. They performed well in
the mountain environment and have a 5 passengers capacity.
The guides :
The guides are all members of the UIAGM and have a wealth of heliski experience, having worked in several other heliski operations around the world. Some of them are also helicopter pilots and professional rescuers.
The pilots :
The pilots have the same quality of experience and performance level; they are Swiss and work regularly for heliski operations.
SECURITY
Briefing : Each stay begins with a briefing of safety considerations for an enjoyable heliskiing experience. Every skier receives a leaflet with all needed information. The procedure of loading and unloading the helicopter are part of this briefing. Practical session will follow the theory in which you’ll practice using your avalanche transceivers.
Your safety equipment
1 Airbag ABS backpack with a shovel and a probe.
1 Ortovox (avalanche transceiver)
1 safety Memo
(small recap regarding the procedure in the case of an avalanche)
Guide’s equipment :
First aid kit including a neck brace and inflatable splints.
1 radio and 1 satellite phone to communicate with the other guides, pilots and the base.
Equipment in the helicopter :
A bag with :
1 comprehensive first aid kit.
Ventilation balloons, oxygen bottle.
Equipment at the base :
First aid station is setup at the base, including evacuation stretchers, vacuum splints and stretchers, neck braces, oxygen, ventilation balloons, security blankets etc.
Pharmacy with an extensive range of medications for small as well as more serious health problems.
Avalanche equipment with shovels and probes.
ACCOMODATION :
You will place with the Hotel Haşimoğlu - Ayder
The rooms are small but comfortable, with : an ensuite bathroom and shower, a telephone, satellite TV, mini bar and hairdryer are provided
In the hotel, you can enjoy the use of a Turkish bath, a whirlpool and an internet connection.
You have the possibility of placing in a single room with the help of a supplement of Euro . 250.– for the week.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
A thermal spring spa with water at 40 degrees is located adjacent to the hotel… the perfect way to end a long days skiing.
Visit the surrounding region or a historical village on the edge of the Black Sea.
Snow shoe trails.
Horse trails and in ski touring.
YOUR EQUIPMENT
Clothing
As the climate is similar to that of the Alps, your usual skiwear will be adequate for your week’s heliskiing.
As the helicopter rides are shorter than those on chairlifts and it is not cold inside the helicopter, you will find that you do not get as cold as you do when skiing in a station. Your gloves however will become wet far quicker as you need to clear the snow off your skis and boards in order to pack them into the ski pods. We advise you to take one or two extra pairs of gloves as well as a pair of mittens.
Bring along strong sun protection and don’t forget a decent pair of goggles, the powder is deep and even in good weather ordinary sunglasses will rapidly become clogged with powder.
Ski or snowboard
We recommend you adapt your technical equipment for powder skiing and either use the skis supplied by the base or bring your own.
We do not supply snowboards, so please bring your own snowboard, adapted for powder conditions - the longer the better.
Each base is equipped to be able to perform minor repairs to ski and snowboard equipment.
Shopping
A small shop at each base will be able to supply forgotten or lost equipment such as goggles, gloves, sunscreen, beanies,etc.
ACCESSING AYDER, KAÇKAR (most directly)
Saturday
Arrive Istanbul
Sunday
Flight Istanbul - Trabzon
Welcome by Turkey Heliski representative 7h00 - 8h50
Bus transfer to Ayder (180 km) 9h00 - 11h30
Settle into your hotel
Lunch at the hotel
Saturday
Bus transfer to Trabzon after the days - skiing 17h00 - 19h30
Dinner and overnight in Hotel Zorlu ****
Sunday
Breakfast at hotel 8h00
Transfer to airport 9h00 - 9h10
Flight Trabzon - Istanbul 10h00 - 11h45
Depart Istanbul from 12h00
STANDARD WEEKS
6 days heliskiing, 30.500 vertical meters with 20.000 guaranteeds.
Maximum 4 groups of 4 personnes by week, 1 guide by group.
Price : Euro . 5.300.– / person
Price Includes
Airport transfers to and from Trabzon,
Accommodation in a twin room and all meals,
6 days heliskiing, 30.500 vertical meters with 20.000 guaranteed,
Use of safety equipment: Air Bag ABS, shovel, probe
and avalanche transceiver (Ortovox),
Use of "Fat boy" skis for powder skiing
(Atomic Sugar Daddy, Big Daddy).
Not Included
Flights to and from Trabzon, Drinks, Single supplement, Vertical supplement.
Single supplement - Euro .250.–
Vertical supplement - Euro . 90.–/1.000 meters
Reimbursement if 20.000 vertical meters not reached - Euro . 80.–/1′000 meters
PRIVATE WEEKS
6 days heliskiing, with 6 hour of helicopter.
1 group of 3 - 8 persons with 2 guides.
A private helicopter and guide at your disposal & If you wish you can extend your private group up to 8 persons. You choose, whether it’s cruising powder bowls or dropping into a steep gully & tailor-made heliskiing with no limits!
Price Includes
Airport transfers to and from Trabzon.
Accommodation in twin room and all meals.
6 days heliskiing.
Use of safety equipment: Air Bag ABS, shovel, probe
and avalanche victim detector (Ortovox).
Use of "Fat boy" skis for powder skiing
(Atomic Sugar Daddy, Big Daddy).
Not Included
Drinks, Flights to and from Trabzon, Single supplement : Euro. 250.–/week, Flying time supplement : Euro. 1.800.–/hour.
SKI TOURING
6 days skitouring including 6 helicopter hours.
Groups of 8 people.
Maximum 2 groups per week.
Price: Euro 2 - 900.- / pers.
These prices include
The transfers from Trabzon airports.
Accommodation in a double room on a full board basis.
Heliskiing.
The safety equipment : Air bag ABS back pack, shovel, probe, Ortovox (avalanche transceiver).
They don’t include
Flight to Trabzon airport.
Accommodation in Istanbul (if required)
Drinks.
Extra helicopter hours: Euro 1800.- / per hour
Extra for the single room: Euro 250.-
PROGRAM KAÇKAR :
Saturday
Fly to Istanbul
Overnight in Istanbul
Sunday
Fly Istanbul - Trabzon
Transfer to Ayder
Check into your hotel
Safety and Helicopter briefing
Monday to Friday
Heliski
Saturday
Heliski
Late afternoon transfer to Trabzon
Overnight in Trabzon
Sunday :
Fly Trabzon - Istanbul
Return flight from Istanbul
MORE INFO
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