Ski Level
Freeride Level
Touring Level
Physical Effort
Accommodation
Ski touring in Turkey in the Munzur and Kackar mountains
3 ski tours in the Munzur Mountains around the town of Erzincan in central Anatolia
4 ski tours in the Kackar Mountains from the village of Yaylalar in the Turkish Caucasus, near the Black Sea
Short exploration of the city of Erzurum while moving to Kackar mountains
A 3 star hotel in the town of Erzincan and a warm family-run guesthouse in Yaylalar
season runs from 01.01 to 30.04
10 days / 9nights
2 guides for a max. of 8 pers.
from 2 950 chf p/p
early start from the village
on the way up
going to be a nice day
traverse
explore & discover
one with the elements
art on the snow
what a beauty
different lines different styles
leaving civilization behind for the day
Welcome to Turkey
Click on picture to navigate the gallery
The Munzur and Kesis mountains are located in the middle of the Anatolian highlands, the highest peaks rise up to 3.500m.
This area is one of the best ski touring area in Turkey. The starting point is your hotel base in the city of Erzincan, at a 1,600m altitude, it is located on the historic Silk Road. Three peaks around Erzincan in the Munzur mountains,
You continue on to the Kackargebirge mountains in the in the Turkish Caucasus. These mountains offer tours for every taste – steep valleys or wide open snowy areas for enjoyable descents. Four ski tours from the village of Yaylalar near Yusufeli in the province of Artvin, most of them are made directly from the pension, with little or no driving.
The steepness of the mountains is 25 ° – 35 °.
Prior to our meeting
International flight to Istanbul
Domestic flight to Erzincan, lasts 2h
Arrival day – Day 1
Arrival in Erzincan, 20 min. Transfer to the city center to Hotel Eriza. Overnight stay.
Day 2
Ski touring Mt Bakirli (3,050 m)
45 min transfer from hotel to Tatlisu village, From here the route goes through a canyon, then across broad slopes to the peak of Bakirli Dagi. The climb starts at 1,400 m. The descent is via the same route. The downhill run is about 8 km long.
Day 3
Ski touring Mt Kalecik (3,070 m)
1 hour drive to Kalecik village. At the end of the village you start your ascent, it first leads through a narrow valley the valley then opens up and makes way to vast rolling field, the last bit gets steeper to access one of the numerous peaks. The descent is via the same route.
Day 4
Ski touring Mt Kazankaya (2,700 m) and Mt. Ergan (3,230 m)
The drive to the village takes 1 hour. First you will ascend Mt Kazankaya (2,700 m). Depending on the weather conditions, it is possible to traverse to Mt Ergan (3,230 m). The descent from Berg Ergan to the Erzincan ski center is fullfilling and fun. Length of the descent about 8 km.
Day 5
Relocation, a 180 km drive via Erzurum to Yaylalar. You will travel with the private transfer bus it will take you along part of the former Silk Road to Erzurum. This is the largest city in eastern Turkey it is located at 1,900 m and is also as the highest city in Turkey. In the city you will visit an old medresse, the great mosque from the Ottoman period (17th century).
After lunch off for 4 hours drive through the mountain landscape along the Coruh valley to the village of Yaylalar (location 1,930 m). Settle in at the Camyuva guesthouse.
Day 6
Ski tour to Yüncüler pass (3,140 m) directly from the guesthouse.
The ski tour routes depend on the snow conditions. The ski tour starts near the village of Olgunlar (last settlement before the mountains lies at 2,100 m) and climbs through a valley to the long Güngörmez mountain range. You arrive at the Yüncüler pass and climb one of the numerous summits which offer great panoramas. The highest point of the ascent is 3,140 m. The descent is via the same route, usually all the way down to the village of Yaylalar.
Day 7
Ski tour to Lanetleme pass (3,225 m)
Again it starts from the village Olgunlar. You will go up to the Döbe Alm, then up to the Lanetleme pass at 3,225 m. Downhill is via the same valley down to the small settlement Olgunlar. The length of the descent is about 8 km, if the conditions are right could be nearly 10 km.
Day 8
Ski tour the Güngörmez Mountains (2,995 m)directly from the pension, above the village, the ascent begins through a pine forest on a ridge, then along a valley slope to one of the numerous peaks of the Güngörmez chain at 2,995 m. The descent is via another route, through a partially narrow valley down to the village of Yaylalar. The length of the descent is about 5 km.
Day 9
Güngörmez mountains (3,000 m)
The last ski tour starts at the pension. Right at the edge of the village, we enter the forest where the steep ascent begins. After the forest, we climb one of the numerous peaks of the Güngörmez chain (which are part of the Kackar mountains). The ascent ends on (depending on conditions also higher) exactly 3.000 m. The descent is partly through a tight channel, partly through the forest down to the Coruh valley, below the village Yaylalar we traverse along the forest. Length of the descent is about 5 km.
Day 10 Departure day
4 hours drive to Erzurum airport, home flight.
Includes
-
All necessary land transports and airport transfers
-
One certified local guide
- One WSA Swiss certified guide
- 4 nights in Erzican at the Eriza 3 star hotel
- 5 nights accommodation in the Camyuva pension in Yaylalar village with half board
- All food except lunches
Does not include
- International flight to Istanbul and domestic flight from Istanbul to Erzincan
- Alcohol, soft drinks and tour snacks.
- Insurances
- Ski / Snowboard touring gear
- Safety gear
- Anything that’s not in the includes section.
Accomodation – rating comfort
Based on double occupancy – extra 235 chf for single
You will stay in a 3 star hotel in the town centre in Erzincan, Eriza Hotel with breakfast and dinner.
In Yaylalar we stay in a simple but cozy pension with a warm atmosphere based on half board, from where you can step on our skis almost in your bedroom.
Access
International flight to Istanbul
Domestic flight from Istanbul to Erzincan. lasts 1h55mins
We pick you up at the airport and transfer you by private shuttle to your hotel. 20 mins
Insurances
- leisure sports activities
- worldwide repatriation
- helicopter mountain rescue with no geographical or altitude limits
- accident
- Illness
- cancellations
- and whatever you feel necessary
Guides
One certified local area guide and one WSA Swiss certified Ski touring guide.
Safety tips/health
This is a mountain Touring package
You need to be able to ski/snowboard powder and unprepared snow comfortably.
A good physical health is needed as you will be active at high altitudes.
No need to worry about Altitude sickness, you have plenty of time to adapt with your first day/night and as you are moving by foot only, the body can adapt easily to the slow variations of altitude.
Please mention any health conditions, any allergies or serious medication you may be taking when you book with us.
Avalanche Risks and safety
Avalanche danger in mountains is always present.
WSA has years of experience at recognizing areas and snow conditions that are a high avalanche hazard to avoid them.
We will make sure that everyone has the adequate gear in Erzincan and on the first day we will check that everyone knows how to use it. We will provide you with a tutorial on this topic.
Thought you must accept all the risks that come with skiing remote and uncontrolled areas.
The correct mountain attitude is of essence.
Rescue Evacuation Procedure
We do our very best to not encounter such a situation.
Mainly by having very small groups for this package, a ratio of max.8 pers. to 2 guides, allowing our guest to ski safely in there comfort zone.
In the event of an accident, we will contact mountain rescue to evacuate the victim by helicopter to the local hospital in
60 mins maximum from any of our position. (This is weather dependent)
We have GPS positioning with us at all times.
Ski/Snowboard touring Gear
We advise you to use suitable gear :
- Skis : wide powder skis minimum 100mm width, mounted with touring bindings, adjustable poles, skins and snow knives.
- Snowboard : split board with compatible bindings, telescopic poles, skins and snow knives or a normal board with snow shoes.
We can help you prepare your complete gear list, just contact WSA.
Mountain touring equipement
First aid box (with: Compeed plasters for rubbing, sports tape etc) safety blanket
Thin gloves for the ascent, thicker gloves for the descent
Two hats
Thermal underwear and socks
Helmet and goggles
Sunglasses and high factor sunscreen
Thin fleece jacket
Thin down jacket for cold days and breaks on the summits
Shell pants and jacket (wind and waterproof)
Small thermos, a water bottle
Avalanche safety gear
- The compulsory trio : shovel, probe and transceiver
- ABS bag, not compulsory but advised
- Climbing harness and carabineer
- Extra batteries for the beacon
