The 'Helisky' sport, which has been performed in the Kaçkar Mountains for 20 years, started on January 5, 2025. Athletes from various countries of the world who come to the Ayder Plateau in the Çamlıhemşin district of Rize to experience the excitement of 'Helisky' are dropped off by helicopter at the peaks of previously determined areas that have never been skied. Then, the skiers are picked up by helicopter at the end of the course and taken back to the peaks. The Kaçkar Mountains, which have a unique nature, are among the 10 most preferred spots in the world for Helisky.
Celal Özkan, one of the helisky operations department employees, noted that the demand for heliskying is increasing exponentially every year and said, “When we first started, heliskying was 6 weeks, now when we look at 2025, it continues as 16 weeks. That is why there is demand. It continues to increase every year. This year, the snow quality is very good in Kaçkars, so the guests who go up are very happy when they return. That is also effective.”
20th Year in Heliskying
Özkan, who noted that various professional athletes will participate in the events this year due to the 20th year of heliskying in the Kaçkars, said, “They are also celebrating their 20th year this year. That is why special skis were made for this year. They will bring guests here again for the 20th year and also for this year. The quality of the snow and of course the slope of the Kaçkar Mountains are very suitable for heliskying. That is why this place is preferred.”
“With heliskying, winter activities started to increase here”
Özkan, who underlined that interest in skiing increased in the region with the start of heliskying, said, “When heliskying came here, everyone was very unfamiliar with boating, but after heliskying, even the operators here started to buy skis, they started to ski. A ski school was opened in Çamlıhemşin. With heliskying, winter activities started to increase here. This also made it a priority for the development of winter tourism in the shade.”
Winter does not tolerate mistakes!
Noting that skiing could develop even more with more professional work in the region, Özkan continued his words as follows: “Kaçkar Mountains have incredible potential for winter tourism and summer tourism at the same time. Therefore, with logical and good investments, it can be a place that makes a name for itself in the world with professional people, but as I said, it is very important to have professional people. Because winter, especially, does not tolerate mistakes and it is necessary to know the snow very well, very well, so that we can do winter tourism safely here.”
Security is at its peak
Heli-skiing, one of the most expensive, elite and dangerous sports in the world, requires a serious security and permit process. In order for this sport to be performed in Turkey, organization companies must obtain many necessary permits from the Rize and Artvin Governorships, General Staff, General Directorate of State Airports, General Directorate of Wildlife Protection and National Parks and General Directorate of Civil Aviation. Flight routes are determined and permissions are given by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation before the flights. Pilots who will take part in the event undergo special training. Athletes are given training on survival outside settlements and survival in winter conditions. Athletes are equipped with radios, satellite phones, GPRS transmitters to detect their locations and maps to communicate with each other on the course. Athletes also ski with airbag bags on their backs against avalanche risks.
