Ski touring in the Pontic Alpes
Join us to the hidden powder-mecca in Turkey!
About
The trip begins with skiing on the fantastic Erciyes volcano, before we board the Dogu Express, one of the world’s most famous train routes, crossing Turkey on our way to the mountains.
The main destination of the trip is the Pontic Alps, a lesser-known powder destination in Turkey that offers truly unique experiences. Staying in guesthouses in the mountain village of Olgunjar, we live right in the heart of the area with ski-in/ski-out access to incredible terrain. The trip is organized with a Norwegian IFMGA mountain guide.
Dates 2026:
16 January – 24 January
Price 2026:
NOK 28,900
- Difficulty
Intermediate - Group size
4 - 8 persons - Duration
9 days - Price
2450 EUR
- Price includes:
- 7 skidays
- IFMGA-certified guide
- Accommodation
- All meals
- All transport in Turkey
- Program
- Practical info
Program
Day 1:
Departure from Norway and arrival in Kayseri, followed by check-in at the hotel.
Day 2:
After breakfast we get a transfer up to the Erciyes ski resort, located at the foot of the Erciyes volcano. From here we use the lifts to access the fantastic ski terrain surrounding Mount Erciyes and enjoy great turns with stunning views on the way down. After skiing we return to the hotel to relax, have dinner, and get ready for our departure on the night train: the Dogu Express from Kayseri to Erzurum.
Day 3:
As the train slowly rolls through the unique landscapes between Kayseri and Erzurum, we sit in the dining car and enjoy the magnificent views with a cup of Turkish coffee. This is truly a special train journey you won’t forget! Upon arrival in Erzurum we stop to taste the local specialty, Erzurum kebab, before catching some turns under the lights at Turkey’s largest ski resort. After evening skiing, we continue up to the village of Olgunlar, in the heart of the Kackar powder mecca, which will be our base for the rest of the trip.
Day 4–7:
Ski touring in the Kackar Mountains! Each day we choose the best routes and summits based on conditions to ensure the best possible skiing. The area around Olgunlar offers a unique selection of peaks up to 4,000 meters, giving us beautiful descents day after day. We stay at the charming Kackar Pansiyon guesthouse, where we’re served delicious homemade meals and recharge in the peace and quiet of the mountains.
Day 8:
On our final day in Olgunlar we enjoy a full day of skiing before driving to Rize. Farewell dinner by the Black Sea and overnight at a hotel.
Day 9:
Transfer from the hotel to the airport and departure to Norway.
Practical info
Level of difficulty
Intermediate
This is the tour for you if you have some experience with ski touring. You are a confident and competent skier who can handle almost all kinds of conditions, including powder up to 20 cm, windpack and treeskiing. You can easily control your skis in the backcountry, and you have basic knowledge of ski touring, including its techniques and equipment.
You need to be in good physical shape, and be able to ski-tour up to 6-8 hours per day, at a steady pace with several breaks. You will climb 1000 vertical meters per day at a minimum, at a pace of 300 vertical meters per hour.
Equipment
We will issue a recommended packing list for every tour. Please note that the packing list is issued as a reference, and Urørt ski og sykkeleventyr AS is not responsible for failing to include any particular item or misspellings on this list.
Terms of payment
When the order is placed you will pay a deposit equaling 30 % of the total price. Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. The agreement between the parties is not binding until the deposit is paid in full. To read our full terms and conditions click here.
Your guides
Sigurd Felde
Guide ski touring
Sigurd has been living off and in the mountains for the last 20 years. He has been a mountainguide through all seasons for the last two decades, and he is IFMGA certified through Nortind. Sigurd has skied most continents, including Antarctica, and he has also been on several long ski expeditions. In addition to his skiing experience, Sigurd has also climbed some of the most demanding and technical mountains in the world, including K2, Trango, K7, Kiguti on Baffin Island, Ketilfjell on Greenland, and Cerro Fitzroy in Patagonia.