<strong>Location, location: </strong>The 75-mile Kaçkar mountain chain sits near Turkey's border with Georgia.<br />
Location, location: The 75-mile Kaçkar mountain chain sits near Turkey's border with Georgia.
Courtesy Turkey Heliski
<strong>In formation: </strong>'The shape of the mountains is perfect for heli-skiing,' says Swiss guide Thierry Gasser.
In formation: 'The shape of the mountains is perfect for heli-skiing,' says Swiss guide Thierry Gasser.
Courtesy Elemental Adventure
<strong>Forever young: </strong>Skiers are 'giggling like school kids,' according to those who've been.
Forever young: Skiers are 'giggling like school kids,' according to those who've been.
Courtesy Turkey Heliski
<strong>Away from it all: </strong>Ayder, a traditional yayla (mountain village) is beautifully remote in winter.
Away from it all: Ayder, a traditional yayla (mountain village) is beautifully remote in winter.
Courtesy Elemental Adventure
<strong>Untouched: </strong>Those who heliski enjoy pristine powder.
Untouched: Those who heliski enjoy pristine powder.
Courtesy Turkey Heliski
<strong>Powder puffs: </strong>'Thigh-to-waist, light, proper cold-smoke powder' awaits.
Powder puffs: 'Thigh-to-waist, light, proper cold-smoke powder' awaits.
Courtesy Turkey Heliski
<strong>High time: </strong>The average run in Ayder is about 900 vertical meters -- nearly 3,000 feet.
High time: The average run in Ayder is about 900 vertical meters -- nearly 3,000 feet.
Courtesy Turkey Heliski
<strong>Ski in, ski out: </strong>You can go straight from hotel to the runs with the helicopter.
Ski in, ski out: You can go straight from hotel to the runs with the helicopter.
Courtesy Turkey Heliski
<strong>Down time: </strong>It's a quiet kind of apres-ski here, including massages and relaxing with hot drinks.
Down time: It's a quiet kind of apres-ski here, including massages and relaxing with hot drinks.
Courtesy Elemental Adventure
<strong>Remote access: </strong>Ayder is a traditional mountain village that's popular in summer but fairly empty in winter.
Remote access: Ayder is a traditional mountain village that's popular in summer but fairly empty in winter.
Courtesy Elemental Adventure
<strong>Original and best: </strong>Locals have been doing their own version of snowboarding here for years.
Original and best: Locals have been doing their own version of snowboarding here for years.
Courtesy Turkey Heliski
<strong>Top fans: </strong>American snowboarder Jeremy Jones loved Ayder.
Top fans: American snowboarder Jeremy Jones loved Ayder.
Courtesy Turkey Heliski