Ovit Mountain

Overall Rating

Ovit Mountain

Ovit Mountain3.9/52
Ovit Mountain3.9 out of 5 based on 2 reviews
Be guided to the best spots for ski touring & powder in the Lyngen Alps of Norway with Aurora backcountry
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Ovit Mountain backcountry skiing in Eastern turkey
Ovit Mountain backcountry skiing in Eastern turkey
Ovit Mountain backcountry is accessed by snowmobile & ski-touring
Ovit Mountain backcountry is accessed by snowmobile & ski-touring
Ovit Mountain snowboarding
Ovit Mountain snowboarding
Using snowmobiles to find untracked powder at Ovit Mountain
Using snowmobiles to find untracked powder at Ovit Mountain
Ovit Mountain skiing
Ovit Mountain skiing
Ovit Mountain skiing
Ovit Mountain skiing
Ovit Mountain ski-touring
Ovit Mountain ski-touring
Ovit Mountain skiing
Ovit Mountain skiing
Ovit Mountain terrain
Ovit Mountain terrain
A snowcat can be used to transport large groups when the weather is
A snowcat can be used to transport large groups when the weather is 'non compliant' at Ovit Mountain
Ovit Mountain ski-touring
Ovit Mountain ski-touring
Ovit Mountain snowmobiles in action
Ovit Mountain snowmobiles in action
2640 Boutique Hotel is the base for Ovit Mountain ski adventures
2640 Boutique Hotel is the base for Ovit Mountain ski adventures
Lounge at Ovit Mountain
Lounge at Ovit Mountain's 2640 Boutique Hotel
Turkish breakfast at Ovit Mountain
Turkish breakfast at Ovit Mountain's 2640 Boutique Hotel
Dessert at Ovit Mountain
Dessert at Ovit Mountain's 2640 Boutique Hotel
Ovit Mountain
Ovit Mountain's 2640 Boutique Hotel bar serves cocktails & all other refreshments
Triple share room at Ovit Mountain
Triple share room at Ovit Mountain
Typical en-suite bathroom at Ovit Mountain
Typical en-suite bathroom at Ovit Mountain's 2640 Boutique Hotel
Ski from dawn to dusk at Ovit Mountain Turkey
Ski from dawn to dusk at Ovit Mountain Turkey

Ovit Mountain

Overall Rating

Ovit Mountain3.9/52
Ovit Mountain3.9 out of 5 based on 2 reviews

Ovit Mountain Backcountry Ski & Snowboard Tours

Snowmobile Skiing & Ski-Touring in Eastern Turkey

Ovit Backcountry is one of the world's newer mechanised backcountry ski operators using snowmobiles & a snowcat to access the best untracked lines. Located in eastern Turkey at the Ovit Mountain Pass in the Kaçkar mountains, this combined snowmobile and ski-touring operation has a fantastic high-altitude base in the 2640 Boutique Hotel (2,640m altitude of course!). The location is remote, the mountains are high, the hotel is comfortable, food is perfection, hospitality is wonderful and we are assured that the snow, driven by moisture off the nearby Black Sea, is fabulous. Untracked lines and a whole lot of fun are a given in what will feel like your own private mountain resort. A stay here can be combined with a few days at the nearby Edjer-3200 (Palandöken & Konakli) ski resort near Erzurum.

Whilst the Ovit Pass has been part of an historic Silk Road for centuries, the winter of 2020/21 marked the region's first ski season. Using snowmobiles and ski-touring, the local team of experienced guides explored only a portion of the 30,000 acres of available terrain. In season 2022, Ovit introduced a snowcat to the operation, using it mainly for transporting larger groups of patrons in poor weather. The region has only recently started to be explored in winter, come and be part of this new chapter in its amazing history.

We visited Ovit Mountain in February 2023 and had a fabulous time, experiencing amazing hospitality and every kind of weather and snow conditons that mother-nature can throw at you when in the high mountains. See the Reviews tab for our impressions.

See the tour listings below for detailed information on what is currently available.

A 'WOW I'm So Lucky' Experience!

16/10/2023

Smiling Assassin

Powder Addict
Powder Addict

Smiling Assassin

Powder Addict
Powder Addict
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Rider Age
    51-65
  • Rider Ability
    Expert
  • Country
    Australia
  • Admin Rating
    5

A 'WOW I'm So Lucky' Experience!

16/10/2023
Ovit is an adventure that is almost like "glamping". It is outside the norm, not necessarily easy but it's still fancy.
Getting to Ovit after being dropped off with all your travel/ski equipment by a transfer on the side of a freeway in the dark is the start. Being packed onto a ski-doo, either seated in front of the driver or standing on a side running board, whilst trying to helpfully balance and not fall off on the 10km journey to the lodge was exciting, both on the way in and when leaving.
Arriving at a beautiful lodge that seems to be in the middle of nowhere, with extraordinarily welcoming and professional staff, plus two cheeky Old English Sheepdogs (there's a whole story around how that happened) was fantastic.
Carefully considered ski doo and skin accessed skiing led by experts over several days was also an adventure. The snow wasn't at it's best or safest when I was there but I still had some cracking turns, the views were spectacular, the accommodation beautiful and the hospitality and service exemplary.
See our video here

Boutique Backcountry Ski Experience

06/03/2023

POWDERHOUNDS EUROPE

Powderhounds Ambassador
Powderhounds Ambassador

POWDERHOUNDS EUROPE

Powderhounds Ambassador
Powderhounds Ambassador
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Rider Age
    51-65
  • Rider Ability
    Expert
  • Country
    World
  • Admin Rating
    5

Boutique Backcountry Ski Experience

06/03/2023
Ovit Mountain's experience is in many ways centred on the delightful boutique lodge and its fantastic staff. After an interesting after dark, 10km snowmobile ride up to the lodge, the friendly late-night welcome, including from the two resident Old English Sheep Dogs - Bob & Ovit, set the next few days up perfectly. Feeling welcome in isolated locations is so important, and the crew at Ovit Mountain set it up perfectly.

The three day stay included a full-on rampaging blizzard with no skiing, bookended by two cold, glorious sunny days. On the blizzard day we enjoyed the company of the staff and relaxed comfortably. The lodge bedrooms are spacious and the ensuite bathrooms perfect for an extended stay. The lounge and bar area provides the centre of social activity. The music playing throughout the stay, including some stellar sets on the decks by DJ Dan, was absolutely on point.

The professionalism from our guide, Lasha, was excellent. He understood the snow pack, gave clear instructions, provided an extensive safety briefing and clearly communicated during the skiing.

Ovit's terrain includes all manner of possibilities aside from trees! The treeless alpine has wide bowls and steep couloirs on both shaded north and sunny south aspects. Getting up to the best terrain involved a combination of transport by snowmobile, followed by both short & long skinning. Without skinning, the terrain can be quite mellow.

Snow quality varied markedly depending on aspect and exposure to the strong winds that often buffet the pass. Luscious powder, sun softened butter and breakable crust were skied in equal measure. The best runs were top to bottom untracked snow all the back to the lodge.

Some may find the use of snowmobiles to get up the hill uncomfortable. It can certainly be chilly, bumpy and challenging. But it is also fun and fast. Safety on the snowmobiles is certainly a question. Whilst the drivers are expert, it is easy for things to wrong, so it is best to have ones wits about you when a passenger. Note that there were no safety incidents on our tour. The snow cat was not used at all during our stay as it had a mechanical issue.

Meals at the lodge are fantastic. Alcohol and cocktails are in ample supply and expertly prepared, but do check the pricing before going too far. Alcohol in Turkey is not as cheap as it used to be. 'Bill shock' from unrestrained boozing is a distinct possibility here. If in doubt, stick to the endless (and complimentary) teas & coffees on offer. A final evening of apres ski with spiced wine, tunes and a fire on the outdoor deck was a great way to finish.

If you have a cashed up group of advanced to expert freeriders looking for a different 'bespoke' experience in a fascinating country, head up to Ovit Mountain in Turkey from late January to the end of March.
See our video here
Ovit Mountain Tours & Packages
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