Zigana Winter Sports and Tourism Center is ready for the season

Declared a winter sports tourism center in 1991 within the borders of Torul district in Gümüşhane, the ski center is located 60 kilometers from Trabzon Airport and 40 kilometers from the city center of Gümüşhane.

The center, where the ski season starts in December and lasts until the end of March, has two slopes with lengths of 800 and 600 meters. The T-bar lift, with a capacity of 750 people per hour, a rope length of 850 meters, and a skiing area of 1.5 kilometers, serves sports enthusiasts. Additionally, a babylift with a capacity of 300 people per hour is also available.

The center, preferred by both amateur and professional skiers as well as those who want to enjoy sledding, offers guests the opportunity to stay in the unique nature of the Zigana region.

With the recent intermittent precipitation, foreign tourists visiting the center have the opportunity to explore Zigana Mountain accompanied by a snowmobile.

"Due to early snowfall, our expectations are high"

Abdullah Eroğlu, the Operations Manager of Zigana Gümüşkayak Facilities, said that snowfall in the region occurred earlier compared to the previous year.

Eroğlu, stating that they have completed all preparations for the new season and have high expectations, said, "We have performed maintenance on both our mechanical and snow vehicles. We are currently waiting for the snow to reach a sufficient level. Since the snow has fallen early, our expectations for New Year's Eve are high. We think skiing can start by New Year's Eve. We have an 80 percent pre-reservation rate," he said.

Eroğlu expressed that with the snow, tourist groups from neighboring provinces as well as foreign tourists have started to come to the center, saying, "Our reservations from abroad are usually made from Gulf countries. What people from those regions want the most is snow and nature. As long as there is snow, the demand and reservations are high. We experienced quite a slump in the last month, but since the snowfall, our number of visitors is increasing every day," he said.

Highlighting the positive impact of positive posts made by foreign tourists on social media, especially about the landscape and snow, Eroğlu continued:

"When people see the scenery and the snow here, even if they do nothing, just watching is enough. They share these on social media platforms, and more people follow. It has a great positive impact. There are accommodation and dining options. They can rent skis, sleds, and snowboards. We also have snowmobile and ATV safaris. We have created trails on existing roads. In the mornings, nature lovers can take group tours on these roads."