In the midst of the majestic national park you will find a modern ski-resort of Uludag. And you can get there with a help of an almost 9 kilometers-gondola-ride from the outskirts of Bursa. The valley station of Tefferuc, located in the northeast of the city, is another good way to get your daily runs through the snowpark; just 30 minutes (or the world’s longest mono cable gondola ride) away. This great facility built for the growing freestyle scene Turkey has at the moment, has been equipped with a brand-new QPark features this season to keep riders busy as well as international pros that were invited to come down for the International Week Uludag taking place in the beginning of February. And they were stoked!
Snowpark Uludag
The first impression of the resort was the most spectacular lift-ride the group had ever encountered. The newly installed gondola took the riders over the distance of 8,8 kilometers and 1400 meters up the mountain in just 30minutes with amazing views of Bursa and surrounding mountains. Their first aim thereafter was the vast backcountry – after reviewing the terrain and considering it safe, the crew got wild on the natural volcano terrain, dotted with impressive wind lips and other natural features. After a great session the whole team went straight to the park for a few laps on the advanced line with a setup and shape that's definitely one to keep pace with European projects of similar size and riders only confirmed it. The park design bears the signature of the experienced Frenchman Ricky Lalos, who was sent here by QParks crew to take care of the snowpark.
On Saturday 8th, the pros were giving a pro coaching in the park with around 25 local kids to prepare them for the slopestyle contest premiere held on Sunday. The participants were super happy to ride with some of the best snowboarders out there, who showed them how to improve their park skills. The following day the action stepped up and people were ready to write history. After the first Big Air World Cup Contest that went down in Istanbul in December, the first ever slopestyle contest in Turkey took place under cloudy sky was about to get started!
Around 35 snowboarders joined the contest and Billy Morgan & Co showed what was possible on the pro line that comprised of two kickers with 10m table each and a multi jib feature consisting of three distinct elements. The amateur snowboarders went down the smaller line, also consisting of two kickers, however, with moderate 2m tables each and a beginner Flat Box. Tim Kevin, Celia and Sarka Pancochova judged the contest whilst Billy Morgan entertained the crowd and commented on all the action. Good times!
Snowboard Pros
Deniz Altinok
Kerem Gurdal
Süleyman Atli
Snowboard Rookies
Baris Tuncer
Ozhan Altintas
Murat Ferhat Kayar
Best Trick: Umut Ogucu
Photos: © Roland Haschka
