If you like skiing videos on YouTube, you will definitely have seen Cat skis in Canada and…. North America in general. A passenger tracked vehicle that transports skiers and snowboarders to the top of the mountain and after a freeride route picks them up at the base of the mountain-hill. This is the Cat ski only now you can also find it in…. Oiti! I couldn't help but live this experience..
Our adventure began early in the morning when, on a verdant pass at an altitude of 1,240 meters, shortly after Pavliani, we met Vasilis Trachanas. A nature lover, who with great passion and enthusiasm, made his dream come true by creating his retreat in an idyllic landscape. The Oiti Refuge.
After loading our equipment onto the tracked vehicle, we set off for Xerovouni of Oiti (1804m) through a magical route with oak and fir trees. There was a pervasive positive energy and impatience in the group.
When we reached the top and the “Pisten Bully” engine turned off, the calm and serenity of the landscape left no one unmoved. In front of us we admired the alpine relief with the Vardousia and the “pyramid” of Gkiona. Lower forested plateaus, ravines and meadows that are impressive.
Without waiting long, we grabbed our equipment and headed out into the wilderness! "Skiing" between trees and ravines, you become one with the mountain, you feel free, alive... You forget everything that concerns you in your everyday life and your mind goes blank.
The crawler was waiting for us at the… base of the slope to take us back to the top and let us dive in again. No matter how many times we climbed up and down the slopes at Xekrovouni, we wanted more!
But it was time to return. We returned in our sandals as the road was downhill in most places. Through the wonderful path through the fir trees we reached the shelter where food and local wine awaited us.
We left "full" of everything we experienced, the landscapes and the positive vibes, but also with the promise to return!
Watch here a video we made of that wonderful day!
And some more photos!
