Göle Sled Festival

Göle is a district located 45 km from the city center of Ardahan and is surrounded by various districts of Kars and Erzurum. The district center lies on a flat plain at an average altitude of 2,038 meters, while the villages are spread across both flat and hilly terrains. Covering an area of 1,420 km², Göle is notable for its extensive forest cover, pastures, and meadows; 65% of Ardahan’s forests are located in this district. Barley, wheat, and potatoes stand out in agricultural activities, while livestock farming also contributes to the local economy.

Göle (Anadolu Agency)

Climate of Göle

Summers in Göle are mild and rainy, with temperatures usually ranging between 25 and 30°C. Agricultural activity intensifies during the summer months. Winters, on the other hand, are long and harsh, with temperatures dropping to as low as -30 to -35°C. Snow thickness often reaches one meter, and due to the plain's basin-like shape, foggy days are frequent. Göle has repeatedly recorded the coldest daily temperatures in Türkiye. On December 21, 2024, it reached -23°C, and on January 29, 2025, it hit -32°C, making it the coldest place in Türkiye on those dates.

Winter season in Göle (Anadolu Agency)

Sledding Sport

Traditional sledding begins at a marked starting line on a snow track; the race starts when the athlete propels themselves forward by pushing off stakes planted on both sides. Before descending, competitors may gain extra momentum by striking snow mounds positioned along the sides of the track or may choose to proceed directly into the race. Once speed is gained, the athlete lies on their back on the sled, extends their legs forward to reduce wind resistance, and holds onto their pants to maintain balance during the slide. Regional differences are observed in traditional sledding: in the Kastamonu region, competitors sled on their backs, while in Erzurum, they prefer the prone (face-down) position.

Luge race at the Olympics (Anadolu Agency)

Sledding made its Olympic debut at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck. Athletes raced lying on their backs on special sleds down icy tracks, reaching speeds of up to 135 km/h. Initially emerging as a competitive sport in the late 19th century in the Swiss Alps, sledding gained international recognition with the founding of the International Luge Federation (FIL) in 1957. Olympic competitions include men's singles, women's singles, and doubles, with the team relay added in Sochi 2014. In the upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, both men’s and women’s doubles will be featured. In Türkiye, the “Interclub Natural Track Luge Championship” is held by the Turkish Luge Federation.

Luge race (Anadolu Agency)

Sled Festival

On February 26, 2025, the "1st Göle Sled Festival" was held in Göle, one of the coldest districts in Türkiye, to support winter tourism and preserve sledding culture. Organized by the District Directorate of Youth and Sports and supported by associations representing Göle, the festival took place behind the Central Mosque, drawing approximately 50 competitors. Awards were given to those who placed in the races.