Mount Erciyes in central Turkey to host international snowboarding event

The world's best snowboarders will gather in central Turkey on Feb. 27 for the finals of the men's and women's parallel giant slalom race, held under the auspices of the International Ski Federation (FIS). 120 snowboarders from around the world will battle it out at Mount Erciyes in the central Turkish province of Kayseri.

Turkish Ski Federation President Erol Yarar and other officials introduced the upcoming competition at a press conference in Istanbul yesterday. Yarar said Istanbul's successful hosting of the FIS Snowboard Big Air World Cup in 2014 helped Turkey's further recognition by the FIS. "This is the first time Turkey will host a world cup event on a mountain," he said.

Erciyes, with an elevation of 3,916 meters, hosts one of Turkey's most renowned winter sports facilities. Turkey invested more than 200 million euros on the facility, which boasts 30 tracks and a 105-kilometer course.