Ice Festival returns to frozen Çıldır Lake in Kars

KARS

The frozen Çıldır Lake in Kars has become the setting for the second Ice Festival, featuring activities such as ice skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides, folk dances and cultural events to boost local tourism.

Organized by the Kars Governor’s Office to promote the region and one of its most striking natural landmarks, the event took place in the Arpaçay-Kütükey area of Kars, drawing large crowds despite the cold.

A variety of performances and competitions were held on the ice-covered lake, including artistic figure skating, synchronized skating, ice hockey and speed skating demonstrations.

Skaters İklim Şentunalı, Alp Töre Ovalıoğlu and Yağmur Derin Kevinç captivated spectators with their performances on the frozen lake, while horse-drawn sleigh races added excitement to the festival atmosphere. Athletes who ranked in the competitions were awarded prizes.

The festival also featured Caucasian and traditional folk dances, alongside a concert by local musician Salih Yılmaz.

Speaking at the event, 21-year-old Kevinç said skating on the frozen lake was an unforgettable experience. Other young athletes echoed similar sentiments, noting that skating on a natural frozen lake offered a unique experience beyond conventional ice rinks.

Stretching across the border of Kars and Ardahan, Çıldır Lake covers 123 square kilometers and is eastern Türkiye’s second-largest lake after Lake Van.

Following heavy snowfall in December, part of the lake froze to a thickness of around 15 centimeters, officially marking the start of its winter tourism season and the return of its iconic horse-drawn sleigh rides.