We will tell you about the popular ski resorts in Turkey: infrastructure, prices for services, entertainment and more.
Traditionally, Turkey is perceived as a beach destination. The majority of tourists head to the land of the successor to the Ottoman Empire in search of warm sun and a pleasant sea. However, Turkey can also delight visitors with excellent winter vacations.
Features of a ski holiday in Turkey
Local ski resorts welcome guests for almost half a year, from November or December to April-May.
The main advantage of these winter destinations is the optimal balance of price and quality.
Turkish ski slopes may seem unexciting for professionals, but they are perfect for beginners and those who prefer relaxed skiing.
Uludağ
According to tourist reviews, Uludağ is considered the most popular winter resort in Turkey. The resort attracts travellers with its location in the National Park and the presence of mineral springs. Uludağ is located near Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire.
It is this locality that some celebrities choose to relax in. There are 15 hotels operating on the principle of "all-inclusive". Local restaurants, bars, and baths can boast of an excellent level of service.
Uluda
ğ
is famous for its nightlife - there are many discos, bars, restaurants, nightclubs on its territory;
the town has its own thermal springs;
each hotel has its own lifts, in total there are 15 lifts in the resort;
The local ski school is the perfect place to put your child on skis for the first time.
Palandöken
Palandöken Resort is located near Armenia, on the eastern side of the Anatolian coast. The nearest major city is Erzurum (5 km).
The Palandöken ski resort in Turkey is relatively new and has only recently started operating. However, the fact that the Turkish national ski team trains here attracts more and more tourists.
Palandöken Resort Features
The high tourist season here lasts from December to May. In winter, Palandöken offers a comfortable air temperature, with the maximum reaching -9°C. The slopes here are suitable for both speed enthusiasts and those who prefer a more relaxed skiing experience while enjoying the surrounding beauty. Palandöken is known for its excellent level of service.
Features of the resort slopes:
Among the 15 tracks, there are both short and long ones (up to 12 km);
The tracks are divided into 7 blue, 5 red, 2 black;
height is from 2100 to 3200 m;
there are mountains where freeride is practiced - off-piste skiing;
The resort is equipped with 7 lifts.
Ski pass price: from 40 EUR per day. Distance from the nearest airport ( Erzurum): 5 km.
Sarykamysh
The Sarykamysh ski resort is located in the eastern part of the country. It is also popular among tourists due to its comfortable climate and high level of service and comfort, comparable to other winter sports centers. It is distinguished by its unique location in the heart of pristine pine forests.
Characteristics of the Sarikamysh resort
The resort offers a large amount of space and almost no queues. The season at Sarykamysh lasts from late October to mid-April.
Features of the resort slopes:
the total length of the tracks is 16 km;
there are 9 pistes in the resort: 2 green, 1 blue, 3 red and 3 black;
3 lifts are equipped.
Sarykamysh infrastructure
The resort's hotels operate on an all-inclusive basis. In addition to restaurants, massage salons, and saunas, the town offers the following opportunities for relaxation:
offsite excursions to the city of Kars;
Lots of discotheques and parties in the village itself.
The small ski resort of Kartalkaya is located in the Kogorlu National Park, southeast of the capital of Turkey. The resort ranks third in popularity among winter sports centres. In fact, it consists of two towns (Kartal and Doruk) that are connected as one.
Characteristics of Kartalkaya Resort
The resort is known for its lack of crowds, particularly the absence of queues for the ski lifts. The season lasts from December to March. The area often experiences fog, and the snow depth can reach up to three meters.
Features of the resort slopes:
13 runs, including 3 blue, 4 black, 8 red. Most of the runs are short;
height is from 1800 to 2220 m;
There are 7 ski lifts on the territory of the resort.
Infrastructure at Kartalkaya resort
Kartalkaya as a ski resort is very well developed. Among the opportunities to spend time, we can highlight the following:
pools, bars, game rooms in each hotel;
massage salons;
ski schools;
cafes, restaurants, coffee points;
Baths and saunas for every taste.
Ski pass price: from 40 EUR per day. Distance from Istanbul Airport: 275 km, Ankara: 220 km. Official site - http://www. kartalkaya.org
Erciyes
The Erciyes winter resort is located in the Tekir Plateau, northern Anatolia, in the central region of Turkey's Cappadocia. Part of the mountain is a dormant volcano. Erciyes is a vibrant and traditional ski resort.
Characteristics of Erciyes Resort
The season at the resort lasts from November to April. Fine dry snow forms a cover up to 2 m. The system of artificial snowmaking is constantly functioning.
Features of the resort slopes:
height of tracks - from 2000 to 3300 m;
In total, there are 54 pistes on the territory of the resort with a total length of 55 km;
most blue (12) and red (15) runs, there are also 6 black and 1 green;
in the evening, the tracks are illuminated and it is possible to continue skiing;
There are 19 lifts in operation.
The best hotels in Erciyes
Radison Blu Kaysery;
Ramada Resort Erciyes;
Mirada Del Monte;
Ace Hotel;
Bulent Hotel.
The cost of a double room per night starts from 90 EUR
Infrastructure of Erciyes resort
The infrastructure of the Erciyes resort is characterized by excellent service. Guests can enjoy a variety of entertainment options, including:
visit an amusement centre or a zoo;
ride in a helicopter or paraglider;
walk on the ice on skates or walkers;
walk or ride in a dog sledge;
play bowling, squash, or any other ball games;
visit a climbing wall;
go in for fitness or swim in the pool;
go shopping on an off-site excursion to Kaiseria or Cappadocia.
Mother and child rooms are provided to the guests of the resort.
Not far from the town is the Kayseri National Park, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Ski pass price: from 70 EUR per day. Distance from the airport Kayseri: 29 km. Official website of the resort - http://kayserierciyes.com.tr/
Turkey's ski resorts cater to both beginners, such as families with children, and experienced snow enthusiasts. Those who prefer top-notch service can opt for Palandoken or Erciyes at a higher cost. For others, more budget-friendly resorts like Uludag, Sarykamis, and Kartalkaya are suitable choices.
