A Winter Getaway – The Best Ski Destinations in Türkiye
A winter ski break is ideal for anyone who needs a little rest from working life, school and everyday hassles. Türkiye is rich in fantastic ski resorts and hotels. Those looking for half-term breaks or new year holidays can have a great holiday experience at Türkiye’s ski resorts located on stunning snow-clad mountains. They also benefit from pistes suitable for both experts and beginners, professional ski instructors, luxurious accommodation and limitless entertainment activities.
Uludağ Ski Resort, Bursa
Known as Türkiye’s first ski resort, Uludağ ski resort is located 35 kilometres southwest of Bursa. There are 20 pistes in total available to ski lovers, at an altitude of 2500 metres which vary in length and which are classified in terms of their difficulty as beginner, intermediate and advanced. With around 10 easy pistes for beginners, Uludağ is one of the best ski resorts for beginners. The pistes are easily accessible with 10 chairlifts and 13 drag lifts. Of course, skiing is not the only mountain sport you can do in Uludağ. With 8 trekking tracks, it offers those fond of trekking a magnificent experience in the midst of nature.
When to visit?
The ski season in Uludağ starts in mid-December and continues until the end of March. However, the busiest times in Uludağ are at the end of December and in January.
Where to stay?
Bof Hotel Uludağ received the “Best Ski Hotel of the Year” Award in 2018 with its women-only pool, spa centre, luxury accommodation options and a great variety of facilities. Guests appreciate the hotel’s proximity to pistes, its comfort, hygiene and the quality of the facilities.
Erciyes Ski Resort, Kayseri
Around 25 kilometres southwest of Kayseri, the ski resort is located on Mount Erciyes at an altitude of nearly 4000 metres. It has a perfect geographic location so it is easily accessible by air and road from practically anywhere in Türkiye. Awarded “Best Ski Resort of Europe” in 2014, Erciyes ski resort is home to a total of 34 pistes - 13 for beginners, 15 for intermediate skiers and 6 for experts. There are 18 lifts including chair lifts, drag lifts and gondola lifts. It is popular for its ‘powder snow’, which is known to fall on high mountains, hence why Erciyes is also known as the ‘Alps of Türkiye’.
When to visit?
The ski season at Erciyes ski resort, starts at the end of November and continues until May. It is possible to find a good snow depth to ski for almost 6 months at this ski resort, and there is some snow nearly 12 months of the year.
Where to stay?
The second most popular ski resort for snow holidays, Erciyes offers a wide variety of holiday options varying from affordable hotels to luxury resort hotels with a wealth of facilities. Unlike the more expensive deluxe hotels of Uludağ, Erciyes has hotels which are more affordable. Therefore, it might be a more economical choice for families with kids.
Palandöken ski resort, Erzurum
Located only 20 minutes from Erzurum Airport and 13 kilometres south of the city centre, Palandöken is one of the most popular ski resorts. It is on Mount Palandöken, at an altitude of 3176 metres. It has 22 pistes in total: 8 for beginners, 8 for intermediate skiers, 2 olympic and 4 natural pistes.
When to visit?
Palandöken has previously been home to University Winter Games and the European Youth Winter Olympics. The ski season starts in early November with festivities, concerts and different activities and continues until the end of April. Not only ski lovers, but also holiday enthusiasts who are into a variety of winter sports such as paragliding, snowboarding, snow tubing and mountaineering enjoy Palandöken throughout the year.
Where to stay?
Palandöken ski resort offers its guests numerous accommodation alternatives varying from 5-star luxury hotels to more affordable ski hotels.
The 5-star Polat Erzurum Resort Hotel provides easy access to the ski resort’s pistes with its own chair lift system. Guests benefit from luxurious and comfortable accommodation, as well as a mini club for children and ski lessons from professional ski instructors.
Kartepe ski resort, Kocaeli
Only 7 kilometres from Kocaeli city centre and only 1.5-hour’s drive from İstanbul, Kartepe is one of the most popular ski resorts for winter getaways. Located on one of the peaks of the 1600 metres high Samanlı Mountains, Kartepe ski resort offers 12 pistes, 3 chair lifts and 1 teleski.
When to visit?
The ski season starts in mid-December and continues until mid-March. However, the best months for skiing are January and February because the depth of the snow usually reaches 150 cm.
Where to stay?
Kartepe does not offer as many accommodation options as the other ski resorts, however the 4-star The Green Park Kartepe is a popular choice.
Sarıkamış ski resort, Kars
Located 53 kilometres southwest of Kars, Sarıkamış is one of the most popular ski resorts with skiers and snowboarding enthusiasts as it is covered with crystalline and powder snow. There are 6 pistes available in Sarıkamış - 2 for beginners, 2 for intermediate skiers and 2 for professional skiers. Also, there are 4 chair lifts to get around the ski resort. The Eastern Express, one of the most beautiful railway lines in the world, has already made Kars very famous among tourists visiting Türkiye.
When to visit?
In Sarıkamış, it snows for 57 days a year but there is snow on the ground for 141 days. As a result, there is a deep layer of snow on the ground, which is suitable for skiing for 5 months of the year. Starting in early December, the season continues until April. February or March are also popular because of the Winter Games Festival of Sarıkamış.
Where to stay?
The Eastern Express has brought about an improvement in the quality of service provided by the hotels in Kars and Sarıkamış. Unlike the hotels of Sarıkamış which are typically modest, the ones in the wider region resemble those of Uludağ, with all the luxury and comfort they offer.
Davraz ski resort, Isparta
Located 25 kilometres southwest of Isparta, Davraz ski resort is only 1.5-2 hours’ drive from Antalya. 13 ski slopes are available at the moment: 2 for beginners, 8 for intermediate skiers and 3 for experts. As for children and non-skiers, there is also a sledding track.
When to visit?
Compared to other ski resorts, Davraz has a shorter ski season. Starting towards the end of December, the skiing season ends in early March. The best months for skiing are January and early February.
Where to stay?
There is only one hotel in Davraz ski resort: the 4-star Sirene Davras Hotel. Here you can stay in an amazing room/suite with a beautiful mountain or snow view and relax in the pool, sauna or Turkish bath.