For Russian tourists, Turkey is the sea, sun, beaches and all-inclusive hotels. But this country is also worth exploring as a place for winter recreation, because most of its territory is covered with mountains with snowy peaks. Turkish ski resorts attract tourists with comfortable slopes for all tastes, affordable prices, good snow cover from November to April and mild winter temperatures.
Winter holidays in Turkey have been actively developing in recent decades. The resorts are visited not only by lovers of active sports and extreme sports, but also by connoisseurs of the tranquility of mountain nature. Objects are constantly being built and improved, new places are being developed. In addition to skiing, Turkey will always offer excursions to historical sites, nightclubs, bars and discos, a sauna and thermal springs, and family vacations.
Best ski resorts in Turkey
List, photos with names and descriptions of the most popular places in the effort, for ski holidays.
Uludag
The resort is called a mountain range and is located in the territory of a national natural park. This is the largest ski resort in western Turkey, it is convenient to get here from Istanbul, which is only 150 km away. Developed infrastructure, good trails and low prices attract tourists from December to March for skiing and snowboarding. One track is difficult, the rest are for intermediate and initial training. Uludag is beautiful all year round; in warm weather, hiking and cycling tours are organized here, there are hot springs.
Erciyes
The resort is also known as Tekir Yailasy. It is located in the eastern part of Cappadocia, in the vicinity of the ancient city of Kayseri. The main advantage of this place can be called a longer season: the snow lies here from November to May, it falls abundantly. The resort is actively developing, now there are 13 ski lifts, the total length of the slopes is over 100 km, the difficulty for beginners and advanced skiers, there is a ski school.
Palandoken
The resort is located on the border with Armenia, 10 km from the city of Erzurum, which is easily accessible by plane. It is considered a young ski resort and is actively developing. The tracks are of varying difficulty, the main part is for the beginner and intermediate level. The "wild" slopes are suitable for snowboarding. The place is well known as a training base for the Turkish ski team. In addition to skiing, there is a cafe, restaurant, health center, swimming pool.
Sarikamysh
A good place for a winter holiday with the whole family. There are no difficult extreme trails, and the clean air of the pine forest is favorable for the respiratory system. Lots of fun for kids. For adults - nightclubs, bars, swimming pool, sauna. For history lovers - excursions to the city of Kars, which is located 54 km from the resort. Skiing at an altitude of 2200 to 2700 m. There is also a half-pipe for snowboarders and cross-country skiing trails. The optimal time for skiing is from December to March.
Saklikent
It is located on the Bakirlydag mountain with a height of 2558 meters, 45 km from Antalya. This resort is popular with both tourists and locals. People come here to go skiing and snowboarding, take a break from the hustle and bustle of Turkish cities and enjoy the beauty of nature. In summer there is a student festival and hiking trails. It is better to ski from December to March, there are four ski slopes of varying difficulty and one for tubing.
Kartalkaya
The resort is located in the Black Sea region of Turkey, 54 km from the city of Bolu, on the territory of a national natural park. The slopes here are mostly smooth, suitable for snowboarding and beginner skiers, there are also more difficult slopes. Skiing takes place at an altitude of 1800 to 2200 meters, there are two parts of the ski complex. The first, Kartal, has 12 pistes, and the second, Doruk, 11 pistes and an Austrian-designed snow park.
Kartepe
One of the largest ski resorts in Turkey, located east of the Kocaeli Bay of the Sea of Marmara. The slopes offer beautiful views of the sea coast and Lake Sapanca. The most favorable months for skiing are February and early March. 12 tracks are equipped, including one for beginners and two for extreme sports. In summer, lovers of a mild, cool climate come here to relax for cycling, boating on the lake, and safari.
Davraz
The resort was founded about 15 years ago, but managed to gain popularity among tourists. Developed infrastructure, good snow cover, picturesque views from the slopes - all this attracts people in winter and summer. Skiing lasts from December to April. The height of the tracks is from 1500 to 2000 meters. The surroundings of the resort are considered one of the cleanest places in Turkey; there are several lakes around Davraz. There are many ancient sites nearby.
Ardahan Yalnızçam
The resort is being built in the province of the same name, bordering Georgia and Armenia. The construction of a large-scale complex began in 2017, with the support of the European Union. The project is designed as a place for a variety of recreation: in the mountains and on the Black Sea. Due to the rather harsh climate for Turkey, the skiing season is quite long. At the moment, about 10 km of trails and three lifts have been launched.
Zigana
A young small ski resort in northeastern Turkey, in the Black Sea region. It bears the name of the mountain range at the foot of which it is located. Infrastructure is somewhat limited, but this is offset by beautiful views, clean pine forest air and good snow cover. There is one hotel, two tracks and two lifts. The difficulty of the route is average, there are sections for off-piste skiing.
Bitlis
The resort is located in the province of the same name, west of Lake Van. The center of Bitlis is located at the confluence of the Hotrov and Avehu rivers. It has been operating since 1969, has a well-developed infrastructure: hotels, cafes, rental, training. There are several ski areas with well-maintained slopes of varying difficulty. In addition to skiing, you can visit the famous lake and surrounding towns, an ancient fortress, mosques.
Elmadag
The new resort was built on the slope of the mountain of the same name, the name of which translates as "apple mountain". It is located 20 km from Ankara, which attracts both guests of Turkey and residents of the capital. You can ride from December to March. There are trails for beginners and for extreme lovers, comfortable slopes for snowboarding. The hotel operates, you can also rent one of the small chalet houses.
Atabari (Atabarı Kayak Merkezi)
A small young ski center was built in 2009. Currently it is actively developing and growing. It is located 18 km from the ancient city of Artvin, in the north-east of Turkey. The city has a rich history, with crater lakes and lush forests of spruce and pine trees in the vicinity. It has always been the center of tourism for lovers of beautiful nature and history, and now they develop winter active recreation here. The maximum lifting height is 2200 meters.
Yedikuyular
The ski center is located near the city of Kahramanmaras in the Mediterranean region, in southeastern Turkey, near the Taurus Mountains. The construction of the complex began recently and is being actively improved. The cable car and chair lift were launched. There are three tracks up to 2.6 km long. There is a cafe and a restaurant. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, you can go paragliding, there is a toboggan run for children and adults.
Abali (Abalı Kayak Merkezi)
A small ski complex is located in the mountains south of Lake Van, in the vicinity of the town of Gevash. The city has an ancient history. There is a cable car and a ski lift, there are cafes and recreation areas, ski rental. The second stage of the cable car overlooks Lake Van. Improved two tracks.Ski enthusiasts note the good quality of the snow cover and magnificent views, but the infrastructure of the complex is still under development.
