The best ski resorts in Turkey are Uludag, Erciyes, Palandoken. Full guide – how to get there, ski slopes, accommodation, transportation.
Turkey and ski slopes were something that was incompatible for us ten years ago. But now, I believe that every Ukrainian skier or boarder knows about Turkish winter resorts. He knows exactly about Kayseri and the Erciyes volcano, on the slopes of which many people, if not all, have had a chance to ride, if not all, then many.
But if we’re talking about a ski vacation in Turkey seriously, you need to understand what you really want to get out of such a pastime. There are various resorts designed for family vacations, such as Uludag, where beginners and couples with children have all the ideal conditions for skiing and relaxation. And for confident skiers, you need to look towards other slopes – Erdjies and Palandoken, where there are more red and black runs, as well as very interesting places that you should definitely see during your ski vacation.
I have written about all this below – maximum information for those who are planning to go skiing in Uludag, Erciyes and Palandoken.
Erciyes – Kayseri
Erciyes Ski Resort is located in central Turkey, Kayseri Province, 23 km south of the city of Kayseri. The ski resort is located near Cappadocia in the neighboring province of Nevsehir.
TheErciyes – Kayseri ski resort is one of the largest and is at the top of the list of the best ski resorts in Turkey, offering 55 kilometers of ski slopes starting from 3346 meters. There are modern ski lifts and a large alpine terrain on the 1258-meter vertical. Located in central Turkey, near the city of Kayseriski vacation here can be easily combined with a visit to the amazing sights of Cappadocia, including villages Göreme and Uchisarlocated 72 km (1 hour by car to the west) from Kayseri and only 87 km (1½ hours’ drive in winter conditions) from the Erciyes ski resort.
Season and snow level at the resort
The season on Erciyes begins in late December and lasts until mid-March. But the amount of snow depends on the wind, which can be very strong here. If there is little snow and the wind is blowing for several days without stopping, expect bald slopes.
Also, when the wind is strong, the lifts are turned off, so those who come to ski and stay in a hotel on the mountain will be a little bored because there is nothing to do. But all problems are solved by a rental car – you can go on days when the weather is not very good to Cappadocia to go hot air ballooning.
Slopes and lifts in Erciyes resort
The Erciyes ski and snowboard area includes 55 km of slopes laid in a treeless alpine area on the slopes of an extinct volcano, Mount Erciyes (or Erciyes Dagi ), with a height of 3917 meters. The highest point of the lift is located at an altitude of 3346 meters. It is 600 meters below the peak, which towers above it with its rocky spires covered in ice.
The mountain slopes range from relatively gentle in the lower part (ideal for beginners and novices), rising to steep advanced terrain in the upper sector.
The resort has 18 blue, 17 red, and 6 black runs served by modern lifts, most of which are less than 10 years old. There are two gondola lifts and 11 chair lifts – 8 four-seater and 3 six-seater.
Two gondolas transport skiers and snowboarders from two base areas – Tekir-Kapi and Khachilar-Kapi. While the central base in Gisardzhik-Kapa has only a few chair lifts. The resort also has 6 rope tows and several conveyor lifts that serve the slopes for beginners and children in the Tekir and Gisardzhik ski areas.
Getting from Kayseri to the ski slopes
Unfortunately, there are no special Ski-buses like in the Alps – buses that take vacationers to different areas of the resort and to Kayseri. Therefore, if you plan to stay at the Kayseri Hotel, you will need a car. Or you can take a taxi every day.
Or, at the end of December, the Kayseri authorities launch buses from Kayseri Airport to Erciyes, which run on schedule and enter the city. That is, they will pass through the İpeksaray shopping center. So, ask the hotel for the schedule of this bus. Or perhaps your hotel or a neighboring hotel will organize a shuttle service for its clients – it also depends on where you plan to live. It is better to ask this in advance, before booking your accommodation.
For those who have car rental information on distances and parking lots.
The ski area has three basic zones – all of which have daytime parking. The central zone is Hisarjik Kapi, and two additional zones are Khachilar Kapi (6 km north of it) and Tekir Kap i (2 km southeast). Hacilar Kapi is the closest to the center of Kayseri (19 km), the next zone is Hisarcik Kap i (23 km), and Tekir Kapi is the farthest away (24 km). Each ski area can be reached in about 30 minutes by car in winter. The road from Kayseri to Tekir Kapi is a two-lane road.
Ski passes
The prices of ski passes depend on the number of lifts – the more lifts you pay for, the cheaper each one is. For example, if you buy 200 lifts in bulk, the price for each is 5.5 TL ($0.3). If you buy a 50-lift pass, each lift ride costs already 8 TL ($0.45). Therefore, consider how intensively you plan to ski every day, and based on this, buy a suitable ski pass for 7, 14, 30, 50, 100, 200 or 400 lifts.
Prices for the new ski season are available on the Erciyes resort website www.kayserierciyes.com.tr.
Accommodation in the resort of Erciyes
There are two options for hotels and their location in the resort. The first is all-inclusive hotels on the slopes of a volcano, near a ski resort. The second is in Kayseri, a 30-minute drive from the ski lifts.
Hotels in the resort of Erciyes:
- Radisson Blu Hotel, Mount Erciyes – is located near the Tekir-Kapi area, close to the ski lifts. Meals are based on breakfast. The rooms offer beautiful views of Mount Erciyes.
- Zümrüt Palas Otel – the price includes breakfast and dinner, very good location near the ski lift of the Tekir-Kapi area.
- X Mountain Lodge Erciyes – is an all-inclusive hotel located high in the mountains near the Hachilar-Kapi ski lift station. Hotel Amalia has a shared sauna and Turkish bath. Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in buffet form.
Hotels in Kayseri:
- Radisson Blu Hotel, Kayseri – The hotel has an indoor swimming pool, a spa and wellness center, ski storage and a ski pass sales point.
- Divan City Kayseri – The hotel has a ski pass sales point, ski storage, a shared lounge and a spa and wellness center, and buffet breakfast.
- Buyuk Hotel – A rich breakfast buffet is served every morning. The a la carte restaurant serves local cuisine.
What to do and see around
When visiting this region for skiing, be sure to plan a visit to neighboring Cappadocia. To do this, it is even worth booking a hotel in the village of Gerime, or in the neighboring Uchisar.
Recommendation: Hotels in Cappadocia – with the best views of hot air balloons
Balloons in Cappadocia fly in any season – even in winter. But it all depends on the wind and precipitation – the weather should be calm and dry in the morning.
So, plan your hot air balloon flight and book your hotel on Booking-Cappadocia at the last minute to avoid disappointment.
Hotels in Cappadocia are something special! They are located in caves, but have all the necessary (and even more) amenities. Spend the night in the most luxurious cave hotel, which is literally carved in soft stone. Prices in winter are more than affordable. You can definitely afford it, because it’s worth every lira you spend.
In addition to flying, you need to visit the Martian and lunar valleys of Cappadocia. They are located around Gerimé – you can get here on foot or by driving up to the beginning of the hiking trails by car. Traveling through the fabulous chimneys, landscapes and cave houses of Goreme is a must-do in Cappadocia.
Also, don’t forget to visit the underground city of Kaymakli, where ancient Christians lived and hid in caves from raiders. A visit to Cappadocia is one of the most beautiful and vulnerable parts of the world that you should not miss on your trip.
Pros and cons of the Erciyes ski resort
Pros
- There can be a lot of snow here under the right weather conditions.
- Long skiing – about 100 km of trails at an altitude of over 1250 meters.
- Modern ski lifts and well-groomed ski slopes.
- Lots of cafes with delicious Turkish fast food with a very nice price.
- Nearby is one of the best tourist destinations in the world – Cappadocia.
- An affordable ski resort for undemanding skiers.
Cons
- Due to weather and wind conditions, snow on black roads can turn into ice. It’s very dangerous for beginners, and the pros won’t like it, especially those who came with their own boards and skis – it damages ski equipment.
- The quality of the rental equipment is very questionable – check how the fasteners are adjusted (for your weight, how the edges are sharpened. An inexpensive rental is not the most important thing for those who want to ride with pleasure and do not want to fall at speed while going down the slope.
- The off-piste terrain and snow quality are constantly dependent on the wind, which can be very powerful here.
- There is no public transportation to the resort – only taxis or a rented car.
- Treeless highlands with nowhere to hide in bad weather.
Getting to Erciyes resort
The nearest Kayseri Ercilet Airport (ASR) is located just 28 km north of the ski area and 5 km north of Kayseri city center. Kayseri Erkilet Airport is served by direct flights from Istanbul and Ankara. As well as aircraft of charter companies from European cities: Munich, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf (DUS) and others. Most international travelers will fly to Kayseri via the new Istanbul International Airport (IST) or Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW).
From the airport, the best way to get to the ski resort (and get around the fascinating region) is to rent a car. Check out the best deals from various Turkish or European car rental companies on the aggregator Rentalcars.com .
If you don’t plan to rent a car, write to the hotel of your choice to arrange a transfer from the airport to the hotel.
Alternatively, take the municipal bus from the airport to Kayseri and on to the resort of Erciyes.
Uludağ – Bursa
Uludag is a resort for beginners rather than professional skiers. Low mountains and gentle slopes are more of an addition to the entertainment program than a real ride. But it’s still worth trying Turkish all-inclusive in the mountains. Because it is an ideal opportunity to relax with your family and try skiing for the first time. And for those who are used to Turkish all-inclusive, you don’t have to switch to looking for food in the mountains on your own.
Season and snow level at the resort
The season lasts from December 20 to March 30. Under normal weather conditions, in the dead of winter, the snow cover here can reach 2-3 meters.
There are no snow cannons at the resort – there is enough snow. But as with any southern ski resort, Uludaz has a problem: it’s sometimes crowded, sometimes empty.
The season lasts from late December to early March.
Slopes and features of Uludaga ski areas
Uludag is a resort for a relaxing family vacation. Beginners will like the gentle slopes – they are not so scary to plow down. Professionals have nothing to do here – there are other resorts in Turkey for them, such as the slopes of the extinct Erciyes volcano in Kayseri.
There are 16 ski lifts on Uludaz: 9 chairlifts, 13 rope tows and 2 gondolas located at altitudes ranging from 1765 to 2543 meters.
Easy slopes, many runs directly to the hotels: 10 blue runs, 15 red runs of medium difficulty, and 3 black runs for the pros.
Ski passes
A single ski pass for all Uludag ski lifts in the 2022-2023 season costs: 1 day – 390 TRY($21), 3 days – 950 TRY ($51), 6 days –1300 TRY ($70). This ticket provides its holder with an unlimited number of lifts. Details and purchase of ski passes on the website uludag.axess.shop
Accommodation in the resort of Uludag
The peculiarity of a ski vacation at Uludag is a mix of skiing and Turkish all-inclusive. Almost all hotels include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a ski pass belonging to the hotel or hotel chain.
For those who want to live and ski at the resort for a week, they will enjoy a stay in such hotels. It is very convenient to go out and go skiing right away, without spending time getting to the resort.
Hotels in the resort of Uludag:
- Ağaoğlu My Mountain – is a very nice hotel with access to the ski slopes.
- Jura Hotels Kervansaray Uludag – serves a rich buffet throughout the day. There is also a lobby bar, a rooftop bar and a lounge with an open fireplace.
- Oksijen Zone Luxury Uludag – with a hammam, stylish rooms and a convenient location near the ski lifts.
- Monte Baia Uludag – the best hotel location in the heart of the ski resort, the price also includes meals and unlimited alcoholic beverages.
An alternative and cheaper option is hotels in Bursa, where you can go by car or by funicular every day. In Bursa, unlike hotels in Uludag, you can stay in a self-catering apartment hotel to prepare your own meals. Or in a standard bed and breakfast.
Hotels in Bursa:
- Mövenpick Hotel & Thermal Spa Bursa – hotel with its own spa center
- Bursa Park Apart Hotel – very comfortable modern self-catering apartments
- Almira Hotel Thermal Spa & Convention Center – a five-star hotel with a thermal pool and spa center
- B LOFT HOTEL – very cozy boutique hotel in the center of Bursa
What to do in the resort of Uludag:
If the snow misses Uludag for weather reasons, it’s not a problem. There is always an opportunity to entertain yourself – the resort’s good location increases its popularity among visiting tourists and locals.
Bursa
It is even easier to go down from Uludag to ancient Bursa, the former capital of the Ottoman Empire. Shopping here is no worse than in Istanbul, and sometimes even cheaper. It is a great opportunity to wander the streets of historic Bursa and see the only twenty-domed mosque in Turkey, Ulu Cami, in the old shopping district of the city near the Covered Market and the Silkworm Market. To see the Green Mosque Yeşil Cami and the Green Mausoleum of Sultan Mehmed I in the city of Orhan Gazi, and the Muradiye tombs with the burials of Ottoman sultans.
You can get to Bursa by land or go down to the city by cable car. Prices for the funicular are on the website bursateleferik.com.tr.
There are many bars, cafes, and restaurants in Uludag. The nightlife here doesn’t stop until the early hours of the morning, with young people having fun at discos and bars. For the elderly, slow walks in the woods or wellness treatments at the healing thermal springs in Bursa are suitable. Surrounded by a botanical garden, the sanatorium complexes with Turkish baths, an outdoor pool and 38-degree water are open all year round.
Yalova Thermal
Yalova Thermal hot springs with water temperatures reaching 57-60 degrees are located 80 km from Bursa. The thermal baths are located in a stunning location, among mountains, beautiful landscapes and dense Mediterranean vegetation, and are as good as alpine thermal springs.
Just 140 km away is Istanbul – an unforgettable multifaceted anthill, a real city of contrasts, where absolutely everyone who loves Turkey and the East should visit. Here you can visit museums and mosques, take a boat trip on the Bosphorus, go shopping, ride an old tram along Istiklal Street, and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the eastern metropolis.
Pros and cons of the Uludag resort
Pros:
- A good place for a family vacation – children will be well cared for and will not get bored without entertainment.
- Very beautiful slopes covered with coniferous forests.
- Due to the low mountains, strong winds are not common here.
- Beginners can easily take up skiing here under the supervision of experienced instructors.
- A large selection of hotels with different catering systems.
- The surrounding area is interesting – there is a lot to see and do besides skiing.
Cons:
- Due to global warming, there hasn’t been much snow in recent years.
- You need to look for an alternative vacation if there is not enough snow.
Getting to Uludag
The closest airports are located in Istanbul – Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport.
Buses run from Istanbul to Bursa. You can find a convenient flight on the website Busbud.com.
Renting a car will be convenient if you plan to see interesting places around Bursa and Uludag. Convenient search on the search engine Rentalcars.com.
Palandöken – Erzurum
A completely different resort in terms of altitude and leisure organization is located in the east of Turkey – 5 km from the ancient city of Erzurum. Palandoken is the official training base for the Turkish national alpine ski team. And this ski resort differs from Uludag in the difficulty and variety of trails.
The relatively young and new Palandoken, with half as many lifts as Uludag, will be interesting not only for beginners but also for those who are confident skiers due to the climatic conditions, variety of terrain and high altitude.
Season and snow level at the resort
The ski season here lasts 150-180 days a year. The most favorable period for vacation is from mid-December to mid-May. That is when in the Alps snow is already starting to melt in the Alps, Palandoken has a lot of it and it is of excellent quality.
However, it’s a good idea to check the snow conditions in advance in January. Sometimes it is windy and just blows it off some slopes. However, in normal snowy weather, snow cannons are always on standby to avoid exposed areas – on the slopes and along the lower lines of the lifts.
Accommodation in the resort of Palandoken
Some hotels here also offer all-inclusive, including ski-passes. It is especially convenient to live in those above 2,400 meters – almost all lifts will be included in the subscription. But you can book a regular city hotel in Erzurum and buy ski passes separately.
- Hotel Dedeman Palandoken Ski Lodge – is a cottage hotel located high in the mountains near the ski slopes of Palandoken.
- The Erzurum Hotel – The hotel is located in Erzurum, but not far from the ski area.
- Sway Hotels – is a modern hotel near the slopes of Palandoken, with its pool and spa.
Ski passes
A lift ticket costs less than 6 euros per day, which is an incredibly favorable price for such skiing conditions. There are passes from a few hours of skiing to all-season ski-passes http://www.granderzurum.com/en/ski-pass.html).
Pistes and features of Palandoken ski areas
Palandoken is one of the largest Turkish resorts with more than 30 km of ski slopes. The ski area at the resort is located at an altitude of 2150 – 3100 meters.
A variety of trails for beginners and advanced skiers: In addition to the gondola lift, which allows skiers to reach the top of 9 blue, 6 red and 13 black pistes. With an altitude difference of 1000 meters between the start and finish, Palandoken has two registered slalom and big slalom tracks (Eider Track and Kapikaya Track). For those who like powder, there is an opportunity for off-piste skiing.
In addition to two gondola lifts that allow skiers to reach the top, there are five chair lifts, one T-bar lift, and two baby lifts. There is also a system of snow flakes that add snow in warm weather. And night lighting helps skiers to ski in the evening.
If that’s not enough for you, head to the neighboring Konakli slope, where there are one red, two blue, and 5 additional black runs.
What to do in the resort of Palandoken
Entertainment and après-ski in Palandoken is not as diverse as in Uludag. There are a couple of discos, sports and spa centers at hotels, and that’s about it. But instead of spending every evening in a hotel, it’s better to see Erzurum and interesting places around this city.
Erzurum
It is an ancient city that is more than 1,500 years old. You need to see it up close, wandering the streets, and not just glance out of the bus window on the way from the airport to the hotel.
Hotels offer excursions, which are generally unnecessary. But taxi drivers will be happy to take you anywhere and at a low cost. There, you can plunge into ancient Erzurum on your own, which contrasts with the oriental way of life and snow-covered minarets, creating a completely unexpected impression of an oriental winter fairy tale.
There is a very picturesque Tortum Waterfall 87 km from Erzurum, where water falls from a height of almost 50 meters. Stone stairs lead to the waterfall, which is illuminated by lanterns with yellow lamp light in the evening. The waterfall was formed due to an earthquake, and at the same time a huge lake with blue clear water appeared. There are gazebos for relaxation near the lake, and you can go rafting on the lake.
See the ancient Çobandede (tour . Çobandede Köprüsü) – a historic bridge in the province of Erzurum, which is located at 39°58′13″N 41°53′18″E on the road from Erzurum to Mush. The arched bridge was built in the 13th century by Armenians, when this territory of Turkey belonged to the Armenian kingdom. The bridge is very beautiful: three types of colored stone were used for its construction – black, red and gray. The total length of the bridge is 130 meters and has 7 arches under which the Aras River flows.
Getting to Palandoken Resort
Pegasus and Turkish Airlines operate daily flights from Ankara and Istanbul to Erzurum Airport. The ski resort is 5 km from the city center and 10 minutes from the airport. During the winter season, public buses run from the ski resort to the city center.
Pros and cons of the Palandoken resort
Pros:
- Long slopes with lots of snow in season.
- It has the coldest winters in Turkey, so there is always enough snow, and the ski season lasts until mid-May.
- If you get bored skiing on the slopes of Palandaken, or if there are long lines at the ski lift, you can always move to the neighboring resort of Konakli, where there are not so many people.
- Inexpensive ski passes.
Cons:
- Small selection of hotels in the ski area
Useful articles and links:
- Pamukkale, Turkey – what to do in two days
- Slovenia in winter – mountains, lakes, caves and ski resorts
Booking of hotels and apartments – Booking.com
