Winter Tourism, Turkey

POPULER WINTER TOURISM CENTERS IN TURKEY 

Erciyes - Kayseri Winter Tourism Center
Palandoken - Erzurum Winter Tourism Center

Sarikamis - Kars Winter Tourism Center

Uludag - Bursa Winter Tourism Center

Ilgaz-Kastamonu/Cankiri Winter Tourism Center

Davraz-Isparta Winter Tourism Center

Kartalkaya-Bolu, Koroglu Winter Tourism Center

Hasandagi Winter Tourism Center - Aksaray

Zigana Winter Tourism Center - Gumushane

Akdag Winter Tourism Center -Antalya, Alanya

Kop Dagi Winter Tourism Center - Bayburt

Ladik-Akdag Winter Tourism Center - Samsun

Kadincayiri- lgaz Winter Tourism Center - Cankiri

Cakirgol Winter Tourism Center - Gumushane

Kartepe Winter Tourism Center - Kocaeli

Erciyes, Palandoken, Sarikamis, Akdag and Uludag are very honourable winter sports places in Turkey.

AN INVITATION TO MOUNTAIN AND SKI LOVERS...

Turkey's geographical position and conditions create great potential for skiing.

With an average altitude of 1000 in, the Anatolian peninsula is covered with North Anatolian Mountains (2587-3932 m) in the North and Toros Mountains (3086-4136 in) in the South. The Central and East Anatolian high plateaus are enchanted by extinct volcanic mountains such as Mt. Erciyes (3917 in) and Mt. Agri (5137 in).

During the normal winter conditions the height of the snow reaches approximately 3 meters, and, covered with forests, the natural beauty of the mountainous areas is stunning.

ULUDAG SKI CENTER

Uludag is located in the South Marmara Region in Uludag National Park. It is 36 km from Bursa, and 150 km from Istanbul. The ski center is a 40 minute drive from Bursa or a 60 minute drive from the airport.

The skiing area of Uludag is 1750 2543 m high and covered with forests. The duration of skiing is 120 days a year. The most suitable skiing conditions are between 20 December and 20 March. The average snow fall is 3 m in winter. At the beginning of the season the type of snow is "powdery snow" and at the end of the season the snow characteristic is slightly "slushy."

This center has suitable conditions for Alpine skiing, ski touring, cross country and heli-skiing. Uludag Ski Center is equipped with I cablecar, 5 chairlifts and 7 T bars. Qualified skiing instructors and equipment for hire are available. The center has first aid facilities and a rural clinic. Accommodations can be booked directly. Note: In foggy conditions it is essential especially for amateur skiers not to wander outside the marked slopes and areas.

KARTALKAYA SKI CENTER

Located in the Western Black Sea Region., southeast of pine forests the town Bolu in the picturesque pine forests of the Koroglu Mountains.

The Ankara Highway is a 45 minute drive from this center which is about 220 km from the airport in Ankara, and about 275 km from the airport in Istanbul.

The duration of the skiing season is 120 days a year. The skiing area of Kartalkaya is 1800-2221 m high and the most suitable skiing conditions are between 20 December and 20 March. The average snow fall is 3 m in normal winter conditions. At the beginning of the season the type of snow is "powdery-snow" and at the end of the season the snow characteristic is slightly "slushy snow."

This center has suitable conditions for Alpine skiing, ski touring, and cross country skiing and it is equipped with 3 chairlifts and 7 town bars. Qualified skiing instructors and equipment for hire are available. The sloples and mechanical equipment are under surveillance of experts. All hotels have first aid facilities and medically trained personnel. Accomodations can be booked directly. Note: In foggy conditions it is essential not to wander outside the marked slopes.

The skiing area of Uludag is 1750 2543 m high and covered with forests. The duration of skiing is 120 days a year. The most suitable skiing conditions are between 20 December and 20 March. The average snow fall is 3 m in winter. At the beginning of the season the type of snow is "powdery snow" and at the end of the season the snow characteristic is slightly "slushy."

ERCIYES SKI CENTER

Erciyes Ski Center is located on the extinct volcanic mountain of Erciyes, which is east of Cappadocia and south of the town of Kayseri. The distance from the center to Kayseri is 25 km and takes 30 minutes by car. The nearest airport is a 45 minute drive away.

The duration of the skiing season is 150 days a year. The altitude in the skiing area of Erciyes is 2200 -3100 m and the most suitable skiing conditions are between 20 November and 20 April. The average snow fall is 2 m in normal winter conditions. The type of snow is generally "powdery. "

This center has suitable conditions for summer skiing, ski touring and heli- skiing and is equipped with 2 chairlifts and 2 T bars. skiing instructors and equipment for hire are available. The center has first aid facilities and a rural clinic.

The slopes and mechanical equipment are under surveillance of experts throughout the season. Accommodations can be booked directly. Note: In foggy conditions it is essential especially for amateur skiers not to wander outside the marked slopes.

PALANDOKEN SKI CENTER

Located on the northern slopes of the Palandoken Mountain in the Eastern Anatolia Region, southwest of the town of Erzurum. The distance between the center and Erzurum is 5 km and takes 10 minutes by car. The nearest airport is 20 minutes away.

The duration of the skiing season is 150 days a year. The altitude in the skiing area of Palandoken is 2200-3176 m and the most suitable skiing conditions are between 10 December and 10 May The average snow fall is 2- 3 m in normal winter conditions. Due to the climate, the quality of the snow is "powdery" all through the season.

Palandoken Ski Center is equipped with 3 chairlifts, 1T bar and a telecabin (3 km). Qualified skiing instructors and equipment for hire are available. The center has first aid facilities and a rural clinic. The slopes and mechanical equipment are under surveillance of experts. Accommodations can be booked directly. Note: In foggy conditions it is essential not to wander outside the marked slopes.

SARIKAMIS SKI CENTER

Sarikamis ski center is located near Sarikamis, 60 km from Kars In Eastern Turkey. The nearest airport is 50 km away.

The duration of the skiing season is 120 days a year. The altitude in the skiing area of Sarikamis is 2200-2634 m and covered by pine forest. The most suitable skiing conditions are between 20 December and 20 March. The average snow fall is 1.5 m in normal winter conditions.

Sarikarmis and the surrounding area have suitable conditions for Alpine skiing, ski touring and cross country skiing. This center is equipped with 2 chairlifts and 1 T bar. Qualified skiing instructors and equipment for hire are available. The center has first aid facilities and medical facilities. The slopes and mechanical equipment are under surveillance of experts. Accommodations can be booked directly.

Sarikarmis Ski Center is being developed rapidly. Four hotels with a total bed capacity of 1040 are under construction and are expected to open in 1999.