Turkey Winter Sports

Ağrı - Bubi Mountain

This ski resort is on the mountain of Bubi, in Eastern Anatolia, 18km south-west of the centre of Agri. Arrival: There are flights from Ankara and Istanbul, and transport from Agri to the resort is only by private vehicles. Geography: The ski season runs between December to April. The area has a terrestrial climate, and the resort is covered with alpine meadows, which is covered with 1-2m of snow in the winter. Facilities: There is a ski lodge belonging to the Agri City Directorate, and a café. There is a T-bar and chair-lift.

Ankara-Elmadağ

The Elmadag Ski Resort, which is on the northern slopes of Elmadag mountain range, is a few kilometres south-east of the centre of Ankara, which has made it more popular. Arrival: It is just 18km from the city, and close to the airport, there are many private vehicles going to the resort. Geography: The resort is on the northern slopes of Elmadag between the altitudes of 1500-1850m. The area is treeless and covered with alpine meadows. The season runs between January and March, with a terrestrial climate, and snow thickness between 30-60cm.  Facilities: There are government-owned ski lodges, plus two restaurants, an indoor swimming pool, sauna, disco and restaurants. The T-bar has a 548m route, and the ski run is at an easy/medium level.

Antalya-Saklıkent

Saklikent is 50km west of the centre of Antalya, in the Beydag mountain range, with an altitude of 2550m. Because of its close proximity to Antalya, it is one of the few places in the world that people can ski in the mornings, then swim in the sea in the afternoon. Arrival: The resort can be reached from the centre of Antalya by bus, taxi or a hotel service vehicle in one hour. Geography: The altitude for the skiing areas is between 2000-2400m, with a snow depth between 0.5-1m and a short season. Facilities: There is a pension with 14 beds, a restaurant, café and local coffee-houses. There are two T-bars, and two ski runs at easy/moderate level.

Bingöl-Yolaçtı

The resort is 25km outside the city centre of Bingol, in Central Eastern Anatolia. Arrival: Bingol is well connected to all areas of the country by bus. The nearest airport is at Mus, around 80km east. Private vehicles go from the city centre to the resort. Geography: The city has a terrestrial climate, and the skiing season runs between December and March. Facilities: The ski lodge has a 50-bed capacity, and Bingol city centre is generally used for medical and other services. The ski run is 1km, with routes for beginners and advanced skiers. There is a T-bar with a lower station at 1650m, and the upper one at 1890m, with an average gradient of 25%.

Bolu-Kartalkaya

The Kartalkaya Skiing Resort is in the Western Black Sea Region, southeast of Bolu, in the Koroglu mountains. The mountain has appropriate conditions for Alpine and cross-country skiing. Arrival: The distance from Bolu city centre is 54km, and 28m to the Ankara highway. It takes around 45 minutes by road from the city centre and in addition to public buses and minibuses, most of the hotels organise this service for visitors. Geography: The ski area is at an altitude of 1850-2200m, and the region has semi-temperate climate. Kartalkaya and surroundings are covered with forests, and has a dominant wind direction of west/north-west. The best season for skiing is from late December and late March, with an average 3m snowfall. The snow at the beginning of the season is powdery, getting increasingly slushy towards the end. Facilities: There are two hotels with a total bed capacity of 1005, plus restaurants, swimming pools, discos and bars. Ski equipment and instruction is available. There are two chair-lifts, six T-bars and three baby lifts, with 12 ski runs around 20km long. * Yesil (green) Lift (Chairlift - 700 m) * Camcukuru Lift (Chairlift - 650 m) * Inekcayiri 1-2 (Ski-Lift - 900 m) * Resuldede 1-2 (Ski-Lift - 600 m) * Kazankaya (Ski-Lift - 650 m) * Koroglu Lift (Ski-Lift - 1200 m) * 2 Baby-Lift Plan : Elazığ - Sivrice - Hazarbaba Located in the Hazarbaba Mountains in the Elazig district, this resort was only opened in 1999 and is still being improved. Arrival: Elazig is on the western side of the Eastern Anatolian region, and is well connected by road to all over the country. There are daily flights from Ankara, and three trains a week from Istanbul. The Hazarbaba Ski Centre is 25km south of Elazig, and 6km from Sivrice, and there are private vehicles to the centre. Geography: Hazarbaba Mountain has an altitude of 2347m with an average snow depth of between 100 – 200cm. The season runs between December and March, and has a terrestrial climate. Facilities: The resort has a ski lodge and a cafe. Ski equipment is available for hire, and there are plans to construct accommodation facilities. The T-bar was recently upgraded, and the ski run improved to cater for all levels of experience.Mechanical facilities and running tracks: The older T bar facility was upgraded to 1700 meters in 2000 and the track was improved in order to provide a better skiing environment for beginner and advanced skiers.

Erzincan - Bolkar Around 40km from Erzincan in North Eastern Anatolia, the Bolkar Ski Resort is in the Bolkar Mountains. Arrival: From the centre of Erzincan, there are many private and public vehicles to the ski centre. The nearest airport is in Erzurum, around 150km east. Geography: The season runs between December and April, and the snow is at a depth of up to 1m. Facilities: The centre has a ski lodge, T-bar and baby-lift. The ski run is around 1.1km long and 200m wide, with a gradient of 20% and is a medium/hard level.

Bursa - Uludağ

Uludag, 36km south of Bursa, is one of the country’s favourite winter sports centres and as well as skiing, its richness of flora and fauna has made it into a National Park and summer activities like trekking and camping are also popular. Uludag was previously known as Olympos Misios in ancient times, and is known in mythology as the place where the gods watched the Trojan war. Plans have been confirmed for a development project, which will offer a huge increase in accommodation and skiing facilities. Its geographical conditions mean that Uludag Ski Resort can also offer heli-skiing, snow boarding, ice-skating and snow biking. Arrival: Uludag National Park can be reached both by highway and cable car. The Ski resort is 40 minutes away from Bursa by road and 60 minutes from the airport. Travelling by private vehicle, the Cekirge road is the easiest. Drivers must keep wheel chains, wedges and heavy ropes during winter, which are available for hire or sale along the roadside. There are also minibuses going to the top of Uludag which leave every hour during the winter, and takes around 90 minutes from Bursa. There are four sections of the cable-car route to reach Uludag, two between Bursa and Kadi plateau (1235m) and two between Kadi and Sari Alan (1621m). Each line has a cabin that can fit 30 people, although it is prohibited to carry ski equipment, and depart the district of Teleferik every 20 minutes. The journey, which stops at Kadi and then changes car, takes around 25 minutes. From the Sari Alan, there is a minibus service travelling the last 7km to the hotel area. In the summer season, there is a chairlift from Sari Alan to Coban Kaya (1750m) Geography: Uludag is the highest mountain in Western Anatolia, with its peak at Kara Tepe (2543m). It is covered in forests, and the region has a partially temperate climate with a dominant wind direction of south-west/south. The altitude of the skiing area is between 1750 – 2543m, and the best season is from late December to late March. The snow at the beginning of the season is powdery, getting increasingly slushy towards the end. Facilities: There are 27 hotels, 15 of which are privately owned, with a total of over 3000 beds. The area also has shopping halls, restaurants, cafes and bars, entertainment and health centres. Ski equipment, rental and instructors are all available here. There are eight chair-lifts, seven T-bars and 13 different ski runs. Plan : Erzincan - Bolkar Around 40km from Erzincan in North Eastern Anatolia, the Bolkar Ski Resort is in the Bolkar Mountains. Arrival: From the centre of Erzincan, there are many private and public vehicles to the ski centre. The nearest airport is in Erzurum, around 150km east. Geography: The season runs between December and April, and the snow is at a depth of up to 1m. Facilities: The centre has a ski lodge, T-bar and baby-lift. The ski run is around 1.1km long and 200m wide, with a gradient of 20% and is a medium/hard level.

Erzurum - Palandöken

Palandoken mountain has an altitude of 3185 m, and is south of Erzurum. This was the area of the first extensive study in the country looking at a master plan for tourism potential, which concluded that the area has the necessary potential and qualities to be a major international resort. Given the right facilities, it is estimated that 32,000 people could ski per day and could be the venue of international competitions and even Winter Olympics, giving job opportunities to around 6000 people. Arrival: There are daily flights from Ankara and Istanbul to Erzurum. The ski resort is 5km from the city centre, and 10 minutes from the airport. During the winter season, there are public buses from the ski resort to the city centre. Geography: Erzurum is one of the highest and coldest cities of Turkey, with a harsh terrestrial climate and covered with snow 150 days of a year, and an average annual snowfall of 2-3m. The dominant wind direction is southerly and westerly. The skiing area is at an altitude of 2200m – 3176m, and best time to ski is between 10 December - 10 May.Facilities: There are 4- and 5-star hotels with restaurants, and ski instruction and equipment rental services are available. The slopes here are among the longest and steepest in the world, each one up to 12km, giving a total length of around 28 km. With the altitude difference of 1000 metres between the start and finish line, Palandoken has two registered tracks for competitions of Slalom and grand Slalom. (Ejder Track and Kapikaya Track). There are five chair-lifts, one T-bar, two baby lifts and a gondola lift.

Gümüşhane - Zigana The Zigana Ski Centre is in the Black Sea Region, 40km north of Gumushane. Arrival: Zigana is 60km south of Trabzon, the closest airport, and just 500m from the main road leading north of Gumushane. There is public and private transport from the ski centre to the city. Geography: Covered mainly with forest, the ski runs are between altitudes of 1900-2500m, and covered with grass for most of the year. The season is between December and April, and there is an average snow depth of 1.5m. Facilities: The ski centre has a lodge, a T-bar and baby-lift. The ski run is around 200m wide, with an average gradient of 20%.

Davraz Mountain with its 2635 m height is one of the mountain masses surrounding Isparta Prairie that is in the region of lakes in Mediterranean Region and rises between Eğirdir and Kovada lakes. Davraz Mountain-Karlıyayla Winter Sports Tourism Center is in 26 km southestearn part of the center of city Isparta. It was  announced as a tourism center on 17.02.1995. It is 8 km far away from Cobanisa village which is the closest settlement. The skiing center is on the northern side of Davraz Mountain in Kulovası plateau. The most important stream in the field of skiing center is Ardıcdibi stream. Dominant vegetation consists of mountain pine, juniper, cedar and welwitschia. Davraz Skiing Center has a special advantage by being close to Antalya and having a location suitable for development. Davraz’s geographical conditions provides opportunity for other natural sports besides skiing.
Transport
Davraz Mountain-Karlıyayla Winter Sports Tourism Center appeals to every skiers from each level with its suitable geographical condition and is one of the most popular sports centers in Turkey that develops very rapidly in recent years. With its wonderful roads and accessibility, it began drawing attention in not only Turkey but also Europe, Russia, Ukraine, and middle east countries. Transport that is never hindered in winter, is supplied through asphalt-paved road. It is far from;Isparta city center       : 26 km Isparta airport            : 50 kmEğrdir city center        : 23 kmAntalya airport           : 25 kmAntalya city center      :140 km
Mechanical Facilities
In the skiing center, there are 2 chairlifts which are with 1000 people capacity per hour and 1211 m long and wih 800 people capacity per hour and 936 m long, there is 1 teleski (T-bar) which is with 800 people capacity per hour and 624 m long, and there are 2 babylifts 300 m long. First chairlift with 1211 m long is with a chair for two people and starts in 1674 m and ends in 1961m. Second chairlift with 936 m long is with a chair for two people and starts in 1961 m and ends in 2150 m. With 624 m long T-Bar which is the third mechanical facility in the skiing center, people can climb up by skiing from 1961m to 2150 m. Mechanical facilities are kept by the Union of Operation and Substurcture Services of Davraz Mountain-Karlıyayla Winter Sports Tourism Center.

Racetracks
People can ski in the wonderful panorama of Eğirdir Lake in the skiing center. In Davraz Skiing Center, there are nonhazardous routes with the softness of natural configuration and wonderful quality of snow for the beginner skiers; and for the professionel skiers there are 8 to 10 km long unique tracks in which they can ski as they wish. Altitude of the skiing racetracks changes from 1650 to 2150 m that can be reached by current mechanical facilities. Moreover, the fact that there is no possibility of avalanche or getting lost is a great advantage for the skiers Davraz’s racetracks provide the opportunities of cross-country, down hill, touring ski and snowboard to all the skiers whether professional or amateur.

İzmir-Ödemiş-Davraz

Bozdag Ski Resort is near Odemis, 110km southeast of Izmir. . . Arrival: Izmir is easily accessible by road or by air. The ski resort can be reached directly from the city centre with public or private vehicles. Geography: The skiing season runs between December to March, and there is a snow depth of around 100cm. The ski areas are at an altitude of between 1700 – 2157m and the northern slopes are suitable for alpine discipline. Facilities: Accommodation facilities are under construction.

Kastamonu - Ilgaz

The Ilgaz mountains are in the Black Sea region, in the city borders of Kastamonu and Cankiri, and have an altitude of 2850 meters. Beside winter sports, this National Park is a popular and beautiful spot all year round. Arrival: The Ilgaz ski resort lies 40km from Kastamonu and 73km from Cankiri, and 203km northeast from its nearest airport, Ankara. Tour buses and private vehicles make the journey from the centre of Kastamonu. Geography: The region has a terrestrial climate, and the dominant wind direction is north-northwest. The skiing season runs between December and April. The snow is between 1-2km deep, and the ski runs are between 1800-2000m altitude.  Facilities: There are five government guest-houses and two hotels at the resort, with another hotel 3km away. There are facilities for medical care, plus ski instructors and equipment for hire. In 2001, a 5-star hotel with 320 bed capacity, and 88 hotel apartments opened in nearby Bostan. There is a double-seated chair-lift and T-bar, and a baby-lift at the private hotel 3km away.

Kars - Sarıkamış

In the Eastern Anatolia Region and 55km south-west of Kars, the Sarikamis Ski Resort is on the Camurlu mountain at an altitude of 2634m, and is renowned for its good quality of snow. The Cibiltepe, with an altitude of 2500m, is an area of wonderful natural beauty and has five ski runs, the longest of which is 12 km long. It is covered with crystallised snow and therefore is very challenging. Arrival: Sarikamis Ski Resort is 60km south-west of the centre of Kars, and 50km from the airport. It is also accessible from Erzurum airport, south-west. There are direct buses to the ski resort from Kars airport (40 mins) and Erzurum airport (90 mins). From the centre of Kars, there are no public vehicles. Geography: The skiing area is between the altitudes of 2100 -2634m, within the pine forests. There is an average depth of 1.5m and is quite typical of Alpine conditions, and the best ski season is between 20 December - 20 March. It has a terrestrial climate, with a dominant south-westerly wind direction. Facilities: There are two government guest-houses, and other private accommodation. Ski instructors and equipment is available for rent, and there is first aid, security and health services available, more hotels and hospital in the Sarikamis area. There is a military zone which can be used for helicopter landings. There are two chairlifts and one T-bar, plus two 4-seater T-bars.

Kayseri - Erciyes Erciyes Dagi (3916 m.), the highest peak in Central Anatolia, rises 25km south of Kayseri. The peak of the mountain, an extinct volcano, is covered with snow throughout the year, and there is a 1km-long glacier in the northern region of the mountain. The ski resort is at the Tekir Plateau, on the northern slopes of the mountain and in addition to skiing, Erciyes is one of the most important mountains of the country for mountaineering. Arrival: Erciyes is 40 minutes by road from Kayseri airport, and 30 minutes from the city centre. Most hotels organise transport to the ski area for their visitors. Geography: The skiing areas on the eastern and northern slopes of the Erciyes Mountain are between the altitudes of 2200 -3100m. The best season for skiing is between late November and late April, with an average depth of approximately 2m of very powdery snow. The region has a terrestrial climate and the dominant wind direction is southerly and westerly. Facilities: There are four government guest-houses and a private hotel, plus restaurants, bars, swimming pool, large café and medical facilities. Ski instructors and equipment rental are available. There is one chair-lift and two T-bars.