Anyone who enjoys skiing or snowboarding but does not appreciate long lines at the lifts and expensive passes will find Palandöken mountain the perfect place for a winter vacation.

Although UludaÄŸ, located near the northwestern city of Bursa, might be the most crowded ski resort in Turkey, Palandöken, just outside the northeastern city of Erzurum, provides a beautiful and economic alternative, according to visitors.

One can buy a single pass on one of Turkey’s longest slopes for 5 Turkish liras and a day pass on the mountain for 20 liras, and the quality ranks among the best in Turkey. Many have particularly chosen to come to the resort during the past two weeks while schools in Turkey have been closed due to the semester break.

Tülay, a skier from Istanbul visiting Palandöken for the first time with her daughter and son, said the mountain is very beautiful, the track is long, the hotels are good, and the weather has been great. Describing why she opted to come to Erzurum, she said “UludaÄŸ is very expensive and crowded, and the quality [at Palandöken] is better.”

While taking a break from the slopes at a small cafe at the base of the mountain, Eda Kurt and Taç Oktem said they bring their families skiing once a year during each school semester break. “We like [Palandöken] a lot,” Kurt said. “We think it’s the best because it has long and straight areas. Also, the teachers and people working here are very friendly.” Kurt and Oktem mentioned they enrolled their children at the ski school and would recommend the school and teachers to others.

When compared to Sarıkamış, a mountain and ski area near the northeastern city of Kars, however, Kurt and Taç agreed the snow was better there during previous visits, adding that they found the conditions at Palandöken icy during their stay.

Ejder Budak, a ski and snowboard instructor at Palandöken for 25 years, said the quality of the mountain has improved greatly during his career, especially as it has aquired better mechanical facilities and the latest standards for lifts and equipment. He said maintainance of the slopes has improved in recent years as workers have learned how to attract “more professional athletes parallel with winter tourism.”

The season at Palandöken lasts from Dec. 15 to April 1, according to Budak, who added that roughly 3,000 people visit the mountain each week. This number grows to about 4,000 a day, however, during the school break. He also said, in addition to skiers and snowboarders from Turkey, Palandöken attracts many visitors from Russia and Ukraine and locals frequently enjoy the mountain on weekends.

While approaching their car after a long day on the slopes, Fatih Güven, Ahmet Güven, Hakan Salmaz and Ömer Alemdar, four Erzurum residents, told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review they go skiing roughly 10 times a season. They said most people in Turkey go to UludaÄŸ for skiing, but recently the popularity of Palandöken has been growing. More famous people have been coming and adding to its reputation, they said, including famous singers and the president’s son.

Places to stay at Palandöken include a number of four- and three-star hotels. Dedeman Palandöken, a four-star hotel located half-way up the mountain, allows guests to simply walk outside, put on the gear and ski or snowboard down to the bottom of the mountain. Dedeman Ski Lodge, PalanOtel and Renaissance Polat Erzurum Hotel are other quality resort hotels located at the base.

Palandöken is also expected to grow. Erzurum is preparing to host the Universiade 2011, an international multi-sport event organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation.

Hüseyin Kara, who works at a cafe at Palandöken, said he hopes the event will bring more development to Erzurum. “There are not as many people this year, perhaps because of the economy, but people here really enjoy it,” he said.

“I hope next year will bring high quality customers, quality for working here and international customers. New complexes and hotels are being built; maybe three new hotels. My real hope is that, after two or three years, this place can be as popular as Davos!”