Türkiye is better known for beaches than snow, but its mountains host a growing number of ski resorts, several within easy reach of an airport. Here is an overview of the main options as the 2026-2027 winter approaches.
Eastern Anatolia: high altitude and long seasons
Palandöken, just outside Erzurum, is one of the country's largest resorts and a favourite of experienced skiers. Its slopes run from roughly 2,200 to 3,176 metres, with about 28 km of runs, the longest 12 km, and the season typically lasts from late October to early May, according to Turkish Airlines' travel blog. Erzurum Airport is about 30 minutes away. The Go Türkiye tourism portal highlights its steep pistes and deep, light powder.
Further east, Sarıkamış, about 55 km from Kars, has nine slopes for all levels, with runs between 2,200 and 2,900 metres. Kars Airport is around 50 minutes away. Skiers can combine a stay with the Touristic Eastern Express train, which arrives in Kars from Ankara.
Central Türkiye: Erciyes
Mount Erciyes, an extinct volcano about 25 km south of Kayseri, offers 41 slopes reaching up to about 3,400 metres, with artificial snow used to support the season. Kayseri Airport is around 30 minutes away, and Cappadocia is close enough for a combined trip.
Near Istanbul and Ankara
Uludağ, above Bursa, is Türkiye's oldest and most popular ski resort, with about 25 km of slopes between roughly 1,750 and 2,435 metres and a season usually running from December to mid-April. A cable car links Bursa with the hotel zone and slopes. Kartalkaya in the Köroğlu Mountains of Bolu, between Istanbul and Ankara, is popular with snowboarders and offers off-piste terrain for experts, while Kartepe near Izmit, about 15 km from the city centre, is the closest resort to Istanbul, with runs open from December to March.
Other options
Smaller resorts include Davraz near Isparta, which has 23.5 km of runs and a December to April season, and Ilgaz in Kastamonu's Ilgaz National Park. In the Aegean hinterland, Bozdağ in Denizli's Tavas district offers around 12 km of slopes for about three and a half months a year.
Planning tips
Opening dates depend on snowfall, so check with resorts before booking, especially early in the season. Many hotels sell packages including lift passes and equipment rental. Eastern resorts offer the most reliable snow, while those near Istanbul suit short breaks.
Sources
- Winter is wonderful at ski resorts in Türkiye – Turkish Airlines Blog
- Türkiye: A winter wonderland – Go Türkiye
Photo: Hmyr2021 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
