The Ski Season Has Started: Turkey's Best Ski Centres

The countdown has started for the snowy days of winter, ski and snowboard enthusiasts' favorite season. Although the snow has just started to fall on the cities, the ski centres have already started the season. Those who love snow holidays, those who are eagerly waiting for the summits to be covered in white, and who want to enjoy the most enjoyable times of the season with winter sports should pack their bags: now our route is the best ski centres in Turkey!

With family, friends, or alone... We made a list of the best ski destinations in Turkey in our article. You must visit them to experience an unforgettable snow holiday, and which are also suitable for winter athletes of all levels with their wonderful tracks.

Kartepe Ski Centre, Kocaeli

Kartepe Ski Centre is one of the most popular destinations for winter holiday lovers because of its close distance to Istanbul and central location. This ski centre offers 17 skiing and snowboarding tracks suitable for all levels. You can also rent equipment and take a course if it is your first time. Even if you are not interested in winter sports, you can have fun in the snow like children or sip your hot chocolate while watching the magnificent view and the people skiing.

You can have a day trip to Kartepe, which is about 80 kilometres away from Istanbul and it takes approximately one and a half hours by car, or you can turn your ski trip into a pleasant weekend holiday by staying in Richmond Nua, which is very close to the ski centre. After an adventurous and exhausting day of skiing, you can spend a peaceful evening with the unique view of Sapanca Lake, and after a relaxing massage in the wellness and spa centre the next day, you can rest your mind and body in the steam rooms, sauna and thermal water pools.

Uludağ Ski Centre, Bursa

When it comes to winter sports in Turkey, Uludağ Ski Centre is one of the first places that comes to mind. You can find many hotels where you can both stay and rent equipment and use the chairlifts to reach the slopes in Uludağ, which is one of the most popular ski centres because it is very close to Istanbul and is so easy to travel like Kartepe. In addition, many ski schools in Regions 1 and 2 offer private lessons for those who are learning to ski for the first time.

Offering various activities for those who prefer to have fun instead of having a calm night, the Uludağ Ski Centre also offers the opportunity to explore alternative restaurants and nightlife in the city centre as it is very close to Bursa. Don't forget to visit the famous Turkish baths, eat Iskender, and buy candied chestnuts for your loved ones while you're in Bursa.

Kartalkaya Ski Centre, Bolu

Kartalkaya Ski Centre is located on the summit of the Körolu Mountains, east of Bolu and it is known for its lush green nature. With its luxury accommodations, elegant restaurants, and extensive ski tracks, it is one of the most popular winter vacation destinations. There are 25 tracks with a total length of 40 kilometres in this ski centre, which are located at altitudes ranging from 1500 metres to 2200 metres and are suitable for athletes of various levels. In addition, the Kartalkaya snowboard track is Turkey's first professional snowboard track. If you're interested in this sport, we recommend giving Kartalkaya a try.

Erciyes Ski Centre, Kayseri

The Erciyes Ski Centre is located on the summit of Erciyes Mountain, which is the highest mountain in Central Anatolia with a peak of 3,917 metres, and covers the region from the mountain's summit to 2150 metres. This centre has very big skiing and snowboarding tracks and is only a half-hour drive from Kayseri city centre. From Kayseri and Nevşehir airports, it is extremely easy and quick to reach this ski centre, which is particularly appealing to snowkiting athletes as it is generally windy and has no trees.

Palandöken Ski Centre, Erzurum

Palandöken Ski Centre is the primary destination for those who want to improve themselves in winter sports from amateur to professional level. Its main purpose is to host competitors and to turn Erzurum into a winter sports destination. Palandöken Ski Centre hosted the Winter Universiade in 2011, for this reason, it has exceptional winter sports facilities. These facilities include 22 tracks totaling 28 kilometres in length and are suitable for all skill levels. This magnificent centre offers skiing from October to the end of April, and because the season is so long, it allows for flexible planning. It's also a great place to visit if you're planning a family vacation because it has many ski schools.

Sarıkamış Ski Centre, Kars

Sarıkamış Ski Centre is one of the best ski centres in Turkey. It is located in Kars, the last stop of the Eastern Express, which has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. Just like Palandöken, Sarıkamış Ski Centre has a long season and welcomes winter sports enthusiasts from December to the near end of March. This magnificent centre, which is also known as "Crystal Snow Land" because of its crystal snow, has 54 tracks for snowboarding and skiing. If your vacation will last 4-5 days or longer, you can travel to Sarkamış Ski Centre after an exciting journey on the Eastern Express and return by plane. While you're there, don't forget to stop by the Ani Ruins.

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