10 Ski resorts in Turkey: where to ski in winter 2026

A winter vacation in Turkey is not just Antalya and the sea. While the coast stays above freezing, the slopes of Anatolia hold steady snow, and people come here to ski and snowboard.

We've put together ten ski resorts across the country, from Uludağ near Bursa to Bitlis in the Taurus Mountains. For each resort we cover the season, the character of the slopes, the route from the airport, and an honest catch, so you can pick the option that matches your level.

In short: beginners and families usually do best at Uludağ and Palandöken, long runs draw people to Erciyes and Kartalkaya, and Davraz, Zigana, and Bitlis offer quiet and views. Almost all slope-side hotels operate on an all-inclusive basis, and the lift pass is often already included in the room rate.

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1. Uludağ

💡 In short:

• The season at most resorts runs from late December to late March, with exact dates depending on snow.
• Uludağ and Palandöken are convenient for beginners, while Erciyes and Kartalkaya suit those who want long runs.
• There are almost no cheap hotels on the slopes, but lifts and meals are often included in the price.
• Season and slope elevation: 09/2026, verified on the Erzurum culture and tourism directorate website.

© Julian Nyča · CC BY-SAPhoto: Julian Nyča, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Uludağ is a major ski resort near Istanbul and the city's main winter getaway. It sits on the slopes of the mountain of the same name south of Bursa, away from large cities.

First you fly or take a bus to Bursa. From Bursa to the resort there is only a short stretch left, which is easiest to cover by taxi. If you book a package tour, the hotel usually arranges the transfer.

The mountain's name translates as "huge mountain," although by Alpine standards the peak is modest. There are no steep or sheer walls here; the slopes are gentle and covered with coniferous forest. So skiing at Uludağ feels more like a walk through a snowy forest than a high-speed sport.

The season depends on the weather and usually lasts from the last ten days of December to the end of March. The runs cater to different levels: green and blue runs are the most common, red runs are noticeably fewer, and there is only one black run, laid out beyond the forest.

Accommodation here works differently than in Europe. There are almost no villas or apartments on the mountain, only hotels, and none of them are cheap. Hotels right on the slopes have their own lifts, and for guests skiing is included in the room rate. If the hotel is set back from the slopes, you pay extra for the neighboring lifts.

Equipment rental and lessons with an instructor are available at hotels and rental shops, and you pay for them on top. Some visitors stay overnight in Bursa and come up for a day of skiing. It's cheaper, but every day costs you time on the road.

• Who it's for: those coming from Istanbul for the weekend who want a short trip to the slopes.
• Not for: expert skiers, there are no challenging long descents here.
• The catch: there are no cheap hotels on the mountain, and a hotel far from the slopes loses its main convenience.

2. Palandöken

© Mehrdad Sarhangi · CC BYPhoto: Mehrdad Sarhangi, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Palandöken is the youngest of Turkey's major resorts, and it's convenient for you because of the short drive from the airport. It sits in the northeast of the country, just a few kilometers from Erzurum, on the slopes of the mountain of the same name.

You can get here on domestic flights from Istanbul, Antalya, or Ankara. If you buy a package tour, hotels offer airport transfers. Independent travelers go from Erzurum by bus or taxi.

The snow lasts a long time. A stable base holds from mid-December through March, and over the winter its depth reaches two meters. According to the Erzurum culture and tourism directorate (09/2026, source), the resort has 44 runs totaling 51 km, and many of them meet international standards.

The runs here vary in difficulty. There are long descents for confident skiers and wide, gentle sections for beginners, while freeriders are drawn to the black slopes with untouched snow. Instructors hold lessons in a separate corridor away from the general skiing, and some of them speak Russian.

Accommodation is usually organized on an all-inclusive basis: meals and lift passes are included in the price. Ski and snowboard rental is paid separately, as are lessons. On a day off, people take excursions from here to Erzurum and Trabzon.

• Who it's for: families and intermediate skiers who value a short trip from the city.
• Not for: those who want to choose from dozens of hotels right on the slopes.
• The catch: there are few international flights to Erzurum, so you usually fly with a connection in Istanbul.
• Where to stay: hotels in Palandöken on Trip.com

3. Kartalkaya

Kartalkaya is a compact resort in the western part of the Black Sea region, between Istanbul and Ankara. Under one name, two ski centers are combined here, Kartal and Doruk, and their slopes descend through the territory of Köroğlu National Park.

The easiest way to get here is by bus: from Istanbul the trip takes about six hours, from Ankara about four. Buses run on a schedule, so the trip is worth planning ahead if you're going for the weekend.

There are more lifts here than at other resorts in the west of the country. It was at Kartalkaya, with the involvement of Austrian engineers, that Turkey's first snow park and children's ski center were built, which makes it a convenient place to come with beginners.

There is little accommodation right on the slopes: two large four- and five-star hotels share them, both operating on an all-inclusive basis. It's cheaper to stay overnight in Bolu, a few dozen kilometers away, but then every trip to the slopes eats up your time.

Important: in January 2025, a major fire broke out at the Grand Kartal hotel in Kartalkaya, killing 78 people (according to DW, 2026). Before booking, check that the hotel has a valid fire safety certificate.

Free days here are filled with trips: to the town of Bolu, to the neighboring Yedigöller National Park, and to the Kaplıcaları hot springs.

• Who it's for: beginners and families; there's a ski school and a children's center here.
• Not for: those who want to choose a slope-side hotel; there are only two options.
• The catch: ski passes and instructors are more expensive here than in the east of the country.
• Where to stay: hotels near Kartalkaya

4. Sarıkamış

Sarıkamış is called the Turkish Innsbruck for its snow quality. The resort lies in Kars Province in the northeast of the country, at an altitude of about 2,700 meters.

There's plenty of sun and almost no wind here, so the snow cover lasts about five months. The most convenient way to get here is by domestic flight to Kars from Istanbul or Ankara. From there, you take a transfer provided by hotels, usually included in the tour price.

Skiing takes place on the slopes of Cıbıltepe Mountain. There are black runs here, but they're less challenging than Alpine ones: you'll mostly find gentle slopes for relaxed skiing and beginners. Snowboarders get a separate short corridor, and a long cross-country trail has been prepared for Nordic skiing.

Lifts take you to the start of the runs, and for hotel guests the ski pass is included in the accommodation price. Equipment rental and lessons are paid separately, and some instructors speak Russian.

In terms of area, Sarıkamış is smaller than its neighbors on this list. There are about 16 kilometers of groomed runs, and few additional activities: for shopping and sightseeing you go to Kars. When planning a trip here, decide in advance how many days you're willing to devote purely to sport and snow.

• Who it's for: those who value snow and quiet more than developed infrastructure.
• Not for: those who need evening shows and discos.
• The catch: there's almost no off-slope entertainment; the nearest town is only Kars.
• Where to stay: hotels in Sarıkamış on Trip.com

5. Erciyes

© Niremcelik · CC BY-SAPhoto: Niremcelik, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Erciyes is a modern ski center on the slopes of an extinct volcano in central Anatolia, near Kayseri. The summit of the massif rises to almost four thousand meters.

You can get there by bus from Kayseri Airport: the distance to the slope is short, about half an hour. The lower lift station sits at high elevation, so snow lasts a long time, and you can ride up to the highest runs.

According to the resort's official website (09/2026), Erciyes has 41 trails, 112 km of slopes, and 19 lifts that move up to 26,750 people per hour. It is one of the largest winter centers in the country.

There is no dense vegetation here, so the trails open up a wide panorama. Experienced skiers choose fast red and black runs with turns, while beginners get wide, gentle sections. Besides alpine skiing, you can snowboard or try cross-country skiing.

• Who it's for: skiers of any level, with both long runs and gentle sections.
• Not for: those looking for a compact resort where everything is within walking distance.
• Where to stay: hotels near Erciyes on Trip.com

6. Saklıkent

Saklıkent is the southernmost resort on the list and a rare case where sea and snow stand side by side. It lies on the slopes of the Bakırlıdağ massif, about an hour's drive from Antalya.

The season runs from December to April. During that time the slopes accumulate enough stable snow for safe skiing, and the runs are cut by difficulty level: there are blue, red, and black sections, plus separate gentle trails for beginners.

The infrastructure here is more modest than in the east of the country. Hotels have bars, cafeterias, and ski schools, plus a kids' room, a pool, and a gym. If you are staying in Antalya, it is easy to come here for a day.

Before you go, check whether the lifts are open in the current season: in warm winters the schedule changes, and some slopes may not operate.

• Who it's for: those staying on the coast who want to see snow.
• Not for: skiers who need long, challenging runs.
• The catch: the infrastructure is more modest than in the east of the country.

7. Kartepe

Kartepe is a fast-developing high-altitude resort near Izmit, two hours from Istanbul. It sits among forests and mountain ridges, and the slopes open up a panorama of Lake Salanca and the Gulf of Kocaeli.

You can get there by car or taxi: there is no public transport to the resort. The nearest international airport is in Istanbul, just over a hundred kilometers from the slope.

The trails suit different levels. There are easy gentle green and wide blue runs, plus winding red and fast black ones. In total there are about twelve trails, with a combined length of around forty-eight kilometers.

There is plenty to do off the slopes too. Besides regular skiing, you can go sledding and snowmobiling, swim in a pool with therapeutic algae, take mud baths at the spa, and try mountaineering.

• Who it's for: Istanbul residents who want a weekend resort without flying.
• Not for: those arriving without a car.
• The catch: you cannot reach the slope without a car or taxi.
• Where to stay: hotels in Kartepe

8. Zigana

© Sinan Şahin · CC BYPhoto: Sinan Şahin, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Zigana is a small village and ski center at the foot of the peak of the same name near Trabzon. It has a pine valley, snow-covered slopes, and very clean air, and the village itself grew up only in this century.

The infrastructure is limited. The area has a single hotel complex made up of a multi-story building and several cottages, with a restaurant, a cafe, and an equipment rental point on site.

The most convenient way to get there is by public transport from Trabzon Airport: the center is about an hour away. Skiing takes place at altitudes from roughly one thousand nine hundred to two and a half thousand meters, and the slopes are wide, gentle, and well groomed.

The resort is built for beginners and a quiet getaway. If you ski confidently and want challenging runs, you will be bored here: there are almost no serious trails. Instead, you can go sledding and snowmobiling or take a walk through the snow-covered forest.

• Who it's for: beginners and those who want a quiet break without crowds.
• Not for: experienced skiers.
• The catch: lodging is limited to one complex.

9. Davraz

© Kedata kobita · CC BY-SAPhoto: Kedata kobita, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Davraz is a high-altitude resort on the northern slopes of the range of the same name in Isparta Province. The summit rises to almost two thousand six hundred meters, and the resort itself is surrounded by lakes with bright emerald water.

You can get there by bus from Antalya Airport: the trip takes about an hour and a half. Hotel complexes operate on an all-inclusive basis, with pools, gyms, spas, and restaurants.

The trails run at altitudes from roughly one thousand five hundred to two and a half thousand meters and are divided by difficulty level. Most of the runs here are intermediate, and those chasing a vertical drop of more than five hundred meters head to two separate routes.

Peak season falls in January and February, according to the Isparta culture and tourism directorate (09/2026). In summer, football teams train on the slopes. Besides skiing, people go sledding, snow tubing, and snowmobiling here.

• Who it's for: families and intermediate skiers.
• Not for: those who need a lot of trails.
• The catch: Davraz has fewer runs than Erciyes and Kartalkaya.
• Where to stay: hotels in Davraz on Trip.com

10. Bitlis

© Dûrzan · CC BY-SAPhoto: Dûrzan, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Bitlis is a small ski center in the Taurus Mountains in the east of the country. The landscape here is shaped by two mountain riverbeds, Hosrov and Avehu, and dense forest fills the air with the scent of pine.

The season runs from December to April and brings abundant snowfall. You can stay overnight in guesthouses and lodges, with cafes, restaurants, and shops nearby.

The center is divided into several zones, each with well-maintained trails and an acceptable level of service. The runs work for both beginners and confident skiers: there are steep slopes and simple gentle sections.

Getting there is not quick. First you fly from Istanbul to the city of Van, and from there regular buses run to the ski center, a trip of about three hours.

• Who it's for: those who want to add skiing to a trip through eastern Turkey.
• Not for: those who need a large resort with hotels right on the slope.
• The catch: it takes a long time to get there, requiring a flight and a bus.
• Where to stay: hotels in Bitlis on Trip.com

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When does the ski season start in Turkey?

Most resorts open in the second half of December and run through late March. At high-altitude bases like Sarikamis and Erciyes, snow lasts longer, while at southern Saklikent the season depends on the weather and can end earlier. Resorts publish exact lift opening dates themselves, so check their schedules before you go.

Can a beginner ski in Turkey?

Yes. Uludag and Palandoken have the most green and blue runs, and the resorts have ski schools and rental shops. Instructors, including Russian-speaking ones, teach away from the main flow of skiers. Two or three days with an instructor is enough for a first-timer to confidently come down a gentle slope.

Is the lift pass included in the hotel price?

At most resorts, from Uludag to Palandoken, the ski pass for guests staying slopeside is included in the stay, especially with all-inclusive packages. If the hotel is far from the runs, you pay separately for neighboring lifts. Equipment rental and instructor lessons are always extra.

How much does a vacation at a ski resort in Turkey cost?

The cheapest option is to book not right on the slopes but in the nearest city: Bursa, Erzurum, or Bolu. Hotels on the mountain are more expensive, but you can walk to the runs. The final price depends on your travel dates and the hotel's level, so compare options in advance and check prices for specific dates.

What if I don't ski?

Resorts offer activities beyond the slopes. Kartepe and Erciyes have snowmobiles, sledding, and pools, Davraz has spas, and Palandoken runs excursions to Erzurum and Trabzon. At Uludag you can simply walk through the snowy forest while your companions ski.

Ski resorts in Turkey on the map

The map below shows all ten resorts from this review. It's a handy way to estimate distances between bases if you want to try two different regions in one trip.

In short: what to book

The choice depends on how you ski and how much time you're willing to spend getting there. We've put all ten bases into one table.

If you're going for the first time or with kids, choose Uludag or Palandoken. For long descents, pick Erciyes or Kartalkaya; for quiet and good snow, Sarikamis, Zigana, or Bitlis are good options. Those vacationing by the sea in winter can try Saklikent near Antalya.

Slopeside hotels sell out fast during the New Year holidays, so book early and compare prices for specific dates on Trip.com.