SKI CENTERS OF ANATOLIA

For many, winter is an endless season of tranquility. One in which you move little and spend less time outside; a season in which you do not take chances, afraid of being cold or becoming sick. And to some, it is a time of thrill, the arrival of which is hotly anticipated for three seasons! The slowly falling snow is the harbinger of a time when adrenaline can peak! We compiled a list of five ski centers where you can enjoy the winter season to your heart’s desire.

SARIKAMIŞ SKI CENTER

Who knows, maybe because Kars was “far away” as cited in Cemal Süreyya’s poem that Sarıkamış until quite a while ago was not listed in ski guides or blogs. However, the crystal snow which is seen in the Alps, the first place to come to mind when one thinks of world-class skiing, comes down only in Sarıkamış in Turkey. The weather is always sunny and clear, and the snow doesn’t turn to ice.

Set up on the plateau on the slopes of Çamurlu Mountain, which has an altitude of almost 3,000 meters, the center features nine tracks in the locations of Karanlıkdere and Cıbıltepe. There are 2 green, 1 blue, 3 red, and 3 black tracks with various degrees of difficulty for skiers. Let us mention that these tracks, some of which are registered with the World Skiing Federation, are not only suitable for alpine skiing but also for ski safaris and snowboarding.

In this ski center, where you can glide over the soft crystal snow to the accompaniment of pine forest landscapes, the longest track is

5.2 kilometers. Sarıkamış has two mechanical premises and besides winter sports, you can engage in nature sports such as orienteering and trekking. Another alternative is to visit the Katerina Mansion with sleighs departing from the Sarıkamış Ski Center. The best period to vacation here is December-April. You can taste local culinary delights such as Kars goose, piti, and hangel in the nearby hotels.

KARTEPE SKI CENTER

Even though Kartepe is one of the newest ski centers in Turkey, it is one of the places that comes to mind first due to its proximity to Istanbul. It is only 80 kilometers from the Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Located to the east of Izmit, formerly known as Keltepe, Kartepe is west of Lake Sapanca, the uniquely beautiful lake of the Marmara Region which hosts tourists throughout the year. From Maşukiye, you can get to the peak with a 20-minute-long drive.

It is wise to set off on the road early if you are planning a weekend getaway since it is in demand throughout the winter as a ski center. Don’t let the traffic of day-trippers to Kartepe deprived you of your skiing joy! You ski and snowboard at the moderately difficult tracks at Geyikalanı (chairlift), Karlıktepe (ski lift), and Kadıkonağı (chairlift).

In this region where there are experienced trainers, there are many alternatives for renting, among others, skiing and snowboard equipment. For those who shy away from the crowds on the weekend and reserve this entertainment for weekdays, it is possible to say that the ski track in Kartepe, where snow thickness can go up to 250 centimeters, is ideal for skiing and that the landscapes presented by Lake Sapanca will double your joy.

Kartepe is also an favorable area when it comes to dinner alternatives. You should taste the famous trout of Maşukiye and all the other local culinary delights in the restaurants run by the people from the Black Sea who predominate the population of this region. About 5 kilometers to the east, there are restaurants offering Caucasian cuisine in the village of Yanık.

ERCIYES SKI CENTER

According to the geographer Strabo, Erciyes is a great mountain at an altitude of 3,917 meters whose name was derived from the name Argaeos. It can be seen from everywhere. The best thing about it, again according to Strabo, is that you can see both the Mediterranean and the Black Sea from its summit. It is not for sure what Strabo saw but Erciyes is certainly a place that can impress those who see it -hence everybody is entitled to a bit of exaggeration! One of the oldest and most rooted ski centers in Turkey, Erciyes Ski Center always ranks at the top of ski centers for its easy access not only from within Turkey but from many places around the world. As this demand requires more functionality, the ski center is regularly technically updated. Those going to Erciyes for skiing, sledging, or snowboarding reach the ski center by taking a cable car from the 16 mechanical facilities featuring 26,750-passenger capacity to the accompaniment of unprecedented landscapes.

The longest track in this ski center, which features 34 tracks of various lengths and difficulty levels (blue, red, and black) that are spread across an altitude ranging from 3,300 to 200 meters, and the longest one is 5 kilometers. By removing the chairlift which restricted the track area, more spaciousness was created. You go up the peak with gondolas that can take 8-10 people, and it is possible to rent ski equipment.

Besides many opportunities such as activities and spa wellness services, you can join the nighttime parties or spend time enjoying the fireplace.

Just like you can enjoy a sucuk (spicy sausage) sandwich in every restaurant, you can also have a barbecue on the picnic grounds and set up your own table. By savoring Kayseri pastırma, yağlama, dumplings, and katmer in the large restaurants of Tekir, Hisarcıkkapı, and Hacılarkapı, you can turn your ski vacation into a gastronomy tour as well.

Let us also mention that Erciyes presents the great advantage of being in close proximity to Cappadocia.

DAVRAZ KARLIKAYA WINTER SPORTS CENTER

In service since 1995 when it was declared a center of tourism, Davraz

Ski Center is run by the Isparta Special Provincial Administration. In Davraz, where skiers and snowboarders enjoy skiing from the Bubble area to the T-Bar and Sümbül Hill locations to the accompaniment of unique landscapes presented by the fog and Lake Eğirdir, the ski season starts at the end of December and continues to the end of March. Coming to the fore with its proximity to Antalya, one of the most important tourism centers of Turkey and the world, Davraz Ski Center is one of the places that is high in demand by sports enthusiasts and holidaymakers on daily tours.

On the topic of daily tours, let us mention that you can follow the information on the current situation of the tracks and whether the lifts are operating or not from the administration’s website.

In this ski center where the snow thickness varies between 50 and 250 cm, besides skiing, there are baby-lifts and sledge tracks for novices. The total length of the 13 tracks of various difficulty levels adds up to 23 kilometers. If you would like to do something other than skiing, snow tubing, zip lining, and snowmobile safaris are also in demand. As is the case for the other ski centers, you can rent skiing and snowboarding equipment and have lessons with certified trainers. On Sundays, the trainers’ torchlight parade is worth seeing.

If you are a gourmand, you can taste the famous Isparta kebab in the restaurants downtown. In terms of accommodation, you can opt for the hotels downtown or at the ski center and explore many places in Isparta, which for years ranks in the first five happy cities –such destinations include Yazılıkanyon, Kuyucak village, Lake Eğirdir, Gölcük National Park, and the ancient cities of Adada and Pisiada.

ILGAZ SKI CENTER

While shortlisting Turkey’s fivemost popula ski centers, we kept the smallest one, Ilgaz for last. A small and endearing ski center, Ilgaz features three tracks for beginners and intermediate skiers. The needs of ski lovers are easily met here with a moving walkway, a quad chairlift and one ski lift.

Even though, there is generally fog at this center, which is located in the Ilgaz National Park on Mount Ilgaz at an altitude of 2,850 meters, the surrounding forest of fir trees presents picturesque landscapes fit for the eyes of ski lovers.

At the Ilgaz Ski Center, which is an ideal place for novices, you can have lessons from certified trainers on the Ilgaz training grounds and push the limits of adrenaline at the area allocated for snowboarding. You can reach this ski center, which is only 40 kilometers from Kastamonu Airport, by signing up for tours at the airport or by renting a car.

Besides the hotels at the center, the premises of the Ski Federation of Turkey and the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock are ideal for accommodation.