Turkey’s Best Five Winter Holiday Destinations


Turkey is a country that offers diverse attractions and experiences for travelers, especially in winter. Whether you are looking for a snowy wonderland, a cultural adventure, or a relaxing getaway, Turkey has something for you. In this article, we will explore the best five winter snow and ski vacation destinations in Turkey, and give you some tips and insights on what to expect, what to do, and where to stay.

Uludağ, Bursa

Uludağ is one of the most popular winter destinations in Turkey, with its well-known ski resorts and amazing scenery. From December to March, Uludağ is crowded with tourists who come to enjoy skiing and music festivals. Uludağ’s peak Kartaltepe is at 2543 meters high, and the ascent takes 22 minutes. You can get to Uludağ by bus or ferry boats from Istanbul, it only takes around 2 hours.


Pros and Cons

  • Pros: Uludağ offers a variety of slopes for all levels of skiers, from beginners to experts. It has 28 kilometers of slopes, 14 ski lifts, and services such as ski rental, ski school, restaurants, and cafes2. It also has a snow park, a snow tubing area, and a snowmobile area. Uludağ is also a lively and vibrant place, with a lot of cultural and artistic events, such as concerts, festivals, exhibitions, and showsAd1.

  • Cons: Uludağ can be very cold and windy in winter, so you need to dress warmly and wear ski goggles. The ski resort can also be very crowded and chaotic, especially during the peak season and weekends. The prices can be very high, both for accommodation and ski services. You may also encounter some traffic jams and delays, especially on the way back to Istanbul.

Hotel Recommendation

One of the best hotels to stay in Uludağ is the Grand Yazıcı Hotel, which is located on the first zone of the ski resort. This hotel is a four-star hotel, and offers cozy and comfortable rooms with modern amenities. 


The rooms have mountain views, LCD TVs, and minibars, creating a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere. The hotel also has a spa, a fitness center, an indoor pool, and a sauna, where you can relax and rejuvenate. The hotel also has a restaurant that serves Turkish and international dishes, and a bar that offers drinks and snacks. The hotel staff are friendly and helpful, and can arrange ski passes, ski equipment, and ski lessons for the guests. The hotel has a 8.2 rating on Booking.com, and a price of $150 per night for a double room.

Kartepe, Sapanca

Kartepe is another great winter destination in Turkey, with its beautiful ski resort and lake view. Kartepe is located on the slopes of Mount Kartepe, which is about two hours drive from Istanbul. Kartepe has 21 kilometers of slopes for all levels of skiers, and the ski season runs from December to March. The snow quality is good, and the ski resort has four ski lifts, and services such as ski rental, ski school, restaurants, and cafes.


Pros and Cons

  • Pros: Kartepe offers a scenic and peaceful experience of skiing and snowboarding, with a stunning view of Lake Sapanca and the surrounding forests. It is also a convenient and affordable place to visit, as it is close to Istanbul and has reasonable prices. Kartepe is also a good place to enjoy the nature and the wildlife, as it is home to many species of birds, animals, and plants.

  • Cons: Kartepe can be very foggy and rainy in winter, so you need to check the weather conditions before you go. The ski resort can also be very crowded and noisy, especially during the holidays and weekends. The slopes can be icy and slippery, and the ski lifts can be slow and old. Kartepe does not have many options for entertainment and nightlife, as it is a small and quiet town.

Hotel Recommendation

One of the best hotels to stay in Kartepe is the The Green Park Resort Kartepe, which is located on the top of the mountain, next to the ski resort. This hotel is a five-star hotel, and offers spacious and luxurious rooms with modern amenities. 


The rooms have lake or mountain views, fireplaces, jacuzzis, and balconies, creating a cozy and romantic atmosphere. The hotel also has a spa, a fitness center, an indoor pool, and a Turkish bath, where you can relax and rejuvenate. The hotel also has a restaurant that serves Turkish and international dishes, and a bar that offers drinks and snacks. The hotel staff are friendly and helpful, and can arrange ski passes, ski equipment, and ski lessons for the guests. The hotel has a 7.8 rating on Booking.com, and a price of $120 per night for a double room.

Palandöken, Erzurum

Palandöken is one of the best winter destinations in Turkey, with its high-quality ski resort and historical city. Palandöken is located on the slopes of Mount Palandöken, which is about 15 minutes drive from Erzurum. Palandöken has 28 kilometers of slopes for all levels of skiers, and the ski season runs from November to April. The snow quality is excellent, and the ski resort has 14 ski lifts, and services such as ski rental, ski school, restaurants, and cafes.


Pros and Cons

  • Pros: Palandöken offers a challenging and thrilling experience of skiing and snowboarding, with the highest and longest slopes in Turkey. It has the longest ski run in Europe, which is 12 kilometers long, and the highest ski lift in Turkey, which is 3185 meters high. Palandöken is also a good place to enjoy the culture and the history of Erzurum, which is one of the oldest cities in Turkey. You can visit the UNESCO-listed Seljuk monuments, such as the Çifte Minareli Medrese, the Yakutiye Medrese, and the Ulu Mosque. You can also try the local cuisine, such as cağ kebab, kadayıf dolması, and ayran aşı.

  • Cons: Palandöken can be very cold and snowy in winter, so you need to dress warmly and wear ski goggles. The ski resort can also be very expensive, both for accommodation and ski services. You may also encounter some altitude sickness, as the ski resort is very high above sea level. Palandöken does not have many options for entertainment and nightlife, as it is a conservative and religious city.

Hotel Recommendation

One of the best hotels to stay in Palandöken is the [Palandöken Ski Center Dedeman Hotel], which is located on the ski resort, with direct access to the slopes. This hotel is a four-star hotel, and offers cozy and comfortable rooms with modern amenities. 


The rooms have mountain views, LCD TVs, and minibars, creating a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere. The hotel also has a spa, a fitness center, an indoor pool, and a sauna, where you can relax and rejuvenate. The hotel also has a restaurant that serves Turkish and international dishes, and a bar that offers drinks and snacks. The hotel staff are friendly and helpful, and can arrange ski passes, ski equipment, and ski lessons for the guests. The hotel has a 8.1 rating on Booking.com, and a price of $100 per night for a double room.

Erciyes, Kayseri

Erciyes is another great winter destination in Turkey, with its modern and well-equipped ski resort and natural wonders. Erciyes is located on the slopes of Mount Erciyes, which is the highest mountain in central Anatolia, and has 55 kilometers of slopes for all levels of skiers. The ski season runs from November to April, and the snow quality is excellent. The ski resort has 14 ski lifts, and offers services such as ski rental, ski school, restaurants, and cafes.


Pros and Cons

  • Pros: Erciyes offers a fun and enjoyable experience of skiing and snowboarding, with the most advanced and diverse slopes in Turkey. It has the first artificial snow system in Turkey, which ensures a perfect snow cover throughout the season. It also has a snow park, a snow tubing area, and a snow kite area. Erciyes is also a good place to enjoy the natural wonders and the cultural heritage of Cappadocia, which is about an hour and a half drive from Kayseri. You can see the fairy chimneys, the rock-cut churches, the underground cities, and the hot air balloons. You can also taste the local cuisine, such as pottery kebab, testi kebab, manti, and baklava.

  • Cons: Erciyes can be very cold and windy in winter, so you need to dress warmly and wear ski goggles. The ski resort can also be very crowded and noisy, especially during the holidays and weekends. The prices can be very high, both for accommodation and ski services. You may also encounter some traffic jams and delays, especially on the way to Cappadocia.

Hotel Recommendation

[Radisson Blu Hotel Kayseri], which is located in the city center of Kayseri, about 25 minutes drive from the ski resort. This hotel is a five-star hotel, and offers modern and stylish rooms with modern amenities. 


The rooms have city or mountain views, LCD TVs, and minibars, creating a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere. The hotel also has a spa, a fitness center, an indoor pool, and a sauna, where you can relax and rejuvenate. The hotel also has a restaurant that serves Turkish and international dishes, and a bar that offers drinks and snacks. The hotel staff are friendly and helpful, and can arrange ski passes, ski equipment, and ski lessons for the guests. The hotel has a 9.0 rating on Booking.com, and a price of $80 per night for a double room.

Sarıkamış, Kars

Sarıkamış is another great winter destination in Turkey, with its unique and exotic ski resort and historical city. Sarıkamış is located on the slopes of Mount Sarıkamış, which is about 50 minutes drive from Kars. Sarıkamış has 25 kilometers of slopes for all levels of skiers, and the ski season runs from December to April. The snow quality is excellent, and the ski resort has five ski lifts, and services such as ski rental, ski school, restaurants, and cafes.


Pros and Cons

  • Pros: Sarıkamış offers a different and memorable experience of skiing and snowboarding, with the crystal snow and the pine forests. It has the best quality of snow in Turkey, which is dry and powdery, and resembles the snow of the Alps. It also has a snow park, a snow tubing area, and a snowmobile area. Sarıkamış is also a good place to enjoy the culture and the history of Kars, which is one of the oldest cities in Turkey. You can visit the UNESCO-listed Ani ruins, which are the remains of a medieval Armenian city. You can also see the Russian architecture, such as the Kars Castle, the Stone Bridge, and the Cathedral of Kars. You can also taste the local cuisine, such as goose meat, cheese halva, and honey.

  • Cons: Sarıkamış can be very cold and snowy in winter, so you need to dress warmly and wear ski goggles. The ski resort can also be very isolated and quiet, as it is far from the city and has few facilities. You may also encounter some difficulties in transportation, as the roads can be icy and slippery. Sarıkamış does not have many options for entertainment and nightlife, as it is a small and rural town.

Hotel Recommendation

One of the best hotels to stay in Sarıkamış is the [Sarıkamış Habitat Hotel], which is located on the ski resort, with direct access to the slopes. This hotel is a four-star hotel, and offers cozy and comfortable rooms with modern amenities. 


The rooms have forest views, LCD TVs, and minibars, creating a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere. The hotel also has a spa, a fitness center, an indoor pool, and a sauna, where you can relax and rejuvenate. The hotel also has a restaurant that serves Turkish and international dishes, and a bar that offers drinks and snacks. The hotel staff are friendly and helpful, and can arrange ski passes, ski equipment, and ski lessons for the guests. The hotel has a 8.5 rating on Booking.com, and a price of $90 per night for a double room.

This is the end of my article. I hope you enjoyed it and learned something new. Thank you for reading. 😊


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