Winter in Türkiye runs from December to March. For skiing: Uludağ above Bursa, closest to Istanbul; Kartalkaya in Bolu; Erciyes near Kayseri (pairs with Cappadocia); Palandöken in Erzurum; and Sarıkamış near Kars. For snow without skiing: Sapanca cabins, Abant, Uzungöl and Cappadocia after snowfall. For something unique: the overnight Doğu Express to Kars. Peak is January and February, so book early.
Ski resorts in Türkiye
| Resort | Region | Access | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uludağ | Above Bursa | About 2–3 hours from Istanbul, or cable car from Bursa | Closest to Istanbul; families and beginners |
| Kartalkaya | Bolu | About 3.5–4 hours from Istanbul | Forest resort with ski-in hotels |
| Erciyes | Kayseri | Close to Kayseri Airport | Wide slopes; pairs with Cappadocia |
| Palandöken | Erzurum | Close to Erzurum Airport | Good snow, a fairly long season |
| Sarıkamış | Kars | Near Kars; pairs with the Doğu Express | Pine forests and powder |
Wooden cabins with fireplaces near Istanbul.
Ready winter programmes
| Programme | Length | Stops |
|---|---|---|
| Snow near Istanbul | 4 days | Istanbul, Bursa and the Uludağ cable car, Sapanca cabins |
| White Cappadocia | 4–5 days | Istanbul, Cappadocia (balloon and both tours), a ski day at Erciyes |
| Black Sea in winter | 5 days | Trabzon, Uzungöl, Zigana snow |
| Family skiing | 5–6 days | Istanbul then Kartalkaya or Uludağ with kids' lessons |
| The East by train | 6–8 days | Ankara, the Doğu Express, Kars and Ani, Sarıkamış |
Winter guides: Bursa & Uludağ · Cappadocia · Trabzon & Rize · Tours & activities
Cover: MusikAnimal, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Frequently asked questions
When does the ski season start in Türkiye?
Usually mid-December to March, sometimes into early April at higher eastern resorts such as Palandöken and Erciyes, depending on snow; peak is January and February.
What is the nearest ski resort to Istanbul?
Uludağ above Bursa, about two to three hours away, then Kartalkaya in Bolu, about three and a half to four hours.
Where can children see snow without skiing?
The Uludağ cable car, Sapanca and Maşukiye cabins, Lake Abant, Uzungöl in Trabzon and Cappadocia after snowfall.
What is the Doğu Express?
An overnight train between Ankara and Kars crossing snowy Anatolia in about a day, hugely popular in winter; tickets sell out fast.
