Palandöken or Erciyes? Comparing Turkey's Two Highest Ski Resorts

If you are looking for high-altitude skiing in Turkey, two names come up again and again: Palandöken in Erzurum and Erciyes in Kayseri. Both have lifts that climb above 3,000 metres, long descents and dry snow, and both sit right next to a city. So which one is bigger, and which one is right for you?

The short answer: Erciyes is somewhat bigger and has a longer vertical drop, while Palandöken stands out for its colder climate, longer season and steep runs that challenge experienced skiers. Here are the details.

At a glance

• Palandöken (Erzurum): In eastern Anatolia, right next to the city of Erzurum. It hosted the 2011 Winter Universiade and is known for snow quality and a long season thanks to its cold climate.
• Erciyes (Kayseri): In central Anatolia, on the slopes of an extinct volcano. About 25 km from the city, with four entry gates and wide, treeless pistes, it is Turkey's largest ski area. Cappadocia is an hour away.

Which one is bigger?

Slope length is the figure that varies most between sources for Turkish ski resorts. Official and promotional figures put Erciyes at around 112 km and Palandöken at more than 80 km, and some sources add the nearby Konaklı area to Palandöken. Skiresort.info, an independent guide that measures every resort the same way, puts Erciyes at about 55 km and Palandöken at about 43 km.

Whichever measure you use, the conclusion is the same: Erciyes is somewhat bigger.

The numbers side by side:

• Altitude of the ski area: Erciyes about 2,090–3,350 m, Palandöken about 2,150–3,140 m
• Vertical drop: Erciyes about 1,250 m, Palandöken about 1,000 m
• Slope length, independent measurement: Erciyes about 55 km, Palandöken about 43 km
• Slope length, official and promotional: Erciyes about 112 km, Palandöken over 80 km
• Distance from the city centre: Erciyes about 25 km, Palandöken a few kilometres

Altitude and independent measurements are from skiresort.info; official figures come from the resorts' promotion and news reports.

The longer vertical drop at Erciyes means you can ski further without a break, from the top lifts all the way down. We cover the gates and pistes in our Erciyes ski resort guide.

Snow and season

Both resorts are high and have a continental climate, so the snow is usually dry and light. The difference is temperature: Erzurum is one of the coldest cities in Turkey. That means snow settles earlier at Palandöken and melts later in spring. Palandöken is regularly reported as the first Turkish resort to open, and in some years its season runs into mid-April.

At Erciyes, the most reliable snow is from January to March, and the season usually starts in December. Our article on when ski resorts open in Turkey explains what decides opening dates.

The cold has a price, too: January days at Palandöken are genuinely harsh. Layering and protecting your face from the wind matter at both resorts, and even more at Palandöken.

What the pistes are like

Palandöken is known for long, steep descents. It has a high share of red and black runs and pistes that have hosted international races. There are areas for beginners, but the resort's character suits strong skiers best.

Erciyes is wider and more balanced. The broad pistes on the volcano's slopes give beginners and intermediates plenty of room, while the upper sections offer experienced skiers long runs. The pistes across the four gates are linked.

Getting there

Palandöken: There are flights to Erzurum from Istanbul and Ankara; from Istanbul the flight takes close to two hours. The airport is near the city, and the ski area is right next to it. The Eastern Express train from Ankara to Kars also stops in Erzurum.

Erciyes: The Istanbul–Kayseri flight is noticeably shorter than the one to Erzurum, with many departures a day. From the airport it is a few minutes into town and about half an hour up to the slopes. The Eastern Express calls at Kayseri as well. The full travel picture is in how to get to Erciyes.

From western Turkey or from abroad via Istanbul, Kayseri is closer and has more flights.

Where to stay

Both resorts give you two options: hotels on the mountain or the city. At Palandöken there are several large hotels inside the ski area, and Erzurum city centre is a short drive away. At Erciyes there are a few hotels at the foot of the slopes, but most guests stay in Kayseri; where to stay at Erciyes helps you pick.

On days off, both cities have plenty to offer: Seljuk and Ottoman buildings and the famous cağ kebab in Erzurum; mantı, pastırma and nearby Cappadocia in Kayseri. If you want to combine skiing with Cappadocia, start with Cappadocia in winter.

Which one suits you?

Choose Palandöken if:

• You are an experienced skier looking for steep, long runs
• You plan to go at the very start or end of the season
• You want to combine skiing with a trip to eastern Turkey

Choose Erciyes if:

• Variety and a long vertical drop are your priorities
• It is your first time, or you are travelling with mixed abilities
• You want to arrive on a short flight from the west
• You would like to slip a day in Cappadocia between ski days

Where to start at Erciyes

The easiest start for non-skiers is the 2-night First Steps package: check in on Friday evening, take a 4-hour beginner lesson on Saturday and practise with instructor support on Sunday. If you already ski, the 4-night Experienced package spends four weekdays roaming between Erciyes's gates with piste leaders. Our lessons are given in Turkish.

For the western rival, read Uludağ or Erciyes?; for every major resort, see our comparison of ski resorts in Turkey.

• Palandöken
• Erciyes
• Ski resort comparison
• Skiing in Turkey