Erciyes for Non-Skiers: Cable Cars, Sledding and More

In every group heading off on a ski trip, someone asks: "I'm not skiing, so what will I do all day?" Erciyes is well placed for this. You can ride the lifts up the mountain, there are places to play in the snow and the city is only 25 km away. Here is how a non-skier can spend a good day on Erciyes.

Ride the lifts up the mountain

Non-skiers can use the gondolas and chairlifts on Erciyes too. The operator, Erciyes A.Ş., sells a separate pedestrian ticket alongside its skier passes. In the 2025/26 season a single pedestrian ride cost 100 TL for ages 13 and over and 60 TL for ages 7–12, and was free for children up to 6. There is also a one-off card fee on your first purchase. Prices for 2026/27 are announced before the season; check the current list on the Erciyes A.Ş. website.

On a clear day the view over the Kayseri plain and the surrounding mountains is spectacular. A few tips:

Dress as if you were skiing: Wind and cold at the top station are much harsher than in town.
Sunglasses and sunscreen: The sun on snow is strong even on a cloudy day.
Lifts can close in wind: The upper lifts stop temporarily in strong wind. Ask which ones are running before you go up.
Don't walk on the pistes: Skiers come down fast and see pedestrians late. Stay in the areas meant for walking.

Go sledding

Sledding is a favourite with non-skiers and children. Erciyes has areas set aside for it, and sleds can usually be rented on site. Locations and prices can change from season to season, so ask at the facilities at the Tekir gate.

One rule matters above all: never sled on the ski runs. Sleds can't brake, and the risk of colliding with skiers is high. It's one of the basics in our guide to ski safety and the FIS rules.

Try skiing for an hour

What many non-skiers are really thinking is: "Should I just give it a go?" Erciyes has wide beginner areas served by magic carpets, and there are separate, inexpensive tickets for the magic carpets at the Hacılar and Hisarcık gates. An hour or two with the resort's ski school makes that first try much easier. If you're curious, start with learning to ski as an adult.

Watch the night skiing

Erciyes is one of the resorts where you can ski at night on a floodlit piste, and watching skiers come down under the lights is a show in itself. Night skiing days and hours depend on snow and weather, so check when you are there.

Sit in a mountain café

The mountain hotels, cafés and restaurants around Tekir are good places to wait with a hot drink. The Erciyes A.Ş. website lists them. Agree a time and place to meet your skiing friends for lunch; our guide to planning your ski day at Erciyes explains why that helps.

Look out for events

Winter on Erciyes isn't only about skiing. The resort has, for example, hosted the SNX World Snowmobile Championship on the FIM calendar. If a race or festival falls on your dates, even watching makes for a great day. The current programme is on the events page of the Erciyes A.Ş. website.

Evenings in the city

One of Erciyes' big advantages is how close it is to the city. Head down to Kayseri in the late afternoon for mantı, pastırma and a city full of Seljuk monuments; see Kayseri after the slopes. Cappadocia is only an hour away too; our guide to Cappadocia in winter explains what to do there.

A sample day for non-skiers

Morning: Go up the mountain with the skiers and enjoy the view from the lifts with a pedestrian ticket.
Lunch: Meet your skiing friends at a café.
Afternoon: Go sledding or try a one-hour lesson in the beginner area.
Evening: Back in the city, relax in the hotel pool and spa, then go out for dinner in Kayseri.

If your group mixes beginners and experienced skiers, see ski trips with friends of different levels. And maybe the best option for the friend who says "I won't ski" is a First Steps package: it's designed for people who have never skied, with the lesson, equipment and clothing included.