Turkey in Winter: An Istanbul, Cappadocia and Erciyes Snow Route (and What to Pack)

Most visitors to Turkey follow the same route: a few days in Istanbul, then a hop to Cappadocia for the balloons. In winter that route has a third stop almost nobody knows about. An hour from Cappadocia rises Mount Erciyes, a dormant volcano with a ski resort of around 112 km of pistes. You can ski for two or three days without changing country, currency or travel plans.

This guide covers the weather at each stop, how to fit all three into a 7 to 10-day trip, and what to pack.

What winter is like at each stop

• Istanbul: damp cold rather than deep cold. In January and February daytime highs are usually around 8–10 °C. Rain is common and some days bring snow, although it rarely settles in the city for long.
• Cappadocia: dry, continental cold. Nights drop below freezing and snow is common from December to February. Balloons over snowy valleys at sunrise are the defining image of a Turkish winter.
• Erciyes: high mountains. The lifts reach about 3,400 metres and the ski season usually runs from December to March, sometimes longer. The resort is about 25 km from the city of Kayseri.

A 9 to 10-day route

1. Days 1–3: Istanbul. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and a ferry on the Bosphorus. Winter means shorter queues, and the covered sights are good shelter from the rain.
2. Day 4: fly to Kayseri. There are frequent flights from Istanbul to Kayseri Erkilet Airport, a little over an hour.
3. Days 4–6: Erciyes. If you arrive on a Friday, the 2-night package (Friday to Sunday) fits perfectly. For more time on snow, the 4-night package runs Monday to Friday.
4. Days 7–9: Cappadocia. It is about an hour's drive from Kayseri. Book your balloon for the first morning.
5. Day 10: home. Fly back to Istanbul from Kayseri or from Nevşehir airport.

Only 7 days?

Two days in Istanbul, two on Erciyes (the weekend package) and two in Cappadocia. It is a busy trip, but it covers a lot.

Balloons in winter: leave yourself a spare morning

Balloon flights depend on the weather, and in winter fog and wind cancel them more often. Book for your first morning in Cappadocia so you have the following mornings as back-ups. Our guides to Cappadocia in winter and whether it snows in Cappadocia will help you choose dates.

What to pack for Turkey in winter

Layers are the answer: you will move between a damp city, a frozen plateau and a mountain above 3,000 metres.

For Istanbul

• A waterproof coat or a jacket with a hood
• Closed shoes with good grip on wet stone
• A small umbrella
• A scarf or shawl for visiting mosques

For Cappadocia

• A down jacket or similar for the balloon sunrise; it is below freezing at that hour
• Hat, gloves and scarf
• Walking or winter boots for the valleys

For Erciyes

If you travel with our packages, you don't need to pack ski clothing: ski jacket, ski trousers, gloves, helmet, goggles and ski or snowboard equipment are all included. You only need:

• Thermal base layers
• Long, thick ski socks
• A buff or balaclava
• Sunscreen and sunglasses

For how to layer on the mountain, see what to wear skiing.

Never skied? Not a problem

The 2-night First Steps package is designed for people who have never been on snow: a 4-hour beginner lesson in groups of 8–10, instructor support all day, an unlimited lift pass, three meals a day and free transfers from Kayseri airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the slopes. You stay at the five-star Wyndham Grand Kayseri in the city centre. The programme suits ages 6 and over.

Please note that lessons are taught in Turkish; it is worth knowing before you book.

If you already ski, the 4-night Experienced package gives you four days on the pistes with piste leaders who know the mountain.

For the rest of your planning, read how to plan a ski holiday in Turkey. Turkey in winter is more than a city and some balloons: there is also a 3,917-metre mountain waiting for you with your skis on.

• Turkey in winter
• Istanbul
• Cappadocia
• Erciyes
• Skiing