Guide
Palandöken's slopes begin only ten minutes from central Erzurum, and the provincial directorate of culture and tourism calls it Türkiye's first and most developed ski resort, with one of the longest seasons in the country. Its 44 runs add up to 51 kilometres and cater for skiers of every level, and you can keep skiing after dark on the floodlit night runs. Avalanche protection and snowmaking systems are installed.
Besides alpine skiing and snowboarding, the resort offers paragliding, mountaineering, ice climbing, snowmobile safaris, a giant swing, a human slingshot and paintball. According to the directorate, Palandöken has hosted the largest winter events ever held in Türkiye, and ACES Europe named it European Capital of Winter Sports for 2025. Hotels rated from three to five stars stand at the resort, and outside the snow season the country around the mountain is used for walks, picnics and taking in the view.
When to go
- Climate
- Across Erzurum as a whole, monthly mean temperatures run from -9.1 °C in January to 19.6 °C in August; the mean stays between 15 and 25 °C in July and August; rainfall is heaviest in May (73 mm) and lightest in August (18 mm). Long-term means for 1929-2025 from the Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM).
