Piste maps · Ankara

Elmadağ (Ankara) Ski Resort Guide

Elmadağ Ski Resort is about 17 km south-east of Ankara, at Yakupabdal within the Çankaya district; it is the nearest ski area to Ankara. The ski area extends from 1,500 to 1,850 m; there is a single drag lift (548 m) and short, treeless runs of about 650 m. However, it was reported that the lift broke down in 2022 and that the resort was lying idle in early 2026; be sure to check whether it is open before you go.

Doğadayız info graphic for Elmadağ Ski Resort: Ankara, ski area 1,500–1,850 m — Doğadayız info graphic · No openly licensed photo was found for this resort

At a glance

Location: ~17 km south-east of Ankara, Çankaya (Yakupabdal)
Mountain: Elmadağ, 1,862 m
Ski area: 1,500 m – 1,850 m
Lift: 1 drag lift (548 m, 720 people/hour)
Runs: Short, treeless runs (~650 m)
Season: January–March, if there is enough snow
Status: The lift broke down in 2022; reported to be idle in early 2026

Drag lift
Ski lodges
Day trips

Data note: Elmadağ has no single operator: the drag lift is reported to belong to the Turkish Air Force, and the ski lodges to the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, universities and clubs. Hürriyet (2022) reported that the lift had been taken out of service, and Yeni Ankara (25 February 2026) that the resort was lying idle. Altitudes and run lengths differ between sources. No openly licensed photo could be found; the cover uses a Doğadayız info graphic.

Last updated: 19 October 2026 · Sources at the end of the page

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors

Getting to know the resort

Elmadağ is a small area with a single drag lift: the drag lift takes you up the treeless north slope, and you come down on short runs of easy and intermediate gradient. Universities and clubs have ski lodges on the slope.

Lifts

Lift	Type	Area	Bottom – top	Length	Note
Elmadağ drag lift	Drag lift (T-bar)	Elmadağ	—	548 m	720 people/hour · Reported to have broken down in 2022

Before you go to Elmadağ

Is it open? The resort has not operated regularly since 2022; find out the current status from the Ankara Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports (Gençlik ve Spor İl Müdürlüğü) or from local news.
Alternative: The nearest regularly operated resorts from Ankara are Ilgaz (Yıldıztepe) and Kartalkaya.
Getting there: By municipal bus or private car; ~50 km to Esenboğa Airport.

Frequently asked questions

Is Elmadağ Ski Resort open?

In 2022 Hürriyet reported that the lift had broken down and been taken out of service, and in early 2026 Yeni Ankara reported that the resort was lying idle. You need to check the current status before you go.

Which is the nearest ski resort to Ankara?

At about 17 km, Elmadağ is the nearest ski area to Ankara; however, it is not operated regularly. The nearest regularly operated resorts from Ankara include Ilgaz and Kartalkaya.

Doğadayız social adventure holiday

The easiest way to learn to ski: a winter activity holiday

An activity holiday puts a sport at the heart of your trip: transport, accommodation and meals are planned, so you can focus on learning on the slopes. On Doğadayız winter activity holidays, accommodation, ski pass and ski or snowboard equipment are included in every package; course packages include basic lessons with instructors affiliated with the Turkish Ski Federation, while experience packages let you practise on the slopes at your own level.

What makes the programme different is the group: sharing the slopes with people at a similar level, dinners and nights out together, and a group leader by your side at all times. Solo travellers become part of this social adventure holiday from day one. That is why we describe our programmes as a social adventure holiday.

Doğadayız programmes run at these resorts: Erciyes, Sarıkamış, Bansko.

Other ski resorts nearby

Bolu2,200 m
Kartalkaya Ski Resort
~38 km of runs · 17 lifts · 2 piste systems
Kartalkaya is a ski resort in the Köroğlu Mountains, about 38 km south-east of Bolu and close to Istanbul (~280 km) and Ankara (~170 km). The ski area lies between 1,850 and 2,200 m and is split into two separate piste systems: the Kartal side and the Dorukkaya side. The lifts and runs are operated by hotels; according to skiresort.info, the two sides have about 38 km of runs and 17 lifts in total. The Dorukkaya side, with its wide, easy runs, suits beginners; the Kartal side, with longer and steeper descents, suits intermediate to advanced skiers. Ski passes for one side may not be valid on the other.
Piste guide →
~131 km
Karabük1,735 m
Keltepe Ski Resort
5 runs · chairlift + drag lift + baby lift
Keltepe Ski Resort lies about 23 km from Karabük city centre on Keltepe (1,999 m), which is regarded as the highest point of the Western Black Sea region. It was opened by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in January 2020. The ski area lies at roughly 1,485–1,735 m; there is a 4-seater chairlift (873 m), a drag lift and a baby lift. According to Anadolu Agency (AA), 5 runs descend through pine forests; the baby lift and training slopes are for beginners.
Piste guide →
~146 km
Çankırı1,877 m
Ilgaz Ski Resorts
Yıldıztepe: 3 runs · chairlift + drag lift
The Ilgaz Mountains have three separate ski areas: Yıldıztepe on the Çankırı side, and Ilgaz Dağı Ski Resort (inside the National Park) and Yurduntepe on the Kastamonu side. This guide focuses on Yıldıztepe: it is about 20 km from the town of Ilgaz and 200 km from Ankara; the ski area lies between 1,500 and 1,877 m. It is served by one chairlift (~1,540 m) and one drag lift; the runs are a 4,500 m green, a 2,400 m black and a 900 m green-blue run. Yıldıztepe also has an FIS-registered cross-country skiing trail.
Piste guide →
~154 km