Piste maps · Kars
Sarıkamış Ski Resort is in Kars, on the slopes of Cıbıltepe (Bayraktepe, 2,634 m). The runs come down through Scots pine forests and are arranged in two stages: runs from the summit down to stage 1, runs from stage 1 down to the base where the hotels are, and also two challenging runs from the summit down to Karanlıkdere. The runs are served by 5 chairlifts. Beginners start on the beginner slope in front of the hotels and on the wide beginner run of stage 1.
Sarıkamış Ski Resort is in Kars, on the slopes of Cıbıltepe (Bayraktepe, 2,634 m). The runs come down through Scots pine forests and are arranged in two stages: runs from the summit down to stage 1, runs from stage 1 down to the base where the hotels are, and also two challenging runs from the summit down to Karanlıkdere. The runs are served by 5 chairlifts. Beginners start on the beginner slope in front of the hotels and on the wide beginner run of stage 1.
Data note: We could not find an up-to-date lift and piste table published by the operator for Sarıkamış. The pages of the official bodies (SERKA, Sarıkamış Municipality, the District Governorate) date from different years and their figures do not match: the total piste length is given as 21.3–25 km and the number of chairlifts as 4–5. The lengths of the numbered runs are from the Sarıkamış Ski Resort information site. The Doğadayız team will check this page on site at the start of the season.
Last updated: · Sources at the end of the page
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Sarıkamış, Cıbıltepe (Bayraktepe), Kars, Türkiye
40.3192° N, 42.6159° E
In Sarıkamış the run layout is read by stages:
| Lift | Type | Area | Bottom – top | Length | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 chairlift | Chairlift | Base – stage 1 | — | — | — |
| Stage 2 chairlift | Chairlift | Stage 1 – summit | — | — | — |
| Karanlıkdere (stage 3) chairlift | Chairlift | Karanlıkdere | — | — | — |
| New chairlift with wind hood (bubble) | Chairlift | — | — | — | 3,000 people/hour · SERKA: direct drive, 3,000 people per hour |
According to Sarıkamış Municipality, the line lengths of the 4 chairlifts on Bayraktepe are 1,437, 1,807, 1,650 and 1,450 metres; according to SERKA, the newly built bubble chairlift has brought the number to five. As the sources do not say which length belongs to which chairlift, they have not been matched in the table.
Easy: 3Intermediate: 1Difficult: 5
| Run | Difficulty | Length | Start – finish | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner slope (hotel area) | Easy | — | — | For first-time skiers |
| Run | Difficulty | Length | Start – finish | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Easy | — | — | Wide beginner run |
| 2 | Easy | — | — | — |
| Run | Difficulty | Length | Start – finish | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Intermediate | 3,500 m | — | Lift: Stage 2 chairlift · Longest run |
| 4 | Difficult | 2,800 m | — | Lift: Stage 2 chairlift · Advanced |
| 5 | Difficult | 2,800 m | — | Lift: Stage 2 chairlift · Expert |
| 8 · Snow Park | Difficult | 2,600 m | — | Lift: Stage 2 chairlift · Advanced; snowpark |
| Run | Difficulty | Length | Start – finish | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 · Karanlıkdere | Difficult | 2,400 m | — | Lift: Karanlıkdere chairlift · Expert |
| 7 · Karanlıkdere | Difficult | 2,600 m | — | Lift: Karanlıkdere chairlift · Advanced |
The difficulty of runs 1 and 2 is based on the source's description "beginner run"; their lengths have not been published. The lengths and levels of runs 3–8 are from the Sarıkamış Ski Resort information site (Advanced and Expert are shown as difficult).
| Level | Where to start? | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Day one | Hotel area | Beginner slope |
| Beginner | Stage 1 chairlift | Runs 1 and 2 (from stage 1 down to the base) |
| Intermediate | Stage 2 chairlift | Run 3 (3,500 m) |
| Advanced | Stage 2 and Karanlıkdere | 4, 5, 6, 7; snowpark (8) |
There are 8 numbered runs and a beginner slope in the hotel area. Official sources give the number of runs as nine and the total length as 21–25 km.
Yes. The beginner slope in front of the hotels and the wide beginner runs of stage 1 are suitable for beginners. Karanlıkdere and runs 4 and 5 on stage 2, on the other hand, are for advanced skiers.
Runs 6 and 7 in Karanlıkdere are advanced and expert level. According to SERKA, the Karanlıkdere run has a gradient of 28%.
BeginnerLearningSkiing · KIS-001
You start skiing with a beginner lesson with an instructor, rental equipment and easy (beginner) slopes. On day one you put on your skis, glide on flat ground, learn to stop with the snowplough and ride the magic carpet; on day two you come down an easy slope under control with snowplough turns. For an adult who has never skied, this stage usually takes 2 days.
Read the guide →BeginnerLearningSnowboarding · KIS-021
You start snowboarding by finding your stance (regular or goofy), with a beginner lesson with an instructor and with rental equipment. On day one you learn to push with one foot and to side-slip on your heel edge (heelside) and your toe edge (toeside); then you change direction with the falling leaf, and usually on day 2–3 you make your first linked turns.
Read the guide →GeneralSafetyWinter Sports · KIS-081
The FIS 10 rules for conduct are the rules of behaviour set by the International Ski Federation for skiers and snowboarders: respect for others, control of speed, choice of route, overtaking, entering the piste, stopping, climbing and descending on foot, respecting signs, assistance and identification. They are not law; however, around the world they are used as a benchmark when assessing liability in skiing accidents.
Read the guide →Doğadayız social adventure holiday
Doğadayız runs a ski and snowboard activity holiday to Sarıkamış: accommodation, ski pass and ski or snowboard equipment are included in the package. Course packages include basic lessons with instructors affiliated with the Turkish Ski Federation; on experience packages you practise on the slopes at your own level. For other resorts, see the winter activity holidays page.
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.
Erzurum3,140 m
50 runs · ~60 km · 2 gondolas
Palandöken Ski Resort lies just 4–7 km from Erzurum city centre, on the slopes of Ejder Peak (Ejder Tepesi, 3,176 m). The official run list of Ejder 3200, the company owned by Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality, contains 50 runs (around 60 km in total): 14 blue, 10 red, 26 black. The ski area rises from 2,200 m to 3,140 m; it is served by two gondolas and 4-seater chairlifts. Eğerli (3,728 m) is the longest blue run; Ejder and Kapıkaya are FIS-homologated runs. Six runs offer night skiing, and there is also a snowpark and halfpipe. Palandöken hosted the 2011 Winter Universiade.
Piste guide →Erzurum2,900 m
8 runs · 3 chairlifts · Universiade runs
Konaklı Ski Resort lies south-west of Erzurum, about 20 km from the city, on the northern foothills of Karakaya Tepesi (3,167 m). The alpine skiing races of the 2011 Winter Universiade (giant slalom, super-G, slalom) were held here; the runs are FIS-homologated. Ejder 3200's official list includes 8 runs (around 11.7 km in total); the longest is Acı Su (2,555 m). At present 3 four-seater chairlifts (A, C, D) operate. Compared with Palandöken it is known for its quiet, wide runs; the Ejder 3200 ski pass is valid here too.
Piste guide →Gümüşhane2,500 m
2 runs · drag lift + 2 baby lifts
Zigana Ski Resort is in the Zigana Mountains, in the Torul district of Gümüşhane; it is known as the only ski resort in the Eastern Black Sea region. It is 40 km from Gümüşhane and 60 km from Trabzon Airport. According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the ski area lies between 1,900 and 2,500 m. There is one drag lift (850 m) and two baby lifts for beginners; two runs of 800 and 600 m come down a wooded slope with a gradient of around 20%. It is a small, family-friendly resort.
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