Outdoor Academy
Beginner guides for your first time on a board, intermediate technique articles for riders learning to switch edges. Every guide points you to the next lesson.
93 guides · filter by level
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 →BeginnerTechniqueSnowboarding · KIS-023
On a snowboard, if your left foot is in front you ride regular, and if your right foot is in front you ride goofy. Both are correct; as Burton puts it, “regular doesn't mean right and goofy doesn't mean wrong”. There are three simple tests to find out which one you are: the foot you put forward when sliding on a slippery floor in your socks, and the foot you step forward with to keep your balance when someone gives you a gentle push from behind, is usually your front foot; the foot you start climbing stairs with, on the other hand, is most likely your back foot. For beginners, Burton recommends a binding set-up with the front foot positive and the back foot at zero (+/0).
Read the guide →BeginnerTechniqueSnowboarding · KIS-024
The basic snowboard stance, as defined by the New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance (NZSIA), is a position slightly lower and more flexed than normal standing: feet about shoulder-width apart, weight evenly on both feet; ankles, knees and hips relaxed and slightly flexed; hips and shoulders aligned with the direction of your feet and the board's edge; upper body upright, arms relaxed at your sides; head and eyes turned in the direction of travel. On the heelside, your hips shift slightly towards your heels; on the toeside, your ankles and knees flex more. The two most common mistakes are leaning back towards the tail out of fear and trying to create edge angle by tilting your whole body.
Read the guide →BeginnerLearningSnowboarding · KIS-025
Skating means moving along flat ground with your front foot strapped into the binding, pushing with your free back foot like on a skateboard. Your back foot steps down between the two bindings, on the heel or toe side of the board; you take small, slow steps and never push behind the back binding. Then you put your back foot on the stomp pad or next to the back binding and glide, and to stop you drag your free foot in the snow. You use this skill every day on the slopes: getting on and off the magic carpet, drag lifts and chairlifts requires knowing how to skate with one foot.
Read the guide →BeginnerSafetySnowboarding · KIS-026
Falling is a natural part of learning to snowboard; what matters is falling correctly. The most important rule: don't try to catch yourself with your hands. According to Burton, you should pull your arms in and take the impact with large, fleshy areas such as your forearms, elbows and bottom, roll with the momentum and tuck your chin to your chest when falling backwards. According to the New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance (NZSIA), when you feel you are going to fall, make loose fists, get low and stay relaxed. This matters because the wrist is the most commonly injured area in snowboarding injuries and the main mechanism is falling; wrist guards also reduce wrist injuries significantly.
Read the guide →BeginnerTechniqueSnowboarding · KIS-027
Heelside is the long edge of the snowboard under your heels. On the heel edge you stand facing down the slope and press this edge into the snow by pushing through your heels: increase the pressure and you slow down and stop, ease it off and you slide. Most beginners learn speed control and stopping on a snowboard on the heelside first.
Read the guide →BeginnerTechniqueSnowboarding · KIS-028
Toeside means riding on the toe edge of the snowboard: your face and chest face up the slope and your back faces the valley. Beginners usually learn heelside first and then toeside; Burton's beginner sequence follows the same order. On the toeside you balance over the balls of your feet, pressing both shins evenly into the front of your boots. To slide, you ease off the shin pressure a little and lower your heels; to stop, you bend your ankles and knees a little more and bring your hips over the balls of your feet. Next comes the falling leaf, where you steer the board left and right.
Read the guide →BeginnerTechniqueSnowboarding · KIS-030
A garland is a snowboard drill in which you practise the start and finish phases of a turn without changing edges. While traversing the slope on one edge, you steer the nose of the board towards the fall line with your front knee and hip, then turn it back up the slope on the same edge; you leave a wavy track in the snow. In the NZSIA progression the order is side-slip → falling leaf → traverse → garland → C-turn. When you move from the garland to the C-turn, the only new thing to learn is the edge change.
Read the guide →BeginnerTechniqueSnowboarding · KIS-031
The J-turn is the first turn you learn on a snowboard: while gliding straight on a gentle slope, you tilt the board onto one edge and turn uphill to stop; your track looks like the letter J. In Burton's beginner sequence, the J-turn comes after skating with one foot and before the edge work. In a heelside J-turn you put your weight on your heels and look over your heelside shoulder; on the toeside you put your weight over the balls of your feet and look towards your toe edge. It is your front foot and your gaze that steer the board; your back foot completes the movement. After the J-turn come C-turns and linked S-turns.
Read the guide →BeginnerTechniqueSnowboarding · KIS-032
A linked S-turn means joining heelside and toeside turns without stopping so that you draw an S shape down the slope; it is the measure of being able to say “I can ride” on a snowboard. According to the New Zealand Snowsports Instructors Alliance (NZSIA), the turn comes from the lower body: the front foot starts the turn by steering the board into the fall line, and the back foot follows that movement to finish the turn. To change edges you only move sideways as much as you need to, and the timing of the edge change is critical: a sudden change before the fall line makes the downhill edge catch in the snow. The most common mistake is leaning back out of fear as you go into the turn.
Read the guide →BeginnerEquipmentSnowboarding · KIS-042
When choosing your first snowboard, weight matters more than height: according to Burton, the board only “knows” your weight and your boot size, and manufacturers' weight ranges are recommendations, not rules. A practical starting point is a length that comes between your chin and nose when the board is stood upright; for beginners, Ride finds a slightly shorter board more forgiving. If your boot size is large (men's US 11–12 and above), you may need a wide board; otherwise your toes and heels drag in the snow. For a beginner, soft flex and a forgiving profile (according to Burton, a soft flat profile) make the easiest start. Renting in your first season is the best choice.
Read the guide →BeginnerEquipmentSnowboarding · KIS-046
When choosing snowboard bindings, ask three questions in order: system (classic straps, rear-entry or locking like Burton Step On), compatibility (the board's hole pattern: 4x4, 2x4 or Burton Channel; Step On bindings only work with Step On boots) and size (based on your boot size; the boot can overhang the board edge slightly, but any more and it drags). For setup, the starting point is the board's reference stance and a stance slightly wider than shoulder width; for angles, around +15° at the front and between 0 and −6° at the back is common for beginners. NZSIA recommends that the difference in angle between your two feet should not exceed 30°.
Read the guide →BeginnerEquipmentSnowboarding · KIS-049
Snowboard boots should fit snugly but without hurting, and your heel should not lift. According to Burton, do not assume your everyday shoe size; wear the boots and walk around for 5–10 minutes. When you bend your knees, your toes should lightly touch the end of the liner, and if your heel lifts with the boots fully laced, try half a size smaller. For beginners, a soft and forgiving flex is best. There are three lacing options: traditional laces (full control), BOA (even tightening with a dial, adjustable with gloves on) and two-zone speed lacing. In your first season you can rent boots too; what matters is the right size and fit.
Read the guide →BeginnerEquipmentWinter Sports · KIS-053
For a beginner, the right approach is to rent in your first season. According to Burton, while you are learning you should prioritise lessons over new equipment, rent your gear and invest once you have learned the basics. When you decide to buy, the usual order is: first personal items (helmet, goggles, gloves, socks), then boots that fit your feet perfectly, and skis or a snowboard last. The main risk with rental equipment is a poor setting: for short-term rentals, the binding should be set by a technician according to ISO 13993. On a winter activity holiday package, equipment is usually already included.
Read the guide →BeginnerEquipmentWinter Sports · KIS-062
Ski goggles protect your eyes from wind, snow and reflected sunlight. According to the World Health Organization, fresh snow reflects up to 80% of UV radiation, and the UV level rises by about 10% with every 1,000 metres; so if you do not protect your eyes in the mountains, there is a risk of snow blindness. When choosing a lens, look at the filter category: categories 0–1 (clear lens) are for overcast and foggy weather, category 2 for changeable weather and category 3 for sunny weather; category 4 is for very intense light and is not suitable for driving. Goggles should fit your helmet without leaving a gap. The international standard for ski and snowboard goggles is ISO 18527-1.
Read the guide →BeginnerSafetyWinter Sports · KIS-063
When choosing a ski helmet, check three things: certification, fit and goggle compatibility. In Europe the standard for ski and snowboard helmets is EN 1077 (class A covers the ears and has a stricter penetration test; class B offers more ventilation and better hearing); in the USA it is ASTM F2040. The helmet should fit snugly but without hurting, stay put when you shake your head, and leave room for two fingers under the chin strap. According to a meta-analysis of 12 studies, helmet wearers are about 35% less likely to suffer a head injury, and neck injuries do not increase. After a serious impact, a helmet should be replaced even if there is no visible damage.
Read the guide →BeginnerSafetyWinter Sports · KIS-083
In Europe, runs are marked by difficulty as blue (easy), red (intermediate) and black (difficult); in some countries, such as France, and at some resorts, green is also used for the easiest runs. Under the Austrian standard, the gradient of a blue run should not exceed 25% and that of a red run 40%; anything steeper is black. In North America, the symbols green circle, blue square and black diamond are used, and difficulty is relative only to that resort's own runs. Turkey has no national standard; resorts use the European system. After the first days, beginners should start on blue (or, where available, green) runs.
Read the guide →BeginnerSafetyWinter Sports · KIS-084
A piste map has three layers: lifts (gondolas, chairlifts, drag lifts and magic carpets; usually straight lines), runs (blue, red and black by difficulty; often numbered) and services (rental, first aid, restaurants, meeting points). When reading the map, first find where you are and your return point, then the runs that suit your level and the lifts that take you up to them. The live board at the resort entrance shows which lifts and runs are open (green) or closed (red) and any avalanche warning; plan your day accordingly.
Read the guide →BeginnerSafetyWinter Sports · KIS-085
Ski resorts have four types of lift: the magic carpet, the drag lift (T-bar), the chairlift and the gondola. Beginners master the magic carpet first, then the chairlift; the drag lift is the hardest because it takes balance. The basic rule on a chairlift: watch the chair over your shoulder, sit all the way back, lower the safety bar once everyone is seated, raise it as you approach the top and move away from the ramp straight away. On a snowboard, you ride the lifts with your back foot out of the binding. Under the Erciyes rules, children may not ride the lifts without an adult.
Read the guide →BeginnerSafetyWinter Sports · KIS-105
Physical preparation for skiing and snowboarding gives you two things: less fatigue in the first few days and keeping control at the end of the day. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) recommends arriving in good condition, stopping when you get tired, and warming up for 3–5 minutes before skiing and starting with a few slow runs; many skiing injuries happen at the end of the day. To be honest, though, according to a systematic review there is not enough evidence that fitness training reduces injuries in recreational skiers; the evidence is strongest for knee injury awareness training and, in snowboarding, for wrist guards.
Read the guide →BeginnerLearningWinter Sports · KIS-113
Depending on effort, skiing and snowboarding are moderate- to high-intensity exercise: according to the 2024 Compendium of Physical Activities, active skiing time comes to 4.3 METs at light effort, 6.3 at moderate effort and 8.0 at vigorous effort; for someone weighing 70 kg, that means roughly 300, 440 and 560 kcal per hour (only while skiing; less on the lift and in the queue). In the cold, you feel less thirsty: in one study, cold conditions reduced thirst by up to 40%. That is why you should drink water regularly without waiting to feel thirsty, start the day with a filling breakfast, top up your energy during the day with small snacks and eat well in the evening to recover. Alcohol is linked to ski injuries; in a case-control study, even drinking the night before could increase the risk.
Read the guide →BeginnerDestinationsWinter Sports · KIS-118
Erciyes Ski Resort is about an hour's drive from Cappadocia, so you can learn to ski in Erciyes and stay in Cappadocia. The plan is simple: lessons and practice in Erciyes during the day, dinner and nightlife in Cappadocia in the evening, and, depending on the length of the programme, one day for a balloon ride, the valleys and the underground cities. On Doğadayız Erciyes programmes, accommodation is in cave hotels in Ürgüp; on the 4-night, 5-day programme, a balloon ride, an ATV safari and a Cappadocia regional tour are included in the package alongside two days of lessons. It is a complete winter activity holiday that combines skiing with exploring a region.
Read the guide →BeginnerDestinationsWinter Sports · KIS-129
The best resort for your first ski holiday is not the biggest one but the one that suits a beginner best. Look at eight criteria: (1) a beginner area with a magic carpet, (2) the share of easy runs and access to them, (3) altitude and reliable snow, (4) travel time, (5) the hotel's distance from the slopes, (6) crowds, (7) off-slope experiences and social life, (8) budget and visa. In Türkiye, Erciyes stands out for first-timers with its large beginner areas and training area; once you can ski, the forest runs of Sarıkamış or, abroad, Bansko make a good next step. Once you have chosen the resort, a winter activity holiday that combines lessons, equipment and ski pass in a single package makes your first experience easier.
Read the guide →BeginnerHolidaysWinter Sports · KIS-130
The easiest way to plan your first ski holiday is to get the order right: assess your level → choose the resort → allow at least 2–3 days on the slopes → pick dates with the mid-year school holiday crowds in mind → plan lessons, equipment, ski pass and accommodation together → get your clothing ready → check safety and insurance. For someone who has never skied, a resort with a large training area (e.g. Erciyes) and lessons with an instructor are essential. A winter activity holiday that brings all these pieces together in one package is the way to make the fewest mistakes on your first trip.
Read the guide →BeginnerHolidaysWinter Sports · KIS-131
For someone who has never skied, a ski holiday should include at least 2–3 full days on the slopes; with travel days this usually means a holiday of between 2 nights/3 days and 4 nights/5 days. A common benchmark at ski schools is that a beginner can get down an easy run after three days of lessons. If you can already ski on your own, 3–4 days on the slopes is enough to get to know different runs. What matters is not the total number of nights but the number of full days you spend on the slopes; count travel days separately.
Read the guide →BeginnerHolidaysWinter Sports · KIS-133
A ski pass is an electronic card that gives you the right to use the lifts at a ski resort (gondola, chairlift, drag lift). It is scanned at the turnstile and comes in two basic types: unlimited use for a set period (day, multi-day, season) or a set number of rides. In Turkey, Erciyes works entirely on rides; Palandöken, Sarıkamış and Uludağ offer both day and ride options. A ski pass is personal, is non-refundable at most resorts, and a separate deposit is charged for the card. On a winter activity holiday package, the ski pass is usually included in the price.
Read the guide →BeginnerHolidaysWinter Sports · KIS-135
Ski-in/ski-out means accommodation where you can ski out of the hotel to a run or a lift and ski back to the hotel at the end of the day; it is a term used by the tourism industry and is not found in dictionaries. Its biggest advantage is time and convenience: no transfers, long walks or carrying equipment. Utah's official ski tourism organisation says that ski-in/ski-out is everyone's first choice but is often more expensive. Do not confuse it with “close to the slopes”: with real ski-in/ski-out, you connect to the slopes without taking your skis off.
Read the guide →BeginnerHolidaysWinter Sports · KIS-136
Two packages that both say “lessons included” may not be the same thing. When comparing, check ten points: (1) how many hours a day and how many days of lessons, (2) group size, (3) the instructor's Turkish Ski Federation certificate, (4) whether the ski pass is unlimited or ride-based, (5) which equipment is included, (6) transfers between hotel and slopes, (7) the accommodation's distance from the slopes and meals, (8) insurance, (9) cancellation and date change terms, (10) a group leader and a social programme. Comparing these points in a single table shows what the price of a winter activity holiday really covers.
Read the guide →BeginnerLearningWinter Sports · KIS-140
Children can usually start learning to ski at age 3–4, and snowboarding from age 4. France’s ski school ESF offers a play-based club for ages 3–5, and schools in Switzerland run group lessons from age 3; according to Burton, snowboard schools usually start at age 4. The operator’s children’s school in Bansko is for ages 4–7. At these ages, lessons progress through play and in short sessions. For safety, a helmet is essential: research shows that helmets reduce head, neck and face injuries in children under 13. In Erciyes, children cannot ride the lifts without an adult.
Read the guide →BeginnerLearningWinter Sports · KIS-142
The key to teaching children to ski is play. France’s ski school ESF says that lessons at Club Piou-Piou, its club for ages 3–5, are taught through play, and that its children’s programmes are built on fun, freedom and play. The American instructors’ association PSIA-AASI uses the CAP model, which looks at the child together with their cognitive, affective and physical development: two children of the same age learn differently. In practice, this means short lessons with plenty of breaks, explained through stories and games. For safety, a helmet and a suitable beginner area are essential.
Read the guide →BeginnerLearningWinter Sports · KIS-143
No, adults do not find it hard to learn to ski; they just learn differently. According to Doğadayız booking records, the average age of the 2,140 people who joined the basic course packages over the last four winter seasons is 31.6; 56% are over 30 and 14% over 40. Adults are more cautious than children and more wary of falling, so it is important to start in the right order, with an instructor and in a gently sloping beginner area. Physical preparation, rental equipment that is set up correctly and a two- or three-day winter activity holiday are the most effective start for an adult.
Read the guide →BeginnerLearningWinter Sports · KIS-145
For someone who has never skied, group lessons are often enough and cheaper; the topics of the first days (balance, snowplough, stopping, first turns) are the same for everyone, and learning with people at the same level boosts motivation. Private lessons suit those who want to solve a specific problem, overcome fear or progress quickly in a short time. The price difference is large: at Snow Academia in Erciyes in the 2025–26 season, a one-to-one lesson cost 4,000 TL per hour, while in groups of 5 or more it was 2,250 TL per person. Group lessons also kick off the social side of a winter activity holiday.
Read the guide →BeginnerLearningWinter Sports · KIS-146
The first step in choosing a good ski instructor is to ask about their licence: under the instructor regulations of the Turkish Ski Federation (TKF), paid lessons in Türkiye may only be given by holders of a TKF instructor licence, and the licence has to be renewed every year. There is a single instructor licence per discipline (alpine, Nordic, snowboard); “levels” apply to coaching (training racers). After the licence, look at teaching skill: an instructor who progresses at your level, explains, gives you choices and notices your fear. Abroad, look for national certificates such as ISIA, BASI, PSIA-AASI or France’s state diploma.
Read the guide →BeginnerLearningWinter Sports · KIS-147
Being afraid while learning to ski is perfectly normal, and it directly affects learning: in a study of 337 students, beginners did better the lower their fear and the higher their self-efficacy (the belief that “I can do it”); self-efficacy predicted success. The way to manage fear is not to suppress it but to build confidence through small, successful steps: a gentle area, the right falling technique, an instructor who gives you choices and a group at the same level. In one study, teaching that gave learners choices (autonomy-supportive teaching) improved skill and self-confidence more without needing extra time.
Read the guide →IntermediateTechniqueSnowboarding · KIS-035
On a snowboard, your speed is set by the shape of your turns: according to NZSIA, closed turns finished across the fall line cut your speed on steep slopes and hard snow, while open turns keep your speed on flatter terrain. Turn size depends on how long the board stays in the fall line and how slowly the movements are applied. Short turns call for more quickly timed rotation, retraction movements and blended turn phases; in long turns, less rotation, movements spread over a longer time and the board's sidecut are decisive. Pressure is controlled by the legs flexing and extending like a shock absorber.
Read the guide →IntermediateTechniqueSnowboarding · KIS-037
Riding switch means riding with your usual stance reversed, i.e. with your other foot forward: a regular rider rides goofy, and a goofy rider rides regular. According to the New Zealand instructors' association (NZSIA), switch is essential for many freestyle moves and also makes you a more versatile rider in freeride. The learning sequence is similar to basic training: on a flatter green run, start with a switch traverse, then the garland, C-turns and finally linked switch turns. Setting up your bindings duck (front foot angled towards the nose, back foot towards the tail, e.g. +15/−15 or +8/−8) evens out both directions. In NZSIA's comparison, learning switch is like learning to write with your other hand: it feels clumsy at first and improves with patience.
Read the guide →IntermediateEquipmentSnowboarding · KIS-045
Snowboards fall into four main types depending on the terrain they are made for. All-mountain boards, in Burton's definition, are designed for good performance on any terrain, including groomed runs, the park and powder; most beginner boards are in this category too. Freestyle (park) boards usually have a twin shape, meaning the nose and tail are identical, which makes riding and landing switch easier. Freeride boards are usually directional and stiffer, for off-piste riding and speed. Powder boards have a wide nose, a tail that narrows (taper) and bindings set back towards the tail (setback), so they float in deep snow. For a beginner, the right choice is often a soft, all-mountain board.
Read the guide →IntermediateEquipmentWinter Sports · KIS-054
Wax helps ski and snowboard bases glide better on snow and protects the base from drying out. The longest-lasting method is hot waxing: the wax is melted into the base with an iron, left to cool, the excess is scraped off with a plexi scraper in the direction of travel and the base is brushed. According to Toko, the base starts absorbing wax from 70 °C; the iron temperature depends on the wax (Toko: yellow for warm snow 130 °C, red for general use 140 °C, blue for cold snow 150 °C), and you need to let it cool for at least 30 minutes before scraping. Wax is chosen according to snow temperature. FIS has banned fluorinated waxes in all races from the 2023/24 season onwards. With rental equipment, the rental shop does this maintenance; if you have your own equipment, it is time to wax when the base starts to look dry and whitish.
Read the guide →IntermediateTechniqueWinter Sports · KIS-080
Video is the easiest way to see your own riding from the outside, and research shows it supports learning when used correctly: on a five-day ski course, the groups who watched video learned to turn and stop better. But video alone is not enough; its effect depends on watching it together with one or two concrete cues and using it at selected moments, not after every run. For a good video, keep the sun behind the camera, film the rider horizontally and steadily, and assess from the 4th–5th turn onwards rather than the first turns. Watch first at real speed, then slowed down, and ask for permission before filming others.
Read the guide →AdvancedTechniqueSnowboarding · KIS-036
Carving means the snowboard turning without skidding or sliding sideways, travelling only on its edge; it leaves a track in the snow as fine as a pencil line. According to the manual of the New Zealand instructors' alliance (NZSIA), in a skidded turn the edge angle is low and the board is turned (pivoted), whereas in carving the edge angle is high and the pivot is zero: the turn is drawn by the board's sidecut and flex. To do this, the rider tilts their body in two ways: angulation (creating angles at the ankles, knees and hips) and inclination (leaning the whole body into the turn). Every balanced turn needs both together. Before moving on to carving, you should be able to make linked S-turns comfortably.
Read the guide →AdvancedTechniqueSnowboarding · KIS-038
An ollie is a controlled jump powered by the tail of the snowboard: you shift your weight onto your back foot, flex the tail, pull your front foot and knees up as the board springs back, and land on both feet at the same time with the base flat. A nollie is the same move done from the nose. According to NZSIA, the progression starts on flat ground: first pressing the tail to lift the nose (wheelie), then jumping with both feet, then combining the two. The next steps in freestyle are presses, the 50-50 on a low box and small jumps. Before going into a terrain park, learn the Park SMART rules of the US ski areas association NSAA: start small, make a plan, always look, respect, take it easy. Research shows that the risk of head, neck and back injuries is higher in the park, which is why a helmet and gradual progression are essential.
Read the guide →AdvancedTechniqueSnowboarding · KIS-039
On a steep slope, speed is managed through the shape of your turn: according to NZSIA, on steep or hard snow small, closed turns reduce forward momentum, and the edge change is made early but progressively. On ice there is a counter-intuitive rule: a lower, centred stance and less edge angle put more of the base in contact with the snow. In crud and slush, your ankles and knees absorb the impacts and you keep your edging limited. In powder, instead of leaning back with your shoulders, you shift your hips towards your back foot, and you can move your bindings back slightly towards the tail. If the terrain is too much for you, sideslipping or traversing down is always a valid option.
Read the guide →AdvancedTechniqueWinter Sports · KIS-077
The basic rule in powder is to change your piste habits a little. On skis, you spread your weight more evenly across both feet and steer both skis into the new turn together, actively and gradually; PSIA's study guide states that the resistance of deep snow requires this. On a snowboard, to keep the nose on the surface you shift your hips towards your back foot instead of leaning back with your shoulders, and keep your front knee bent; turns are kept slightly open to maintain speed. A few centimetres of fresh snow is ideal to start with. Powder also has a hidden danger: falling head first into the hollows at the base of trees or into deep snow can lead to snow immersion suffocation; that is why in powder you always ride with a partner who stays within sight.
Read the guide →AdvancedSafetyWinter Sports · KIS-079
Moving into freeride rests on three pillars: technique, knowledge and equipment. Technically, you should be able to ski under control in any snow and terrain, including steep sections. In terms of knowledge, you need an avalanche training course (for example the three-day AIARE 1 in the US, or the AST 1 of at least two days in Canada) and companion rescue practice. As for equipment, every member of the group should carry an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel and be able to use them. The reason is time: in Swiss data, the chance of survival for someone completely buried drops from 91% at 18 minutes to 34% at 35 minutes; in other words, rescue is usually in the hands of the friends with you. An avalanche airbag lowers the death rate but is no guarantee. The safest way is to have your first off-piste experiences with a certified mountain guide.
Read the guide →AdvancedSafetyWinter Sports · KIS-091
Marked and open slopes are secured against avalanches; off-piste terrain is not, and skiing there is entirely at your own risk. Even in Türkiye, skiers who went off-piste have lost their lives in avalanches: at Erciyes in 2022 and at Palandöken in 2024. If you are thinking of going off-piste, there are three conditions: reading the avalanche bulletin (on the European scale of 1–5; about half of deaths happen at level 3), everyone in the group carrying a transceiver, probe and shovel, and having learned to use them through training. A buried person's chance of survival is above 90% in the first 10–18 minutes but drops sharply after that; the rescue is up to the friends you are with.
Read the guide →AdvancedSnow and mountain scienceWinter Sports · KIS-102
An avalanche bulletin is a daily forecast showing the avalanche danger in a region on a scale from 1 to 5, on which aspects and elevations it is expected and with which avalanche problem. In Europe the scale is set by the European Avalanche Warning Services (EAWS): 1 low, 2 moderate, 3 considerable, 4 high, 5 very high. The level is based on how unstable the snowpack is, on how many slopes this is found and the size of the largest expected avalanche. An important detail: according to data from the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) and the EAWS, about half of avalanche deaths occur at level 3 (considerable), because this level is issued often and people underestimate the danger. The bulletin is a regional forecast; it cannot tell you the situation on a single slope and does not replace an on-site assessment. In Türkiye, no daily regional avalanche bulletin with levels 1–5 is published; for Bansko, the Bulgarian Avalanche Association publishes a bulletin.
Read the guide →GeneralLearningSnowboarding · KIS-040
When learning to snowboard, the order is largely the same everywhere: stance, one-footed riding, and falling and getting up; sideslipping on the heel and toe edges, and the falling leaf; learning to turn with garlands and C-turns; linked turns, switch and different terrain; and finally carving, freestyle and freeride. The New Zealand instructors' association NZSIA describes this progression chapter by chapter; the US AASI divides riders into beginner, intermediate and advanced zones; and the French ski school ESF uses levels ranging from Découverte to Snowboard Expert. The list below is compiled from these systems.
Read the guide →GeneralEquipmentWinter Sports · KIS-055
A sharp edge means grip on hard and icy snow. Edge angles are written as base bevel / side bevel: the base bevel makes turning easier, the side bevel increases grip. On recreational skis the factory setting is mostly 1° base, 2–3° side; Burton ships its snowboards with 1° base, 1° side. When sharpening, you work the base edge first, then the side edge, remove the burr and wax the board. Small scratches in the base can be filled with P-Tex; a deep scratch down to the core, delamination or a torn-out edge is a job for a workshop. For summer storage, the gear is dried completely, a coat of storage wax is applied to the base without scraping it off, and it is kept somewhere that is neither hot nor damp.
Read the guide →GeneralEquipmentWinter Sports · KIS-056
For skiing and snowboarding you wear three layers: a synthetic or wool base layer that wicks sweat away, a fleece mid-layer that holds in warmth, and a ski jacket and trousers that keep out wind and water. Add a single pair of thin ski socks, waterproof gloves, a neck gaiter, a helmet and goggles. Do not wear cotton: it gets soaked with sweat and makes you cold.
Read the guide →GeneralEquipmentWinter Sports · KIS-057
A ski jacket and trousers have to do two jobs at once: keep snow and water out and let sweat escape. On labels, the first number shows waterproofing (mm) and the second shows breathability (g/m²/24 hours); according to Burton, 5K/5K for dry snow, 10K/5K for above-average snow and 20K/10K for heavy wet snow or rain are a good starting point. However, there is no official industry standard for these values, and results from different test methods cannot be compared with each other. Membrane fabrics are made as 2 layers (2L), 2.5 layers (2.5L) and 3 layers (3L). When the water-repellent surface coating (DWR) wears off, the fabric wets out and can no longer breathe; that is why caring for it matters. The most versatile choice for skiing is a shell jacket and trousers that you can layer underneath.
Read the guide →GeneralEquipmentWinter Sports · KIS-060
On the slopes, your hands are the part of your body most exposed to both cold and wet. Mittens, where the fingers touch each other, generally keep you warmer than gloves with separate fingers; in a single-subject Antarctic test, the best results came from mittens with liner gloves and heated products. Gloves with fingers, on the other hand, make it easier to hold poles and use zips and buckles. Whichever you choose, get a waterproof model that covers your wrist, and add a thin liner glove underneath. The EN 511 code on a glove shows test results against cold and water but does not give a temperature rating. The first signs of frostbite are redness and pain, followed by white or grey-yellow, waxy and numb skin; if this happens, do not rub the skin, and warm it with lukewarm (not hot) water.
Read the guide →GeneralEquipmentWinter Sports · KIS-061
The best choice for skiing and snowboarding is usually a single, thin or medium-thickness, cotton-free (wool, merino or synthetic blend) sock that comes up above the boot cuff. Ski boots are designed to fit snugly; as PSIA warns, a sock that wrinkles or is too thick inside the boot leads to pressure and rubbing, and a thick sock can also restrict circulation. Cotton holds moisture and stretches and wrinkles when wet; in a double-blind study, acrylic socks were associated with fewer blisters than cotton. Wearing two thick socks does not warm your feet; it usually does the opposite.
Read the guide →GeneralSafetyWinter Sports · KIS-064
Of all protectors, the one whose effect is best proven is the snowboard wrist guard. According to a systematic review, the risk of wrist injury in snowboarders who wear wrist guards falls to about a quarter (RR 0.23); in other words, one wrist injury is prevented for every 50 snowboarders who wear wrist guards. In a randomised controlled trial there were 8 wrist injuries in the group with guards and 29 in the group without. Wrist guards are especially recommended for beginners in their first few days and for people using rental equipment; these two groups get injured more often. For back protectors and hip/tailbone pads, on the other hand, there is no strong evidence that they reduce injuries; they can be chosen for comfort and confidence in the snowpark and on the first days, when you fall a lot. No protector replaces a helmet.
Read the guide →GeneralTechniqueWinter Sports · KIS-066
The main riding styles in skiing and snowboarding are piste (turning technique on groomed, marked runs), all-mountain (every condition, from the piste to soft snow and bumps), freeride (natural off-piste terrain and deep snow), freestyle (snowpark, jumps, rails and halfpipe), ski touring and splitboarding (climbing up the mountain without lifts) and racing (timed disciplines from slalom to downhill). The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) recognises dozens of competition events under alpine skiing, freestyle and snowboard, and in 2024 it added freeride to its official disciplines. For a beginner, the right start is piste skiing, followed by all-mountain.
Read the guide →GeneralTechniqueSnowboarding · KIS-074
The main competition disciplines in snowboard freestyle are halfpipe (a series of aerial tricks in a snow channel with two walls), slopestyle (a course with rails, boxes and jumps), big air (a single trick off one big jump) and street style (rails and street-style obstacles). Under the FIS World Cup standards, halfpipe walls are 6.7 metres high. Judges generally assess a run on difficulty, amplitude, variety and execution, with a single overall impression score out of 100. For recreational riders, freestyle starts in the snowpark; in one study, the riskiest park features for snowboarders were jumps and the halfpipe, and the least risky were rails.
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 →GeneralSafetyWinter Sports · KIS-087
According to the literature cited by a study from Austria, about 80–90% of skiing accidents are falls and about 10% are collisions; but collisions more often result in head injuries and concussion. Research is clear on how to reduce the risk: actually measure your speed (even skiers who think they are slow average 39 km/h), slow down and look uphill at slope intersections, stop only where you are visible from above, wear a helmet (a meta-analysis found roughly a one-third reduction in the risk of head injury) and, if you have been drinking, be careful the next morning too.
Read the guide →GeneralSafetyWinter Sports · KIS-088
If there is an accident on the slopes, first secure the scene: plant your skis crossed about 10 metres above the injured person (lay a snowboard down with the bindings facing down) so that people coming from above can see you. Then call for help: in Türkiye, call 112 for all emergencies, or alert the nearest lift attendant and the ski patrol. If a serious injury is possible, do not move the injured person; keep them warm and stay with them. Under the rules of the International Ski Federation, everyone has a duty to help in an accident, and everyone involved in or witnessing an accident must exchange identification details.
Read the guide →GeneralSafetyWinter Sports · KIS-090
Ski resorts close slopes for avalanche control work, for grooming with piste bashers, at the end of the day or whenever safety cannot be ensured. Entering a closed slope is not just a breach of the rules but a real danger: the cables of the winch cats (winch-assisted piste bashers) that groom steep slopes are hundreds of metres long and under high tension, hard to see and almost invisible at night. That is why the Swiss guidelines require winch cats to operate only outside lift hours or on closed slopes. When the lifts close, the slopes close too, and the patrol checks only marked and open slopes. Entering a closed slope can lead to a fine of up to 150 euros in France and up to 1,000 dollars in the US state of Colorado.
Read the guide →GeneralSafetyWinter Sports · KIS-092
Five rules stand out when skiing with children: a helmet (in studies including children under 13, the risk of head injury was roughly halved or more), professionally adjusted bindings set for the child's age and weight, sitting fully back on the chairlift and lowering the safety bar (in one study the average age of children who fell from a chairlift was under 7), sun protection against UV, which multiplies at altitude and on snow, and a meeting point agreed in advance in case you get separated. Add to these drinking water regularly and taking breaks before they get tired.
Read the guide →GeneralSnow and mountain scienceWinter Sports · KIS-093
Snow is made of ice crystals that grow as water vapour turns directly into ice in clouds. Cloud droplets do not freeze straight away at 0 °C; they stay liquid in a supercooled state. According to Caltech physicist Kenneth Libbrecht, most droplets freeze at around −10 °C thanks to an ice nucleus such as a speck of dust in the air; below −40 °C no droplet can stay liquid. The frozen crystal grows by drawing the surrounding vapour onto itself. Temperature determines the crystal's shape, and humidity determines how complex it becomes: thin plates form between about 0 and −4 °C, columns and needles between −4 and −10 °C, and plates again between −10 and −22 °C; the classic six-armed star (dendrite) grows at around −15 °C in humid air. Once on the ground, snow keeps changing with temperature and wind; the snow you feel on the slope is the result of this transformation.
Read the guide →GeneralSnow and mountain scienceWinter Sports · KIS-094
The snow on the slope is not the same every day. According to the definitions of MeteoSwiss, the Swiss meteorological office, powder is fresh snow that has not yet been compacted; hard snow is snow compacted by melting and refreezing or by wind, and its most extreme form is crust; corn (spring) snow is moist snow whose surface thaws in the daytime sun, typical in spring. Artificial snow (machine-made snow, the name scientists prefer), according to the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), is much denser than natural snow (fresh natural snow averages ~100 kg/m³, dry machine-made snow ~400 kg/m³) and consists of small, round grains of 0.1–1 mm. That is why machine-made snow creates a more durable but harder slope.
Read the guide →GeneralSnow and mountain scienceWinter Sports · KIS-096
Mountains force air to rise: rising air cools, the moisture in it condenses, and cloud and precipitation can form very quickly. Temperature drops with altitude; on average by about 6.5 °C per 1,000 metres (by the UK Met Office's rule of thumb, about 2 °C per 300 metres). Wind strengthens with altitude and speeds up over ridges; on the far side of the mountain, warm and strong winds such as the föhn can blow. Cold air pooling in the valleys overnight (an inversion) can make the summit warmer than the valley in the morning. That is why the weather in the valley does not show what is happening at the summit. In Turkey, the Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM) publishes separate 5-day forecasts and snow depths for ski resorts.
Read the guide →GeneralSnow and mountain scienceWinter Sports · KIS-097
Wind chill is when the temperature you feel is lower than the actual air temperature because the wind quickly carries heat away from exposed skin. According to an information card from Turkey's Ministry of Labour and Social Security, at −5 °C a 30 km/h wind feels like −13 °C. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, when the wind chill is between −28 °C and −39 °C, exposed skin can freeze in 10–30 minutes; at lower values this drops to a few minutes. When skiing, you create part of the wind yourself: skin cools very quickly when you are coming down fast and especially when you are sitting facing into the wind on a chairlift.
Read the guide →GeneralSafetyWinter Sports · KIS-098
A whiteout, as defined by the American Meteorological Society, is an optical phenomenon in which the observer appears to be engulfed in a uniformly white glow: over unbroken snow cover under a uniformly overcast sky, shadows, the horizon and clouds disappear, and the sense of depth and direction is lost. According to the UK Met Office, the risk increases when fog or mist combines with widespread snow cover. When skiing, this means not being able to see the gradient, the bumps or the edge of the slope. When visibility worsens, slow down, stay on the marked slope near the markers along its edge, and switch to a slope one level easier; if visibility is very poor, ski down to the nearest lift station and call it a day.
Read the guide →GeneralSnow and mountain scienceWinter Sports · KIS-099
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), altitude sickness (acute mountain sickness, AMS) mostly affects unacclimatised people sleeping above 2,450 metres; in Colorado it occurs in about 25% of visitors who sleep at that altitude. The symptoms are a headache together with loss of appetite, dizziness, fatigue or nausea, and they usually start within 2–12 hours. At ski resorts in Türkiye the ski area can go above 3,000 metres (Erciyes 3,346 m), but accommodation is usually much lower down, so going high during the day and sleeping lower down reduces the risk. The CDC recommends avoiding alcohol for the first 48 hours. Altitude also increases UV radiation: by about 10% for every 1,000 metres.
Read the guide →GeneralSafetyWinter Sports · KIS-100
Snow blindness (photokeratitis) is when UV rays reflected off snow burn the front surface of the eye (the cornea); it is a kind of sunburn. According to the World Health Organization, fresh snow reflects up to 80% of UV radiation, and UV levels rise by about 10% for every 1,000 metres. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the symptoms (pain, redness, a gritty feeling, watering, sensitivity to light, blurred vision) appear after the damage has been done, 30 minutes to 12 hours after exposure, and usually clear up within 1–2 days. The way to protect yourself is a pair of goggles that blocks at least 99% of UV rays — even on overcast days.
Read the guide →GeneralSnow and mountain scienceWinter Sports · KIS-101
An avalanche is snow on a slope suddenly sliding and flowing downhill. The great majority of fatal avalanches are slab avalanches: there is a weak layer inside the snowpack; the cohesive layer of snow above it (the slab) fractures on this layer under a load, and a wide area breaks away at once. According to the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), more than 90% of avalanche deaths are caused by slab avalanches. A dry slab avalanche generally needs a slope of at least 30°; the slope angle where human-triggered avalanches start averages around 38–39°. The main factors that increase the risk are new snow, wind-drifted snow, temperature changes and persistent weak layers in the snowpack (surface hoar, faceted grains, depth hoar). The European Avalanche Warning Services (EAWS) group these situations into five typical avalanche problems.
Read the guide →GeneralSnow and mountain scienceWinter Sports · KIS-103
Artificial snowmaking means snow guns spraying water into very small droplets and freezing them in the air; no additives are used, only water and air. According to the slope preparation handbook of the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), the water is broken up at a pressure of about 12–60 bar into droplets of 0.1–1 mm; the droplets freeze in the air and bond together on the ground to form snow. Snowmaking depends more on humidity than on air temperature: according to the SLF, at a wet-bulb temperature between −2 and −4 °C snowmaking can only just begin. In practice, at most about 2.2 cubic metres of snow are obtained from one cubic metre of water. In Türkiye, Erciyes, for example, has 154 snow guns.
Read the guide →GeneralSnow and mountain scienceWinter Sports · KIS-104
Ski slopes are prepared with tracked grooming machines known in the industry as piste bashers (in Turkish, ratrak). According to the handbook of the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), the blade at the front moves the snow and levels the surface, the tiller at the back compacts the snow and breaks up its grains to create a smooth, durable surface, and the winch (cable) makes it possible to prepare steep slopes. According to the SLF, the best time to groom is shortly after the slopes close: in the morning, a slope groomed in the evening is more than twice as durable as one groomed in the early hours. The slopes are closed while grooming is under way; according to the German Alpine Club, there is danger to life especially when a winch is in use.
Read the guide →GeneralLearningWinter Sports · KIS-106
Skiing works the front thigh muscles (quadriceps), back thigh muscles (hamstrings), glutes and inner thigh (adductor) muscles most. In a study measuring muscle activity (EMG), these muscles worked at more than half of their maximum force in snowplough, parallel and giant slalom turns alike, and activity increased from the snowplough to parallel turns and from there to racing turns. What sets skiing apart is eccentric work (braking while the muscle lengthens): according to one study, the braking phase in giant slalom lasts about twice as long as the push phase. In recreational skiing, too, the outside leg works much harder than the inside leg, and the load increases as the slope gets steeper. The research base for snowboarding is more limited.
Read the guide →GeneralLearningWinter Sports · KIS-108
Proprioception is the sense that lets you feel, without looking, where your body is and how it is moving, thanks to receptors in your joints, muscles, tendons and inner ear; it is the foundation of balance. In meta-analyses of team sports, programmes that included balance and proprioception training markedly reduced lower-limb injuries (for example, the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury was roughly halved). The ski-specific evidence is weaker. The dose research points to for improving balance is training about 3 times a week for 11–15 minutes, spread over at least several weeks; standing on one leg is the most basic exercise.
Read the guide →GeneralLearningWinter Sports · KIS-110
Skiing mostly works your leg muscles eccentrically (the muscle produces force while it lengthens); this type of work is more likely to cause delayed onset muscle soreness the next day. The basics of recovery are simple: at least 7 hours of sleep a night, carbohydrate and protein at the end of the day, replacing the fluids you have lost and limiting alcohol in the first few days, especially at high altitude. According to meta-analyses, massage, compression garments, active recovery and cold water immersion reduce muscle soreness to a small-to-moderate degree; the effect of stretching and foam rollers on soreness is very small. The evidence on whether sauna helps recovery is not yet clear.
Read the guide →GeneralSafetyWinter Sports · KIS-111
The knee is the most commonly injured body part in skiing: according to a clinical review of skiing injuries, 27–41% of all injuries affect the knee. The most common knee injuries are sprains of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL); in an 18-season study in the US state of Vermont, the ACL was the single most common injury among skiers (17.2%). There are two typical mechanisms: phantom foot (falling backwards off balance so that your weight goes onto the tail of the downhill ski) and boot-induced injury (landing a jump with a straight leg). For prevention, the right binding setting, stopping when you are tired, not sitting back and not fighting a fall all matter; an awareness training programme given to ski staff reduced serious knee sprains by 62%.
Read the guide →GeneralSafetyWinter Sports · KIS-112
The pattern of injuries in snowboarding is different from skiing: in skiing the knee comes first, in snowboarding the wrist. In an 18-season study in the US state of Vermont, wrist injuries made up 27.6% of all snowboarding injuries but only 2.8% of skiing injuries; shoulder and collarbone injuries and concussions were also more common among snowboarders. The good news is that the most common injury is also the easiest one to prevent: according to a systematic review pooling 6 studies, wrist guards cut the risk of wrist injury to roughly a quarter. Among helmet wearers, the likelihood of a head injury is about 35% lower. Because beginners are injured more often, wearing protection in the first days and learning how to fall properly matters.
Read the guide →GeneralSafetyWinter Sports · KIS-114
Research shows that fatigue changes your skiing technique early on: as their legs tire, skiers shift, before their muscle fibres have changed noticeably, to a technique that loads the outside leg more and is most likely less controlled. Over a day of skiing, fatigue in the thigh muscles increases, and a 45-minute lunch break does not reverse it. But the idea that “most injuries happen on the last run of the day” is not supported by the evidence: about 81% of skiers who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury said they felt no fatigue, and 57% were injured in the first two days of their holiday. Notice your fatigue and slow down, but remember that the risk is also high in the first days and on icy slopes.
Read the guide →GeneralDestinationsWinter Sports · KIS-115
Erciyes Ski Resort lies on the slopes of the 3,917-metre Mount Erciyes in Kayseri. You enter the resort through four gates: Hacılar, Hisarcık, Tekir and Develi. According to the official table of Erciyes A.Ş., there are 41 runs (18 easy, 17 intermediate, 6 difficult) and 19 lift installations: 14 lifts, 2 of them gondolas, and 5 magic carpets. The ski area lies between 2,088 and 3,346 metres. Beginners spend their first days in the beginner areas with magic carpets at the gates and in the training area at Hisarcık.
Read the guide →GeneralDestinationsWinter Sports · KIS-123
Each of the three appeals to a different kind of skier. Erciyes (Kayseri) has the largest slope network (41 runs) and the highest ski area (3,346 m); with its training areas and accommodation in Cappadocia, it is the best option for those who have never skied. Sarıkamış (Kars) is known for runs through Scots pine forest and dry, light snow; the Doğadayız programme there is an experience package at a ski-in/ski-out mountain hotel for those who can already ski. Bansko (Bulgaria) is a European resort reached by gondola, with a World Cup run; it is for those who can ski on their own and want a winter activity holiday abroad, and holders of a burgundy passport need a Schengen visa.
Read the guide →GeneralDestinationsWinter Sports · KIS-124
Gudauri is the best-known ski resort in Georgia's Greater Caucasus mountains. According to the Georgian National Tourism Administration, the resort is 120 km from Tbilisi; the ski area rises from 1,989 metres to 3,276 metres, with 37 km of groomed runs, 20 runs in four colour categories and 18 lifts. The season runs from December to mid-April, and the snow depth reaches 1–2 metres. The resort's speciality is heliskiing; a gondola links Gudauri with the Kobi valley to the north. Turkish citizens can enter Georgia visa-free (for up to 1 year), but according to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from 1 January 2026 travel insurance with cover of at least 30,000 GEL is compulsory.
Read the guide →GeneralDestinationsWinter Sports · KIS-125
Tufandağ is a mountain and ski resort in the Gabala (Qəbələ) region in northern Azerbaijan, in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus. According to the table on its official website, the resort has 10 runs (about 12.5 km in total) and 4 cable car lines rising from 956 metres to 1,920 metres; the longest run is about 2.7 km. There is night skiing on Saturday evenings. According to Azerbaijan's tourism website, Gabala is 260 km from Baku; visitors from Türkiye usually fly to Baku and continue by road. Turkish citizens can enter Azerbaijan visa-free for up to 90 days; when arriving from Türkiye on a direct flight, the new-style, chip-enabled ID card is also valid. If you are staying longer than 15 days, you need to register your address. Tufandağ is smaller and lower than Shahdag (Şahdağ), the country's large resort; it is well suited to a short skiing and nature holiday.
Read the guide →GeneralDestinationsWinter Sports · KIS-127
The main countries where you can take a visa-free ski holiday with a burgundy (ordinary, umuma mahsus) passport are Georgia (Gudauri, Bakuriani), Azerbaijan (Shahdag, Tufandağ), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Jahorina, Bjelašnica), Serbia (Kopaonik), Montenegro (Kolašin), North Macedonia (Mavrovo), Kazakhstan (Shymbulak), Uzbekistan (Amirsoy) and, as a long-haul destination, Japan (Niseko, Hakuba). According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visa-free stay in these countries ranges from 30 to 90 days. Note: from 2026 Georgia requires travel insurance, while Bulgaria (Bansko) and Andorra require a Schengen visa.
Read the guide →GeneralHolidaysWinter Sports · KIS-132
The price of a ski holiday is made up of nine items: travel, accommodation, food, ski pass, equipment rental, lessons, hotel–slope transfers, insurance and clothing. The biggest items are usually accommodation and travel; the ski pass and lessons are the items that vary most from resort to resort. In the 2025–26 season, for example, a day pass cost 1,300 TL in Palandöken and €59 in Bansko; in Erciyes the ski pass is ride-based (30 rides for 3,000 TL). A winter activity holiday package bundles most of these items into a single price; when comparing, you need to check what is included.
Read the guide →GeneralHolidaysWinter Sports · KIS-134
The choice depends on what you want from your holiday. A mountain hotel (especially a ski-in/ski-out hotel right by the slopes) saves time: you ski out of the hotel and ski back; but your evening options may be limited to the hotel. A ski town (e.g. Bansko) combines the slopes with a social life. Staying in a city or a nearby tourist area (e.g. Cappadocia for Erciyes) means a transfer every day, but offers far more options in the evenings and on bad-weather days. For someone who has never skied, a winter activity holiday with transfers and equipment organised makes the logistics easier wherever you stay.
Read the guide →GeneralSocial adventureWinter Sports · KIS-137
Yes, you can go on a ski holiday on your own, and more and more people are doing so. According to Doğadayız booking records, the share of participants who joined the winter programmes on a solo booking rose from 26% in the 2022–23 season to 39% in 2025–26. For someone travelling alone, the easiest way is to join a group programme with groups by level, a group leader and a shared evening programme: you find a circle of people from day one, rooms are planned in advance and you are never on your own on the slopes. Programmes like this are designed as a social adventure holiday.
Read the guide →GeneralHolidaysWinter Sports · KIS-138
Insurance is not a legal requirement for skiing in Turkey, but it matters: under its general terms, standard personal accident insurance keeps sports on snow and ice excluded unless otherwise agreed, so you need to have skiing or winter sports cover added to your policy. A ski pass does not always include insurance: the Erciyes ski pass offers no insurance cover, whereas in Bansko mountain insurance is included in the ski pass price. Abroad, a Schengen visa requires travel health insurance with cover of at least €30,000. If you are buying a winter activity holiday package, check separately which insurance policies are included.
Read the guide →GeneralHolidaysWinter Sports · KIS-139
At ski resorts, strong wind, fog, blizzards or heavy snowfall can close lifts and runs. In that case the ski pass is usually not refunded: in Erciyes, for example, there is no refund even if the lifts close because of weather or a fault, but unused rides can be used on another day in the same season. On package holidays, the programme is reordered or switched to an alternative programme: on Doğadayız Erciyes programmes, if the weather is bad on the mountain, there is a regional excursion in Cappadocia instead. If the weather turns bad before the holiday, the cancellation rules apply; buying your main travel tickets as flexible/changeable reduces the risk.
Read the guide →GeneralSocial adventureWinter Sports · KIS-148
A social ski holiday is a winter social adventure holiday where you learn and enjoy skiing or snowboarding as a group, spending the day on the slopes and the evening with the same group. Three things set it apart from a classic ski holiday: groups formed by level, a group leader who is with you at all times and a shared social programme after the slopes (dinner, nightlife, après-ski). It is also an activity holiday: accommodation, ski pass and equipment are planned, so all you have to do is focus on the slopes and the group. It is especially well suited to people travelling solo.
Read the guide →GeneralSocial adventureWinter Sports · KIS-150
Après-ski is French for “after skiing” and refers to the social activities and entertainment that take place in hotels, restaurants and venues after a day’s skiing. Its first use in English dates back to 1951; it is a long-established tradition in the Alps, especially in Austria. Après-ski is not just a drinking hour: a hot drink on the way back from the slopes, a shared meal, live music or an activity at the hotel are all après-ski too. On a winter social adventure holiday, this is often the most memorable part of the day. The only rule: the fun comes after the slopes; alcohol and skiing do not mix.
Read the guide →GeneralSocial adventureWinter Sports · KIS-151
Research shows that outdoor sports such as skiing are positively associated with mental health, but most of it is observational and does not prove causation. In a Swedish study that followed more than 395,000 people for up to 21 years, participants in a long-distance cross-country ski race had roughly half the risk of depression and a markedly lower risk of anxiety. A study of 19,806 people in England found that spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with better health and wellbeing. According to the World Health Organization, physical activity reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety. A winter social adventure holiday brings these three together: movement, nature and social ties.
Read the guide →GeneralSocial adventureWinter Sports · KIS-152
For friends of different levels to have fun together, the day is split in two: on the slopes, everyone skis in a group at their own level, and lunch and the evening are spent together. Taking a beginner onto a difficult slope makes nobody happy, and neither does keeping an experienced skier waiting in the beginner area all day. A resort where the beginner area and easy slopes are in the same zone, meeting points agreed in advance and a group leader make this balance easier. That is why the most comfortable option for groups of friends with mixed levels is a winter social adventure holiday run with level groups.
Read the guide →GeneralSocial adventureWinter Sports · KIS-153
A winter holiday is about more than skiing. In Erciyes, night skiing, sledging areas and snowkiting; in Cappadocia, where you stay, hot-air balloons, ATV rides among the fairy chimneys, the UNESCO-listed Göreme valleys and the underground cities; in Sarıkamış, horse-drawn sleighs, cross-country skiing, traces of the Sarıkamış Operation and the Ani archaeological site in Kars; in Bansko, the historic old town and nearby hot springs fill the days away from skiing. A winter activity holiday that combines skiing with exploring the region never leaves the programme empty, even on bad-weather days.
Read the guide →GeneralSocial adventureWinter Sports · KIS-154
Skiing and snowboarding are not just a sport but a culture with its own language, etiquette and traditions. The backbone of this culture is slope etiquette: the International Ski Federation’s (FIS) 10 rules for conduct ask everyone to choose their speed according to their own level, give priority to the person ahead and help in an accident. On top of that, respecting the queue at the lift, not entering off-piste and closed areas, respecting wildlife protection zones and sharing the day through après-ski at the end of it are all part of this culture. A winter social adventure holiday is the easiest way to experience this culture with a group, from day one.
Read the guide →GeneralSocial adventureWinter Sports · KIS-155
A winter social adventure holiday has three parts: lessons (tuition or practice that suits your level), experience (the resort, the slopes and the region) and social programme (the group, the group leader and the evenings). Choosing well means balancing these three according to your own priorities: if you have never skied, choose a programme focused on lessons; if you can ski, focus on the slopes and the resort experience; if meeting new people is your priority, choose a strong social programme. What they all share is the structure of an activity holiday, where transport, accommodation, ski pass and equipment are planned.
Read the guide →A short, clear definition of every term used in the guides.
Doğadayız social adventure 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.
