| # | Point | What to ask |
|---|
| 1 | Lesson time | How many hours a day, how many days? Is there an hour limit? |
| 2 | Group size | How many people per instructor? |
| 3 | Instructor | What Turkish Ski Federation certificate and level do they hold? |
| 4 | Ski pass | Unlimited or ride-based, for how many days? |
| 5 | Equipment | Are the ski/snowboard set, helmet, goggles and protective gear included? |
| 6 | Transfers | Are hotel–slope and airport/bus station transfers included? |
| 7 | Accommodation and meals | How far is the hotel from the slopes, which meals are included? |
| 8 | Insurance | Which insurance is included? Is there travel health insurance abroad? |
| 9 | Cancellation | Up to how many days before is there a refund; are date changes and transfers possible? |
| 10 | Group and social programme | Group leader, evening programme, room arrangements for solo travellers |
1. Lessons: hours and number of days
This is where “lessons included” differs most. At ski schools in Europe, a typical group lesson is about 2 hours a day (for example, 2 hours a day for 6 days at some branches of the French ski school ESF). On some packages, lessons are half-day or full-day. When comparing, always ask how many hours a day and how many days of lessons are given.
On Doğadayız basic course packages, lesson time is not limited by the hour: on day one there is a basic lesson with an instructor until noon, then practice in the afternoon in groups re-formed by level; on day two, clocking up kilometres on different runs. The goal is for everyone to be able to ski under control on their own.
There is no official international norm, but the limits published by schools give an idea: ESF Saint-Gervais group lessons have a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 12 people; ESF La Rosière a maximum of 8. A small group usually means 6 people or fewer. The smaller the group, the more time the instructor spends with each student; but learning with a few people at the same level also boosts motivation. What matters is that groups are formed by level.
According to the instructor regulations of the Turkish Ski Federation (Türkiye Kayak Federasyonu, TKF), in Turkey paid ski and snowboard lessons may only be given by people who hold the federation's instructor certificate and have had it validated for that year. The instructor certificate is a single one per discipline (alpine, nordic, snowboard); the tiered system is for coaches who train athletes. If a package says “professional instructor”, ask for the TKF instructor certificate. On Doğadayız winter programmes, the instructors are affiliated with the Turkish Ski Federation. For details, see our guide How to Choose a Good Ski or Snowboard Instructor.
A ski pass is sold in two basic ways: unlimited use for a set period or a set number of rides. A beginner mostly stays in the beginner area and on the magic carpet; someone who can ski uses lots of lifts a day. So even at the same resort there can be differences between packages: Doğadayız's Erciyes basic course package includes an unlimited ski pass and use of the magic carpet, while the Erciyes experience package has a 30-ride ski pass; Sarıkamış includes an unlimited ski pass for as many days as your stay, and Bansko a half-day pass on the first day and full-day passes on the next two days.
“Equipment included” usually means the ski or snowboard set (skis, boots, poles, or board, boots, bindings). Helmet, goggles and protective gear should be asked about separately. On rental equipment, the binding is adjusted to international standards (ISO 13993 for short-term rental, ISO 11088 for your own equipment and long-term rental) based on weight, height, age, boot sole length and skier type; it is important to give this information correctly at the rental shop.
6–7. Transfers, accommodation and meals
Main travel (from your city to the region) is not included in most packages; local transfers (airport/bus station–hotel and hotel–slopes) may be. The hotel's distance from the slopes shapes your day: at a ski-in/ski-out hotel you ski back to the hotel; if you stay in a city or another area, transfer time is added every day. For meals, check whether it is “full board”, “half board” or breakfast only.
Domestic packages usually include accommodation and transport insurance; personal accident or skier insurance should be asked about separately. Abroad, travel health insurance is also required for the visa. Note that in Bulgaria the insurance that comes with the ski pass only covers first aid on the slopes and transport to a medical centre; on Doğadayız's Bansko programme, travel health insurance abroad and skier insurance are included in the package.
9. Cancellation and date changes
Winter programmes depend on the weather. Read the cancellation period, refund rate, date change and booking transfer terms before you buy. Also ask what happens if the slopes close because of the weather: on Doğadayız's Erciyes programmes, if the weather on the mountain is bad, an alternative sightseeing programme can be run in Cappadocia.
10. Group and social programme
What often sets a lesson package apart from an ordinary ski package is the group: learning with people at the same level, dinners and an evening programme together, and a group leader you can reach at any time. If you are travelling alone, ask about the room arrangements: on Doğadayız programmes, participants who come alone share 2- or 3-person rooms with other solo participants of the same gender; if you prefer, you can choose a single room for a supplement (subject to availability).
| Erciyes basic course | Erciyes experience | Sarıkamış | Bansko |
|---|
| Lessons with an instructor | Yes (no hour limit) | No, practice on the slopes | No | No (private lessons extra) |
| Ski pass | Unlimited + magic carpet | 30 rides | For the days of your stay | 1 half + 2 full days |
| Equipment | Set + helmet, goggles, protective gear | Set + helmet, goggles | Set + helmet, goggles | Set (helmet, goggles extra) |
| Accommodation | Cave hotel in Cappadocia | Cave hotel in Cappadocia | Ski-in/ski-out hotel | 4-star mountain hotel |
| Meals | Breakfast and dinner buffet; set lunch menu | Breakfast and dinner buffet; set lunch menu | Breakfast, lunch, dinner | Breakfast |
| Local transfers | Included | Included | Included | Coach from Istanbul included |
This information is taken from the “what's included” lists on the package pages as of 19 October 2026; see the package page for the current details.
The difference in price between two packages often comes from lesson hours, the type of ski pass or transfers. Once you fill in the checklist, you can easily see which package is really an activity holiday (a holiday where everything else is planned while you focus only on learning on the slopes). If you also count the evenings spent with the group, a good winter package is also a social adventure holiday. For all winter programmes, see the winter activity holidays page.
