In early 2012, a cold wave swept across the European continent, bringing heavy snowfall. The harsh weather had a significant impact on people's lives. Turkey also experienced snowy conditions, but this turned out to be good news for skiing enthusiasts. With an average elevation of over 1,100 meters and a mountainous geography, Turkey offers abundant winter sports and tourism resources, making it highly suitable for skiing in the winter.
Professor Okan Gültekin, a member of the Turkish Skiing Federation and a lecturer in the Department of Physical Education at Uludağ University in western Turkey, explained: “In the past, people coming to ski resorts would mostly go for barbecues, but now most have switched to skiing.”
Erzurum, located in northeastern Turkey with an average elevation of 2,000 meters, often sees snow accumulation reaching two to three meters. Palandöken Mountain in Erzurum is one of Turkey’s most famous ski resorts. Composed of three adjacent slopes, Palandöken has a total ski run length of 14 kilometers, ranking among the top in the world. It features 140 gondolas stretching 3,200 meters in length that can accommodate four passengers each, and a cable car system operating at speeds of 5 meters per second. The ski runs range in altitude from 2,000 to 3,176 meters. Palandöken Ski Resort has also been ranked by the International Ski Federation as the world’s second-largest ski resort.
Skiing was once considered a luxury activity only for the wealthy. But today in Turkey, it has become one of the most popular winter sports. Following the Winter Universiade held in Erzurum, Turkey in 2011, local public awareness of winter sports has increased. Palandöken Ski Resort has also been ranked by the International Ski Federation as the world’s second-largest ski resort.
Skiing was once considered a luxury activity only for the wealthy. But today in Turkey, it has become one of the most popular winter sports. Following the Winter Universiade held in Erzurum, Turkey in 2011, local public awareness of winter sports has increased.