Celebrate New Year in Snowy Turkey: Best Resorts & Hotels

Best Mountain Resorts in Turkey for New Year 2026

Uludağ — the most festive mountain

Atmosphere: A national park with pine forests, snowy slopes, illuminated hotels, and a true Alpine vibe.

Skiing & activities: Runs for all levels, ski schools for beginners, sledding and tubing, snowmobiles, evening shows and celebrations in hotels.

Hotels: 3–5★, often All-Inclusive/Ultra All-Inclusive, many with SPA; ski pass sometimes included.

How to get there: Via Bursa and cable car; very convenient from Istanbul.

• Pros: Wide choice of slopes and hotels, holiday atmosphere inside resorts, close to major cities
• Cons: Very popular → higher prices and queues during peak dates, can be noisy

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Budget (approx./person/night): €150–€300 AI in 4–5★ hotels; ski pass & rental usually extra (packages available)

Kartalkaya — compact, snowy, ski-in/ski-out

Atmosphere: A small, secluded ski resort in the Bolu mountains, surrounded by pine forests and silence.

Skiing & activities: Long wide blue/red runs, snow park; snowmobiles and forest walks.

Hotels: A few large 4–5★ hotels directly on the slopes, pools/SPA, indoor parties.

How to get there: By road from Ankara or Istanbul.

• Pros: Reliable snow, comfortable long descents, fewer crowds, “everything under one roof”
• Cons: Limited hotel choice and outside infrastructure, expensive during peak season, longer travel time

Budget: €150–€300 AI; lessons and rentals on site

Palandöken (Erzurum) — high altitude & long season

Atmosphere: Sporty, open Alpine landscapes, close to the city of Erzurum.

Skiing & activities: Long vertical drops, many blue/red runs, expert zones, freeride; very cold temperatures possible.

Hotels: 4–5★ at the base, some with private lifts; AI, pools and SPA.

How to get there: Fast transfer from Erzurum Airport.

• Pros: Guaranteed snow, long runs, minimal queues, city nearby for services
• Cons: Cold weather, modest après-ski on the mountain, limited slope-side hotels

Budget: €130–€250 AI; often cheaper than the Alps for similar skiing

Erciyes (Kayseri) — #1 in total slope length

Atmosphere: Volcanic mountain scenery, dramatic views, modern infrastructure.

Skiing & activities: 100+ km of mostly blue/red runs, fast lifts, freestyle park; tubing and snowmobiles.

Hotels: New 3–4★ hotels near lifts + 5★ hotels in Kayseri (30–40 min transfer).

How to get there: Kayseri Airport, excellent roads.

• Pros: Largest ski area in Turkey, long season into spring, reasonable prices
• Cons: Less “village charm,” nightlife mainly in the city, windy at higher elevations

Budget: Mountain 3–4★ from €100–€200 BB/HB; ski pass & rentals affordable

Sarıkamış (Kars) — forests, silence, perfect for beginners

Atmosphere: Pine forest reserve, soft powder snow, relaxed family pace.

Skiing & activities: Gentle wide runs, a scenic forest descent (~6 km), cross-country skiing, no queues.

Hotels: 3★ and 5★ near the base station; simple but cozy infrastructure.

How to get there: Via Kars or Erzurum airports.

• Pros: Ideal for beginners and children, uncrowded, beautiful forest scenery
• Cons: Limited hotels and entertainment, longer travel, few advanced runs

Budget: €130–€250 AI

Winter Destinations Without Skiing (But Full Atmosphere)

Cappadocia — a winter fairytale without skis

Atmosphere: Snow-covered fairy chimneys, sunrise hot-air balloons (weather-dependent), boutique cave hotels with fireplaces.

Things to do: Balloon flights, valleys and viewpoints, underground cities, hammams & SPA, photography walks.

• Pros: 100% romance, fewer tourists, lower off-peak prices, easy to combine with Erciyes (1 hour)
• Cons: Not a ski resort, balloon flights depend on weather

Budget: Boutique 4–5★ from €120–€300 BB; New Year dinner usually extra

Abant — lake views, chalets & sledding

Atmosphere: Mountain lake surrounded by snowy forest, luxury chalet-style 5★ hotels with fireplaces, total peace.

Things to do: Walks around the lake, horse-drawn sleighs, sledding, indoor pools & SPA.

• Pros: Postcard-perfect winter scenery, privacy, ideal for digital detox
• Cons: No skiing, winding mountain roads, limited hotels that sell out fast

Budget: 5★ lakeside hotels from €180–€360 BB/HB

Quick Recommendations

• Families with children (learning to ski): Sarıkamış (gentle slopes, safety) or Uludağ (schools & infrastructure)
• Couples (romance & fireplaces): Cappadocia (cave boutiques) or Abant (lake chalets)
• Advanced riders: Erciyes (terrain & mileage) or Palandöken (altitude & snow)
• Groups of friends: Uludağ (après-ski & parties) or Erciyes (skiing by day, city nightlife)

Summary Table

* Approximate nightly budget per person: € low / €€ medium / €€€ high.

Booking Tips

• Book early: Best hotels for Dec 31 sell out by October–November.
• Packages: Look for AI/UAI with ski pass included — better value and fewer queues.
• Gear: For eastern high-altitude resorts (Palandöken/Erciyes), bring extra-warm gloves, balaclava, and high-contrast lenses.
• Bad-weather plan: SPA, pools, sledding, forest walks, or city time.
• Transfers: For mountain roads (Kartalkaya/Abant), choose winter-ready vehicles or organized transfers.

All recommendations are based on analysis of the New Year 2024–2025 winter season.

Warning: Winter travel in mountain regions carries inherent risks. Always check weather forecasts, road conditions, and resort avalanche safety information before and during your trip.