Turkey’s Ski Resorts See Record Crowds This Winter 2026
Ski Resorts in Turkey Packed with Tourists in Winter 2026
From the slopes of Erciyes in Central Anatolia to the peaks of Zigana in the Black Sea region, Turkey’s top ski resorts are experiencing an unprecedented influx of visitors. The surge is driven by the mid-year school winter holidays coinciding with fresh snowfall and an early start to the ski season.
Erciyes: Record Numbers and Full Capacity
Erciyes Ski Resort, located in the central province of Kayseri, welcomed around 250,000 visitors during the first weekend of the holidays. The resort offers 112 kilometers of interconnected slopes and is serviced by 19 modern lifts, making it one of the country’s most technologically advanced winter destinations.
Its integration with the Cappadocia region, world-class tourist infrastructure, and convenient transportation further enhance its appeal to both international and domestic tourists.
Since the official season opening on December 20, the resort has hosted nearly 1 million guests in less than a month. During peak holiday days, Erciyes operated at full capacity. Key indicators included:
- Parking lots were overflowing.
- Long queues formed at the ski lifts.
- All available accommodation was fully booked.
Uludağ: 90% Hotel Occupancy and Busy Slopes
A similar situation is observed at Uludağ, a popular ski resort near the northwestern province of Bursa. With snow depths reaching up to 81 centimeters, the slopes and hotels have become crowded hubs of winter activity.
Drone footage vividly showed the scale of the tourist influx: winding lines at the lifts and lively slopes filled with families and professional skiers alike. Local operators report that hotel occupancy has reached 90%.
"We are now at the top of Uludağ, it’s minus 7 degrees here. The atmosphere is incredible. We rarely get out here, so we’re making the most of every minute."
Zigana: Rising Interest in Eastern Resorts
In the east, Zigana Ski Resort in the northern province of Gümüşhane has also drawn attention. Its misty peaks and family-friendly atmosphere attracted 50% more visitors compared to last winter.
"We came to make the most of the holidays, and it’s wonderful to see so many happy and active people."
This growth highlights a significant trend: tourists are increasingly exploring winter destinations beyond the traditional western resorts.
Holidays Continue
Winter school holidays in Turkey run until January 30, after which the second semester begins on February 2. Ski resorts across the country are expected to maintain high visitor numbers until the end of the break.
Important Notice for Travelers: Due to the high demand, authorities recommend:
- Booking lift passes and accommodation well in advance.
- Checking resort websites for real-time capacity and weather updates.
- Arriving early to secure parking and avoid the longest lift queues.
With ideal conditions and a perfect holiday calendar, the 2025-2026 winter season is on track to be a record-breaking one for Turkish winter tourism.
