The mountain Palandöken near Erzurum city is one of the best spots in Türkiye for downhill skiing.
Palandöken Mountain
Palandöken Mountain is a 3,271 m high tectonic mountain in Erzurum Province, Turkey. The summit is at a distance of only 10 km from Erzurum city center, which itself extends at an elevation of 1,950 m.
On the road from Erzurum to the summit, the Palandöken ski resort is located at the mountain village called Başköy, 2,100 m high, and the distance between the station and the city is 4 km.
Skiing
The ski trail is the longest in Türkiye. Because of the quality of the snow (a fine-grained light powder), steepness of the slopes and the length of the trail, Palandoken is known as the best mountain in Turkey for skilled skiers. The toughest run is on the backside of the mountain, known as the Ejder (Turkish for "Dragon") trail. Due to fog and risk of avalanche, the Ejder lifts and trails are sometimes closed. The skiing season may begin in November and last as long as until June.