You can access the 112 KM of slopes from four entry points.

Hacilar Kapi (gate) is the closest one to Kayseri and has limited accommodation. You will also find here free ample parking if you decide to drive. At the bottom of the slope there are ski rental shops, locker rentals, kids’ playground and sleigh, as well as your usual restaurants.

This would be your main choice if you are an intermediate skier as most of the slopes are red. You can access them though a gondola taking you from 2088 m to 2636 m. If you missed your morning coffee, there is also a restaurant at the top of the gondola. As you can expect most of the runs here are reasonably long, at over 2500m in length. In addition to the gondola, you will also find two chairlifts at Hacilar, albeit one is primarily serving as a link to Hisarcik skiing area.

Hisarcik Kapi offers terrain for all skill levels, as well as being the access point for the highest lifted point in the resort, Ottoman Station located at 3400 m. The first timers can use the magic carpet and the bunny slope to practice their first turns, beginners can enjoy the blue slopes, whilst the intermediates and advanced can push their limits on the red and black slopes. Hisarcik also boasts a vibrant après ski scene, with its restaurants and facilities. Lifting infrastructure comprises five chairlifts and one T-bar as well as two magic carpets for the first timers. There is also free parking for those who drive up the mountain, and rental shops if you need equipment.

Tekir Kapi I found to be the main hub in the resort, where most of the shops are, and generally very central. Amongst the quirks of this ski resort there is a military shop in a truck that sells high quality gear. There is also a military base near the slopes, slightly unique for a ski resort. The call for prayer from the Mosque, is the only reminder you are in Turkey. Whilst this is the main hub, carparking is not free and costs 50TL for the full day. The main lift is Tekir gondola, and the beginners can look forward to the 1650 m long slope. The intermediates, still have plenty of terrain, and yes, you can ski reasonably fast on the beginner run. Although a beginner slope, it offers plenty of opportunity for those who enjoy carving. From Friday evening through to Sunday, this area is open for night skiing as well. There are also two chairlifts opening more red and blue terrain. There are some options for accommodation close by.

Develi Kapi is the high end of the resort, where you will find most of the accommodation and the high end après ski. It is the perfect place to enjoy an alcoholic beverage with a super tasty lunch. You can also enjoy several shorter blue runs and couple of longer red ones, accessible by two chair lifts. It offers free parking, but at the time of our visit, it was rather muddy, which was in stark contrast to the opulence of the hotels and bars at Develi.

The ski pass is offered as a point system, where any chairlift ride will set you back one point. I found this to be exceptional value, considering the run length. As the resort was opened in 2011, all infrastructure is modern and well maintained. You have a choice on how many points you purchase, and as expected, the more points you buy the less you will pay per point. You will also be able to use the points to enjoy tobogganing! This is a fun way to spend more time on the snow with or without kids!

Skiing is not the only thing Anatolia has to offer. If anything, it is the most recent addition to their awesome touristic offers. I have touched on Kayseri above but let us not forget Cappadocia is less than an hour drive. Whist the balloon experience requires a relative high level of commitment – getting up very early, as well as financial – you will be rewarded for your efforts. But wait, there’s more: underground cities, fresh pomegranate and orange juice, unique volcanic rock formations, horse riding, cave cities, tasty food, quad bike riding cave houses and the list can go on.

Turkey has a lot to offer, and if you fancy spending more time you could extend your stay and visit a lot more.