ISTANBUL, Turkey, March 12, 2007 "“ The International University Sports Foundation (FISU) has announced that Erzurum, Turkey will host the 2011 Winter Universiade, placing Turkey top in the rankings as one of the most exceptional ski destinations in the world. Turkey's ski resorts provide excellent conditions year-round for cross-country, downhill, heli-skiing and snowboarding, while modern facilities and equipment complemented by highly skilled skiing instructors make for a memorable winter getaway.
The FISU 2011 Winter Universiade host city of Erzurum is located in Turkey's Eastern Anatolian region, situated on a high plateau and providing excellent ski conditions. Only four miles away from the city center, the ski resort of Palandöken features some of the longest and steepest ski runs in Europe, awarding avid skiers with one-of-a-kind experience on the slopes. The resort's highest point is 10,459 feet "“ the highest elevation in Turkey "“ and can accommodate up to 32,000 people per day. Additionally, construction will soon begin to build an ice hockey facility, new slopes will open and there are plans for Mount Palandoken to include Turkey’s first ski jumping towers.
The glacier of the extinct volcanic mountain of Erciyes is positioned at almost the exact center of Turkey, in the Central Anatolian region. With its highest peak at 10,171 feet, it serves as another prime option for ardent skiers interested in such extreme sports as heli-skiing and mountaineering. Further West, located in the Marmara region, Uludag Ski Center is one of Turkey's largest ski centers, with peaks of up to 8,343 feet. Skiers are granted countless opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing on Uludag's forest-covered mountains.
For skiers who enjoy a more leisurely and less intense experience, there is the Saklikent Ski Center located in the Beydağları Mountains, 40 miles from Antalya Airport and extremely close to the Mediterranean Sea. Having an average altitude of around 6,562 to 7,874 feet, Saklikent offers skiers a great family-oriented atmosphere with a plethora of options for both beginners and pros. Kartalkaya Ski Center, situated between the popular tourist cities of Istanbul and Ankara, has great options for alpine skiing, cross-country and ski touring on its 7,287-foot mountain.
With its mountainous topography and mild winter temperatures, Turkey provides an excellent haven for ski aficionados looking for an exotic ski locale unlike any other. Winter resorts in Turkey are easily accessible from all major airports and offer a full range of contemporary accommodations priced less then many other popular European ski destinations. With the current value of the U.S. dollar at all-time lows, now is the ideal time to take advantage of Turkey's exciting winter offerings.
For more information on winter sport resorts in Turkey, please contact the Youth and Sport General Directorate at +90 (312) 311 0764, Turkish Ski Committee at www.turkski.org or the Federation of International Ski at www.fis-ski.com.
For more on Turkey at ITKT
