It is winter, it is ski time! Our first ski adventure of 2023 was Kartalkaya, on a day we set out saying “let this profile finally see a winter”.
We like Kartalkaya, but let us be honest: not everything is rosy, so we write clearly about what is good and what is hard.
What is skiing in Kartalkaya like?
The slopes are good. In our experience it is also less crowded than other resorts. Skiing on a white mountain is special, and more so on your first ski day of the year. Kartalkaya sits in Bolu in the Köroğlu Mountains.
What should you watch for on the way?
We wanted to go early in the morning but arrived late because of poor roads and weather. Our notes:
- Its roads are generally the worst and least maintained among ski centres.
- Fog, cold and ice are the main factors that harm access and skiing. It is hard to know in advance, and sometimes luck is not on your side.
- Accommodation and dining are expensive, so budget accordingly.
- Being less crowded is a big plus.
Still, nothing spoils our mood. If not that day, another day: Kartalkaya will be waiting for us this season or the next.
Kartalkaya in our winter trio
The 2023 ski season was low on snow and difficult. We still completed our trio of Kartalkaya, Uludağ and Erzurum, and Kartalkaya was the first stop of the year. For icy roads, Educated Moto Riders offers an advanced and safe riding techniques course, and a hot sachet or warm socks are easy additions to a winter bag.
Read the full story in Turkish with photos and videos: Kartalkaya Kayak Merkezi.