Ilgaz/Kastamonu

The Ilgaz National Forest has 3 ski areas. Known for its “Sea Of Trees” the Ilgaz mountains are beautifully forested with evergreens.

Just 2.5 hours from the Ankara Airport, or a 5 hour drive from Istanbul its within reach for a weekend trip and makes a great addition to a larger tour of Turkey. The Ilgaz mountains are also a growing destination for backcountry touring within turkey. A single pass will work at multiple ski areas.

Mountain statistics:

Base: 1833 m (6,015ft)

Top station: 2320 m (7,611ft) Yurduntepe Ski center

Vertical drop: 487 m (1,600ft)

Summit: 2550 m (8,366ft) at Kucuk Hacet Tepe

Terrain: Because the pistes are spread across several local areas the terrain is harder to classify here. However most of the groomed runs are for beginners and intermediate riders. Where Ilgaz really shines is in the Touring arena. Backcountry users are encouraged to look into Kucuk Hacettepe (pictured left) and its surrounding area. Using the lifts to access the summits and then touring equipment to return to the base after your run is also a great option. We would encourage you to Contact Turkish Backcountry to hire a guide and get the most out of your experience there.

*Off-piste terrain and weather can quickly become extreme(ski patrol does not mitigate risks or guarantee rescue when leaving the ski area, proceed with caution).

Snow and Weather: