Saklıkent Kayak Merkezi

Saklıkent is where Antalya lives two seasons in a single day. The ski centre lies west of the city, in the Beydağları section of the Taurus range, on the northern slope of Bakırlıdağ, about 50 kilometres from the city centre. The Governorship describes it as one of the ski resorts closest to the Mediterranean and to the Equator. Roughly 500 mountain chalets spread across the slope together with the ski facilities form a small winter settlement. The ski runs sit between 2,000 and 2,400 metres; the mountain, whose summit reaches 2,550 metres, appears in the District Governorship's page under the name Bubi Dağı. The season runs from mid December to early April, and the Governorship states that skiing is possible for about 120 days in that period. Sources give different snow depths; the District Governorship cites 50 to 100 centimetres during the season, while the Governorship speaks of an average of 100 to 200 centimetres and adds that the summit occasionally reaches four metres. Because the real depth changes with the year and the month, check the current snow report before setting out. Saklıkent's real attraction is its weather. Thanks to its mild climate it counts as Turkey's warmest ski resort, with 50 to 60 sunny days over the season. Especially in late February and March it is possible to ski in the morning and go down to the sea in the afternoon, which is where the slogan "ski by day, sea in the afternoon" was born. On the ski ground itself a continental climate prevails. The sun is deceptive, so dress in layers against wind and cold. Official pages mention two runs of easy and medium difficulty and two T-bar lifts carrying 240 and 340 people per hour. The Wikipedia article draws a more detailed picture, listing the Karakaya chairlift with a capacity of 800 people per hour, the Saklıbel T-bar used by intermediate skiers and a small lift for beginners. According to the same article the chairlift is used not only by skiers but also by visitors who want to go up to the facility at the top and look at the view. The beginners' lift was installed in 2015 and carries 100 people per hour. According to the same article the 4,000-metre red run is steep with sharp bends, the 1,500-metre black run drops straight and sheer, the 1,500-metre blue run has gentle bends, and the 300-metre yellow run is for lessons with an instructor. There is also a separate sledging run. Since facility details vary between sources, find out on the day which lifts are open and what lessons are available, and check the operator's current notice for lift prices and opening hours. According to the Wikipedia article Saklıkent was founded in 1971 under the leadership of the governor of Antalya at the time. For half a century this has been where Antalya's residents go to see snow; the road gets crowded on snowy days, so an early start is best. For those who do not ski, snowball fights, sledging and a walk among the chalets are entertainment enough. Right next to the ski centre, on Bakırlıtepe at about 2,500 metres, stands the TÜBİTAK National Observatory. The observatory opened in the late 1990s and houses Turkey's largest optical telescope, the 1.5-metre RTT150. The reason the site was chosen is also what makes Saklıkent special; the number of clear nights is high, the air is dry and the city lights are far away. The observatory is a research institution and visiting depends on its own announcements, so do not turn up unannounced. In summer Saklıkent takes on another face. Once the snow is gone the chalets become summer houses for those seeking cool air, and the surrounding plateaus, including Feslikan Yaylası listed under Konyaaltı by the Development Agency, are suitable for a highland outing. When the city approaches 40 degrees, evenings here call for a cardigan. For access, the District Governorship states that the resort is reached from the city centre in about an hour by bus, taxi or hotel shuttle. The road climbs the mountain from the direction of Doyran village and its last section is winding; in winter carry chains or winter tyres and ask about road conditions in advance. If you are not driving, check the current winter day tours and public transport options from Antalya. Going back down to the Konyaaltı shore on the same day is the classic Antalya move that completes the Saklıkent experience.