Kartepe Ski Guide: Snow Near Istanbul, as a Day Trip or Over 2 Days

Kartepe, in Kocaeli, is one of the ski resorts closest to Istanbul; thanks to the short journey, it is easy to plan a snow day where you leave in the morning and are home in the evening. On TatiliYakala's Kartepe tour, the day starts with a village breakfast spread in Maşukiye, followed by skiing and free time at Kartepe and an open-buffet lunch at the hotel. On the 1 night, 2 days programme, you stay at the hotel and stop at Lake Sapanca on day two.

What makes Kartepe different?

Kartepe is a winter resort on the Samanlı Mountains, overlooking Lake Sapanca and the Gulf of İzmit. On clear days you can see the lake from the slopes and around the hotel. It is a smaller, quieter resort than Uludağ; being close to Istanbul, it is popular especially at weekends and for short breaks.

Snow conditions in this area, exposed to the influence of the sea, can vary from year to year. Midwinter, that is January and February, is usually the most reliable period; at the start and end of the season you need to keep an eye on snow conditions.

Day trip programme

The day trip programme in the catalogue runs as follows:

• 06:00 Departure
• 08:00 Village breakfast spread in Maşukiye (about 2 hours)
• 09:30 Kartepe; ski pass, ski clothing and equipment from the ski rental shop; free time
• 12:30 Lunch: open buffet at The Green Park Kartepe Resort & Spa
• 16:00 Get ready for the return
• 21:00 Arrival

The strength of this schedule is that the ski day starts in the morning. As the transfer from Maşukiye to Kartepe is short, you spend a long time on the mountain. Having lunch at the hotel provides a regular break to warm up and rest.

1 night, 2 days programme

For those who want to add a second day, the programme with accommodation is set up as follows:

Day 1

• 06:00 departure, 08:00 village breakfast spread in Maşukiye
• 09:30 Kartepe; ski pass, ski clothing and equipment; free time
• Lunch and dinner at the hotel; overnight at The Green Park Kartepe Resort

Day 2

• 08:00 open-buffet breakfast; free time at Kartepe until 13:00
• 13:00 lunch: trout baked on a clay tile, köfte or chicken, with a side dish and a drink
• 14:00 free time at Lake Sapanca
• 19:00 arrival

The morning of day two is valuable for new skiers who want to consolidate what they learned on the first day. The stop on the shore of Lake Sapanca on the way back makes a calm finish after a snowy day. Have a look at our places to visit around Kartepe article too, where we describe Maşukiye and the Sapanca area in more detail.

Equipment and ski pass

On the Kartepe tour, the ski pass, ski clothing and equipment can be provided by the ski rental shop. Whether these are included in the package is confirmed in the quote. The rental shop usually has skis, boots, poles and helmets as well as jackets and trousers. You need to bring your own gloves, hat, ski socks and sunglasses.

For people who have never skied, the healthiest approach is to spend the first hours learning to stop and keep your balance. Start on gentle slopes, and don't move to steeper runs until you feel ready.

What do non-skiers do?

Skiing is not compulsory at Kartepe. Walking in the snow, sledging, enjoying the view and taking photos are also part of the day. The lunch served at the hotel is a warm break for non-skiers too. This flexibility makes Kartepe handy for mixed groups, families and company teams.

What to wear, what to bring

At Kartepe the weather can be damper and windier than at Uludağ; wet snow is common. That is why a waterproof outer layer and spare gloves are especially important.

• A close-fitting, breathable base layer with a fleece on top
• Waterproof jacket and trousers (can be hired)
• Waterproof gloves and a spare pair
• Hat, neck warmer, ski socks
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• For the 2-day programme, comfortable clothes to wear at the hotel and a dry base layer for the next day

Who is it for?

The Kartepe tour is planned for school groups, families and companies. As the journey is short, it is an easy start for groups skiing for the first time, especially middle-school students. You can find detailed suggestions for school groups in our Kartepe school ski trip article. If you are finding it hard to choose between it and Uludağ, our Kartepe or Uludağ comparison will help.

For tour details and a quote, see the Kartepe tour page, and for other winter programmes, our ski holidays page.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Kartepe from Istanbul?

Kartepe is one of the ski resorts closest to Istanbul. In the tour programme you depart at 06:00 and arrive for breakfast in Maşukiye at 08:00; traffic can affect this time.

Can you hire ski equipment at Kartepe?

Yes. On the tour, the ski pass, ski clothing and equipment can be provided by the ski rental shop; whether they are included in the package is confirmed in the quote.

Where is lunch on the Kartepe tour?

On the day trip programme, lunch is an open buffet at The Green Park Kartepe Resort & Spa. On the 2-day programme, trout baked on a clay tile, köfte or chicken is served on day two.

How many days are enough at Kartepe?

The day trip programme is enough to see the snow and get a first taste of skiing. For those who want to make progress on skis and add the Sapanca stop, 1 night, 2 days is more relaxed.