Visitor reviews for Mt Palandöken Ski Resort

• January 20, 2018
  Simon from Turkey
  

  Just got back from a week in Mt Palandoken (now officially known as Ejder 3200). Flying in to Erzurum Airport followed by a 20 min transfer to the Dedemen Ski Lodge.
  Accommodation: excellent for the price with 3 square meals a day. Good choice, great staff and clean rooms.
  Ski rental: in hotel, good kit, excellent servicing. (TL100/£20)
  Lift Passes: TL60 per day (£12). Annoying that you have to change it daily though. The lift pass covers Mt Palandoken and Konakali which are separated by a 30 min taxi ride (TL70). Did not ski Konakli due to lack of snow.
  The lifts: not the best but functional. The piste map is not accurate (even the one in the resort). One long gondola to the top. Two chairs from bottom to mid-station and one good chair on left hand side at the base of the Ejder black run. An old T-bar on the right with half the tows missing. New chairs planned 'next year'!
  The pistes: well groomed despite lack of snow. Not all open and the off-piste was very thin. The skiing is very much at beginner/intermediate level on-piste but off-piste and into late Feb/Mar looks awesome. If you're prepared to boot/skin there are numerous 35 degree pitches just waiting to be smashed.
  Facilities: Not much on the Mountain, one nice coffee stop on right hand blue piste, for the rest its back to the hotel. Couple of nice bars. Teleski was our favourite and is in the Dedemen Ski Lodge.
  Ski School: The little ones in our party were well served by the in-house ski instructors but they only do 1 hr lessons morning and afternoon.
  Note: The Palot ski area bottom left on the map is NOT included on the lift pass as its private. TL40 to ski it for an afternoon.
  Summary: Great cheap skiing if you're in this part of the world. Probably keep you busy for 3 or 4 days max unless you're an off-piste powder hound.I'd go again for a weekend!

• Mt Palandöken Ratings

  Overall: 3.9. Based on 25 votes and 30 reviews. Vote

  Access: 4.7 (1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Mt Palandöken.	Public Transport: 3.8 (1) There are no buses or taxis to Mt Palandöken, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.
  Scenery: 4.2 (1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.	Accommodation: 4.0 (1) No places to stay in/near Mt Palandöken, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.
  Cheap Rooms: 3.4 (1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.	Luxury Hotels: 4.4 (1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Mt Palandöken.
  Ski in/Ski out: 4.5 (1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.	Childcare: 4.0 (1) There are no child care facilities at Mt Palandöken, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.
  Snowsure: 4.0 (1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Mt Palandöken is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.	Snowmaking: 3.8 (1) Mt Palandöken relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.
  Snow Grooming: 4.0 (1) There are no snow groomers at Mt Palandöken, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Mt Palandöken are groomed daily.	Shelter: 3.2 (1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Mt Palandöken is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.
  Nearby options: 3.7 (1) If snow conditions are poor at Mt Palandöken, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.	Regional rating: 4.0 (1) Mt Palandöken usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.
  Lift Staff: 4.2 (1) The staff at Mt Palandöken are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Mt Palandöken are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.	Crowds/Queues: 4.2 (1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.
  Ski Schools: 3.9 (1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.	Hire and Repairs: 4.2 (1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.
  Variety of pistes: 3.8 (1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Mt Palandöken has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.	Beginners: 4.1 (1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.
  Intermediates: 4.2 (1) No intermediate terrain at Mt Palandöken, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.	Advanced: 4.0 (1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.
  Snow Park: 3.4 (1) Not even a kicker at Mt Palandöken, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.	Off-piste: 3.8 (1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.
  Cross-country: 3.8 (1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Mt Palandöken, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.	Luge/Toboggan: 3.6 (1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Mt Palandöken has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.
  Mountain Dining: 3.7 (1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.	Eating: 4.0 (1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.
  Apres-Ski: 3.8 (1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.	Other Sports: 3.6 (1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.
  Entertainment: 3.6 (1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.	Winter Walks: 3.5 (1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.
  Ski Pass Value: 4.1 (1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.	Value (National): 4.1 (1) Overall, Mt Palandöken is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.
  Value (Global): 4.0 (1) Overall, Mt Palandöken is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

  Show all 35 ratings

• January 07, 2013
  Tobes from Australia
  

  I hit up Palandoken (Mt Palandöken) in late January of 2012 with a mate. What a great mountain. We flew from Istanbul into Erzurum on a cheapo ticket and the next morning we were on fresh, dry powder. Lift tickets were criminally cheap for us at less than $20 (we normally pay over $100au here) but the lifts were top quality and the runs were long and varied.

  There was really no cheap accommodation that was easy to find but we stayed in one of the on-mountain hotels. Comparatively, it was pretty good value and the food, service and facilities were fantastic. The staff were very good too and helped us out wherever they could.

  The mountain really is massive and the snow that falls on it is beautiful dry powder. On piste the runs are pretty much groomed snow pack but nobody seems to go off-piste at all so there are huge runs of untracked powder literally right next to the main runs. All the runs are long and are nice and open with really no trees anywhere.

  The mountain is pretty much all about free ride and if there was a park we didn't find it. There is a half pipe but it wasn't ready when we were there. The snow depth is something you need to be wary of as underneath it's all pretty gnarly volcanic rock that can really rip up your base.

  What made it a great experience were the locals. Doing tricks and presses gets you plenty of attention and locals are willing to try new things, show you where to ride and have a beer with you.

  The only problem is that I have to resist the urge to tell everyone about it otherwise everyone else will rock up before I can get back there again.

• April 30, 2011
  Bozorgzadegan Amir from Iran
  

  Usually I pass through Sepidan, Komehr, Kakan to Yasuj, then to Semirum by the road next to Dena ranges, then Shahreza, Isfahan and finally Tehran while returning from Shiraz.
  On Thursday Apr 28th, I had the same schedule, but I could see only the snow ledges on Pooladkaf ski terrains with great silence & tranquillity upon the resort!
  Fortunately, Koohestan mini family complex was active with it's tasty homemade foods as well as fresh trout kabab accompanied with sabzi- polo and sundries, plus warm welcome of the owner, Olavi's family.
  Residency have some expansions by new building next to the entrance door and they have settled some tribes black tents
  in the garden for those who like to test such kind of native residency (Ashayer life style)!
  Amin, the owner is not happy so much, because of high expenses of raw materials, petrol, and totally prices rising, which is equal to reduction of tourist numbers!
  Couple of kilometers after Koohestan inn before Kakan, there was a marvelous scenery of the hills in left side, covered with unlimited upset-tulips (lalehe vajegoon) next to the east Dena ranges.
  The area around Dena in Zagross mountain, is fully green like north of Iran, with the river and different water branches.
  Lots of snow were on north side of the ranges, remained for future facilities and equipments as a new ski resorts.

• April 30, 2011
  Bozorgzadegan Amir from Iran
  

  Based on photos, this year in late April, the snow in Mt Palandöken resort seems not so bad, and ski season has elongated there!

  We heard that it will be closed maximum at the end of March as usual, but late snow has extended and activated Hotel and pistes fortunately.

  The new pictures around Apr 16 - 2011, long shot from Dedeman piste up to Ejder show the resort conditions better than Feb. at the heart of winter season!?

  Take care of icy terrains at starting time and ice-cream snow, soon after at middle of the day!

• April 02, 2011
  Bozorgzadegan Amir from Iran
  

  Dedeman Palandoken Hotel was seriously non smoking in public indoor areas like lobbies, restaurant, game rooms, sport facilities, etc.
  But, the dancing hall was vice versa! Does not seem to have any relation with hotel and it's regulations!
  Opening dancing door to go in, you could not see anywhere, and anything except saturated smoke like concentrated fog mixed with loud music, and mixture of different smells!
  One would say, clean non polluted air out in resort daily, have tired all the audience, to compensate nightly!
  You could feel smoke smell carried by those who come out, passing against you!
  I hope the management think about this intricate, and non smoking area extend to this corner too. to enjoy from lovely sport center Dedeman hotel inside the resort as well.
  Believe we can enjoy after ski schedules in absence of harmful smokes too...

• April 01, 2011
  Bozorgzadegan Amir from Iran
  

  English is not my native & first language.
  But, I don,t know why my reviews before despatching seems to be all right and acceptable at least for me myself.
  But printing after, usually it does not satisfy me, and I feel it has some mistakes and it is not fluent enough? so that, my feeling say if I had not sended it, I could edit and correct simply beforehand. although, I do not have such a feeling during writing down and despatching time !?

• March 30, 2011
  Bozorgzadegan Amir from Iran
  

  First of all, thanks for insertion of my previous reviews. although, sometimes needed to negotiate of delay or missing of the circulation, same as below,

  I wrote couple of sentences about Mt.Palandoken and Mt.Erciyes 2-3 days ago, but it seems, both have been censored!

  However, I feel this is one of the free stands to say your view points freely. and it is nice to read different opinions in the healthy sport site. if not, where we ought to expect?

  [Editor's note: we do appreciate receiving reviews. However, we try to keep the information as concise and relevant as possible e.g services at the resort: restaurants, lifts, piste conditions, quality of off-piste etc. We do not want to become a forum for continued threads about particular subjects.]

• March 29, 2011
  Bozorgzadegan Amir from Iran
  

  I am astonished why we do not see the Europeans, specially the English tourists, in Palandoken (Mt Palandöken) ski resort?
  What we see mostly are Iranian, Turk and some from north, also Russians.
  While, we read amongst different reviews their point of views which mostly compare resorts economically and issue preconception thoughts and results to other users.
  But why they are negligent from Palandoken or other resorts in Turkey which are cheap enough, with reasonable facilities and after ski programmes to satisfy more or less different users as they pay?
  Is that really a kind of racialism?
  They come up to neighbourhood country resorts like Bansko, Borovets, and Pamporovo, in Bulgaria, with altitude less than 2600m, while Palandoken resort's peak is more than 3000m. What I am thinking is the difference of a phenomenon which is called religions and religionism!
  By the way, pay more and earn less for fanaticism...

• March 29, 2011
  Bozorgzadegan Amir from Iran
  

  Piste packing in Palandoken resort, the result of serious plough m/cs compactions, were excellent.
  Quite queues for different lifts both of the years 2010-11, during Feb and March as I saw, were excellent.
  I didn't see any raws in front of different lifts during 5 days stay there, even week-ends in any directions!
  The lifts in western primitive area, intermediates Central & north, and south (Ejder) and east parts for experts. All were quite and not crowded so that you could get the chair immediately and continuously with your initial speed of skiing, if you followed the by-pass gates! without stopping to activate your lift pass, if you preferred to do!
  It means, you could have rest only on lifts to joint to the other course of skiing .
  With totally 2x3 hours in the morning and afternoon continuous exhausted activities.
  The Turkish bath, pool and sauna soon after, were great to relax you for different after ski schedules...
  I heard, they are going to change the ski pass sensors ability to be more comfort to use...
  i.e. open the gate while you pass standing through the gates, without any other actions. Same as above mentioned: continuously by-pass method!
  Hope more success for all staffs in resort, and respect all.

• March 26, 2011
  Bozorgzadegan Amir from Iran
  

  This year, on 2nd half of the March, Palandoken (Mt Palandöken) seems to be different from it's normal back ground conditions!
  So that, the hotels are going to extend their admissions because of late snows and resort acceptable conditions.
  We could enjoy whole the days of schedule in absence of strong winds during March 20 to 25, 2011.
  Every night, the plough machines seriously repaired and compacted the slopes except Ejder ! (maybe because of season ends, as usual).
  Thursday night, they did compact all, even Ejder. but unfortunately it was foggy deep on the range peak, day after. and Ejder chair-lift not activated while we were skiing on Friday morning, before our check-out time!
  Skiing in Palandoken, we Iranian enjoy usually, if we forget the existing tiresome bus transportation between!
  I am sure, if the related organisations arrange some flights between two countries, either directly from Tehran/Tabriz to Erzurum, or indirect, via Erzurum to west Turkey.
  The number of Iranian tourists to east Anatoli will grow up rapidly and massively ...
  Hope seeing this simple and practicable program soon.