Mt Palandöken雪予報

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!