PALANDOKEN - TURKEY Palandöken Mountain  is a 3271 meters high techtonic mountain in Erzurum Province, Turkey. The summit is at a distance of only 10 km from Erzurum city center, which itself extends at an altitude of 1950 meters. On the road from Erzurum to the summit, there is a ski resort at the locality of mountain called Başköy, 2100 m. high, and the distance between the station and the city is 4 km. The duration of the skiing season is 150 days a year. The altitude in the skiing area of Palandoken is 2200-3176 m and the most suitable skiing conditions are between 10 December and 10 May. The average snow fall is 2-3 m in normal witer conditions. Due to the climate the quality of the snow is ''powdery' all through the season. Palandoken Ski Center is equipped with 3 chairlifts, 1 T bar and a telecabin (3 km). Qualified skiing instructors and equipment for hire are available. The center has first aid facilities and a rural clinic. The slopes and mechanical equipment are under surveillance of experts. The ski trail is the longest in Turkey. Because of the quality of the snow (a fine- grained light powder), steepness of slopes, and length of trail, Palandoken is known as the best mountain in Turkey for skilled skiers. The toughest runs are on the backside of the mountain known as the Ejder trail. Due to fog and avalanche risk the Ejder lifts and trails are sometimes closed. The resort village of Palandoken is situated at 7,218 feet and has commendable facilities including a ski school with highly qualified instructors, ski and snowboard equipment hire, first-aid station and a clinic. In addition, several of the hotels here have ski shops with an array of skiing merchandise for sale. Palandoken receives a massive annual snow fall of around eight feet and there are 25 miles of well-groomed pistes in Palandoken and a 2,952-foot vertical, with three chairlifts and a t-bar providing slope access at a rate of 1,100 people per hour. Situated on the awesome Palandoken Mountain near Erzurum, Palandoken ski resort is a very accessible ski destination in remote Eastern Turkey, boasting numerous quality slopes and some enviable powder snow. Palandoken is well known among professional skiers and as a result it has excellent accommodation and services. There are four hotels on the mountain: Polat Renaissance hotel, Dedeman hotel, Dedeman Ski Lodge, and Palan Hotel. Because of the center's closeness to Erzurum, visitors can also stay in hotels in Erzurum, notably two luxury ones.                       HOW TO REACH Located in Eastern Turkey more than 620 miles east of Istanbul, Palandoken ski resort is fortunate in being near to the city of Erzurum, which is the transport hub for eastern Turkey. Travelling by road, rail and air to Palandoken ski resort is possible, but flying to Erzurum and then transferring by bus or taxi to the resort is the most practical option. The best way for getting to Palandoken  is to fly to Istanbul and then take a 90-minute flight to Erzurum on Turkish Airlines or Onur Air. Shuttles and taxis run to the city, from where various hotel buses are waiting to take you to the resort. If you are driving, take the D-100 six miles southeast to Erzurum, from where the D-950 heads southwest towards Palandoken ski resort.