Yıldız Dağı Ski Center

Located in the Central Anatolia Region of Türkiye, Yıldız Dağ rises to an elevation of 2,552 metres above sea level and is situated 58 kilometres north of the city centre of Sivas. The ski resort established at its foothills is one of Türkiye’s most recently state-supported ski centres. The facility has been operational since the 2014–2015 winter season.

^{Yıldız Dağı Kayak Merkezi} (T.C. Sivas Valiliği)

Yıldız Dağ is composed of gabbro-type rocks. With a slope gradient between 12 and 24 degrees, it offers a topographical structure suitable for skiing. The optimal elevation range for training areas lies between 1,900 and 2,200 metres.

^{Yıldız Dağı Kayak Merkezi} (T.C. Sivas Valiliği)

Yıldız Dağı Ski Center features ski runs that meet Fédération Internationale de Ski standards. Winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding and sledding are practiced at the centre.

The ski centre has a total of seven ski runs, with lengths ranging from 900 metres to 3,500 metres. In addition, there is a sledding slope for children, a moving walkway (400 metres), two chairlifts (2,551 metres and 1,636 metres long), one surface lift (804 metres long), and T-bars. The facility is also equipped with lighting systems that enable night skiing.

The ski centre includes two hotels with capacities of 110 and 90 beds, 25 bungalows, and a total accommodation capacity of approximately 300 beds. Additionally, it provides services through cafés, restaurants, five day-use facilities, a health centre, technical infrastructure, an administrative building, and a police station.

^{Yıldız Dağı Kayak Merkezi} (T.C. Sivas Valiliği)

The Ice Park, the first of its kind in Sivas, is located within the Yıldız Dağı Winter Sports Centre. The park features a 200-square-metre ice skating area along with shared-use facilities such as a cafeteria, viewing terrace, skate rental area, and waiting lounge.

Yıldız Dağ offers various activities not only during the winter months but also throughout the summer. In the region, equestrianism, cycling, camping, trekking, and water sports (fishing, diving, and boat tours) are possible. Additionally, ice skating and paragliding events are held year-round.

The centre is connected to the city centre of Sivas by road. Sivas has air and high-speed rail links to major cities such as Ankara, Istanbul and İzmir. A 54-kilometre road connects Yıldız Dağ to Sıcak Çermik Hot Springs. Part of this road has been completed, while construction of the remaining sections is ongoing.

^{Yıldız Dağı Kayak Merkezi} (T.C. Sivas Valiliği)

The Yıldız Dağ Winter Sports and Tourism Centre welcomed approximately 145,000 visitors during the 2022–2023 season. For the 2023–2024 season, the target is to exceed 200,000 visitors. The ski season opened on 29 November and was initiated early with the support of artificial snowmaking systems. During the New Year and holiday periods, hotel and bungalow occupancy reached 100 per cent.

According to academic studies, Yıldız Dağ has the potential to serve as a high-altitude sports training camp due to its elevation. Average temperatures in July and August are around 17 °C, with wind speeds of approximately 15 km/h. The elevation range of 1,900–2,200 metres where training areas are located provides an ideal environment for athletes. However, at present, the region lacks sports facilities such as football fields, running tracks and cycling circuits. To fully realize this potential, development of sports fields and accommodation infrastructure is required.