Sarikamis

Sarıkamış is a town on a high plateau in southeastern Kars Province, seat of Sarıkamış District. It is home to a ski resort set in pine forest a little apart from the main town, with runs said to be among Turkey's longest, a base around 2,362 m and tracks running up to roughly 2,958 m. The surrounding Sarıkamış-Allahuekber Mountains National Park protects a relict Scots pine forest and commemorates the Battle of Sarıkamış (December 1914–January 1915), a World War I engagement between Ottoman and Russian forces in which most of the roughly 90,000 Ottoman casualties resulted from cold and disease in the Allahuekber Mountains rather than combat.

By Plane

The nearest airport is at Kars.

By Car / Road

On the D965, south of Kars.

Walkable. Car for ski centre and national park.

• Sarıkamış Ski Centre — One of Turkey's longest-run ski areas, set in pine forest.

• Sarıkamış-Allahuekber Mountains National Park — Relict pine forests and wildlife.

• Skiing and snowboarding — Winter season.

• Hiking — Trails in the national park during warmer months.

Mountain cuisine.

Tea houses.

Ski resort hotels and guesthouses.

Local honey.

• Kars — 60 km north, with Ani ruins.
• Erzurum — 150 km west.