It is a facility whose very existence has been the subject of speculation over recent years. In this report KTLN gives you the facts.

Background
The main driving force behind the ski centre is Şeref Elbil, who is known to everyone as Şeref Hoca (the teacher).  He has been a ski instructor for 30 years.  In the summer months he instructs in water sports, at Çeşme, on the Aegean coast.

Şeref told KTLN that he first discovered Eren Dağ in 1993, and he immediately saw its potential. Incredibly, it was 2003, some ten years later, when he finally got all the necessary permissions from the authorities to develop his ski centre.

Below: Şeref Hoca shows trip organiser, Cenk, a local map.

The government granted him a 49 year lease, and developed a track, up to the site that was to become the ski centre. The authorities also arranged for an electricity supply, and fresh water, but he is still waiting for a telephone line!  The mobile signal is not too bad.

Where is the Eren Dağ Ski Centre?
At the end of this report, we provide you with some directions, but let's begin by putting this place on the map. Please refer to the Google maps below.

Below: Yellow triangle - from the D400 turn right at the traffic lights, on to the D350, towards Antalya.  The blue oval is the town of Seki, close to Eren Dağ.  The ski cente is where the red star is.

When did the ski centre open?
That's a hard question to answer. As we mentioned at the start of our article, rumours of its existence have been circulating for some time.

The truth is that over recent years, as Şeref has developed the place, it has attracted small numbers of skiers, who got to hear about it.  People have been coming in dribs and drabs.

In fact, the official opening is tomorrow, Saturday 22nd January 2011. The Vali of Muğla region, plus the local Kaymakam will be there to perform an opening ceremony.

When we were there on Thursday, they were busy putting up the bunting and talking to the local Jandarma about logistics for the day.

Plans for development
Şeref has got big plans for the ski centre. It is clearly an ongoing project - a labour of love, you might say.

He wants to extend his current ski lift, which elevates you some 200 metres (from 2,030 to 2,230 metres), so that you can reach 2,660 metres.

The summit is around 2,960 metres, and one day Şeref would like the ski slopes to go all the way to the top. That will require a significant investment of money.

What are the facilities like?
Let's be clear - this is not Klosters. It's not a sophisticated, up market resort. You will not find yourselves rubbing shoulders with Charles and Camilla, nor will you have the remotest prospect of sharing champers and canapes with Sir Roger Moore.

But although it is fairly basic, it has a rustic charm, and the apres ski salon has an open fire, where they serve, amongst other things, sıcak şarap (hot wine), and the obligatory Efes. 

Having said that, it was so hot when we went, (yes, hot on 20th January), that our apres ski was taken al fresco, wearing a t-shirt.

It has quite a reasonable menu offering lahmacun and pides from a stone oven, plus sandwiches, burgers, salads and other snacks and desserts.

Of course, there are changing rooms, and importantly you can hire ski boots, skis and snowboards - all of which appeared to be brand new, on our visit.

The main building has accommodation on the first floor - some 8 rooms with 30 beds. The facilities are simple - the kind of thing that backpackers would be happy with, but quite adequate if you fancied an overnight stay, so you could enjoy a couple of days skiing.

Bed and breakfast is around 100TL, but you may get a discount for a group booking.

What's it like for skiing?
Surely, this has got to be the most important question of all.

On our trip, yesterday, there was plenty of snow for our skiers to enjoy. However, the conditions were far from perfect, as this part of Turkey has had quite a mild winter, with less precipitation than normal. We are assured that once the February snow has landed, conditions will be excellent.

There are no colour coded pistes, as you would find in established resorts, but there are well defined routes that will suit all skill levels. If you are an exceptional skier, who wants something challenging, this probably won't be what you are looking for.

The ski lift is the T bar variety, which is probably considered old hat in the more established resorts, however it works, and you get time to admire the fantastic scenery as it pulls you slowly up the slope.

If it's value for money you are after, look no further. Currently, in order to attract customers, prices are set a a very reasonable level - just 30TL for an all day pass, and ski and boot hire for another 30TL. Lessons are extra, but are inexpensive.

Checking the weather conditions
This Windguru website shows weather conditions at Eren Dağ:

Windguru Eren Dağ