Located at the peak of the Köroğlu Mountains, 38 kilometers from Bolu, Kartalkaya is a beautiful ski resort and popular destination for a winter holiday break. Surrounded by picturesque pine trees, the area is the ultimate center for Turkey's attractive ski hotels and centers. Kartalkaya has much to offer snowboarders with its off-pistes available until April. The ski resort is 270 kilometers from Istanbul and features 12 ski pistes. Snow depth can sometimes be three meters. Tourists can choose from a range of luxury and affordable ski hotels. One of Turkey's few ski resorts, Kartalkaya provides an ideal environment for winter sports, as the area is already covered with snow. You can rent snowboards, skis and sledges from almost all hotels.For those who do not enjoy skiing, Kartalkaya is still an ideal place to relax. You can indulge yourself while watching the pine trees and the amazing panoramic view or while taking a walk around the area in summer. There are lounges near the ski platforms where you can take a break while skiing or have a meal. Offering different tastes, the lounges provide a warm haven away from the cold with fireplaces and ottomans. At night, more colorful events await tourists in the lounges. Ski hotels organize a variety of entertainment activities for guests, providing, for example, snow parties, hot wine, fireworks, walking with torches and sujuk sandwiches.Kartalkaya takes its name from the eagles ("kartal" in Turkish) that live on the region's rocky hills. Each season has a different beauty here. Kartalkaya's altitude is about 2,200 meters. Guests can find peace in the snow-covered atmosphere. Winter sports addicts prefer the famous ski resort thanks to their high standard platforms and facilities. What is more, you do not feel the harsh winter cold, but the warm winter sun. Kartalkaya's modern ski platforms are a top choice for snowboarders. If you do not have enough time for a holiday, you can take daily tours to breathe clear mountain air and marvel at the view. It might be difficult to find available places on weekends these days, as hotel occupancy rates have reached 90 percent following the midterm break. Those who would like to have a relaxing holiday will probably have to wait until the end of the midterm holiday.Bear in mind, Kartalkaya is not all about snow sports. Another attractive winter activity is guided walking around the mountains. You can discover a totally different world while becoming refreshed before you go back to your busy city life. By the way, hotels offer spectacular mountain views. It is possible to wake up full energy after your long tours. Words do not suffice to describe the nature in Kartalkaya.How to go?You can travel to Kartalkaya easily, as it is close to Istanbul and Ankara. If you are travelling from Istanbul by car, you will see signs directing you to Kartalkaya 10 kilometers after you drive in the direction of Ankara. Twenty-eight kilometers after the sign, you arrive in Kartalkaya.Where to Stay?l Golden Key Kartalkaya: The hotel, which has a spa, is not only preferred in winter but also in summer.l Dorukkaya Ski & Mountain Resort: This ski and snowboard center offers seven lifts and 11 skiing tracks free of charge. Moreover, the holiday complex features the first snow park in Turkey.l Kaya Palazzo Ski & Mountain Resort: The resort offers its services with a boutique mountain hotel concept. The guests of the resort are allowed to use the seven lifts in Dumankaya as well as its chairlifts.l Kartal Hotel: The hotel is located in a region that has a 20 kilometer-long skiing track with a variety of difficulty levels. There is also a children's ski school, named Sunkids, within the hotel complex.