Ski resorts along the southern coast of Turkey are rapidly gaining in popularity despite their proximity to political hot spots including Syria.

Earlier this year Davras Ski Center above the Mediterranean city of Isparta hosted a group of Israeli skiers, a step forward in relations given the fact that the vast majority of the Turkish population is Islamic.

Davras Ski Centre, which opened just under a year ago, is located near the Mediterranean city of Isparta. The ski area is located between a “Golden Triangle” of crystal clear lakes and operates a double chairlift some 1121m long along with a shorter T bar and rope tow.

The 123 room Sirene Davras Ski And Wellness Hotel has Anatolian Steak and Kebab Restaurant, night club and disco, lobby and snack bars, wellness club, shopping arcade, bowling, cinema, games and computer rooms. It is located 154 km from Antalya and 58 km from the Suleyman Demirel International Airport.

A second new resort is reported to be under construction close to the resort of Kemer on Tahtaliu Mountain at 2365m. It is expected to be complete by April next year with skiing through to May. The new area will be served by one of the world’s longest cable-car (tram) ascents from 726m ascending 1,637 vertical metres in just nine minutes, 21 seconds. The lift will bring the merger of snow and beach holidays closer than ever.

Finally, regional officials have now put forward plans to build the world’s largest indoor snow centre in the Antalya region.