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A ski center is being built at an altitude of 2,350 meters on Mereto Mountain in the Sason district of Batman, the highest peak in southeastern Türkiye at 2,978 meters. The project is led by the provincial governorate with financing from the Special Provincial Administration.

Facilities under construction include an approximately 150-meter slope, a welcome area, a conveyor band, station cafes, and caravan and tent camping zones, with officials aiming to open the center this season.

Center built at 2,350 meters

Mereto Mountain, the highest peak in the Southeastern Anatolia Region, retains snow on its summit even in summer because of its elevation and climate. Work has begun to give the mountain a role in winter tourism alongside nature tourism, under the leadership of the governorate and with financial support from the Special Provincial Administration.

The Mereto Mountain Ski Center, currently under construction at 2,350 meters, will include a slope of about 150 meters, a welcome area, a conveyor band (a moving belt system that carries skiers easily uphill on sledding areas and walking paths), station cafes, and caravan and tent camping areas.

Blue-category slope for beginners

Sason District Governor Furkan Başar told an AA reporter that Mereto Mountain, at 2,978 meters, is the highest mountain in the Southeastern Anatolia Region. Work on the ski center at 2,350 meters is continuing, Başar said, adding: "We are inside the approximately 150-meter ski slope. Construction is proceeding quickly. The ski center idea is one of the biggest projects carried out in Batman to spread tourism across 365 days, thanks to the instructions of our governor and the support of our member of parliament."

Başar said the slope has a 16 percent gradient and falls in the blue category, suitable for beginner and intermediate skiers. Visitors can stop for breakfast and rest at station cafes along the route, and families can spend the day there with their children. Guests can also stay overnight on Mereto Mountain in the caravan and tent camping areas, Başar said.

Depending on weather conditions, sports enthusiasts will be able to ski at the center from the beginning of November until the end of April. Intensive work is underway on every side of the mountain, Başar said, and officials are trying to complete the center for this season.

Half-hour trip from Sason

Başar said the peace and security established in the region is expected to draw strong visitor interest in the ski center, and that local residents are eager to welcome guests. Work continues without interruption, on the instructions of Batman Governor Ekrem Canalp and with the support of the Special Provincial Administration, to host skiers as soon as possible.

As part of the access road works, 19 kilometers of hot asphalt have been completed on Mereto Mountain, and steel barriers were installed along 12 kilometers of that road to protect lives and property. Guests will be able to reach the ski center from the Sason district center in about half an hour, Başar said.

Başar invited people from across the country and the region to visit Batman, Sason and Mereto Mountain to see the area. Once the work is finished, the Southeastern Anatolia Region will gain a new ski center, Başar said, and domestic and foreign tourists will be able to visit the region for winter tourism as well.

Key takeaways

• A ski center is under construction at 2,350 meters on Mereto Mountain in Sason, Batman, the highest peak in southeastern Türkiye at 2,978 meters.
• The roughly 150-meter blue-category slope with a 16 percent gradient is designed for beginner and intermediate skiers.
• Facilities include a welcome area, a conveyor band, station cafes, caravan parking and tent camping areas.
• Officials aim to open this season; skiing is planned from early November to late April, and the center is a 30-minute drive from Sason.