The Best Ski Resorts In Bulgaria
Vitosha
Domed Vitosha mountain, located only 10km away from the nation’s capital Sofia, is 1800m above sea level, making it the highest ski resort in Bulgaria. This glorious mountain is good for skiing in the winter and also trekking in the summer. Vitosha‘s resorts offer excellent conditions for snow sports, with huge skiing areas and many slopes, from pistes for children and ski schools to difficult ones, suitable for advanced skiers. The snow cover reaches a thickness of up to 1.5m during the skiing season, which lasts a good 120 days. Although facilities in the hotels and chalets of the mountain itself may be basic there are plenty of hotels in the Simeonovo and Dragalevtsi area of Sofia, which have better facilities at very reasonable prices.
Vitosha Ski, Vitosha, Sofia, Bulgaria +359 882 111 480
Borovets
Located on the Northern slopes of the Musala ridge in the Eastern part of the beautiful Rila mountain, near Samokov, 72 km from Sofia, is the modern ski resort of Borovets. Huddled in venerable pine woods at 1390 meters above the sea level, this resort is mild in temperature averaging 5ºC in January. There’s loads of snow, of course, and its thick covering on the slopes remains from December all the way until April. The resort features luxury hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and a good choice of pistes and lifts. The hustle and bustle goes long after dark thanks to the night skiing until 10pm and the numerous and cosy taverns and night clubs.
Borovets Ski Resort, Borovets, Bulgaria +359 889 607 000
Bansko
Located at the feet of the Pirin mountain, the town of Bansko has grown into one of the countries top tourist destinations over the last 10 years. Its resort, Bansko Ski, is a place where guests will discover ultimate relaxation and enjoyment, combined with an unparalleled range of sporting and cultural activities. It’s quickly becoming one of the most attractive and popular winter sport resorts in Eastern Europe, with its pure mountain air and many hours of sunshine, even in winter, you can see why it was voted best ski resort in Bulgaria by the World Ski Awards last year.
Bansko Ski Resort, Kosherinata Area, Bansko, Bulgaria +359 56 827 878
Pamporovo
Pamporovo is a popular ski resort in the Smolyan Province of southern Bulgaria, one of the best-known in South-Eastern Europe. Located in the heart of the Rhodopi mountains, these ski slopes are safe guarded and maintained in a very good condition. Set amongst magnificent pine forests, the gentle profile of the mountain with its rounded slopes and summits makes Pamporovo suitable for beginner skiers and snowboarders alike. But there are also difficult ski runs like “The Wall” for the advanced. Pamporovo is the sunniest Bulgarian mountain resort, with winters of 120 sunny days. Being one of the most popular mountain resorts in Bulgaria, Pamporovo has a lot to offer for an aprés-ski for the skiers and snowboarders who love to party at the and of a good day on the slopes.
Pamporovo, Smolyan, Bulgaria +359 30 958 417
Chepelare
Near to Pampovoro is the lesser known Chepelare ski resort, situated at the foot of the Mechi Chal peak, and reaching to 1873m. With ski runs and tracks for alpine skiing totalling a length of 20km this new resort has lots on offer. There’s a full snowboarding park, children’s skiing centre and a training centre for beginners. The resort also hosts fun events such as the longest skiers’ kiss competition on St. Valentine’s day and shooting competitions with Bulgarian biathlete, Ekaterina Dafovska’s, rifle.
Chepelare, ul. Vasil Detchev 1A, Bulgaria +359 30 513 131
By Emer Ní Chíobháin