Excellent value for money and very caring ski schools are the main selling points of a ski holiday in Bulgaria. Although resorts tend to be small they offer high quality skiing and they are relatively unspoilt. The continental climate results in cold sunny weather dominating the winter until late February allowing for fine powder snow conditions, by late March it is possible to ski in a T-shirt although at resorts such as Bansko skiing continues till the end of April. Christmas skiing is not guaranteed - however generally by New Year one of the resorts should have good skiing.

Ski Resorts in Bulgaria

Skiing in Bansko Bulgaria

Bansko is the gateway to the Pirin mountain region in the South of the country and offers a delightful combination of high mountains and ancient history. While probably not as well known outside Bulgaria as Pamporovo and Borovets, Bansko has emerged to the fore over the past couple of years to become the country's leading resort. This has been helped in no small manner to a ?20 million investment in the resort's infrastructure including new lifts and snow making machines. Accommodation is of a high standard with new hotels and apartment complexes springing up around the resort. Offering a true alternative to the Alps, this charming little town will impress any skier who appreciates well-groomed slopes with modern infrastructure in breathtakingly beautiful surroundings. A real winter wonderland overflowing with culture and tradition and well worth visiting! Bansko Hotels

Ski and Snowboard in Bansko
Bansko offers excellent skiing conditions. The Pirin Mountains have a predominantly Alpine character with 2 peaks towering above 2900m. Prior to last season the only way of reaching the slopes in the Pirin National Park was with army jeeps and minibuses, which would have been less than kind on the derriere. Now they have a new eight-seater gondola to ferry skiers to Bunderishka at 5,360ft to enjoy 56km of pistes. Skiing in this area is better suited to beginners and intermediates with the majority of the runs being either red or blue. However, experts won't get bored and can take on the 'Alberto Tomba' black run which was opened by the great man himself last year. Bansko is an ideal place to learn to ski on a budget, with a good ski school and plenty of nursery slopes and blue runs.

Après ski
Après ski in Bansko may not be as wild as in other European resorts but there is still plenty to amuse oneself when off the slopes. The local Bansko taverns (called Mohandas) provide the opportunity to sample the local fare and perhaps acquaint yourself with the local talent. The discos and nightclubs stay open late and the biggest club in the resort is called 'Amnesia', which speaks volumes for the local liquor. If you fancy an evening off 'the sauce' there's a bowling alley and ice-rink and trips to neighbouring Greece are possible.


Skiing in Borovets Bulgaria

Borovets is the oldest Bulgarian ski resort, having received its first skiers at the end of the 19th century. Things have progressed rapidly from those days however, with the Borovets of today having state of the art infrastructure and facilities and attracting visitors from all over Europe. The resort, which is situated on the northern slopes of Rila Mountain, is a mere 70km from the nation's capital Sofia and lies at the foot of Mousala peak (2925 m), the highest mountain on the Balkan Peninsula. In recent years the resort has enjoyed large investment to try and bring it up to speed with other European resorts. The spin-off from this is that you now have a lively spot which has a decent selection of hotels, bars and restaurants. Borovets Hotels


Ski and Snowboard in Borovets
This resort is best suited to intermediates and 'rusty' experts with the majority of the runs being of the challenging red variety. Seasoned experienced skiers looking for a challenge may be better off going elsewhere. Beginners will find the resort an inexpensive place to learn to ski and there are approximately 200 English speaking ski instructors on hand to get you going. Borevets has very good snow reliability with the season stretching from mid-December into April. There are also eight snow canons on hand, should the elements let them down.

Après ski
Borovets has a lively enough social scene with a decent selection of nightspots to ensure you're not stuck for something to do when off the slopes. Among the more popular ones are 'Buzz Bar', 'Titantic' (where you can sink a few cold ones) and 'The Black Tiger' karaoke bar.


Skiing in Pamporovo Bulgaria

Pamporovo is a modern ski resort in the heart of the Rhodopi Mountains. It is the most southern ski resort in Europe and is the sunniest Bulgarian mountain resort with wonderful snow throughout the whole season. Approve is situated 1650 m above sea level at the foot of Mount Sneak and is 240 km from Sofia. The Hooper Mountains have long been the source of legends and stories, including the mythical singer Orpheus, and the region is of particular interest for its folk traditions and culture. Pamporovo Hotels


Ski and Snowboard in Pamporovo
This resort is ideal for beginners and early intermediates with the advanced and the expert finding little to challenge them here. There is one black run called 'The Wall' which is immediately beneath the summit of Sneak and is flanked on either side by a couple of good quality red runs, one of which is the resort's longest at 4km. Otherwise the resort is geared towards novices and 'less confident' intermediates. The ski schools are very good here with over 100 experienced English-speaking instructors on hand to show you the ropes. Those of you sick of the long queues in other European resorts will delight at the news that they are a rarity here!

Après ski
Après ski in Pamporovo is reasonably lively with plenty of options to choose from, whether you prefer sipping wine in a cosy piano bar, or partying the night away in a club. Be sure to spend an evening or two in the local tavern where whole sheep are roasted over open fires and dancers in traditional costume provide colourful entertainment. There are also the usual ski resort activities of skidooing, tobogganing and ice-skating on offer.