True to its royal past, the resort features luxury hotels namely the. The slopes are pretty diverse, and both Bansko and Borovets have a good mix of blues, reds and a few black runs. There are also good salads, yogurt dips and filo pastries. With budget-friendly resorts, decent snowfall and World Cup-standard pistes, its no wonder hundreds of thousands of skiers descend on the countrys slopes each winter. Skiings never going to be an ultra-low budget holiday, but compared to previous ski trips, Bulgaria was a bargain. Bansko has fast, modern lifts, with 18 pistes covering an area of 75km. Because the place is not very high the snow usually lasts until mid March. There are several ski runs and ski sports infrastructure within the region. If youre a first-timer wanting to give skiing or snowboarding a go or a mixed-ability group wanting to ski together, if you want to make the most of your money or are just looking to experience a different culture and try something new, then skiing in Bulgaria is definitely worth trying. Temperatures here are mild, averaging 5C (41F) in January. Its also gaining international recognition.
The chalet hosts work with small producers to get the best and freshest produce they can, including organic red, white and ross wines from a nearby vineyard. It is located at 1350 above the sea level (with highest pistes at 2600 m), on the Northern slopes of Rila mountain among age-old pine woods, at the foot of Mousala peak (2925 m) the highest one on the Balkan peninsula. The town centre is bursting with shops, bars, and restaurants. Formerly known as Chamkoria, Borovets was the very first ski resort in the entirety of the Balkans. In our chalet everything was organic, fair trade and homemade, from the fresh bread at breakfast to the jams and pickles, and the chai tea made from locally picked herbs. The snow and facilities are great and the Pamporovo team of instructors are highly competent and sensitive to each skiers needs. If youre worried about how the balmy weather will affect the quality of the snow, youll be relieved to know that theyve invested heavily in snow-producing machines and grooming devices that ensure lovely conditions no matter what the weather report predicts ahead of your trip. The best conditions are usually between February and April. Cant wait to get back next year !!! The country is home to 37 mountains, and temperatures regularly drop to -5C (23F), which is not quite as bitterly cold as Northern Europe. Intrigued? But if youre an expert skier whos looking for adrenaline-fuelled black runs or wants to cover lots of ground during their trip, or a luxury-lover looking for designer shops and Michelin-starred restaurants, then you might be better off sticking to the Alps. Planning a ski trip? Just got back from Bansko what a fabulous week. Borovets has hosted 2 World and 12 European cups, so you can be assured that youre privy to some of the most superb ski runs in the world when you visit. This year we went to Bansko, having twice previously been to Borovets and have to say it was very good.
Browse our collection of skier and snowboarder-submitted reviews for ski resorts to see which mountains claimed the top spot in each category. With its 6 person gondola, two 6 person chair lifts, t-bar lifts, the ArBaer children's area with 4 people movers and dwarf garden, funpark, winter toboggan run with floodlights, ski rental and ski service - it is one of the most modern ski resorts in Germany, Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn. Skiers can reach a height of 1,950m. Last year we spent most evenings in katina corner bar which this year has changed its name to Snow Inn, the only place in the resort to get a real full english breakfast with real sausage and black pudding. It is the most southern skiing resort in Europe. Then theres Pamporovo in the east, 1.5-hours from Plovdiv. A road connects it to the Govedartsi village (13 km) and to the town of Samokov (27 km). Cross-Country track: located just below the Dry Lake training area. The largest and most developed ski resorts in Bulgaria are Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo. The nature is beautiful, old pine trees, green meadows (in the spring) and deep snow slopes in the winter. I have found skis/poles/boots and pass for around 165 (for 4 days ski). Im considering the week before Christmas, but do you think there would be enough snow then? This run will soon be equipped with shooting platforms for biathlon trainingmore Uzana site is a real discovery. The slopes are also complete with 44 snow cannons and are linked via fast lifts (chairs, drags, and an eight-seater gondola). Which one is the best Bulgarian ski resort is up for debate: they all have their pros and cons, with different facilities to suit different needs and personalities. The first, Aleko Ski center, is the oldest and most popular in Bulgaria and offers lit night skiing. I'd recommend going later in the season as we had some friends go in mid Feb and the queues were horrendous for the only gondola up to the main ski area whereas we never had to wait. Cross-country and biathlon tracks are located 2km away from the resort together with the cross-country tuition tracks. Base located directly across from Restaurant Eleniite.
Once you get to Bulgaria, youll find prices are around a half to two-thirds of what youd pay for the same thing in the Alps. Bansko especially has had a lot of investment recently as its been hosting World Cup races. However, during the weekend, ski tourists will descend. The resort is both suitable for snowsports in the winter and summer holidays (near the lake can be put a caravan or a tent). Bansko provides a superb combination of virgin nature of the Pirin mountain and the atmosphere of the ancient Bulgarian small towns. Relax in the hotel sauna and Jacuzzi afterwards. The nation has a long legacy of winter sports and activities, and their history of Alpine resorts dates back to the 19th century. Read more about the resort here. However several hidden gems also provide beautiful mountain scenery and basic ski equipment. One of the local attractions here is the Park of the dancing bears. A party of 6 which includes our daughter's aged 20-24 and the night life for them was great. Five kilometres of cross-country skiing is also available. It is the sunniest Bulgarian mountain resort with wonderful snow throughout the whole season. Pamporovo in southern Bulgaria is a smaller, more family-friendly resort, complete with gentler slopes and less lively nightlife. Bulgaria may not be your first thought when it comes to planning a ski vacation, but once you see the availability of incredible facilities, plush resorts, and rock-bottom prices, you may never want to return to the Alps ever again. The resort is situated on Mt. The resort has twice hosted World Cup competitions. Travelers are attracted to visit because of the incredible value; much cheaper than a resort in, say, Andorra or Switzerland, Bankso still offers the same quality, with incredibly long runs, new and refurbished facilities, and a huge variety of accommodations for tourists. Subscribe for our newsletter. Snow was not as good as last year but we learned on new type of snow it was tough but still enjoyable. The best time to go skiing in Bulgaria can fluctuate somewhat from resort to resort, but you can generally bet on January through March having excellent conditions. Pamporovo (1,650m) is a modern resort in the heart of the Rhodopi Mountains. Practice lots on the lower slopes before you take the chair lift up, its a long run down. If you want to be looked after (even the idea of doing anything more energetic than sitting, eating and drinking after a day skiing tires me out) but without spending too much, a chalet is the way to go. An hour further away is Bansko, with a mix of a UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic old town and buzzing nightlife near the gondola. Useful tips & advice for skiers in Bulgaria, Entering Bulgaria after January 29th only with a PCR test, The ski areas in Bulgaria are closed for the winter season 2019/20, The end of the ski season 2018/ 2019 for Pamporovo ski resort, Bulgaria expects more Russian tourists in 2016, Bulgarian ski resorts keep prices from last year. Snow cover was excellent and the runs were well groomed. We cant find a country that matches your search. Winter Sports for Children: Safety rules and tips. There are two "Pomagalski" type of drag lifts serving the run. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I have been skiing in Bulgaria and Pamporovo is my favourite resort. A ski resort with terrain for all levels and closeby lodging, lots of apres ski activities and a good ski school make for great vacations on snow. So so 7 lev (3.60) instead of 7 for a mulled wine or 5 lev (2.50) for a small beer. Bulgaria might not have the polish of famous Alpine resorts, but it has plenty of charm and some great slopes. No long queues, food good and we cannot wait for next year! In the list of the best ski resorts in Bulgaria, the ski resort Bansko is top with 3.8 out of 5 stars. The skiing infrastructure is basic, but OK, a 2-chair lift with total length of 2471 m and capacity of 600 persons reaches the top of the mountain to Chala peak (1873 m), where the starting points of the ski runs is located, for just 17 minutes.more Malyovitsa is on 1700 m above sea level. 2001-2022 Silky Holidays Ltd. All rights reserved. The modern town centre is only 90 minutes from Sofia so you could easily combine a winter city break with a few days on the slopes. The 58 kilometres of pistes, particularly well-suited to intermediates, are served by a well-organised lift system (chairlifts and a gondola). I have learned so much, enjoyed great scenery and ski runs. Pamporovo reportedly has 270 days of sunshine each year, but there are plenty of snow-making facilities to keep the pistes in prime condition. Pamporovo is situated on 1650 m above the sea level at the foot of peak Snejanka (1926 m). friendly staff Zac, Danny and Paul speaking fluent english. Its known for having some of the most exceptional natural powder in the nation, with heavy snows beginning in December and lasting throughout a long season. The modern town centre has a good choice of modern hotels, restaurants, shops, nightclubs and bars. It also has a link to a second area called Mechi Chal, accessed by bus on your ski pass, which offers further slopes at a slightly steeper level and more challenges. Looks like most of the construction work has now finished (just a couple of shells left to be seen). thanks all
It is renowned for its aprs ski culture, offering incredible nightlife and world-class dining to delight you after a day on the mountain. Sign up for the newsletter and get notified each time we publish a new post. The other resorts have a mix of lifts, and there are still some older, slower chairlifts and T-bars but theyre slowly being updated. The other, Konjarnik-Vetrovala, is ideal for beginners due to the plethora of ski instructors and equipment rental facilities. I was pleasantly surprised by the facilities and you cant beat the value. Its not all about beginners though. The resort is favoured by beginners and intermediates. Malyovitsa is about 40 km far from Borovets, but is much smaller resort than Borovets. Both the ski area and the town are poised to welcome you completely, and skiers approaching advanced will still feel challenged on their runs, though they are shorter and narrower than some. Just got back from a weekends skiing. We stayed in Chalet Diana-Ross which sleeps 25 and has a hot tub and sauna to relax in and chalet hosts to take care of food, drink and entertainment. Pamporovo is famous for its sunny days and relatively mild winter climate, so you wont need any particularly special gear to stay warm on the slopes. But whats a Bulgaria ski holiday really like? In the village, you can spot rakia distillers and small artisan workshops.
Try the delicious food of snackbar JOY in front of the gondola!
Do the bars, restaurants and shops accept euros? There are another 2 bigger runs that are much wider and longer and only a 3k free shuttle bus away from the centre. There are three main ski resorts in Bulgaria, plus a few smaller, less-developed resorts.
When the sun is shining and you sit with a cold beer on their terrace there is no better place in Borovets! Shuttle bus runs every 15 mins which we always caught at 9 am. Borovets is easily accessible, being at a distance of 70 km from Sofia (the capital of Bulgaria) and 126 km from Plovdivmore Pamporovo is a modern ski resort in the heart of the Rhodopi mountain, the mountain of the mythical singer Orpheus. Bulgaria boasts good-value ski resorts, particularly for beginners and intermediates, with attractive forested slopes, efficient lifts and modern accommodation. Its also popular with advanced skiers who come here for backcountry skiing. Banskos slopes are located at 20002500 metres so it has the longest ski season and best snow record of Bulgarias ski resorts. All rights reserved. The average drop is around 100 meters, which make is suitable for both beginners and intermediate skiersmore Semkovo is a mountain resort located in Rila mountains, about 17 km from the town of Belitsa. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK". The resort is situated nearby the artificial lake of Batak. Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo are the three majour resorts in Bulgaria. The mountain is good for skiing in the winter and trekking in the summer. We have made the ski holiday bookings simple and easy no matter where you come from. And as last year i was crying on way home loved it truly totally recommend it and of course our instructor Georgi. Get the latest deals. Vitosha is about 10km (6mi) from Bulgarias capital.
It is 1400 meters above the sea level. Borovets, dating back to 1896, is the oldest winter resort in Bulgaria. Things to do in Bansko in winter: On and off the slopes. There are plenty of good hotels to choose from and flights grom most UK airports. And six days of ski, pole and boot hire would cost 150 lev (77) in Bulgaria, versus 100 in France. The highest peak of Vitosha is Cherni Vruh (2290 m). Bansko is the new Bulgarian ski resort, recently discovered by the foreign skiers and tourists, but well known in Bulgaria. From Ribaritsa, you can also visit the 16th-century Troyan Monastery and the nearby town of Tryavna, with its picturesque, traditional architecture. Cues at the gondola were 10-15 min though we were always at the top station by 10 am ready for lessons. Tucked away in Smolyan Province, Pamporovo offers the perfect ski resort for those who want to bring the whole family. Closest to the capital Sofia is Borovets, Bulgarias oldest ski resort. With approximately 36km (22mi) of pistes, its the perfect place to learn to ski, with a majority of the runs being easy green and blue. Off the slopes theres a lot of building work going on, some of the roads arent the best and resorts arent as chocolate-box pretty as some Alpine ones.
Borovets has 58km of slopes at between 13002560 metres altitude, which are particularly good for intermediate skiers.
It is situated within the Malyovitsa part of North-Western Rila mountain. Ajdena: ski slope of 400 m and tow rope with a capacity of 250 people per hour. Just 40km (25mi) from Borovets and with only 4km (2.5mi) of runs, Malyovitsa is more commonly frequented by alpine mountaineers looking to summit the 2,729m (8,953ft) peak. Ribaritsa lies 600m (1,969ft) above sea level at the foot of the Balkan mountain range. All photos and texts in this website are copyrighted and owned by Bononia Ltd. (Bulgaria) according to the Bulgarian Copyright Legislation. Though they have enough infrastructure to ensure youll have a comfortable stay, its still isolated enough that youll feel like youre truly in another world. Stop at Stara Ribaritsa Tavern for a traditional Bulgarian dinner. You never know, you could be my next skiing friend ! Being more southerly means a lot of sunshine but the pistes are limited at only 36km with mostly blues and greens, so its best for beginners. Its not one for a weeks holiday there are only 3km (2mi) of pistes but its an ideal place to learn how to ski as part of a wider Bulgarian adventure. While there is only one ski run here, serviced by a drag lift, its 1km (0.6mi) long and is the only ski resort in Bulgaria to offer summer skiing on grass. We will greatly appreciate this. For just 5 leva (2.35), you can climb the Snezhanka TV Tower (1,926m/6,219ft) for 360-degree panoramic views. V-AM TRIMIS N COMENTARIU DESPRE VACANTA MEA LA BEST WESTERN FLORIMONT SI NU L-ATI PUBLICAT PENTRU CA ERA NEGATIV.PACAT CA-I ACOPERITI PE MAGARII DE ACOLO,UNDE ESTE DEONTOLOGIA PROFESIONALA?NU UITATI CA IN ROMANIA AVEM MULTE FORUMRI DE TURISM,AM POSTAT SI ACOLO BATJOCURA DE LA BEST WESTERN FLORIMONT,VA PIERDETI CREDIBILITATEA.PACAT,PACAT,PACAT. For emergency calls or during the weekends from 9.30 am to 6.30 PM CET, please dial: +359 889 73 47 47.
Stayed in Hotel Lion which was very good and the food was better than I'd had in Borovets. * This site contains affiliate links, where I get a small commission from purchases at no extra cost to you.
Read more, 10 fantastic festive European winter city breaks. You can book a cheap package deal but its also easy to book flights and accommodation yourself. There are 17 mineral springs with water temperature between 30 and 43?C, as well as a big mineral public bath. Your email address will not be published. The food at the hotel was good and have no complaints, the buffet style works very well the variation at breakfast and dinner meant there was nothing the same, and it was hot. Lots of snow, great ski runs. There are few hotels and other accomodations in this resort: Chalet Semkovo, Hotel Rila, hotel Bor, as well as few BB's owned by Bulgarian univeristies (mostly for students)more Dobrinishte village is only 6 km south of Bansko is the village of Dobrinishte (final station on the narrow gauge line from the town of Septemvri). The highest ski resorts for skiing in Bulgaria extend up to an altitude of 2,560 metres (Bansko). Available at the resort are the following pistes: Bekyara: length of 470 m, equipped with a tow rope with a capacity of 280 people per hour. It is one of the most southerly ski resorts in Europe and offers a good combo of reliable snow coverage and plenty of sunshine throughout winter. The plans of the municipal are to make the piste twice as large and to recover some old pistes so that the total length of the ski pistes will become 15- 20 kilometers. And if you need something to get you going, the local shot is homemade rakia, a type of brandy that burns its way down nicely.
Fit for a king, Borovets sits on the northern slopes of the Rila mountain range, 70km (43mi) south of Sofia, and was historically the summer playground of Bulgarias monarch. Culture Trip rounds up the best ski resorts in Bulgaria. The resort nestled in a pine forest 1,390m (4,560ft) above sea level boasts 58km (36mi) of ski trails plus good ski-touring routes for freeride skiers. A quaint and picturesque ski resort just 13 km from the town of Govedarci, Malyovitsa is for those seeking a true getaway. Intermediates will enjoy the tree runs, but do bear in mind that this is more of a novice hill. I'm Lucy, I've been travelling for over 25 years and share guides, itineraries and advice on my blog On the Luce to help you create stylish, affordable and sustainable travel experiences around the world. With a mix of Alpine runs suited to both beginners and more advanced skiers, they also have nearly 40 km of cross-country skiing tracks for those who prefer not to brave downhill at all. If you wish you can become a Special client. reviews rank ski areas on a scale of one to five stars in the following categories: Overall Rating, All-Mountain Terrain, Nightlife, Terrain Park and Family Friendly. A place huddled among venerable oak forests, known as the geographic enter of Bulgaria just 22 kilometers away from the town of Gabrovo. Surrounded by forests on Rila Mountain, Borovets (1,390m) features picturesque alpine-style pistes fringed with pine trees. Because it maintains a variety of runs ranging in difficulty, its the perfect place to head with a group of friends at different skill levels. The mayor of the town announced that the priority development of the tourism is written in the strategy of Berkovitsa municipal. More about Kulinoto read here Berkovitsa One of the future plans for development of winter tourism in Bulgaria belongs to the cozy and picturesque municipal of Bercovitsa. All rights reserved. Bansko has an attractive town square and there are new hotels and restaurants popping up all over the resort. Not big, not flash, but, the friendliest people, enough runs to give you a challenge from Green to Black, especially the 'Wall', not long but as steep as you would want ! Skiers can reach a height of 2,600m. Bansko has benefited from a multi-million-euro investment and boasts the most up-to-date ski facilities in Bulgaria. Dont miss the incredible views stretching across the nearby Balkan lakes, namely Strashnoto (the Scary Lake). Bansko is not only a resort but also a beautiful historic spotmore Vitosha is on 1800 m above sea level, and only 10 km far from Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Bulgaria is fast becoming one of the most popular countries in Europe for skiing. A wide selection of accommodation is available from small family-run pensions to luxury hotels.Taste local food and wines at a choice of traditional Bansko taverns after a day on the mountain. Stayed in Samokov hotel which is all u need bed and decent food bar is cosy hot chocolate and cocktails are great! Since 1998 we have been providing essential information on the Bulgarian ski resorts and promoting them worldwide through our highly recognised website. If youre not up for partying till dawn then there are a few quieter places to go out. This website uses cookies to improve the online experience. Beginners can progress to the long, gentle blue runs. Went to Bansko last week in Jan 10Fantastic stayed at the Perun (opposite the Loin) halfboard - the outdoor pool was a god send (really warm) and great for kids, they couldn't get enough of the old "snow angles" before leaping back in. While the curative powers of the springs may just be an urban legend, youll probably still fall in love with the ritual of taking a warm soak in the tubs after a day on the slopes. It is locally popular as a place for rest and recreation for the people of Razlog and neighbouring villages. We had a great time, the ski hire food and lift passed are all very reasonable and beer at under 2 a pint you can't go wrong. We would like to go skiing in Bulgaria - I like Morzine and the green and Light Blue slopes - would Borovets be any good for me? DECI SINTETI DE ACEEASI FACTURA CU CEI DE LA BEST WSETERN FLORIMONT-BORDEL, Come to Borovets for the second time with my wife and two young chhildren, even better than we remembered. As Bulgarias largest ski resort with 75km (47mi) of pistes, Bansko is also one of the best ski resorts in Eastern Europe. Hi there, thank you for the Blog, very helpful. Im looking at Bankso or Borovets for my family of essentially first/second time skiers. Advanced skiers will enjoy the challenging Giant Slalom while beginners practice on the wide, gentle slopes. Bulgaria: Modern ski resorts and affordable prices. Instructors in the resorts speak good English and lessons are reasonably priced. The resort is surrounded by pine forest and offers good opportunities for snowsports and mountain tours in the summer. Home to the longest ski run in all of Bulgaria, Chepelare also has the only ski and snowboard manufacturer in the Balkans, Atomic Skis, which has operated in the region since 1981. There is reliable snow coverage between mid December and the end of April. Night life is a mix of 2 or 3 clubs and an Irish baR, or some rrasonably priced and very good restaurants. There are also a couple of small restaurants. So its no many surprise skiers are abandoning the Alps to their five-star clientele and 10 vin chauds and looking for better value in Eastern European destinations like Slovenia, Romania and Bulgaria. Instructors (Boris & Zlatin) were fab.
And I joined them for a weeks skiing in Bulgaria at Bansko ski resort.