Skiing in Bulgaria

Bulgaria has increasing become a favourite holiday destination in Europe and deservedly so. It offers a long coastline on the Black sea that has a number of large beach resorts as well as old fishing towns. Also, about half the country is mountainous with three major ski resorts – Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo. These are all visited by hundreds of thousands of international tourists annually.

Bansko is by far the largest of the three ski resorts. It is located about 120 km from the capital Sofia at the intersection of three mountains – Pirin, Rhodopa and Rila. Basko’s splendid center still preserves the ancient architecture typical of houses and other buildings in that part of Bulgaria. Bansko began growing at exceptionally high rates soon after the fall of communism when the new government with pro market orientation gave green light to real estate development. Within a few years, it was transformed into a sprawling ski resort with dozens of hotels and condo buildings. British, Irish, and Russian investors flocked in to purchase holiday properties which then became available for rent. The city and private investors developed the ski runs which, while available under communism, did not have the modern facilities required by international skiers.

Borovets and Pamporovo were the most prominent ski destinations during communism and continue to be such despite taking second place to Bansko. Borovets is easily accessible as it is located only 60 km from Sofia. There is regular bus transport from Sofia to the resort and one can also rent a car to get there. A large needle tree that is quite popular in that part of Bulgaria gives the name Borovets. In winter, the large trees, heavy with snow, line the streets, walking paths and ski runs giving a feeling of warmth. The resort did not develop many new facilities, partly due to its location within the mountain that does not allow much new development, but it is a great destination nonetheless.

Pamorovo is in the southern part of Bulgaria, about 100 km from the second largest city of Bulgaria Plovdiv. It is situated in what many Bulgarians and international visitor consider to be the most pristine and beautiful mountains in Bulgaria – the Rhodopas. With large rolling hills, this mountain indeed presents a remarkable spectacle of nature. Pamporovo is a bit different from Borovets. While Borovets is nested between hills with hotels and restaurants bundled up close to each other, Pamporovo is more spread out, with some distance between the large hotels.  Between Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo, the Bulgarian ski resorts offer not only skiing opportunities but also different settings and ways to experience nature.