BizAims

Bulgaria is located on Balkan Peninsula. It is bordered on the north by Romania, on the south by Turkey and Greece, and on the west by the Serbia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. To the East Bulgaria is washed by the Black Sea. More than half of the country’s territory is mountainous or hilly. The majority of tourists are interested in fine Black Sea beaches, basically round Varna. Amateurs of winter vacations are advised to visit known mounting skiing resorts such as Borovet, Pamporovo, Vitosha and Bansko.

As a mountain-skiing direction Bulgaria is known a little, and the number of “winter” tourists here is insignificant because the beach country cannot guarantee to skiers good paths and steady snow. Instead the prices here strikingly differ from those to “Alpine”. The advantages coming to Bulgaria is a short flight, eh possibility to take kids with itself and the absence of a language barrier.

In Bulgaria there are four mountain skiing resorts – Borovets, Bansko, Pamporovo and Vitosha, and all of them offer quite good ski paths and good conditions for rest.

Borovets

Borovets was always the resort “number one” in Bulgaria. It is located in 72 km from Sofia, at the bottom of the highest mountain of the country – Mussaly. The resort is among century coniferous wood on the northern slopes of Rila Mountains, at the bottom of Musala peak, at an altitude of 1230-1390 m. The resort was established at the end of the 19th century as a hunting place for the Bulgarian Kings. Now Borovets differs by its developed infrastructure - with numerous hotel chains (scattered on the area of more than 10 sq. km.), entertainment institutions and sports constructions. The ski season proceeds here prior to the beginning of May, thus the snow cover can reach 1.5m. Borovets is of interest for skiers of any level: here it is possible to go down from mountains, to jump from a springboard, to practice biathlon and high-speed driving. At your service are more than 30 km of well equipped and marked slopes divided into three zones. The first zone is Sitnyakovo and Martinovi Barracks that extends 19 km and designated for beginning skiers. The second – Yastrebets – is more for skilled sportsmen. Markujik is the third zone and the most high-mountainous: here there are four ski runs that extend 5 km, one of which is intended for a huge slalom.

At Borovets ski school which is already well known, work more than 200 trainers. The lessons may be group or individual, and for the most tempted enthusiasts, professionals of the highest class from Peter Popangelova's mountain-skiing school offer skill lessons at international class level.

There is also a ski kindergarten for the children up to 4 years old which runs for the entire day, so your offspring can brag after arrival about his achievements even to his colleagues from kindergarten.

The costs: skipass for 6 days will manage in 60-70 dollars, week round will cost approximately $420.

Bansko

Bansko is the newest Bulgarian winter resort which foreign tourists have opened for themselves recently. This is an interesting combination of the marvellous nature of Pirin Mountains and the romantic atmosphere of the ancient small town Bansko which involves 120 cultural monuments.

The mountains are mainly of Alpine character with three peaks towering above 2900 m. However the slopes offer runs and tracks for all types of skiers, from beginners to experts. The lessons are in group or individual of different duration and are divided into five categories, depending on the degree of difficulty: A, B, C, D and E. Training for running skis is held in two classes by difficulty degree. Tourists that can visit ski school must be over 6 years old.

The resort is just 160 kilometres away from Sofia, at the bottom of Pirin Mountain, which is one of the most beautiful. The place is an ethnographic reserve and a national park. The average temperature during January, is -1.9C and in Pirin Mountain from 0 to 16 degrees below zero.

Snowfalls are abundant, providing a snow cover up to 2 m thick. The skiing season starts in the middle of December and ends in the middle of April.

- The altitude above sea level – 936 m.

- The altitude above sea level for the ski pistes – 1100 - 2500 m.

- The highest peak of descent – 2500 m.

- The longest path – 2.6 km.

- Paths for running skis – 8 km.

Pamporovo

Pamporovo is one of the southernmost mountain skiing resorts in Europe and the most solar (southern) in Bulgaria. Lying at the altitude of 1650 meters, at the bottom of Snezhanka peak, in Rhodope Mountains, this area is known for its healthy climate and its folklore. According to legends mythical singer Orphey is originated from these places. Because Pamporovo is close to Aegean Sea it guarantees a mild winter, with a shining sun and plentiful snow since December and to the middle of April. This district is also known for its curative influence of pure mountain air.

The resort has a Mediterranean climate and 150 days per year is covered by crackling white snow. Pamporovo is one of the most known mountain resorts in Europe; the total length of paths on slopes for skiers reaches 17.5 km., and cross-country skiing tracks has 34 km that can satisfy inquiries of any skiers, from novices to experienced skiers. In warm season tonic air of Pamporovo, infused on the smell of conifers and the Alpine flowers, mountain tracks, quite suitable both for pedestrians and for bicycle walks, offer the deserved vacation for soul and body. Here there is everything: a wide choice of hotels and wooden Alpine small houses with all conveniences, cafe, restaurants and all conditions for night pastime.

Thanks to a uniform mountain relief a beginner mountain skier feels here perfectly. As well as in other similar resorts, in Pamporovo there are points of loans, conveniently located near the lifts where it is possible to take snowboard, sledge, toboggans and special ski equipment. The mountain rescue service works 24 hours a day.

-The altitude above sea level – 1650 m.

-The highest peak of descent – 1926 m.

-Marked paths – 17.5 km.

-Pathsfor running skis – 25 km.

Vitosha

Vitosha is considered to be the paradise for mountain skiers and is only in 10 km from Sofia. In half an hour of driving from the centre of Bulgaria’s capital and you get to the world of silence of national park "Aleko" – Vitosha. This is the highest ski resort of Bulgaria. The snow on its slopes lies from the beginning of December to the middle of April. The resort approaches for skiers of any class.

-Resort height – 1800 m

-Skiing area – 1650 m - 2290 m

-Extent of paths – 29 km

-The flat ski track - 11 km

-The lowest temperature in January is 6 degrees below zero.

You are waited by pleasant evenings at restaurants, bars and in resort discos. Except tours across Sofia and neighbourhood, it is possible to travel to Rilsky and Bachkovsky monasteries, to the historical city centre of Plovdiv and the city-museum of Koprivshtitsa.