Bulgaria

Bulgaria lies in the South-East of Europe, bordered by Turkey, Greece, Serbia, Romania and the Republic of Macedonia with the black sea running down the East of the country.  It is the 15^th largest country in Europe and spans just under 11,000 square kilometres with a population of about 7.8 million people.  The terrain is very diverse and largely made up of dominating mountain ranges and deep valleys.  The Balkan range spreads right across the country with the Rhodope Mountains to the South and the Pirin Mountains to the South-West.  The highest peak is mount-Moussala (2925m) located in the Rila Mountains in the North-East.

As a result of the climate and varied terrain Bulgaria is popular for both summer and winter activities.  The stunning Black Sea coastline is dominated with summer resorts whilst the mountainous regions are home to numerous ski resorts.  The scenic landscape also boasts a vast network of hiking trails.  The ski areas are not as well known or extensive as other European destinations such as France and Switzerland however they cannot be beaten on value for money!  With excellent ski schools; Bulgaria is ideal for beginners and skiers on a budget.

There are a total of 13 ski resorts; the three most noteworthy being Borovets, Bansko and Pamporovo.  Borovets is Bulgaria’s most established resort; nestled in the Rila Mountains at 1350 m above sea level.  It is the oldest resort and dates back to 1896.  It was the first resort to set up in Bulgaria and it is home to a plethora of bar, shops and restaurants.  There is also plenty to do for non-skiers such as Bowling, sleigh rides, picturesque walks and so on.  The resort is easily assessable with the capital (Sophia) just a short hour and a half transfer away. 

Pamporovo (1650m) is a charming resort which is located in the heart of the Rhodopi Mountains.  It benefits from an exclusive climate which provides the resort with fantastic snow throughout the season and approximately 120 days of sunshine in the winter.  The town has an intimate and cosy feel about it.  The friendly surroundings and gentle nursery slopes makes the resort very popular with families, whilst  intermediates and advanced skiers will get the most out of the picturesque tree lined runs and great off-piste. 

Bansko (925m) is an up and coming resort which has recently had a lot of money invested in a whole new ski area which makes it Bulgaria’s largest resort.  It is therefore the most diverse of all the resorts; offering something for all levels of skiers and boarders.  The resort has a mixture of old and new architecture, as well as this it holds the best snow record and the longest run (16km) in Bulgaria.  The town itself is steeped in history making it a most unique ski resort.  Whilst the town is only at 930m the skiing is at an impressive 2000-2600 m.  The resort is continuously expanding and with a great range of accommodation it attracts a cosmopolitan mix of Brits, Russians, German, Bulgarians, etc.