Ski holidays in Bulgaria

Bulgaria

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Bulgaria is a stunning nation located in the eastern half of the Balkan Peninsula. It is famed for its Black Sea coast, but is also home to traditional villages reminiscent of the Middle Ages. Hikers and other adventurers will delight in the rugged and mountainous interior, and history buffs can enjoy exploring the country’s Roman ruins.

Although still seeing fewer tourists than the neighbouring countries of Greece and Turkey, tourism in Bulgaria is steadily rising, drawing in visitors with the country’s opulent mosques, serene villages, fancy churches, and an enduring folklore tradition. The winters can be bitterly cold but provide excellent snow for Bulgarias major ski resorts from mid-December to mid-April.

Borovets ski resort is situated just 73kms from the capital, Sofia. Borovets is the oldest and largest of the Bulgarian ski resorts and sits beneath Moussala (2,923m), the highest peak in the country. The resort has twice held alpine skiing World Cup events. The idyllic town of Borovets offers good shopping, restaurants and accommodation. The skiing here takes place in three areas: Borovets, Yastrebets and Markujika.

The pistes at the resort cover 40kms and also have facilities for night skiing. An efficient system of 11 lifts takes skiers to their destination. Cross-country skiers will find an excellent 15-kilometre trail (just two kilometres from the resort), along with a world-class biathlon track.

Pamporovo ski resort is situated in the Rhodopes Mountains, 85kms from Plovdiv, Bulgarias second-largest city. The most southern ski resort in Europe, Pamporovo has a unique Mediterranean climate and is the sunniest of the Bulgarian resorts. However, at a height of 1,650m, the resort still has good snow cover throughout the season. This purpose-built resort is set just below the Snejanka peak (1,926m) and boasts a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

There are 25kms of pistes at Pamporovo and off-piste skiing is also available. The nursery slopes are good for beginners and tuition in English is available at the ski school. Six chairlifts and 13 draglifts keep waiting times to a minimum. Nine restaurants are located on the slopes, and the restaurant at the TV and radio tower on Snejanka peak (reachable by chairlift) is especially charming. Après ski at Pamporovo is lively with many bars, pubs and discos.

Visitors can catch a connecting flight to Sofia International Airport; while buses and trains are the easiest way to get to Bulgaria from Europe and Turkey. A regular car ferry crosses the Danube between Vidin and Calafat in Romania. Crossing the Friendship Bridge from Romania to Ruse in Bulgaria is also possible. For Pamporovo resort, you can fly to Plovdiv as well.

Cash-strapped skiers given lift by cheap Bulgarian resorts

Families wishing to hit the ski slopes without breaking the bank should slalom around France, Switzerland and Austria and swerve to a halt in Bulgaria, according to new research. While hotels and ski lifts can be more basic in Bansko, the Bulgarian resort has come out the cheapest in the Post Office’s survey of 10 European and North American resorts.

Ski areas have been opening across Eastern Europe this weekend after low temperatures and heavy snowfalls provided a big boost for the start of the season.

New research from leading travel insurance provider InsureandGo reveals that skiers and snowboarders can save around 40 per cent on their ski holidays by heading to Bulgaria’s top resort rather than a typical resort in the French Alps this winter.

As the Metro Ski and Snowboard Show at London’s Olympia turns our attention to the forthcoming ski season, InsureandGo, which is appearing at the show, is predicting a big increase in Eastern European winter holidays this season.

British skiers should head for Eastern Europe for the best deals on the slopes, but prices at some resorts have risen sky high, it has been revealed.

Top-value ski destinations are Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Slovenia, according to a survey by Post Office travel services.

Including basic week-long costs such as equipment hire, lift passes, meals and drinks, Romania’s Poiana Brasov ski resort offered the best value at £195.76.