Bulgaria Country Guide
Looking for an awesome destination without breaking the bank? Well, Bulgaria has long been a ski destination that allows you to stretch those pounds a little further. This has made Bulgaria a popular destination with families and students which has cultivated an environment that is a mix of family activities and après ski bars. It used to be the case that a trip to a Bulgarian ski resort would be looked down on in some circles, but this is ridiculous as Bulgaria provides a great all round ski experience.
SNOWBOARDING IN BULGARIA
There are plenty of interesting places to go skiing or snowboarding across Eastern Europe but Bulgarian ski resorts are ahead of their neighbours. Attracting an international clientele, Bulgaria has warmly welcomed travellers to its resorts with the promise of cheap Bulgarian snowboarding holidays. Flights to Bulgaria are easy from most destinations with international flights into the capital Sofia and Plovdiv. Bulgaria of some of the best snowboarding in Europe for beginners but shouldn’t be considered as just beginner resorts. Bansko hosts FIS ski races and challenge can also be found at Borovets.
Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo offer the best skiing in Bulgaria with the former being the main highlight. The largest resort Bansko is an eclectic mix of a traditional old town and a more modern mix of bars. The resort of Bansko offers the best terrain in Bulgaria and has hosted FIS events on its slopes. Borovets is another good option with Pamporovo being well suited to families. All three resorts are low altitude so can suffer from poor snow in the early and late season but plan a trip for January and February and you should be fine. Bansko snow conditions tend to be decent with snowmaking across some of the terrain.
A massive selling point for Bulgarian ski resorts is the affordability of their lift passes and ski schools. I can vouch that the instruction received at Borovets was great service and cheap as chips. With this in mind consider tipping your instructor if you enjoyed the lesson. The terrain in Bulgaria is not going to be expansive but Bansko’s 50kms of trails will keep most occupied for a week’s trip. Try to avoid school holidays as this can lead to large lift queues around the resort, especially for the gondolas at the base on Bansko and Borovets.
Accommodation is improving and all resorts offer hotel options on a full board or all-inclusive options extending your savings further. If you do not have meals included I wouldn’t worry as it is really cheap to eat out in the Bulgarian ski towns which is a pleasant change from the Alps. Adding to the affordability are the cheap flights available with low-cost airlines into the capital Sofia (make sure to calculate baggage charges before booking). From Sofia, the transfer is simple and is normally available on a package through a tour operator. I have also taken a taxi to Bansko from Sofia and that was reasonable and easy to book.
BULGARIAN POSTS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SKIING IN BULGARIA
Is skiing in Bulgaria any good?
Simple answer, yes. Bulgaria makes for a really good ski trip as long as you go in knowing what to expect. Bulgaria has three main ski resorts; Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo, there are smaller resorts but these will be the most appealing to visit. In Bansko and Borovets you will find good skiing and snowboarding, especially for intermediates. There is a world cup run in Bansko that shows they have challenging ski terrain in Bulgaria but it is on a smaller scale. The Pirin mountains are beautiful in their own right but do not expect to be surrounded by 3000m or 4000m peaks.
When can you ski in Bulgaria?
The Bulgarian ski season runs from December to April with the season starting around the middle of December. The main resorts in Bulgaria do make use of snow cannons which can prolong the season into early/mid-April but the best conditions will be found in January and February. If possible I would try to avoid any school holiday period whilst skiing or snowboarding in Bulgaria as you will experience serious crowds at these times.
Which is the biggest ski resort in Bulgaria?
Borovets ski resort is the largest ski resort in Bulgaria with nearly 60km of runs. Bansko does however offer more challenging terrain. Pamporovo is the smallest of the main Bulgarian ski resorts and is well suited to beginner skiers and snowboarders.
How much is a ski pass in Bulgaria?
Much cheaper than in other parts of Europe would be my best answer. A 6-day lift pass in Bansko would set you back around €190 compare, which is less than my friends paid to ski in the 3 Vallees for 3 days. Another interesting factor is that most package holidays to ski in Bulgaria include lift passes. This can make an extra saving on your holiday and be a great reason to visit Bulgaria to ski.
BULGARIA GALLERY
ABOUT BULGARIA
Why Visit Bulgaria
Are you looking for something different from the same tired ski destinations then a Bulgarian ski holiday might just be the change of pace you are looking for. Perfect for families who want to learn on the cheap, Bulgarian ski resorts offer some interesting all-inclusive packages. Although the peak weeks can be pretty hectic visiting outside of these times can offer quiet slopes and good terrain. The views from the resorts of Bansko and Borovets are pretty stunning with the Pirin and Rila mountains providing a great backdrop.
Ski Season Dates In Bulgaria
The snowboard season in Bulgaria runs between December and April but can be pretty touch and go in the early and late weeks. If you want to play it safe opt of a trip during January or February as these are the best months to visit.
Mountain Ranges In Bulgaria
When you consider that 1/3rd of Bulgaria is covered in mountains it is easy to see why mountain sports are so popular in the country. The Rila Mountains are the highest in Bulgaria and the 6th highest range throughout Europe. The highest summit in the Rila Mountains is Musala at 2925m. The Pirin Mountain range is also host to ski resorts in Bulgaria. The Pirin Mountains are home to brown bears which have led to the area being protected under national park status. If you like bluebird days then the proximity of the Pirin Mountains to the Mediterranean should get you excited.
The altitude of Ski Resorts In Bulgaria
Bansko Ski Resort 1100m-2500m
Borovets Ski Resort 1350m -2550m
Pamporovo Ski Resort 1450m - 1926m
Capital City Of Bulgaria
Sofia situated in the west of Bulgaria is the capital city. Well worth adding as an excursion or stayover when visiting Bulgaria, Sofia has over 2000 years of history that reflectins invasions from the; Greeks, Romans, Ottomans and Soviets. Modern-day Sofia has a bustling nightlife and affordable accommodation making it an appealing city break destination.
Cathedral Saint Aleksandar Nevski - Photo Credit @inedelchev
Languages Spoken In Bulgaria
The official language in Bulgaria is Bulgarian. Don’t worry if you do not possess any Bulgarian language basics as you will be fine with English.
Currency Used In Bulgaria
Bulgaria uses the Bulgarian Lev as their currency. Credit cards are not widely accepted so it is better to exchange cash on arrival in Bulgaria. Weirdly some prices are shown in Euros however this is more in an effort to allow Europeans to easily negotiate the exchange rates. When comparing the Bulgarian currency to GBP you will find that your pounds go pretty far in Bulgaria. At the time of publishing £1 = 2.23 Lev.
