Borovets Ski Resort Guide
Borovets in the Rila mountain range is a family-focused ski resort that makes skiing affordable. With modern facilities including some resort-style luxury hotels within walking distance of the pistes, Borovets could be what you are looking for. There are plenty of reasons to visit Borovets with more terrain than rival Bansko, alongside night skiing and cross-country trails, Borovets packs a punch without needing to spend too many £££.
BOROVETS FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Arriving at Borovets my first impression was one of surprise. Honestly, before heading to Bulgaria I was probably a bit of a ski snob leading to French alps or nowhere kind of attitude. The facilities in Borovets were much better than anticipated and this is the trip that really opened my eyes to the rest of the worlds ski hills. When walking around the resort and looking at the Borovets hotels, you could see that everything was a good standard.
BOROVETS SKI AREA
Borovets has invested to improve its lift system and improve uphill times, although its gondola is still antiquated. This is a small compromise to make for access to the largest number of pistes in Bulgaria. Strangely Borovets is split between two distinct ski areas, the slopes near the Rila Hotel and the slopes by Yastrebetz Gondola. The highest point of the resort is reached via the gondola with pistes at 2550m that allow you to ski down to the base area at 1300m. Strangely the cross-country courses can be found at the top of the resort with trails to 2900m.
The beginner’s area is situated near Hotel Rila, and as such is also the base for the ski school. The slopes here are mellow and are surrounded by restaurants, bars and hotel facilities. As you progress you will head to the Sitnyakovo chairlift that offers a little more challenge. This area is quite small but is enough to get you started. The Sitnyakovo chairlift also remains open for night skiing throughout the season.
If you are looking to explore further then head to the Yastrebetz gondola. From here you will be able to explore two main sections, at the top Markudjik and lower down Yastrebetz. The Markudjik ski area has another small beginners area with mellow slope serviced by a magic carpet and poma. You can also access some blues and a short black that will take you to the gondola’s mid-station. The Yastrebetz area offers the most challenge with some decent red runs that offer some decent vertical drop. If you want to stay in this area it is easy to lap via the Yastrebetz Express, a high-speed quad that ensures you can continue to get plenty of laps.
There is little challenge in Borovets for advanced skiers or snowboards with less than 10% of the piste map dedicated to black runs. There is some off-piste but unless the conditions are prime it can be best avoided. Skiing in the trees can be a bit of a disappointment with some forestry needed to make them truly skiable.
The Borovets ski map below gives a good overview of the accessible terrain throughout the ski resort. The layout of Borovets ski resort can be tricky if your group has varying abilities as you may find yourself split between distinct areas.
Borovets Ski Resort Piste Map
SEASON DATES
The ski season in Borovets runs from December through to April although snow quality and coverage can suffer in early and late season. It is getting better with improvements to snow-making facilities. The lower slopes especially can suffer and late season operations are moved to the top of the gondola. You can check the Borovets weather by accessing the Borovets ski webcam which is a good way to check the slopes before leaving your hotel.
BOROVETS LIFT TICKETS
Further discounts are available on Borovets lift tickets with family passes available at 20% discount. To check the latest pass prices click here
Below are my ratings for Borovets ski resort. All categories are scored out of five with higher scores being better. The only exception is crowds, a higher score in this category means the resort is busier. These scores are based of my experiences in the resort and I’d love to hear your views and experiences in the comments.
TRAVEL TO BOROVETS
WHERE IS BOROVETS
Borovets ski area is the located in the Sofia Province in the Rila Mountain Range. Close to the Bulgarian capital, Sofia travel to Borovets is fairly straightforward.
GETTING TO BOROVETS
From the UK low-cost airlines fly fairly regularly into Sofia (don’t get done by baggage fees). Flights to Sofia are regular and affordable from UK airports. A Sofia to Borovets ski resort airport transfer is 1hr. Most people book their Bulgaria ski trip through a travel company that will be on hand to organise your transfer. You can also fly into Plovdiv but your transfer time will be longer.
Search for flights here
SELF DRIVE
If you do not have an organised transfer then self-drive is possible with hire cars available in the airport arrivals area.
Search Car Hire Here
TAXI TO BOROVETS
Taxi or private hire is also available from Sofia airport but be sure to pre-arrange this with an agreed price. On our trip we used Get Transfers to find the best priced airport transfer for our group. Search Below.
HOW LONG IS THE TRANSFER TO BOROVETS?
The transfer time between Sofia International Airport and Borovets is 1 hr by coach although during busier periods this can take longer.
BOROVETS ACCOMMODATION
Borovets ski resort offers a range of hotel and accommodation options. Most hotels in Borovets are well placed offering decent services with swimming pools and spas. The food at the hotels can be hit and miss but if you need to eat out there are plenty of options that won’t harm your budget. I stayed in Hotel Rila which is a large hotel directly opposite the main slopes.
You can find great deals on accommodation in Borovets with 5* hotels offering half board options for between £500-£600pp.
BOROVETS PROS
Borovets offers great value for money European skiing
Getting to the resort is easy with plenty of options from Sofia and a short transfer time.
The Rila mountains are stunning and Borovets offer some beautiful views
The ski school provides a good service at low prices (please tip your instructor)
Borovets has a lively nightlife
Borovets has more terrain than other Bulgarian ski resorts
Borovets hotels are well placed for the slopes
BOROVETS CONS
Limited off-piste available
Borovets ski area is small when compared to large French / Swiss resorts
The Borovets gondola to Yastrebets from the base is long and slow!
BOROVETS GALLERY
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN BOROVETS
Borovets can be more than the average ski holiday with plenty of activities to keep everyone occupied. Great for days you just fancy a rest or as an addition to your trip consider the following Borovets activities.
Spa Day
Nothing says relax more than a spa day. Perfect for skiers and snowboarders with tired legs there a plenty of options for spa days in Borovets. The appeal is obvious, being sat inside a warm sauna or jacuzzi whilst everyone else is out in the cold will make your friends jealous. In Borovets, most hotels have spa and pool facilities, with the larger hotels offering treatments. A massage in Borovets is likely to set you back around £30
Tobogganing
Always a hit with the kids tobogganing can make a great evening activity. Sledges are available from the local bars which can be a risky combination! This can be a perfect way to wear out the younger members of the group while you sit back and enjoy the views.
Hot Springs
Known for its thermal pools Bulgaria has plenty of hot springs. This is a great activity for soaking weary muscles and helping recovery for your next ski day. Visiting the hot springs is possible during the day or in the evening so you do not need to miss out on any slope time.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Borovets good for skiing?
Hopefully, I have already answered this question but just in case you need more convincing the answer is yes. Borovets offers good skiing and snowboarding at low prices. You will find 58km of pistes, which mostly suit intermediate skiers. You will not find lots of off-piste or steep runs in Borovets but the terrain will suit most people. If you are looking for more challenging terrain in Bulgaria than consider a trip to Bansko or if you are a beginner consider Pamporovo.
Which is better Bansko or Borovets?
This is ultimately down to opinion and will vary from person to person. For me, there isn’t too much difference in the actual skiing between Bansko and Borovets. Bansko does have a world cup run which offers more challenge than anything you will find at Borovets, but Borovets offers more terrain. Away from the slopes both Bansko and Borovets have a lively nightlife. I like that you can get away from this in Bansko with a trip to the old town, a Unesco heritage site. In the Old Town, you will find restaurants and bars that are quieter and set in a beautiful setting. The closer you get to the gondola in Bansko it gets more modern and more nightlife oriented. Borovets also has a good nightlife scene, but you will find the hotels in Borovets offer great entertainment for kids with games rooms etc.
Where to eat in Borovets?
Borovets has a number of restaurants conveniently placed near the base of the slopes. If you like Mexican food then check out Mamacita’s which has decent reviews. Most holidays in Borovets include half-board accommodation so if you want to stay in your hotel then food is already sorted.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Borovets is a resort that I am happy I visited. As a intermediate it was great for me and my friends who were learning to ski. The ski school did a great job and we all improved significantly. I visited as a student and the value could not be argued with. We had full board, including ski hire and lift passes for less than some French Alps 6 day lift passes. I would not recommend it for the more advanced skier or snowboarder as you may feel it lacks challenge.
DISCOVER BOROVETS
Ten Reasons You Should Snowboard In Bulgaria
So you are planning a snowboarding trip and Bulgaria is not on your list. Well, I am here to tell you exactly why it should be. As a former ski resort snob myself I used to laugh at the idea of snowboarding in Bulgaria, but now all that has changed. Having been to snowboard at two of the largest Bulgarian ski resorts over the past few years I have learned a fair bit about what a Bulgarian snowboard trip entails. So come along with an open mind and maybe you too can add Bulgaria to your ski resort bucket list.
PURPOSE-BUILT RESORT
Bulgaria has three main resorts; Bansko, Borovets, and Pamporovo. There are more smaller resorts but it is likely that if you decide to head to Bulgaria to snowboard it will be to one of those three. The villages and facilities around these ski resorts are all purpose-built to make your stay as hassle-free and enjoyable as possible. All the resorts offer hotels and apartments within walking distance of the slopes. Convenient shops will make it easy to find and collect your snowboard hire, with many of them operating drop-off services in the hotels. The facilities are improving in Bulgaria all the time and the more popular it gets the more that money is reinvested into improving infrastructure.
At the major resorts of Bansko and Borovets, the lifts are fairly fast (with the exception of the gondolas) and the terrain would be enough to keep most people entertained for the week. You will find a World Cup downhill run at Bansko and well-constructed terrain parks. Bulgaria offers more than the basic facilities some people expect.
EASY ACCESS
One of the major determining factors in choosing a holiday destination is the travel. Well, the journey to Bulgaria is simple and affordable. Airlines fly between the UK’s major airports and the Bulgarian capital of Sofia regularly throughout the winter with many offering great deals. Once at Sofia International Airport you will find short transfer times (just the 1 hour to Borovets) and a number of easy ways to transfer. Whether it be resort coach, self-drive, or the public bus system Bulgarian ski resorts are accessible with ease.
AWESOME VALUE
It is impossible to argue against the value of a Bulgarian ski holiday. Let’s start with the true international comparison of value, the price of a beer. A beer in Bulgaria will cost you around £1.50 and when you compare that to the prices in; France, Switzerland, or even the more affordable Italy you will be laughing all the way to the bar. But value isn’t just found at the bar in Bulgaria. A week’s lift pass in Borovets will cost around £170 just £130 cheaper than at France’s 3 Vallees resorts. Additionally, you may not even have to worry about purchasing your lift pass as some holiday tour operators throw this in with the price of their half-board or all-inclusive board options. If meals are not part of your deal do not worry. Head out into town and you will be able to eat for around £10 per head, £15 if you want to share a bottle of wine. All in all, Bulgaria really does offer more for your money than most ski destinations.
APRES SKI
There are a few places in the ski world that claim to have a great apres-ski environment, sadly some of them are too expensive to actually be able to indulge, Bulgaria is different. We have already discussed the price of beer, but when you can sample the local lager across lively bars, nightclubs, and music venues you are spoilt for choice. Yes, you may come across the stag/hen crowd in Bulgarian ski resorts but that doesn’t mean it’s not a family place. If the bars are not your scene, then head to the bowling alley, the cinema or enjoy the leisure facilities in the hotel. There is plenty of apres for everyone, however, you want to conduct it.
BULGARIAN CULTURE
I was not planning to be sampling too much of the Bulgarian culture on my ski trips but I got sucked in. Bansko has an old town which is a UNESCO heritage site and its cobbled streets are home to a number of great local restaurants. I’ll get onto the food soon, but the Old Town is the place to go to sample local Bulgarian music (usually folk) and to wander through the medieval streets. It really leaves a different impression to the modern and bustling area around the gondola station.
BULGARIAN CUISINE
Bulgarian food is fantastic and really wasn’t what I was expecting. As discussed, the Old Town of Bansko is filled with plenty of fantastic places to eat. Borovets too has a number of restaurants where you can sample local meat and fish dishes accompanied by salads or side dishes. You can of course opt for the non-local food, with fast food and pretty much every western cuisine on offer…. but then you’d be missing out.
The final point on Bulgarian food, if you have opted for an accommodation option where food is included don’t let this handcuff you to your hotel. Most hotels provide a buffet spread but it can get a bit repetitive.
PERFECT FOR PROGRESSION
Bulgaria is perfect for beginner skiers and snowboarders. First of all, it is cheap, so its less of a risk should you not like the activity (although this would never happen!!!). But more to the point is the affordability and quality of ski school lessons in Bulgaria. All of the resorts have a local ski school that delivers group and private lessons on a very affordable basis.
The terrain in Bulgaria is mostly suited to beginners and intermediates so you will be able to progress from green to blue runs fluidly throughout your first week. If you are a fast learner your progression won’t be stunted in Bulgaria, there are a number of red and black pistes that you can aim for or provide a further reason to return next year.
Photo Credit @antoniachekrakchieva
OTHER ACTIVITIES
So you want to snowboard but you want more from your holiday. Well away from the skiing and snowboarding Bulgarian ski resorts have a number of activities to keep you busy throughout your stay. You can stay in the winter spirit with a trip to an ice-rink or a snowshoe excursion. Alternatively, you can take a day away from the cold by heading to the spa or getting locked into an escape room. With the addition or cinemas and bowling alleys, museums and galleries there is plenty to keep you occupied.
WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE
The Bulgarian people are incredibly friendly and welcoming. I always tell the story of watching my football team lose a match one evening in a local bar. There wasn’t a person in the bar who didn’t buy me a drink or offer a word of condolence whilst I sat slumped in my bar stool. This attitude extends out of the bar, into the village and onto the slopes where the locals will be happy to assist you if you need help. In general, the Bulgarians seem happy that you are there which can not always be said in all ski resorts.
ALL-INCLUSIVE SNOWBOARDING
One of the reasons people like an all-inclusive beach holiday is the idea that you have everything you need paid for and organized before you go. The same can apply in Bulgaria with many tour operators and hotels offering all-inclusive and half-board deals. These can even cover your lift passes and ski lessons making the idea of a ski trip to Bulgaria absolutely hassle-free.
There are ten reasons why you should consider a ski trip to Bulgaria this winter. Is it on your hit list? Have you been before? I’d like to hear from you, so let me know down in the comments if you agree or disagree with this list and whether you will head to Bulgaria to ski in the future?
