Bulgarian Ski Resorts
Pamporovo
Pamporovo is a popular mountain resort set in the Southern Rhodope Mountains at an altitude of 1620 metres above sea level. The highest peak in the area, Mount Snezhanka (1928 m), is several hundred metres higher than the resort. Pamporovo is around 260 km away from Sofia, and 85 km south of Plovdiv.Located amongst magnificent pine forests it is primarily visited during the winter ski season (mid December to mid April) for skiing and snowboarding, but is also a popular tourist place in the summer.
The resort boasts 31 km of excellent ski-runs suitable for all levels of skiers and 40 km cross-country skiing tracks served by 18 lifts with a total capacity of 8 500 persons per hour. 4 snow-leveling machines and 6 snow cannons guarantee skiers comfortable and enjoyable downhill rides.
The recently announced 'Grand Pamporovo' resort will also add a world class health spa and a multitude of facilities only 50 metres away from one of the main ski lifts.
A new 500 million Euro project 'The Perelik Project' has also been given the green light to expand the current skiing area in Pamporovo to the neighbouring peak. The centre of the current resort will be connected by a gondola and this will effectively double the size of the current skiing area.
Bansko
Bansko is a popular mountain resort located in southwestern Bulgaria at the foot of Pirin mountain at an altitude of 936 metres above sea level. With mountain peaks near the town, numerous lakes and pine woods 160 km south of Sofia, 60 km southeast of Blagoevgrad, 6 km south of Razlog and about 50 km north of Gotse Delchev.
A rich cultural and historical heritage and excellent skiing conditions have turned it into an attractive tourist centre welcoming thousands of tourists from all over Europe each year.
A new gondola lift was built in 2003 to replace a minibus ride up to the ski slopes of Todorka. Several other gondolas and ski lifts are in the process of being built. These developments, along with the construction of extensive housing and recreational facilities around the gondola have made Bansko a popular and growing destination.
The Bansko ski area is particularly well suited to beginners and intermediates. The slopes of Todorin Vruh are the best spot for novices, with gentle slopes and long runs from the chair lift. The slopes also give access to some good off-piste skiing and snowboarding. Intermediates can take the triple chair lift to the top of the peak and try one of the downhill runs. Snow conditions in Bansko are good and there are seldom queues even in the height of the season. A multi-million Euro project saw the installation of the new lifts, including the eight-person gondola, adding to the popularity of the Bansko ski area.
Bansko is not short on cosy eateries, with hundreds of taverns in the town serving up hearty Bulgarian cuisine. The town is well known for its thermal springs and these together with several excellent swimming pools, which also have saunas and fitness rooms alongside them allow for pleasant aprs-ski relaxation.
