Mountain / Winter Resorts

Bansko

The newest Bulgarian winter resort, Bansko provides an interesting combination between the virgin nature of Pirin Mountain and the atmosphere of the ancient Bulgarian small town. It is situated in Southwestern Bulgaria, at the foothills of one of the most beautiful Bulgarian mountains - Pirin, which is a national preserve, included in the World Natural Heritage list.

The distance from Sofia to Bansko is 160 km.
The skiing conditions in Bansko are excellent, further development is planned for 2005/6. European Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam has a 60 acre golf course planned; with construction set to start in the summer of 2005. The Pirin Mountain has a predominately Alpine character with three peaks towering above 2900m. However the slopes offer runs and tracks for all types of skiers, from novice to the experts, while the ski runs are maintained in excellent condition. The town itself attracts visitors by its 120 cultural monuments, its museums houses, and the permanent ethnographic and Bansko School of icon painting exhibitions. The region is also famous for its cuisine and colourful folklore and offers various entertainment opportunities.

Borovetz

The oldest and the biggest mountain resort in Bulgaria which has often gathered the skiing elite of the world and seen the rise of many a Bulgarian champion. Situated at 1350m above the sea level on the northern slopes of Rila Mountain among age-old pine woods, Borovetz is located at the foot of peak Mousalla (2925m) - the highest one on the Balkan Peninsula. Borovetz is easily accessible, being at a distance of 73km from Sofia.

Established at the end of the 19th century as a hunting place for the Bulgarian kings, Borovetz gradually developed into a modern ski resort of high class and luxury hotels and restaurants and the varied leisure-time entertainment opportunities besides an excellent network of ski runs and lifts along the slopes of the Rila Mountain. Borovetz is providing excellent opportunities for the whole range of winter sports - from Alpine sports to cross-country skiing, ski jumps and biathlon. The resort twice hosted World Cup Alpine skiing rounds, while the biathlon track is one of the best in the world.

Pamporovo

Since ancient times they have been a source of legends and stories told through the centuries. Pamporovo, the pearl of the Bulgarian mountain resorts, nests in the heart of the Rhodopes, 260 km from the capital Sofia, and 85 km south of the city of Plovdiv. The climate in winter is moderate / mild with a Mediterranean influence. Typical of this region is that nature does not change its moods abruptly; there is no danger of avalanche.