Great skiing on a budget
Beginner friendly slopes, a buzzing nightlife and bargains galore, what’s not to love about Bulgaria?
For the bargain ski holiday, Bulgaria has long been the go-to country of choice.
But Bulgaria is much more than a cheaper alternative to the Alps. With a wide range of easy to intermediate slopes, good restaurants, a vibrant culture and a buzzing nightlife, Bulgaria has won over a legion of ski fans who return year after year. It’s a great place to learn, family friendly and a round of drinks won’t cost the earth, making it a good choice for groups. They’ve also done much in recent years to upgrade lifts, snow-making facilities and accommodation.
KEY INFORMATION
Good to Know
Currency
Lev
Language
Bulgarian
Travel Time (APPROX)
4 hours
Gatwick
Timezone
GMT+3
The best bits of skiing in Bulgaria
Best family resorts in Bulgaria
Families should head to Bansko. It’s home to a range of family friendly hotels and a kids park where little learners can take the ‘magic carpet’ lift to practise their first turns as well as enjoy the carousel, a rotating ride. There’s also a family-friendly snow park. Borovets has the quicker transfer time from the airport however – worth bearing in mind after a three hour flight.
Best beginner resorts in Bulgaria
Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo are all home to easy groomed pistes which are ideal for putting down your first turns. Pamporovo is the smallest resort and its long green slopes are great for beginners looking to build confidence. Bansko is also a great resort for first timers, home to a wider ski area with the majority of slopes in the blue to red range.
Best high altitude/snow-sure resorts in Bulgaria
Bulgaria may not be the Swiss Alps but Borovets sits just underneath Bulgaria’s highest mountain, Musala and the skiing goes up to 2,600m. That’s an altitude many resorts in the main alps would envy, and offers a high degree of snow security during the season. Bansko’s slopes are at a similar altitude. Pamporovo is a little lower, but all resorts have invested in snow cannons in case of a lean year.
Food and drink in Bulgaria
There’s definitely a different vibe to Bulgarian cuisine compared to alpine classics, being influenced by dishes from the Balkans and Mediterranean. Expect to see lots of chicken and lamb grills, hearty stews with pickled cabbage and Bulgarian white brine cheese, as well as familiar faves such as pizza. Beer is a fraction of the UK’s price and the local wine is excellent – and also pleasantly cheap.
Best resorts for après ski in Bulgaria
If you’re looking to take full advantage of cheap booze, head to either Bansko or Borovets for the loudest and liveliest après – many stag and hen parties do. The bars at the bottom of the gondola start filling as the lifts close. For a different vibe, try a mehana, a traditional tavern which also serves food. If you prefer somewhere quieter, head to Pamporovo, whose après is more geared around hotel bars and restaurants.
Best resorts for off-piste skiing in Bulgaria
Bansko has some of the best lift-accessible off-piste terrain in Bulgaria, whether you just want to explore the powder at the side of the slope or you’re an expert in need of some big open faces or tree descents. Be aware: there are no marked and secured off-piste tracks in Bansko, so if you do venture into the backcountry you should have the skills and experience, or a guide.
Best resorts for ski weekends and short breaks in Bulgaria
Borovets is your best bet for a weekend or short break. It’s the closest resort to Sofia airport and just just over an hour away by car. (By contrast Bansko is over two hours and the transfer to Pamporovo is three hours.). Borovets is also good for all ability ranges, with over 50km of easy and intermediate slopes, plenty of accommodation near the slopes and a varied après scene.
Best time to ski in Bulgaria
The Bulgarian ski season is generally shorter than the Alps, running from December through March. But with slopes up to almost 2,600m Borovets has one of the longest seasons in the country and there’s skiing until mid April. Christmas and New Year are always popular. January is the coldest month. February is a great month for families. In March you’ll find warmer temperatures, longer days and cheaper deals.
Our favourite ski resorts in Bulgaria
Here are just some of our top ski resorts. To find the perfect one for you, speak to one of our specialists.
Borovets
Borovets is a well-thought-out purpose-built ski resort with great-value accommodation and lots of lively bars and restaurants to explore. The skiing is well suited for beginners and intermediates with wide, tree lined runs to explore.
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Bansko
Sitting at the base of the mighty Todorka peak, Bansko is Bulgaria’s newest ski area. Given the rustic mountain charm, fantastic skiing and lively après ski scene, it comes as no surprise that the resort is continuing to draw skiers who return year after year.
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Pamporovo
Pamporovo is a purpose built ski resort lying in the pretty forested foothills of Snejanka Mountain. The resort has lots of lively bars and restaurants to explore and a variety of great value accommodation. The ski area is small but great for beginners.
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