Bulgaria ski holidays
With beautiful scenery, great snow conditions and a wide selection of delicious local delicacies, Bulgaria is a highly popular country for skiers wanting to experience a more low-key and affordable holiday on the slopes.
Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate skier, there are sure to be some great runs available across the country’s many ski resorts and, with generally smaller crowds than France and Switzerland, Bulgaria could be the perfect place for a well-deserved, relaxing break. Ski holidays in Bulgaria are often favoured by beginners as they offer great value ski hire, lift passes and lessons for skiers and snowboarders.
Skiing in Bansko
Best ski holidays in Bulgaria
We have a number of fantastic value holidays to Bulgaria but choosing where to stay can be tricky. Have a read through our best of to give you some guidance or alternatively give us a call and speak to a ski expert about your next ski holiday to Bulgaria.
Best for snow-sure slopes - Bansko is the most snow sure out of the three with its highest lift at 2,560m.
Best for families - We ahve a number of excellent hotels and self catering apartments in Bansko and Borovets which are most suited to families due to their high number of beginner and intermediate runs.
Best for après - For après ski, go to Borovets. It has a reputation for raucous après ski and nightlife in the townb. The resort also has approximately four bars per square metre, so you'll never be far from a pint!
Best for groups - Bansko and Pomporovo are great for groups for all abilities, but especially for groups who are beginners.
Ski areas in Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s leading ski resorts are generally based in the east and south of the country. Bankso and Borovets are both located less than 200 miles away from the Macedonia border and within 2 hours distance from Sofia airport. Pamporovo is the exception, situated in the Smolyan Province just 6 miles away from the Chepelare municipality.
Ski resorts in Bulgaria
Located between 2000 and 2500 metres above sea level, Bansko offers extraordinary snow conditions, breath-taking sites of natural beauty and a high number of cultural and historical monuments dating back to the early periods of the Roman Empire. Bansko is the most popular ski resort in Bulgaria with the longest ski runs, 70 km of pistes and a huge variety of bars and restaurants. Top hotels in Bansko include Hotel Lion and Hotel Bansko.
As the largest mountain resort in the country, Borovets is a fantastic option for skiers looking to travel on a budget without compromising on quality. With great snow conditions and a number of brilliant local amenities, its popularity has grown massively in recent years. There is also night skiing and cross country skiing on offer in Borovets ski resort. There is a variety of ski runs to suit beginners and intermediates and more than 200 ski instructors working on the resort to give newcomers all the advice they need to develop their skills. However, compared to the two other resorts, experts may not find the slopes challenging enough.
Based across the Rhodopi mountain in south Bulgaria and based 1650m above sea level, Pamporovo is set in a truly majestic landscape with runs tailored for beginners and intermediates. There are several ski schools in the resort, making it very welcoming to those venturing on the slopes for the first time, while intermediate skiers are sure to find runs to further their learning and development.
Snow conditions in Bulgaria
Bulgaria offers great snow conditions in the winter months and some resorts enjoy snow well into the spring. Bankso’s ski season generally runs from December to May, while Pamporovo and Borovets accommodate skiers between December and April.
Beautiful scenery in Borovets
Après ski in Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s ski resorts offer a range of things to do away from the slopes. Bankso has a laid-back atmosphere and a selection of delicious local food and drink for travellers to sample, while the nearby old town boasts excellent bars and restaurants serving delicious Bulgarian delicacies and monuments dating back to the early period of the Roman Empire.
Pamporovo has developed a lively reputation in recent years. There are a number of night spots growing in popularity, such as the Night Flight venue in hotel Rojen, which boasts the largest disco in the resort and The White Hart.
On the other hand, Borovets gives travellers some unique Bulgarian entertainment experiences, including folklore evenings full of the country’s traditional hymns and dances. The resort also boasts magnificent restaurants, including Mamacita’s and the Crown Italian. Popular bars include Buzz Bar and Revolution Bar.
Accommodation in Bulgaria
Whether you’re travelling on a budget or looking to splash out for a deluxe stay, there are plenty of options in Bulgaria. Hotel Lion Borovets is perfect for those after a sophisticated getaway, whereas Hotel Iglika Palace in Borovets and Hotel Strazhite in Bansko offers comfort and great service at brilliant value.
Iglu Ski has a wide range of budget and great value accommodations in Bulgaria from self-catering apartments to B&B and half board hotels. Call our Iglu Ski experts on the number above for further information on ski holidays in Bulgaria; alternatively use our ski holiday search tool.
Transfer times to resorts in Bulgaria
Borovets (1 hour 30 min), Pamporovo (3 hours 30 min) and Bankso (3 hours) are all easily accessible from Sofia Airport.