There are some fantastic Bulgaria Ski Resorts popping up, many that you may have never heard of. I certainly hadn’t until around a year ago. But they’re becoming more and more popular for good reason. The snow is great, ski rental is affordable and there are some fantastic hotels, restaurants and bars to enjoy.
Last year, I spent the winter in Bulgaria and tested out quite a few of the ski resorts there. I fell in love with Bulgaria and ended up returning in the Summer to see what it was like (just as good, I might add!). But the skiing in Bulgaria is second to none, particularly for the cost.
I’ve got three favourite Bulgaria Ski Resorts. To give you an idea of what I’m basing this list on, I’ve taken into consideration the quality of the slopes and the lifts, the amenities in the resort and the standard of the accommodation available.
So, if you’re thinking about visiting Bulgaria to ski, but you’re not sure where to go, read on for my list of the best Bulgaria ski resorts.
1. Bansko (Best for Nomads)
There are so many things I love about Bansko. It was where I learned to ski, and I was based here for a whole ski season, making trips out for weekends and breaks to other Bulgaria ski resorts.
Let’s get into why Bansko is my number one ski resort in Bulgaria.
Location
Bansko is located in the Pirin mountains, just outside the Pirin National Park. The closest airport is Sofia Airport, which is around a 2-3 hour drive, depending on traffic in Sofia.
There are many ways of getting to Bansko from Sofia airport. A private taxi will cost around 75 Euros. Alternatively, you can arrange a shared shuttle which will cost around 40BGN per person (20 Euros). I’d recommend using Traventuria or Bansko Express.
There is a bus that goes from Sofia to Bansko, that drops you off at the Bus Station in Bansko. The Bus Station is in town, which is around a 25-minute walk to the ski resort, so I’d recommend getting a taxi or transfer.
Ski Slopes
You can read all about the Bansko Ski Map and Runs in detail in my separate blog post, but I’ll do a little summary here.
What are the runs like?
In comparison to ski resorts in other parts of Europe, like France or Switzerland, Bansko and the other Bulgaria ski resorts are relatively small. Unlike in those countries, Bansko is a resort on its own and there are no runs which connect them with other Bulgaria Ski Resorts.
However, the Bansko Ski Map is a challenging one, and there are definitely enough to keep you entertained for a memorable ski holiday.
There are 75 km of ski runs. Around 35% of these are for beginners, 40% for intermediate skiers and 25% for advanced skiers.
How do you reach the ski runs?
It is the most modern Bulgaria ski resort, with a fast gondola which takes you up the mountain in around 25 minutes. If the weather isn’t giving you much snow, there are 260 snow cannons placed around the resort to give mother nature a helping hand.
Is it Ski-In, Ski-Out?
It isn’t really a ski-in and ski-out destination, as you have to go on the gondola to reach any runs. However, it is a ski-in resort, particularly if you stay at the Kempinski Hotel in Bansko, as this is located right at the end of the ski road which takes you from the top of the gondola all the way back down to the resort.
How Busy Does It Get?
I’m not going to lie. Bansko is probably the busiest Bulgaria ski resort, particularly during the school holidays. In February, there is pretty much a school holiday on all month.
Unless you arrive at the Gondola at around 7:30am, you can expect to queue for around 1 hour. During the holidays, I met people who had queued for 2 hours.
There are ways to avoid the dreaded queues, with many people getting a shuttle or taxi up to the last station on the gondola, but again, you want to do that early to avoid traffic as you’ll not be the only ones doing it!
There is also the option of buying a VIP Pass from the bigger spa hotels like Hotel Grand Resort or Kempinski.
In terms of the ski slopes, the blues are often the busiest. They are quite wide but can get churned up quite quickly. You’ll start to notice lumps and bumps in the snow by 10:30am in the holidays.
Amenities
So, the best thing about Bansko is that it’s so much more than a Bulgaria ski resort. It’s an actual town.
You have the area by the gondola which is where most people spend their time as it’s home to the bars, clubs and lots of great restaurants. It’s also where most people are staying to be close to the gondola.
In the ski lift area you have lots of supermarkets (Happy Market and Aldo are the best ones) but you also have the apres bars. My favourites are Happy End, which you can’t miss at the end of the ski road, Ethno (right on the ski road), and Station for a post-ski beer and gyros (seriously the best!).
There are so many great bars in Bansko and restaurants in Bansko. We ate out all the time because it was so affordable, too. Read my blog posts on my favourite bars and restaurants if you’re in need of some recommendations!
For a change of scenery, you can walk into the old town and visit some mehanas for a more traditional Bulgarian dinner.
Accommodation
There are some fantastic hotels in Bansko, some of which are right next door to the ski lift. Read my blog on my favourite hotels in Bansko. This should help you understand where they are in relation to the ski areas and gondola.
Many of the hotels in Bansko have spas and swimming pools on site, offer childcare which is included within the price, and many have lovely restaurants too (Victoria and Regnum) for example.
Most hotels offer package deals. I would definitely recommend that you get breakfast included as part of your hotel package. Breakfast is the most difficult meal to get in Bansko, and as you’ll want to get up early to get in the queue, it’ll be easier for you to grab something quick in your hotel.
Some of the most popular hotels in Bansko include the Kempinski, the Lion Hotel & Strazhite.
However, would I recommend getting a package deal or go room only? It’ll really come down to preference. If you’re travelling with a young family, it may be easier to get a full package.
One thing to note is that there are so many fantastic bars in Bansko and restaurants in Bansko to try, and it’s super affordable, so you might want to head out and explore. Equally, after a day of skiing, spa and a meal in the hotel might be exactly what you want!
Prices
Bansko is very affordable, even though it is one of the most expensive places in Bulgaria. On average, here’s how much things will cost you in Bansko, per person.
- Beer: £1.50
- Wine: £2 a glass for local wine
- Meal: Lunch (£5), Dinner (£10)
- Hot Drink: £2
- Lunch on the Slopes: £8-10
- Drink on the Slopes: Hot drink around £2.50, Beer £3.50, Wine £4)
- Ski Pass & Rental: See my guides on Skiing in Bansko and the Bansko Ski Pass for pass prices and Bansko Ski Rental for where to rent and the prices.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- There are lots of things to do in Bansko outside of skiing. You can go quad biking in the mountains, which is pretty cool in the snow! I recommend John at ATV Bansko. We went for Aaron’s birthday to do something different and it was so much fun! You can also head to the many different hot springs in Bansko, go ice skating or head to the bowling alley. I’ve written a blog about my favourite things to do in Bansko outside the skiing here.
- There are so many great restaurants in Bansko, you’re completely spoiled for choice. If you love food, you’ll feel right at home in Bansko.
- The nightlife is really fun! Lots of great bars and clubs to have a post ski drink and dance (if you’ve got the energy!)
- Fantastic and affordable hotel options – check out my favourite hotels in Bansko.
- A fantastic place for co-working – see bonus points below!
Cons
- Undoubtedly, the downside to Bansko is the queuing situation. It’s getting busier every season in Bansko and the queues are long and unpredictable. The good thing is that you will rarely queue once you’re in the mountains for the chair lifts, but the gondola queues can be up to 2 hours long.
Bonus Points!
If you’re a digital nomad, you are going to love Bansko. There are several coworking spaces all over town. My favourite one is AltSpace. The spaces are fantastic and there are rooms that you can book to take meetings and calls. There are also additional screens which are available on a first come, first served basis.
The best thing about the space is the owners, Becky & Mark who have done the most amazing job in creating a really sociable space where you can meet other digital nomads/remote workers and have a beer on a Friday!
Want to know more about Bansko? Check out my other blogs:
- My Guide to Bansko Nightlife
- Bansko Lift Pass Prices 2022-23
- The Best Bansko Hotels
- My top 5 Bansko Hot Springs
- The Best Bansko Christmas and New Year Hot Spots
2. Borovets (Best For Ski In, Ski Out)
Borovets is a little different to Bansko because it’s a purpose built ski resort, not a proper town like Bansko. As such, everything is much more compact and it feels much more like a traditional ski resort.
I really loved Borovets, and for skiing, I’d say it’s just as good as Bansko. Let me tell you a little more about Borovets and you can read my Ultimate Guide to Skiing in Borovets for the full low-down.
Location
Borovets is the oldest of the Bulgarian ski resorts and historically the most popular. It’s located in the Rila mountains. The best way to get to Borovets is by flying to Sofia Airport, which is around 75 km away and takes around 1.5 hours. You can fly into Plovdiv, but the transfer is around 2.5 hours.
Ski Slopes
What are the runs like?
Borovets has around 58 km of slopes which includes 25 km of green/blue runs which are suitable for beginners. For intermediate skiers there are 30 km of red rubs and 5 km of black runs so a great range.
The resort has created this interactive map which is fantastic. It provides information about the runs and their difficulty, and it shows the whole resort too.
The resort is split into three different areas, which have different pistes for skiers of different abilities.
The highest is the Markudjik Centre which has two red runs, one black run and one blue run. It’s super high and are a little more prone to the weather. When we went, there was a complete white-out and I think it was around -28 up there. My hair and the boys’ beards were frozen! This is a great area for intermediate and experienced skiers.
Then there is the Yastrebets ski centre, my favourite part of the resort. The runs are lovely and long and wide and run down between snow covered trees which is very picturesque. It only has red runs so, generally, there are no beginners here.
Finally, there is the Sitnyakovo Centre which is the main part of the resort. This is where you’ll learn to ski, as there are lots of green and blue runs here.
How do you reach the ski runs?
The slopes are serviced by 13 ski lifts including 1 gondola, 4 chairlifts, 7 drag lifts and a travelator.
To get to the Markudjik Centre (the highest part) you need to get the Yastrebets Gondola and turn left. Let me warn you about the button lift there. It is the fastest and most ferocious button lift I have ever seen – brace yourself and maybe avoid in bad weather!
If you turn right instead of left at the top of the Yastrebets gondola, you’ll reach the Yastrebets Ski Centre. There is also the express chairlift which avoids the need to get the gondola to go back up, and it’s speedy!
One of the best things about Borovets is that you can leave your hotel and immediately ski. You can reach the Sitnyakovo Centre without getting the gondola, which is great news, particularly if you’re a beginner or are learning to ski.
All resorts are linked by the Musala Ski Pathway, which is really fun to ski and so pretty!
Is it ski-in, ski-out?
Yes! You can access the main part of the resort, the Sitnyakovo centre without getting on a gondola. So you can leave your hotel and ski immediately!
How busy does it get?
It’s one of the most popular Bulgaria Ski resorts, so it does get busy. However, when I went to Borovets, there was not much of a queue for the Gondola (I think we queued for around 15 minutes) but there were longer queues for the chair lifts (but max 10 minute).
We did go in March though, so it was always going to be a little quieter outside of school holidays. However, the queues aren’t notorious like they are in Bansko.
Amenities
Borovets is a purpose built resort, so it has everything you need right on the resort. There is a great little food and drink scene in the town with some lovely mehanas (try Salamanders), and restaurants serving international cuisine. We went to Mamacita’s and really enjoyed the food there – they also had a fantastic acoustic band playing.
In terms of bars and apres, there are lots of great bars on the ski slopes. I loved the Silver Fox Restaurant for a mulled wine and bite to eat.
Accommodation
There are a lot of hotels in Borovets, which are all within easy reach of the slopes and amenities. The hotels are quite affordable and often come with access to a spa, gym or pool.
When we visited Borovets, we stayed in the Flora Hotel, and we found that to be great value. It was basic, but had everything we needed for a weekend stay. I could easily have stayed there for a week’s holiday.
The most famous hotel in Borovets is the Rila Hotel. You can see into it as you ski by the restaurants on the slopes and WOW it looks amazing! If you can afford it, definitely check it out.
Read more about the hotels in Borovets in my Ultimate Guide to skiing in Borovets.
Prices
Borovets is very affordable, and for a ski resort the value is fantastic. On average, here’s how much things will cost you in Borovets, per person.
- Beer: £1.50
- Wine: £2 a glass for local wine
- Meal: Lunch (£5), Dinner (£10)
- Hot Drink: £2
- Lunch on the Slopes: £8-10
- Drink on the Slopes: Hot drink around £2.50, Beer £3.50, Wine £4)
- Ski Pass: 1 week is 400BGN (around £180). Check out my Borovets Guide for the full price list along with rental details.
Pros & Cons
There are lots of great things about Borovets, it’s a fantastic Bulgaria ski resort.
Pros
- Ski-in, Ski-out
- Fantastic bars and restaurants
- Short transfer to the airport
- Great quality slopes for skiers of all levels
- Great value hotels close to the slopes
- Night Skiing!
Cons
- It’s a small resort, not a town. I wouldn’t recommend for nomads.
- Smaller ski area than Bansko
Bonus Points!
I’ve mentioned this already, but unlike in Bansko, you can go night skiing in Borovets. You can only night ski in the main area, which is only 5 km of slopes.
However, it’s pretty cool to be skiing in the darkness, illuminated by the floodlights. You might not want to do it all the time (given it’s a cool -20 on occasions!) but it’s a great experience.
3. Pamporovo (Best for Beginners & Families)
Known as Europe’s Sunniest Ski resort, Pamporovo is the third-largest of the Bulgaria ski resorts.
Location
Pamporovo is nestled within the pine forest in the Rhodopi Mountain Range in the suoth of Bulgaria.
Pamporovo is not a purpose built resort. It was originally a small village and the Bulgaria ski resort was build around it in the mountains.
Ski Slopes
It has 37 km of ski runs and 18 ski lifts. There is no gondola at Pamporovo, instead you either drive or take a ski shuttle up to one of the five ski centres spread across the village.
What are the runs like?
Half of the runs are a mixture of green and blue runs. This makes it a fantastic place for beginners or for kids. 37% are red runs and 12% black. There are also mixed rating runs too, which you don’t get in other Bulgaria ski resorts.
The runs are relatively well maintained, although the snow is not at good as you get in Bansko or Borovets. This is because Pamporovo is relatively low in altitude (1,600m at its highest) whereas Bansko is 2,900m.
For example, when we left Bansko it was a snowy powder day. In Pamporovo, there was more hard-packed and icy section on the piste than there was in Bansko.
How do you reach the ski runs?
There are 13 lifts serving the slopes including 7 chairlifts. Most of the lifts are fairly modern, but they do have a super old-fashioned, but brilliantly fun (and mildly terrifying!) single-seat chairlift which is definitely worth the experience.
Is it ski in, ski out?
Not in the traditional sense. You have to get a car or shuttle to the slopes and chairlifts so not really.
How busy does it get?
Pamporovo is the third most popular of the Bulgaria ski resorts, so it does get busy. However, one of the best things about Pamporovo is that there are 5 different access points, which means that the number of people entering the resort are spread out. Fewer queues = happy skiers!
Amenities
There are lots of bars and restaurants to enjoy, both on the slopes and in the town and resort. My favourite was Alex’s Bar in the at the Ski Center Malina. The pizzas were amazing, and just what we needed after skiing! There’s a great atmosphere and the staff were super friendly (thanks for the shots!).
Some other fantastic restaurants to try are the Gloria Mar, Neptun and Chevermeto.
Accommodation
There are some fantastic, and very nicely priced hotels and apartments to rent in Pamporovo.
I love the Ski & Holiday Apartments in Pamporovo as you get a lovely apartment with a great view of the mountains, and it’s just 200 yards from the ski lift. For two adults to stay here for one week, it will cost around £400.
Complex Kamelia is a 4-star hotel that features studio apartments, ski-to-door access and is 100 yards from the ski lift. For 7 days with breakfast, it’s around £500 for two adults.
You can of course pick up some other great deals, which are even cheaper if you’re willing to be a little further from the lift. Remember, the hotels will usually (just be sure to check) provide a shuttle to take you to the nearest lift.
Prices
Like the other Bulgaria Ski Resorts, Pamporovo is very affordable. On average, here’s how much things will cost you in Pamporovo, per person.
- Beer: £1.50
- Wine: £2 a glass for local wine
- Meal: Lunch (£5), Dinner (£10)
- Hot Drink: £2
- Lunch on the Slopes: £8-10
- Drink on the Slopes: Hot drink around £2, Beer £2.50, Wine £3)
- Ski Pass: See my Skiing in Pamporovo guide for rental and ski pass prices.
Pros and Cons
There are lots of great things about Pamporovo, and things to be aware of, as there is in most places you visit!
Pros
- Very affordable
- Beginner friendly
- Family friendly
- Fun bars and restaurants
- Five different access points, so there are fewer queues
Cons
- More dated than the other two resorts
- Lots of beginners
- Potentially less snow as it is at a lower altitude
Bonus Points
This is silly, but the single seat chair lift at the resort was one of my favourite things about the resort. It kind of feels like you’ve gone back in time, but the speed that it approaches gives you a bit of an adrenaline rush! You then head over the slopes and have a fantastic view.
FAQs about Bulgaria Ski Resorts
Enjoy the Bulgaria Ski Resorts!
To sum up, my favourite of the Bansko Ski Resorts is Bansko. I love that it is a town as well as a ski resort, and it’s probably the most modern resort in Bulgaria. It’s probably my favourite as Bansko is a well-established digital nomad destination too, well set up for remote working.
Borovets is a close second, and it’s my best ski resort in Bulgaria for families and beginners. It’s a great resort for ski holidays with friends, as there is also a great food and drink scene. It also feels very cute – it’s a proper ski village. Also of course, there is night skiing which you can’t do in Bansko.
Pamporovo is my third choice, but it’s perfect for families and beginners. There are lots of great runs for beginners, and let’s not forget the craze single-seat chair lift!
What is for certain, is that wherever you go, you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic ski holiday or break in any of these Bulgaria ski resorts.
As always, if you have any questions, pop them in the comments, and I’ll try my best to answer them!
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