**Updated on 8 January 2024**
Whilst we were in Bulgaria skiing in Bansko, we went skiing in Pamporovo ski resort for a day. Pamporovo is well known as Europe’s sunniest ski resort. If you are skiing in Bansko for the season, then a trip over to Pamporovo is definitely a good change of scenery. Pamporovo has plenty of slopes, good snow coverage and some great views over the Rhodopi mountain range.
A day trip to Pamporovo is one of my favourite things to do in Bansko in winter. If you are heading to Bulgaria for the ski season, then take a look at my other blogs here:
Want to know more about skiing in Bulgaria? Check out my other blogs:
- My Complete Guide to Skiing in Bansko
- Ultimate Guide to Skiing in Borovets
- My favourite Bulgaria Ski Resorts
- The Best Bansko Hotels
- My favourite things to do in Bansko in winter
- The Best Bansko Christmas and New Year Hot Spots
Below I give you the low-down on skiing in Pamporovo which I hope helps you make the most of your time skiing in Bulgaria!
The Village of Pamporovo
The ski resort of Pamporovo is in the Rhodopi mountain range in the south of Bulgaria.
Pamporovo Bulgaria started life as a small village and the ski resort was built around it.
From there, 5 distinct (but connected) ski areas have been created. These make Pamporovo the third largest ski resort in Bulgaria.
Skiing in Pamporovo
Pamporovo ski resort has 37 kilometres of ski runs and 18 ski lifts. There is no gondola at Pamporovo. Instead, you can drive or take a ski shuttle to one of five ski centres. Each of the five ski centres is served by chairlifts taking you up to the top of the resort.
Skiing in Pamporovo is centred around the Snezhanka Tower which is located at the top of the Pamporovo resort. Most of the chairlifts will take you here. See my Pamporovo Ski Map section below for more information.
From there, you can head to nearly all of the pistes shown on the Pamporovo ski map. So it’s the perfect reference point for you if you are heading out for the day.
Skiing in Pamporovo: Runs and Lifts
Of the 37 kilometres of ski slopes, half of these are a mixture of green and blue runs. 37% of them are red and 12% are black runs. Pamporovo is different to Bansko in that some of the runs are mixed rating. For example, some red runs have a black section in between.
There are 13 lifts serving the slopes for skiing in Pamporovo including 7 chairlifts. Most of those chairlifts are fairly modern although they do have a fantastic, if not slightly terrifying (!), old-fashioned single-seat chair lift which is definitely worth the experience!
My View on Skiing in Pamporovo
I would say that skiing in Pamporovo is more aimed at beginners and families than at Bansko. There are green runs in Pamporovo for a start, which you don’t have in Bansko. These are very flat and good for learning to ski on.
When we went there were a lot more families skiing together rather than the more adult/après-ski orientated nature of Bansko.
The pistes were relatively well maintained. Although as Pamporovo is lower than Bansko (Pamporovo is at 1,600m at its highest whereas Bansko is at 2,800m) the snow is not as good as Bansko.
We left Bansko on a snowy, powder day and arrived to a snowy Pamporovo. Despite the snow, there was more hard-packed/ice on the pistes than you would have seen in Bansko.
In addition, there are plenty of Pamporovo hotels and bars located on or at the foot of the slopes. If you are here for a ski holiday then you’re never too far from the action.
Overall, my impression of Pamporovo is that it is not as modern or developed as Bansko. The lifts are older, the ski centres are functional but not modern. The bars and restaurants on the slope seem more independent and long-established.
That isn’t to say that the skiing in Pamporovo is bad of course! On the contrary, there are a lot of runs to enjoy and a good amount of variety.
It was good fun for a day trip and was good to experience another ski resort in Bulgaria. As an intermediate skiier, without a young family, I wouldn’t choose it over Bansko.
Want to know more about skiing in Bulgaria? Check out my other blogs:
- My Complete Guide to Skiing in Bansko
- My favourite Bulgaria Ski Resorts
- The Best Bansko Hotels
- My favourite things to do in Bansko in winter
- The Best Bansko Christmas and New Year Hot Spots
Skiing in Pamporovo: Hire and Lessons
Pamporovo is certainly well connected. Each of the 5 ski centres is home to various ski rental options and ski schools. If you are planning to just turn up on the day you’ll definitely be able to hire/book whatever you need.
If you plan to learn to ski or snowboard in Pamporovo then there are plenty of Pamporovo ski school options. I recommend Snow Story Ski School and Ski School Steve.
For Pamporovo ski hire recommendations, check out Pamporovo Castle for a local ski rental option. Bulgaria Ski also has a good reputation all over Bulgaria.
Skiing in Pamporovo: Ski Pass
Skiing in Pamporovo is marginally cheaper than skiing in Bansko. There are a range of ski passes available depending on how long you are going to stay.
For information, as at 12 November 2023, 1 lev = £0.45/0.5 euros. So, to get the British conversion, we usually halve the price in Bulgarian Lev and a little extra. Not too precise but does the job!
For example, when we went skiing in Pamporovo, we bought a half-day ski pass which cost 56BGN per person (£25.07). So you’ll see it’s not quite halve it, but pretty much!
The full price list for the Pamporovo ski prices is below.
Please note, the early bird prices and are only valid until 10 December 2023. After then, the standard prices apply.
You can buy your ski passes online here. You can read the instructions of how purchasing the pass works, along with collection of it here. But basically you buy it online, they send you a QR code. You can either collect at a contactless collection point using your QR code, or at a cash desk.
Early Bird Prices:
| Ski Pass Pamporovo | Adults | 12-17 years and seniors | 7-11 years |
| Season Pass | 1,600 BGN | 1,300 BGN | 1,000 BGN |
| Season Pass (weekdays only) | 1,100 BGN | 900 BGN | 700 BGN |
| Half-day PM lift pass (11:45 – 16:30) | 61 BGN | 50 BGN | 38 BGN |
| Sunday Morning | 66 BGN | 53 BGN | 40 BGN |
| 1 day | 82 BGN | 65 BGN | 49 BGN |
| 2 days | 160 BGN | 127 BGN | 94 BGN |
| 3 days | 231 BGN | 184 BGN | 138 BGN |
| 4 days | 300 BGN | 240 BGN | 180 BGN |
| 5 days | 370 BGN | 295 BGN | 220 BGN |
| 6 days | 438 BGN | 348 BGN | 258 BGN |
| 7 days | 504 BGN | 399 BGN | 294 BGN |
Family ski passes are available for those skiing in Pamporovo with children between 7 and 11 years old.
| 1 Adult + 2 Children | 2 Adults + 1 Child | 2 Adults + 2 Children | |
| 3 days | 425 BGN | 502 BGN | 618 BGN |
| 4 days | 548 BGN | 651 BGN | 800 BGN |
| 5 days | 672 BGN | 797 BGN | 979 BGN |
| 6 days | 786 BGN | 935 BGN | 1148 BGN |
| 7 days | 899 BGN | 1067 BGN | 1310 BGN |
Standard Prices
| Ski Pass Pamporovo 2023-24 | Adults | 12-17 years and seniors | 7-11 years |
| Season Pass | 2,700 BGN | 2,160 BGN | 1,620 BGN |
| Season Pass (Mechi Chai ski are only) | 1,400 BGN | 1,120 BGN | 840 BGN |
| Season Pass (weekdays only, entire ski area) | 1,890 BGN | 1,510 BGN | 1,135 BGN |
| Half-day PM lift pass (11:45 – 16:30) | 67 BGN | 55 BGN | 42 BGN |
| Half-day Sunday AM (8.45am – 12:45pm) | 73 BGN | 59 BGN | 45 BGN |
| 1 day | 90 BGN | 72 BGN | 54 BGN |
| 2 days | 176 BGN | 140 BGN | 104 BGN |
| 3 days | 252 BGN | 201 BGN | 150 BGN |
| 4 days | 332 BGN | 264 BGN | 196 BGN |
| 5 days | 405 BGN | 325 BGN | 240 BGN |
| 6 days | 474 BGN | 378 BGN | 282 BGN |
| 7 days | 539 BGN | 434 BGN | 322 BGN |
| 1 Adult + 2 Children (7-11) | 2 Adults + 1 Child (7-11) | 2 Adults + 2 Children (7-11) | 2 Adults + 3 Children (7-11) | |
| 3 days | 508 BGN | 602 BGN | 740 BGN | 878 BGN |
| 4 days | 662 BGN | 787 BGN | 966 BGN | 1146 BGN |
| 5 days | 805 BGN | 956 BGN | 1174 BGN | 1392 BGN |
| 6 days | 939 BGN | 1113 BGN | 1368 BGN | 1624 BGN |
| 7 days | 1065 BGN | 1260 BGN | 1550 BGN | 1840 BGN |
Skiing in Pamporovo: The Pamporovo Ski Map
Take a look at the Pamporovo ski map before you head out to the area. You’ll see that the ski area is spread much wider than in Bansko.
If you want to take a closer look, have a look at this interactive Pamporovo Ski Map.
Pamporovo Ski Map: Ski Centres
There are 5 different ski centres in Pamporovo. From each ski centre, you can buy/collect lift passes, find ski hire for any equipment you may need, book ski schools and take a chairlift up to the main ski area.
All of the ski centres have bars and restaurants so you are well catered for wherever you end up.
All ski centres head to the central point at the top of the mountain except ski centre 5, known as Mechi Chal (see below).
Pamporovo Ski Map: Snezhanka Tower
The Pamporovo ski map shows that the Snezhanka Tower is at the top of the resort. Most of the chairlifts head up to the tower which acts as a central point at the top.
If you follow those chairlifts down, you will see that they all originate at different places at the bottom of the ski resort; these are ski centres.
In terms of orientation, the chairlifts in the main Pamporovo ski resort all meet at the top of the mountain at Snezhanka Tower. From there, the majority of the eastern side of the ski resort is red and black. The majority of the blue and green runs are to the west of the resort.
If you wish to traverse between the ski centres from the bottom of the mountain then check out green run #6 on the Pamporovo ski map. This run joins together 4 of the 5 ski centres which are very convenient for getting back to your car at the end of the day from any of the runs within the resort.
Pamporovo Ski Map: Mechi Chal
Further to the east, you will see the separate ski area of Mechi Chal. This is marked as ski centre 5 on the Pamporovo ski map.
We did not head out this far but your ski pass will gain you access to the pistes here as well. This makes a good day or afternoon trip if you are staying in Pamporovo for more than 1 day.
Pamporovo Ski Map: My Recommendation
We parked at ski centre 2, located at the bottom of the red run 5, to the east of the ski resort. This had good parking and a few bars including Alex’s pub which is a Bulgarian take on an Irish pub!
We visited on Bulgarian Independence Day, a national holiday, and a very busy time in the resort with day trippers and cars. Ski Centre 2 was the easiest place to park.
The crazy single-seater chairlift is the chairlift that appears to run horizontally alongside green run 6 at the bottom of the ski resort.
It’s not necessary to take this lift as you can access the whole of the resort without it but it’s definitely an experience to tick off!
Bars and Restaurants in Pamporovo
Whilst we were not skiing in Pamporovo for too long, our favourite bar so far is Alex’s bar which is located at ski centre 2. It is a Bulgarian take on an Irish pub serving Guinness on tap and a number of Irish-themed foods (including a Guinness pie) as well as the usual pizzas, burgers etc.
The team working at Alex’s bar were extremely friendly with complementary shots appearing during our time there! The bar itself is located at the bottom of the slopes (at the eastern end of the green run numbered 6 or at the bottom of the red run #5).
It’s also conveniently, the start of the crazy one-person chairlift! Nothing better than a complimentary shot to give you the courage to jump on!!
We did not spend the night in Pamporovo but we are told that the White Hart pub is a great option for dinner and drinking, as this place moves from restaurant to late bar seamlessly at night.
Another highly recommended bar is Dak’s bar which is famous in the Pamporovo après ski scene, located on the ground floor of Hotel Snejanka and open until 6 am! Another Irish-themed bar with good drinks and a DJ keeping the party going into the wee hours!
Pamporovo Weather
The Pamporovo weather is famed for its sunny days. Apparently, it is known as Europe’s sunniest resort with an average of 120 sunny days per year!
The average temperature during the usual ski season in Pamporovo, from December to March, is 5°C with January being the coldest month with an average of 3°C and an average low of -2°C.
The average snowfall during those winter months is 10-15cm and with an average of 2 snow days per month.
If you are looking for up-to-date Pamporovo weather before you head out then take a look at the Accuweather forecast. For the latest Pamporovo snow forecast then head over to Snow Forecast for the latest information.
Pamporovo Webcam
The Pamporovo webcam gives live feeds of the Pamporovo ski resort which can help you assess the conditions before you head out for some skiing in Pamporovo!
Check these out at the Bulgaria Ski website which will also help give you an idea of the different ski centres within the Pamporovo ski resort.
Getting to Pamporovo
Pamporovo is 165 kilometres east of Bansko and will take around 3 hours and 15 minutes to drive.
The roads between Bansko and Pamporovo are generally in a good condition although quite windy as they head through the forests and mountains between the two resorts.
As you approach Pamporovo, the roads can be quite snowy or icy depending on the snow conditions. You should be fine without snow chains or snow socks for your car but I recommend taking them with you just in case.
Transfers to Pamporovo
The closest airport to Pamporovo is Plovdiv which is 80 kilometres north of the Pamporovo ski resort and will take around 1 hour 45 minutes to drive.
Alternatively, you can arrange a transfer with Bulgaria Ski for around 68 euros one way (for up to 3 people) or 138 euros to include a return journey.
Sofia, the Bulgarian capital, is 230 kilometres away and will take around 3 and a half hours to drive. Again Bulgaria Ski can arrange a transfer which will set you back around 135 euros one way or 270 euros to include a return journey.
Enjoy Pamporovo!
Skiing in Pamporovo is a good day trip and I would certainly recommend a trip over if you are staying in Bansko or Borovets for the season and looking for a change of scenery.
It feels a little like you are going back in time a decade or two but that does add to its charm; the rusty single-person chair lift is evidence of that!
It is not as developed as either of the ski resorts at Bansko or Borovets but does have a well-established ski resort with a number of runs for all abilities which are all serviced by comfortable chairlifts.
Bars and restaurants are located at each of the ski centres as well as on the slopes themselves together with ski rental shops and places to buy a ski pass.
So there is plenty going on at Pamporovo and was a great day out and to explore some more runs in a different part of Bulgaria.
Equally, I hear there are some fantastic last-minute ski holiday deals in Pamporovo and so if you are looking for somewhere with some decent slopes, great value hotels, nightlife and cheap food and drink then Pamporovo would certainly fit the bill!
If you are thinking of skiing in Pamporovo for your ski holiday then check out the offers on Pamporovo ski holidays from Balkan Holidays.
For more inspiration for skiing in Bulgaria, have a read of my other blogs below! Lastly, give me a follow on Instagram and Pinterest to keep up to date with all my latest blogs!
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