Ski Country: Bulgaria

Bansko & Borovets

Two of Bulgaria's most popular alpine resorts, Bansko and Borovets have together changed the way travelers view skiing and snowboarding in Eastern Europe.

Millions were invested in Bansko and Borovets over the past decade, part of an effort to prepare for Bulgaria's recent bid to host the 2014 Winter Olympics (which ultimately went to Sochi, Russia).

Bansko is Bulgaria's #1 alpine resort, offering diverse terrain and some of the most modern facilities of any ski/snowboard destination in all of Europe. Located in the UNESCO-protected Pirin Mountain region south of Sofia, Bansko sees enough snow every year to stay open until May 15.

Just 70 kilometers from Sofia, Borovets is smaller and somewhat less polished than its southern neighbor, with terrain ranging from beginner to upper-intermediate and nightlife geared towards the younger traveler.

We recently visited both Bansko and Borovets with our Sofia-based partner, Alma Tours, Bulgaria's largest operator. Of the hotels we visited, we'd recommend any of the following:

in BANSKO...		in BOROVETS...
Kempinski		Borovets Hills
Bansko Spa		Iceberg
Lucky Bansko		Yanakiev
Lion Bansko		Rila
Perin Place		Mura