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Pamporovo Ski Resort
Nestled in pine forests in the Rhodopi mountain range, you'll find Europe's sunniest ski resort. This beautiful Bulgarian village is compact and well hidden, meaning you won't have to fight your way through the crowds to get a seat on the efficient lift system. The village is nestled comfortably at the base of the Snejanka peak, which translates to Snow White, an understandable name given the magical pine forests and charming log chalets you'll find here.
There are various perfectly groomed pistes, most of which converge at the resort's impressive Snezhanka Tower. Head up to the observation deck and take in the views, before picking out the perfect piste and cruising back down to the charming village. If you can drag yourself away from the great skiing and superb Bulgarian cuisine, there are some highly commendable traditional Rhodopi homes in the surrounding villages to help you get to know Pamporovo better and nearby towns Plovdiv and Smolyan are well worth a visit.
The resort is a 4-hour transfer from the bustling Bulgarian capital Sofia or 2 hours from Plovdiv airport, but the lengthy transfer is a small price to pay the seclusion and breathtaking views you'll get here. Speaking of small prices, one of Bulgarian ski resorts' main attractions is the money you'll save compared to a similar holiday in France or Switzerland. Pamporovo's price tag doesn't disappoint, with affordable luxury in terms of accommodation, great-value ski packs and unbelievably cheap food and drinks, on and off the slopes. You'll save a heap on a ski trip here, perfect if you're on a budget, or if you want a little more to spend on that all-important fluorescent onesie you've been eyeing up.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Bulgaria, Rhodopi
Established: 1933
Open: December – April
Downhill: 37km
View our detailed Pamporovo snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Pamporovo snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Sofia | 260 km, 4 hrs |
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| Top Altitude: | 1926m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 1600m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1650m |
| Longest run: | 7km |
| Slope Orientation: | N, NW |
| Vertical Drop: | 326m |
| Skiable Vertical: | 326m |
| Night Skiing: | Yes |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 37km |
| Beginner slopes: | 51% |
| Intermediate: | 37% |
| Advanced slopes: | 12% |
| Lift Pass Price: | £146 (adult 6 day) |
| Nearby resorts: Bansko, Borovets | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Pamporovo
If you’re new to the snow, this is the perfect place to discover your love for skiing. The safe hands of Pamporovo PLC school will ensure you and any other beginners not only learn a ton but have a great time doing so. The school meets in the Malina region, a short few minutes on the bus from the centre where you’ll get to grips with your French fries and pizza slices - you’ll be cruising down the magnificent Snezhanka 6 ‘Touristic’ piste in no time.
For intermediate skiers, the slopes offer a wide range in difficulty, from the Snezhanka 10 for recently ‘promoted’ beginners, to the long return on the ‘Malina’ slope (number 4 on the piste map) for those who need a little more time before giving the black slopes a go.
Experts are in for a real treat in the form of the resort’s most exciting and challenging slope, ‘The Wall’. Complete with a mogul field and floodlights for a spot of night skiing, this short-but-sweet slope should keep advanced skiers well entertained. The majority of the fantastic slopes begin from the Snezhanka Tower (Pamporovo’s take on our BT Tower, if you will), and stem down through pine forests, giving you an equally impressive view whatever piste you’re cruising down.
There may be a few draglifts around in the resort, but snowboarders will forget any T-bar shaped problems when they arrive at the Pamporovo Funpark just off the ‘Ladies track’, also known as the Snezhanka number 10. The park is kitted out with kickers, tabletops, pipes, King rails, and plenty more things to entice any boarders or ski tricksters out there!
Pamporovo Apres Ski
At first glance, the dreamy pine forests and cosy-looking chalets may give you the impression of a sleepy resort. Pamporovo is a bustling village with fabulous apres and restaurant options.
Aside from the superb skiing on offer here, there are also bowling and fitness facilities, or if you can manage a longer break from the slopes, day trips to Plovdiv or visits to traditional Rhodopi homes in surrounding villages are well worth a go.
However homely the Rhodopi villages maybe, we regret to inform you you’ll have to leave at some point. When this fateful day comes, rest assured you’ll be equally well looked after in some of Pamporovo’s fantastic restaurants. The White Hart is a firm favourite, cooking up anything from simple comfort food after a long tiring day on the slopes to fine steaks. Alternatively, “Neptune Winter Home” is a fantastic seafood restaurant which showcases local fish from the local rivers Vacha and Chaya.
After this, we’re sure you’ll need a drink or three to wash down all the great food, and the village has plenty of fitting watering holes. The pub-style White Hart itself transforms on Thursday into a lively karaoke bar, full to the brim with cheap local beers, making belting out those classics just that little bit easier. If this is just the start of the night for you, head down to Dak’s Irish bar, where dancing late into the night, on and off the tables, is the order of the day, or try out the similarly wild Plan B club. Hangovers? The crisp Bulgarian mountain air and skiing will do the trick.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Pamporovo
Best time to visit & ski Pamporovo
As beautiful as Pamporovo is all year round, we find skiing is best done on some nice fluffy white snow, of which you’ll find plenty here in Pamporovo from December till April. As you can see from our handy Pamporovo snow history page, Pamporovo gets its deepest snow around February, but snow cannons here and North-facing shady slopes, help preserve the snow through the whole ski season. If you don’t fancy dwelling on the past, have a look at our snow report and snow forecast, for an idea of what the conditions are like right now and what you can expect in the near future.
Peak Dates
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…when you’re in Pamporovo that is! Spend Christmas in Pamporovo for a wonderful festive season, full of great skiing, in a beautiful village.
Celebrate in style this New Year’s Eve in Pamporovo. Whether it’s a Rhodopi folk evening, drinks and a night of partying, or just a quiet one before getting up on the slopes the next day, you’ll find a great way to welcome in the new year.
Pamporovo is a beginner’s paradise, with long gentle runs and top-class ski instruction, making a family ski holiday over February half term in Pamporovo the ideal choice.
It may be Europe’s sunniest resort, but the North-facing slopes mean skiing over Easter in Pamporovo is not unheard of. If the snow can’t quite make it the whole day, make the most of it in the morning and soak up some rays in the afternoon.
Families in Pamporovo
There are lots of family-friendly ski resorts out there with gentle slopes, great learning facilities and a wealth of accommodation choices. Pamporovo is no different, except for one big (well, actually small) factor - the price. As with many of the Bulgarian ski resorts, you’ll pay a fraction of the price you would in a similar French or Swiss resort, making the idea of treating the clan to a ski break even more tempting.
For beginners young and old, the PLC ski school should have you cruising down the Touristic piste in no time… maybe even the Snezhanka 10 by the end of the week if you’re feeling brave enough. If there are any daredevil teens coming along, they’ll love the prospect of the kickers, pipes and rails all found at the Pamporovo Funpark (just off the Snezhanka 10 piste).
When it comes to off-the-slope activities, there are bowling and fitness facilities, day trips to Plovdiv or traditional Rhodopi villages, not to mention the incredible views from the Snezhanka Tower – a great spot for a family photo. Needless to say, you’ll all need some good grub and a comfy pillow to rest your head on after a day full of activities. Get a taste of Bulgarian cuisine at the Chevermeto or some hearty pub food at The White Dog, before cosying up in one of many family-friendly hotels or heading back to your apartment.
Wherever you have your heart set on, you’ll get the best value for money by booking our package with the big 3 - flights, transfers and accommodation, however, our deals for self-drive or independent travel are also worth getting in touch for!
GroupsGroup Holidays Pamporovo
With group holidays, there’s always the worry about slopes being too difficult for beginners, non-skiers being bored or finding accommodation to suit everyone…
Having mostly beginner and intermediate slopes, this is a super place for groups with children or those who haven’t skied before - beginners will love the gentle scenic route on Snezhanka 6 ‘Touristic’ piste.
Experts don’t have a huge amount of terrain but ‘the Wall’s’ short-but-sweet mogul run is well worth a ski. Budding freestylers can sharpen up their skills in the Pamporovo Funpark and should any non-skiers be able to resist the temptation to take to the snow, the homely surrounding Rhodopi villages are well worth a visit.
This isn’t Val d’Isere but if you’re looking to have a laugh over a few drinks and get to know the locals, you shouldn’t be disappointed. White Hart is a pub/restaurant that often does karaoke nights as well as having a good selection of beers throughout the week. Dak’s Irish bar also tends to get pretty lively.
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