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Borovets Ski Resort
Do you dream of skiing down the same mountains where Bulgarian Kings of old once hunted? Oh, right. Just us then. Well, how about a ski holiday at a snip of the price you'd pay in France or Switzerland, with exhilarating views, booming après ski and large doses of sunshine? That's more like it. Here in Borovets, you'll experience a resort steeped in tradition and culture, and of course the fantastic skiing opportunities you'd expect to find at Bulgaria's 1st ski region.
You'll be welcomed with open arms and gleaming smiles into one of many cosy taverns or lively bars in the charming village centre. With incredible views of the Rila mountain range and enchanting forests surrounding the village, it's no wonder it's all smiles here in Bulgaria! The resort itself is smaller than the up-and-coming Bansko, giving the whole place a cosy vibe, which is added to by the surprising lack of crowds. We might not be painting the prettiest of pictures for any party animals out there, but have no fear! The village centre comes alive soon after the night skiing is finished and families have retired to their hotels, leaving you free to hop from happy hour to happy hour!
Borovets is a short hour and a half drive from Sofia airport, and with no shortage of transfer possibilities, you'll be on the slopes before you can say Sitnyakovo, Yastrebetz, Markoudjik. In case you were wondering, those odd-looking words are the 3 ski centres' names that the resort is broken up into, all easily reachable from the village using Borovets' efficient lift system. The Borovets ski pass gives you access to all 3 of these fantastic areas, and thanks to its great value for money, a nice bit of cash left over to spend on some all-important ski gear and Bulgarian beer!
Stats & FAQ
Location: Bulgaria, Rila Mountains
Established: 1896
Open: December – April
Downhill: 24 runs 58km
View our detailed Borovets 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 Borovets snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Sofia | 75 km, 1 hr 30 |
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| Top Altitude: | 2560m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 1300m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1300m |
| Longest run: | 12km |
| Slope Orientation: | N, NW, W |
| Vertical Drop: | 1260m |
| Skiable Vertical: | 1260m |
| Night Skiing: | Yes |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 24 runs 58km |
| Beginner slopes: | 37% |
| Intermediate: | 42% |
| Advanced slopes: | 21% |
| Lift Pass Price: | £133 (adult 6 day) |
| Nearby resorts: Bansko | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Borovets
Young skiers will love Borokids Park, where the magic carpet helps them get to grips with the snow. Ski lessons can be booked with one of the local ski schools like Hunters and Yanakiev and the Sitnyakovo Royal Residence Ski Way’s wide, gentle slope for some cruisey confidence building.
Each of the 3 ski areas offers intermediates something a little different. The Yastrebetz is home to long winding slopes, including the lengthy Yastrebetz 1, which snakes its way through pine trees back to the resort. Venture a little further up and you’ll find the Markoudjik area, along with its characteristic shorter, zigzagging slopes, not to mention the incredible views and deep powder. Lastly, we have the Sitnyakovo centre, which offers intermediates a few short reds like the Martinovi Baraki 2, and the chance to chill out with some easy returns to the village.
Hardened experts may not be challenged here, but that’s not to say they won’t enjoy the fresh powder up on the petite Markoudjik 2A, or the steep, sharp Fonfon slope under the Yastrebetz lift.
Borovets has a fantastic Snowpark at Yastrebetz 3, with the half-pipe, as well as some super jumps and rollers. Great powder up in the Markoudjik area is also welcome news for freeriders, and you’ll do well to say no to a night time return through tree-lined pistes.
Borovets Apres Ski
Despite Bansko’s up and coming popularity, Borovets remains the party capital of Bulgarian ski resorts, with vibrant nightlife guaranteed as soon as you’re off the slopes. The ever-friendly bar hosts at places like Bobby’s and Samokov offer unbelievably cheap local beer, and once the Bulgarian Rakia shots start flowing, you’ll understand why people are back in Borovets year after year.
Borovets is far from just another ‘lads holiday’ ski destination. Instead, the country’s oldest ski resort lets a little of the party atmosphere spill over into its rich culture, paving the way for lively Bulgarian folklore nights, all of course accompanied with fantastic food. Borovets has restaurants to cater to all tastes, whether you fancy a nice juicy steak cooked to perfection at the Golden Horn, a taste of Mexico at Mamacita’s, or if you’re feeling like a traditional Bulgarian dish, Bistro Resmy will fit the bill.
Aside from barhopping and sampling fine food in all Borovets restaurants, non-skiers will find plenty of great activities here too. There are day trips to Sofia or Plovdiv or something a little closer to home, excursions to the magnificent Rila Monastery, a fortress steeped in ancient history. If you are still keen to be on the snow, but without skis, renting a skidoo (snowmobile, if you like) will undoubtedly get your adrenaline flowing.
Whatever you choose to do during the day, make sure you stand back and watch in awe at the instructors’ nighttime shows, including big jumps and silky tricks. If seeing them doesn’t want to make you take up skiing, we don’t know what will!
Best time to go
Best time to ski Borovets
Best time to visit & ski Borovets
Borovets has the good fortune of a nice high altitude, the highest point at 2560m, to be more precise. This means snow conditions here are usually very good, especially so in Markoudjik, the highest of Borovets’ 3 ski centres. The remaining two centres get a helping hand from some great snowmaking technology, ensuring pristine pistes and smooth sailing all the way down. With Bulgaria boasting Europe’s sunniest pistes, the best time to ski is peak season (between Jan and Feb). Should the snow not quite last throughout the day towards the end of the ski season, just get up nice and early to take advantage of the best conditions, then kick back with a beer and top up your tan, or soak in some of the rich cultures.
Peak Dates
Escape the dreaded greyish slush we call snow in England and have yourself a proper white Christmas in Borovets. Spend the day carving up powder before settling down to some great food and tons of festive cheer. Borovets Christmas ski holidays ‣
Zoom down well-groomed pistes, take in some breathtaking views, and top it all off with impressive firework displays and celebrating into the night. Unmistakably, New Year’s Eve in Borovets. Borovets New Year ski holidays ‣
Treat the kids to a February half-term in Borovets, they’ll love the long gentle runs and have the time of their lives discovering their love for skiing! Borovets Half Term ski holidays ‣
Easter in Borovets gives you the best of both worlds. You should get some great skiing in the morning up in the Rila mountains – especially if Easter falls early - and you have the rest of the day to soak up some sun or get a real taste of Bulgarian culture. Borovets Easter ski holidays ‣
Families in Borovets
Here in Borovets, you’ll get all the ski schools and blue slopes you’d expect to find in France or Switzerland for a fraction of the price, making it a great choice for a family holiday without having to break the bank. If your kids (or you for that matter) can’t wait to get on the snow every morning then accommodation with doorstep skiing is an ideal choice. Many of our other options are within a minute’s walk from the lifts and the resort centre, so you and your loved ones won’t have to deal with that dreaded arctic trek with your skis every morning!
If you’re taking the little ones away for their first taste of skiing, Borovets’ schools, like Hunters and Snow Masters, have years of experience between them, so you’ll know they’ll be in safe hands and having a great time on the magic carpet. Alternatively, if you wanted to see their faces light up first hand, then a private family instruction ski day is ideal, whilst slightly older beginners will be cruising down long gentle blues (they’ll love the Sitnyakovo Royal Residence slope) in no time.
Aside from the skiing, there are historic sites and breath-taking views aplenty, not to mention some fantastic food. And as if that’s not enough, your kids will marvel in awe as their instructors from their morning ski class take to the floodlit jumps and show off their best flicks and tricks!
If you want to get the best deal, and sit back and look forward to your holiday, book our package including flights transfers and your choice of accommodation, however, if you’re planning on independent travel or self-drive, we still have some great deals for you!
GroupsGroup Holidays Borovets
As Bulgaria’s oldest ski resort, Borovets has amassed years of experience in accommodating groups, making it as good a choice as any for a holiday with friends and family. Equally as important as the skiing and activities here, is having a place to stay that keeps everyone happy, and Borovets certainly doesn’t disappoint. State-of-the-art luxury hotels like the Winter Palace and Hotel Lion are sure-fire hits, with everything you could want and more from a hotel. Or if you’d rather spend a little less and have more to spend on wild nights out (not that you’ll need much here!), Iglika Apartments, Yagoda Village Chalets and many more provide great value for money.
Catering for skiers of all standards can often pose a problem when booking a group holiday. In Borovets you’ll find no such dilemmas; absolute beginners can get to grips with the slopes with the Hunter or Snow Masters ski schools, whilst advanced skiers can carve up powder high up in the Markoudjik, or refine some skills in the Borosport Snowpark. No non-skiers will be blamed for coming out here just for the incredible views, historic sites and nightlife... but should you get jealous of the skiers re-telling their stories of the wind rushing past them as they hurtle down the slopes, rent a snowmobile and have some excitement of your own!
Now we all know booking a group holiday can be tricky, particularly for a large group or if there are a few stragglers tagging along. So do yourself a favour and book a package including flights transfers and accommodation and we’ll do all the hard work for you (not to mention saving you a bundle!). Alternatively, if you do decide to take on organising independent travel or a self-drive trip for the group, we’re more than happy to help you out with some great accommodation deals.
Which are the best ski holidays in Borovets?
| Accommodation | Number of nights | Price (per person) from |
|---|---|---|
| Spa & Resort Borovets Hills | 7 | £ 661 |
| Festa Winter Palace | 7 | £ 730 |
| Hotel Samokov | 7 | £ 539 |
| Hotel Lion | 7 | £ 578 |
| Euphoria Club Hotel & Resort | 7 | £ 592 |
| Apartments Borovets Green | 7 | £ 627 |
| Hotel Radinas Way | 7 | £ 647 |
| Hotel Iglika Palace | 7 | £ 652 |
| Musala Hotel | 7 | £ 804 |
| Hotel Rila | 7 | £ 878 |
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