View Holiday Homes Borovets

Borovets is the oldest and largest of Bulgaria’s 3 ski resorts. A 2 hour drive from Sofia, it is a modern ski resort with luxury accommodation, busy nightlife and a choice of 18 pistes over 40km [View Ski Runs]. Borovets is indeed the largest ski resort in eastern Europe.

The resort itself is situated some 45 miles by road from Sofia International Airport in the Rila Mountains, at a height of some 4,500 feet above sea level. Snowfall in the region is abundant between December and April. Borovets has an excellent ski school, a wide range of après ski activities and low prices. This makes it an ideal skiing destination, particularly for those at beginner or intermediate level and for those on a budget.

Skiing in Borovets

The less demanding slopes of Sitnyakovo and Martinovi Baraki are suitable for beginners and intermediate levels skiers – despite the fact that almost all runs are officially labelled “red” which is misleading. Nursery slopes can be found at the base of the mountain close to the town and to a range of accommodation.

Slightly further afield, access to the more difficult terrain of the Yastrebets area – a number of distinctly “red” runs, and one “black” (of World Cup standard) – requires a scenic three-mile ride on a gondola. For the uninitiated this is an enclosed carriage, similar to a cable car. Further still is the Markudjika area which provides access to the highest altitude skiing in the region and is better suited to the more able skier.

Whatever your level of skiing ability you will find that the tuition facilities in Borovets are first-class. The Borovets ski school, for example, has over 200 multilingual instructors – may former professionals – offering intensive individual or group tuition.

Borovets Major Attractions

Away from skiing the former royal palace of Carska Bistrica, built in the 19th century, is a popular and nearby attraction. Rila Monastery, originally founded in the 10th century is one of the most significant historical monuments in the Balkan Peninsula. It houses a fascinating collection of murals, icons and other historical artefacts and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Borovets is also within easy reach of Sofia – one of the oldest capital cities in Europe – and Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria.

Accommodation in Borovets

As a cost-effective and convenient alternative to traditional hotel accommodation, many visitors to Borovets are now choosing rental accommodation – usually in the form of luxurious modern apartments. These are well designed and constructed with, for example, thermal insulation, central heating, together with modern kitchen and bathroom facilities. Apartments are also spacious – sleeping up to four people – and well situated – surrounded by beautiful and fragrant pine forests. Nevertheless the apartments are quite literally within a stone’s throw of the ski lifts and gondola. In some cases apartment complexes may also offer a laundry service or a communal swimming pool, gymnasium or sauna.