Borovets
Borovets is the oldest and the biggest mountain resort in Bulgaria, well known internationally, in part because of the excellent value it offers compared to other top resorts around the world. Virtually all of the major mass-market international tour operators are here. Borovets is also known as a good place to start skiing in a fun and unintimidating atmosphere, with a highly regarded ski school and without risking a huge spend on something you're not sure you're going to enjoy. The resort does, however, have some expert skiing and a specialist advanced-level ski school to help you make the most of it. Another selling point is the lively and varied nightlife, again fired on by the low prices and exuberant atmosphere.
The downside of Borovets can include varied conditions on the piste. Although the north facing slopes have some of the best snow conditions in Eastern Europe this is not always comparable to the Alps. Historically some visitors have also complained of unhappy experiences in their accommodations and the restaurants, although many report the opposite. In any case, Borovets is changing, spurred on by the boom at fellow Bulgarian ski area Bansko and other Eastern European centres, Borovets is spending on new lifts, snowmaking and accommodation with major expansion and upgrades already underway and likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
Established at the end of the 19th century as a hunting centre for the former royals of Bulgaria, Borovets has gradually developed into a modern ski centre with a wide range of accommodations. Fortunately most of its growth in the modern era has not been too disastrous, with the large hotel complexes architecturally imaginative rather than rectangular, sometimes wood clad and always set within the forest. The resort is situated at 1350m above sea level on the northern slopes of the Rila Mountains among ancient pinewoods. The local mountain, Moussala (2925m) is the highest on the Balkan Peninsula. It's an easy resort to reach, only 73km (45 miles) from the capital Sofia. The nearest town of Samokov is 10km (6 miles) down the road from the resort.
Visitors to Borovets should take a few practical steps to counteract local practical instabilities and uncertainties. Although the situation is changing rapidly, you should take your money in hard currency, such as US dollars, as Eurocheques, travellers cheques and credit cards are not always accepted. Where credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted there's often a heavy surcharge of around six per-cent on average. Non mainstream currencies and, for example, Scottish sterling bank notes or torn or damaged money are not welcomed.
Skiing
Borovets skiing is divided in to two main areas. The slopes and runs are normally maintained in good condition and are designed with international markings and multilingual signs. Firstly, directly above the resort are the lift-linked slopes of Sitnyakovo and Martinovi Baraki. Served by two top-to-bottom chairs, with four drags and another shorter chair (servicing a ski jump) making up the rest of the uplift here, the terrain is largely easy to intermediate level stuff, cut down through the trees. Do not be too off-put by the fact that virtually all the terrain is graded 'red'. These are not the same steep reds of Austria and Switzerland - more like a French blue. The lower section of the mountain forms the nursery area, conveniently close to the village centre and much of the accommodation.
The second ski area is at Yastrebets, reached by a wonderful 5km/3 mile long gondola ride by a six seater. This accesses the resort's most testing terrain, which includes three runs which are used for international competitions. There are long reds, and a World Cup black beneath the upper section of the gondola, which will take you back to the gondola base station, mid station or to the resort's only T bar, and a very long one it is. Alternatively you can continue over to the Markudjika area. This is served by six short and parallel button tows and accesses the highest skiing in the resort and the only above-tree-line area, also known as the Moussala basin. Naturally it holds snow the longest. One of the runs here, Markudjik 3, has been approved by the International Skiing Federation (FIS) for giant slalom competitions.
For the 2006-7 season ATV Rentals [ www.atv-rentals-bg.com] began offering skiers and boarders the option to take a snowcat ride to the top of Mt. Moussala. The machine can carry up to 12 people for a two hour tour, or during the ski day can carry skiers and snowboarders to places they can't normally go. Mt Moussala is only accessible by snow cat, snowmobile or on foot and ATV rentals also rents snowmobiles.
The highest lift at Borovets is to Aleko at 2728m (8953ft). Mt Moussala is 2942m (9652 ft) giving bigger verticals and more snowsure conditions.
The Borovets ski school is well known and respected internationally. It has more than 200 ski instructors, all of them fluent in different languages and many former professional skiers. Skiing classes are divided in to five difficulty levels, from A to E - in groups or individually with lessons for four hours per day. The additional The Peter Popanguelov Ski School for Expert Skiing employs ten highly-qualified ski instructors able to teach those who want to hone their skiing skills to the 'world champion class'
Cross-country and biathlon tracks are located 500m away from the resort together with the cross-country tuition tracks.
Boarding
Snowboarders are welcome at Borovets, which has staged some international competitions. Although there isn't a terrain park, natural terrain features do tend to 'develop themselves' off the edge of the trails. The key areas are accessible by gondola and chair, only, unfortunately the highest and snowiest sector up on Markudjika is served by button type drag lifts. The toughest terrain below the gondola-served Yastrebets is, annoyingly for 'boarders, based on a single T bar, the only one there is here, but you can get back to the gondola base, conditions permitting, if you're prepared to follow a rather flat access route.
Apres Ski
Borovets nightlife is normally, fun, lively and relaxed. There's a good choice of high value, lively bars with enticing names like 'Black Tiger, Harry's Bar, Buzz Bar and Bonkers. Karaoke is a regular activity at Peter's.
Apart from eating and drinking you can try tobogganing, billiards, bowling, snowmobiling or a sleigh ride. You can even try the ski jump, at your own risk, if you want to. At one time you could snap on an inflatable sumo wrestler's suit and have a good 'fantasy sumo' contest but that facility sadly doesn't appear to be on offer anymore.
Bulgarian folklore evenings are arranged at many of the resort's venues and feature lively centuries-old rhythms and dances, with traditional Bulgarian cuisine on the menu, served up with now famous Bulgarian wines. Ski carnivals are also sometimes arranged. The resort's two discothèques are in the hotels Rila and Samokov.
Dining Out
Borovet's dozen or so restaurants offer low priced meals, which for many guests are almost always 'buffet style' because the vast majority of holidays taken here are on half-board packages. However, for those looking for an Alpinesque moment, fondues are available and for those who wish they were a little further to the west, you can get Italian at Franco's pizza which has a reoputation for its fun atmosphere and fast efficient service. The Happy Duck and Mama Citas are also popular.
A popular option is to visit the nearby town of Samokov for a high value traditional Bulgarian evening meal at one of the tavernas there.
Shopping
Borovets has a small selection of shops including ten slope-side rental facilities and there are also plenty of souvenir shops. Credit cards are not always accepted and there can be high exchange rates fort travellers cheques so it is usually best to bring hard currency with you. There are two cash machines in the resort which accept most international cards.
Facilities
There's plenty to do besides sliding on snow in Borovets. There are several indoor hotel swimming pools with saunas, fitness centre, billiards and table tennis. There's bowling at the Hotel Samakov.
Outdoors you can try tobogganing, go on a sleigh ride or take a hike on one of scores of scenic routes, including many ski-routes, in groups led by experienced guides. The organized trips lead to picturesque spots in the Rila Mountain like Seven Rila Lakes, peak Malyovitsa, peak Moussala. A photo safari and a visit to the Bulgarian kings' residence of Bistritsa are also regularly organized, as are trips to Melnik with its unique pyramids. Scenic tours by helicopter are another option.
ATV Rentals organises the rental of all terrain vehicles (ATVs), snowmobiling and horseback riding.
Excursions are organised to the Rila Monastery and to Bulgaria's nearby capital Sofia where it's possible to see an opera.
Families
Children between two and nine years old can attend the Rila Hotel non- ski kindergarten (open 9am - 4.30pm, Sunday to Friday). Older children - from four to seven years old - can be enrolled in the skiing kindergarten, also located near to the Rila Hotel. Children aged 8 to 12 have special ski school classes for their age group, after which it's adult school. Lunchtime cover is offered as the norm. The well established facilities have a very good reputation and Borovets itself is quite a good choice for families because of the low prices and range of off-slope facilities, many of them within your hotel complex.
Accommodation
Borovets accommodation is largely centred on about a dozen hotel complexes, almost always offering half board with buffet style meals. The large Rila complex, which incorporates hotel, studio and apartment style accommodation, is probably the best known. It is graded around three star and is only 30 metres from the ski school and nursery slopes, 300m from the gondola. The hotel houses a hairdresser, night club, sauna, gym and the resort's kindergarten.
The slightly more highly graded Samokov is generally regarded as the leading hotel in Borovets. Located 50 metres from the resort centre and 75m from the gondola, it houses another lively night club and the resort's bowling alley as well as a sauna, gym and indoor pool. The three star Hotel Olymp has the best sports facilities in the resort including a large indoor pool and indoor tennis courts. There's a choice of three bars, sauna, solarium and gym.
Getting there
Most visitors fly in to either Bulgaria's capital Sofia, the closest airport 70km (45 miles) and 80 or 90 minutes away. The second choice is wine capital Plovdiv, 101km (63 miles) away from which it is a two to two-and-a half hour transfer by coach. Visitors from most countries receive a visa stamp in their passports on arrival.
Summer
Borovets originally grew up as a summer mountain destination for Bulgaria's elite to use as a base on hunting expeditions. Today it offers a wide range of summer sports and activities including hiking, biking, climbing and hunting.
Piste Information
- Resort height:
- 1350m
- Total km of pisted runs:
- 40km
- Total no. of slopes:
- 20
- Total km of x-country skiing:
- 18km
- Longest run:
- 6km
- Total no. of lifts:
- 14
- Highest lift:
- 2550m
- Percentage of easy runs:
- 30%
- Percentage of intermediate runs:
- 61%
- Percentage of difficult runs:
- 9%
- Snowboarding facilities:
- halfpipe
- Snow cannons:
- yes
- Passport photo required (for lift pass):
- no
Piste Map
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Videos
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