Winter in Bulgaria is relatively mild, but the country is still among the leading ski holiday destinations in Eastern and Central Europe. The ski season's duration is about six months and the peak of it, of course, falls on the winter and New Year's holidays.
The winter season opens in different places at different times. For example, the most popular ski resort in Bulgaria, Bansko, usually starts actively welcoming guests in the third week of December. In the mountains, the first snowfall appears in November and may remain until April. It sometimes happens that you can even spot the snow throughout summer, on the high peaks of Bulgarian mountains. The end of the ski season usually ends in April.
Borovets (Rila Mountain), Bansko (Pirin Mountain), and Pamporovo (Rhodopes) are the three most popular resorts in Bulgaria. But you can also go skiing at the Vitosha resort. It only has a couple of ski slopes but is reachable from 30 minutes to an hour from Sofia's center. You may also discover several less popular slopes: Parshevitsa, Uzana, Dobrinishte, Beklemeto, Govedartsi, Kom, Tsigov, and Chark.
In recent years, tourism in Bulgaria has been experiencing an upsurge as infrastructure has improved, and routes are being opened with new lifts. Artificial snow allows for increasing the duration of the ski season and improved conditions on the trails.
Practical info
When is Bulgaria's ski season?
Bulgaria's ski season runs from December through April. The opening times vary between ski resorts, with Bansko usually opening for guests in the third week of December. You may see the first snowfall as early as November and extends till April in the mountains, surpassing the opening and closing times of the ski resorts. There are about six months of skiing in Bulgaria, depending on the location of your ski resort. Show more
What are the top ski resorts in Bulgaria and where are they located?
The top three resorts in Bulgaria for skiing are Borovets, Bansko, and Pamporovo, and they all have different locations across Bulgaria's mountain ranges. Borovets is in the Rila Mountain range, Bansko is in the Pirin Mountains, and Pamporovo is the Rhodopes. For a lesser-known option, there are ski slopes in Govedartsi, Tsigov, and Chark, among others, that provide unique set-up and scenic ski terrains. Show more
What are the lesser-known ski slopes in Bulgaria?
There are several different lesser-known ski slopes in Bulgaria worth considering. You can choose from Govedartsi, Tsigov, and Chark, which are lesser-known ski options. Each of these slopes provides a unique landscape to ski and snowboard and often lacks the typical tourist crowds. Furthermore, for those willing to explore newer locations, Uzana, Dobrinishte, Beklemeto, and Kom offer alternative options for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. Show more
What has improved in Bulgarian tourism in recent years?
Attracting skiing enthusiasts, Bulgaria has seen a significant rise in tourism in recent years thanks to improved infrastructure, lift routes, and accessibility to different ski slopes across the country. With artificial snow, the ski resorts are opening sooner and staying open longer throughout the year, and some slopes offer a more extended skiing season. Compared to other European countries, Bulgarian resorts offer ski enthusiasts affordable prices, instructor services, and modern equipment rentals. Show more
How long is the ski season in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria's ski season runs for about six months, starting from the beginning of December and running to the end of April. The high-seaosn is during the winter and New Year holidays, where you may need to book earlier to guarantee availability. Bansko, one of the more prominent ski resorts, usually opens for guests in the third week of December, but some ski slopes start in November. There are snow-making facilities available to extend the ski season if required. Show more
