The Bulgarian ski resort of Borovets is an interesting place to go on a skiing holiday. If you are looking for a bargain ski holiday Borovets should definitely be on your list. It is a relatively new ski destination, which is still being developed, so the lifts and snow machines are all state of the art.
Bulgaria might not be the first place you think of for a ski trip. But this corner of the Balkans has some of Europe’s most genuine mountain experiences, a long skiing tradition and beautiful mountain towns.
First, let’s start our planning by finding Borovets on the map. Known as Chamkoria until the mid 20th century, Borovets is cozily tucked in the most beautiful mountain in the country - Rila. It’s the first mountain resort in the country and the Balkans. It’s an unbelievably small village made of five streets, surrounded by forest and ski slopes.
This doesn’t mean it’s entirely out in the wild, though. Talking about Samokov, the city is situated 55km (34mi) away from the Bulgarian capital - Sofia, and while small, it has everything you may need for your ski vacation in Borovets.
It's time to plan your winter vacation, but you don’t want to spend a fortune? Ski resorts worldwide are famous for their premium prices, which is why this sport has the reputation of a premium experience reserved for the elite. Well, if you want to do it somewhere in Switzerland or Italy, that’s true. But is it really the same? Usually, the high price means higher quality, right?
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Bulgaria has three main ski areas - Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo - that are easy to reach and suit all kinds of skiers, from beginners to those looking for a bit more challenge.
Borovets is the best known of the Bulgarian Resorts, with a wide range of facilities and on one of the highest rideable areas in Eastern Europe.
Slopes and Terrain
Borovets may be tiny, but it’s the perfect ski resort. Huddled in venerable pine woods 1390 meters above sea level, it has a total length of 52km (32mi) of slopes, the longest one being 12km (7.4mi) itself.
This is a small ski resort, but there is plenty for skiers of all standards to enjoy. The runs are spread across three ski centres, which are all linked. If you want stunning scenery to enjoy while skiing, Borovets is the place, many of the runs take you through beautiful pine forests. Even on days where the visibility is quite poor, you can often still ski these sheltered pistes.
The terrain is mainly suited to intermediate carvers, with nothing too challenging for the experienced. The 23 miles of piste is split into three areas, offering open runs and lines through trees. Hard packed snow and ice frequently make the runs tough work and with small rocks sticking out when there's poor snow cover, a little vigilance is essential. Some of the best riding can be found on the runs above the 2500m point. The 6 person gondola ride to the top station takes about 25 minutes and to avoid queues avoid the period between 9am and 11am.
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Most of the runs are suitable for intermediate skiers, but there are two challenging runs available for more advanced skiers to take on.
Borovets is home to the biggest terrain park in Eastern Europe, the Borosport. This snowpark was designed by a German company that is responsible for some of the best snowboarding runs in Europe. The park includes a 12m table top jump, a 4m quarter-pipe, a 9m kinked rail and a 10m kinked box, as well as several rails and trails. Part of the main terrain park is set aside for young riders to enjoy, which means the resort is the perfect place for children to learn how to snowboard.
Accommodation
The standard of accommodation in Borovets is generally very good. It is all competitively priced, which means that it is easy to find affordable family apartments and hotels in this resort. If you want to enjoy the nightlife try to stay somewhere in the centre, so that you are close to the clubs and bars. For those who like to go to bed early, there are some lovely apartments available on the edge of the village. The chalets and apartments are well equipped, and many offer extras like laundry services at a very low cost. For those looking for a bit of luxury there are several high-end hotels in the village.
In the village (the whole five streets), you can find all kinds of luxury (and not so luxury) hotels, restaurants, and bars.
Accommodation can make or break your vacation, and it’s always one of the essential choices for your journey. Morunov Apartments are brand new flats located in a luxury hotel with an indoor pool and sauna. Most furniture is handmade (from massive wood) and gives you this mountain feel you most certainly want for your ski vacation. However, the most significant advantage of Morunov Apartments is the host himself. Mitko is a local celebrity and one of the best ski instructors in the area. He knows everyone in Borovets (and Samokov), and everyone knows him. You forgot your ski mask at home? No worries, he’ll find you one in no time. Your ski shoe broke down? No problem, he’ll either get it fixed or find you a temporary one. Seriously, having a host like that is a premium experience that guarantees your vacation will go as smoothly as possible.
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Après-Ski and Dining
I Went to Borovets... Here's the Truth
The standard of après skiing in Borovets is very good, especially if you like to unwind with a drink and a meal. There are plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy in the resort, and the meals and drinks are cheap. The White Magic, Bobby’s Bar and the Red Lion are all popular with young Brits. If you like to stay up late the Buzz Bar is the place to go and have a dance. Bobby’s Bar serves a good selection of food that does not cost a fortune; they cook wonderful steaks and have Sky Sports on too.
Most of the restaurants in the resort sell mainly Bulgarian food, which is well worth trying because it tastes fantastic. A great example of the type of traditional restaurant you will find in Borovets is Hunters. Much of the food is cooked over an open wood fire, which creates a beautiful flavour. For those who enjoy international cuisine, the Alpin Restaurant is the place for you. If you are looking for a nightclub the one inside the Samokkov hotel is a great option.
As for the restaurants, the best ones I visited were not in Borovets itself but are easy to reach with a car (or a taxi). The other one is Старата Къща (The Old House), and you can find it in Samokov.
Beyond Skiing
For those who want a way to unwind after a day on the slopes a spa is ideal and there are several nice ones in the area. The Euphoria Spa Center is the most popular; here you will find a Jacuzzi and indoor heated pool and there is the chance to enjoy a range of toning treatments. For those holidaymakers who are looking for some excitement, ski-dooing is so much fun.
If ski or snowboard is not your thing, you can still have a great time in Borovets. One of the coolest things to do is rent a snowmobile and explore Rila mountain (with a guide, of course). Have in mind though if you are on your own, the price may be a bit higher than the one in the listing. If you’re with your family, you may want something less extreme, so I suggest horse riding around the area. Another great option is to opt for a trip to the nearby thermal pool complex.
Borovets is located close enough to Sofia for you to take a break from skiing to enjoy a sightseeing and shopping trip.
Practical Information
Locals say that the season comes late in Borovets: mid-February often sees only half the runs open, but riders in the know say that April has the best snow.
The best time to ski in Borovets is in the winter, of course, and I guess you already knew that. The start of the season depends on the snowfall, but it’s always sometime in December. December is not the best time to ski in Borovets if you hate crowds, though. Many tourists and locals choose the resort to spend the holidays, and the slopes may feel a bit overcrowded. As for the weather, you should expect a pretty chilly one, but since you are on a ski vacation, that is to be expected.
The winter season usually runs from mid-December to mid-April, though it can vary depending on the snow and altitude.
English is widely spoken in the resorts, and starting in January 2026, the euro will become Bulgaria’s official currency. You can pay by credit card almost everywhere, though it’s still handy to keep a little cash at the ready for mountain huts and smaller cafes. The atmosphere in the resorts is friendly and relaxed, so even first-time visitors tend to feel at home quickly.
Getting to Borovets from Sofia (where your plane is landing) is incredibly easy. If you’re renting a car, add it to the GPS, and in an hour, you’re there. The best rent-a-car tool for Bulgaria is Discover Cars. They will compare the offers of the country’s rent-a-car providers and present you with the best offers there are. If you don’t want to waste money on cars, you can get an inexpensive shuttle from the airport straight to the village.
No, in Bulgaria, the currency is Bulgarian Lev (BGN). One Euro equals nearly 2 Levs (1.95 to be exact). Being a resort, it’s more expensive than the rest of the country, but since Bulgaria is one of the most inexpensive states in Europe, it’s still extremely cheap by western standards. For example, a great 3-course meal in a local mehana (Bulgarian restaurant) should be around 30 Leva (15 EUR) per person. The price for the daily lift passes is around 70 Leva (35 EUR), and it gets cheaper the more days you add to them. Hotel prices vary, but even the most luxurious ones are not extremely expensive.
Lift pass prices in Bulgaria are now close to those in smaller Alpine resorts, but the overall cost of a trip remains a good value. Day passes are around €50-60, with discounts for multiday tickets, while season passes start roughly at €800.
Lodging and meals are still affordable, compared with many European ski destinations, especially for longer stays. Travelers can choose from family-run guesthouses to larger spa hotels, and restaurants serve generous portions at moderate prices. The hot springs found around many mountain towns add even more value to a Bulgarian ski trip.
Skiing in Bulgaria is generally safe, with professional mountain rescue teams and reliable medical care at all of the major resorts. It’s important to make sure that your travel insurance covers skiing and, if you plan to go off piste, backcountry coverage as well. Resorts have marked trails and clear signage, so sticking to designated areas will keep you out of trouble. For those exploring beyond the main slopes, going with a local guide is the best way to stay safe and make the most of Bulgaria’s mountains.
Tips and Tricks
Castaway Tip: Whatever you do, don’t drink from the fountain between the ice ring and the museum. Not that the water is not good, it’s delicious mountain spring water, but the legend says if you drink from it, you’re about to marry a guy/girl from Samokov.
Castaway Tip: Borovets is also amazing outside of the ski season if you enjoy nature hikes and trekking.
If you want to go ski in Borovets but you’re not confident in your skills, the best thing you can do is enroll in a ski school or get yourself a ski instructor. You can find plenty of options on the spot, but if you’re like me and you like everything prepared beforehand, you can get a scheduled one here.
If you’re from any neighboring country, you can go to Bulgaria via car and check more places around Borovets.
Temperatures can change quickly during the day, so packing a few lighter pieces to layer is always a good idea. A pair of sturdy winter boots will also come in handy for walking around the resort towns.
Extras like night skiing are included in the price of your ski pass and the nightlife here is good, and inexpensive. On top of that there are always plenty of low cost accommodation available here including good quality self-catering apartments and chalets.
Borovets’ owners and development partners are investing heavily in the resort. For example, they doubled the number of snow cannons in recent years, which means that snow conditions are consistently good and can be maintained.
Going ski in Borovets is absolutely worth it. The nature is breathtaking, the slopes are world-class, and in the end, you wouldn’t have spent a fortune.
I hope you have a great time going ski in Borovets.