Bulgaria
Ski Holidays
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Bulgaria ski holidays offer great value skiing, but that's not all!
Beginner friendly skiing, a buzzing nightlife, and bargains galore, what’s not to love about Bulgaria?
Why choose to go skiing in Bulgaria?
- Cheaper alternative to the Alps
- Hearty hospitality and apres-ski
- Ideal for beginners & groups
Bulgaria ski holidays are more than a cheap alternative to the Alps. Packed with relaxing slopes, good food, vibrant culture and a buzzing nightlife, Bulgarian ski areas have won over legions of ski fans who return year after year.
And with new lifts, and hotels continually springing up each season, Bulgaria is fast becoming a go-to ski destination.
One of the best ski holidays in Bulgaria is Bansko. This big bustling ski village is a perfect home for groups and beginners on a budget. Meanwhile, Borovets combines high-altitude entertainment with the magic of skiing through old pine forests. And for families who want to ski in Bulgaria but dream of a cosy resort with quiet mellow pistes, Pamporovo can’t go amiss.
KEY INFORMATION
Good to Know
Currency
Lev
Language
Bulgarian
Travel Time (APPROX)
4 hours
Gatwick
Timezone
GMT+3
Family skiing in Bulgaria
With warm welcomes and easy-going slopes aplenty, Bulgaria is great for affordable family ski holidays.
If you want a quicker transfer (especially after a three-hour flight) then Borovets is a great shout. Just as affordable, and with plenty of mellow pistes for little legs to race down, it’s an ideal option for families on a budget, who want a cheap ski holiday.
Group skiing in Bulgaria
With heaps of affordable hotels and hearty hospitality, group ski holidays to Bulgaria are perfect for those on a budget.
Bansko takes the crown as Bulgaria's best resort for group ski holidays. Low on price and high on fun, its mixed-ability pistes are perfect for groups of beginner and intermediate skiers. And with cheap restaurants and apres bars throughout the resort, groups thirsty for a lively apres-ski scene will struggle to find better.
Borovets is just as tempting for groups looking to save on skiing. With easy-going pistes and a more relaxed apres-ski scene, it’s a great option for those wanting a bit of everything.
Bulgaria ski holidays
Your questions answered by our Bulgarian ski holiday expert
Alexander Blunt (Co-Founder)
Is Bulgaria good for skiing?
Yes. Bulgaria’s an excellent destination for a ski holiday, especially for those seeking something a bit more budget-friendly. Resorts like Bansko, Borovets, and Pamporovo cater to a wide range of skiers and snowboarders. Offering affordable accommodation and lift passes, modern facilities, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
When is the best time to ski in Bulgaria?
January - March is the prime time for those wanting to experience Bulgaria’s best snow conditions, with Bulgaria ski holidays typically seeing their best snowfall during this time. January is the coldest month by far, with March quickly easing in spring skiing, longer days, and ultimately cheaper deals.
Where is best to ski in Bulgaria?
- Bansko is Bulgaria’s biggest and most popular ski resort, outfitted with a host of varied slopes for beginners and experts and heaps of modern facilities and accommodation options.
- Borovets is fab for beginner groups looking to sample the aprés-ski and vibrant nightlife.
- Pamporovo is ideal for beginners and families seeking a budget-friendly ski getaway away from the crowds.
Is Bulgaria cheap for skiing?
Yes. Skiing in Bulgaria is much cheaper compared to skiing in the Alps, Scandinavia, and the USA. In Bulgaria, lift passes, accommodation, and food and drink are all significantly cheaper, making it one of Europe’s more affordable destinations for ski holidays.
Is Bulgaria skiing snow-sure?
Yes, Bulgaria's ski slopes are largely snow-sure, though snow can never be fully guaranteed. Bulgaria's high altitudes at resorts like Bansko and Borovets give it favourable snow conditions in January - March.
What months can you ski in Bulgaria?
From mid-December to April, Bulgaria's official skiing season is in full swing, with most lifts, slopes, and facilities open during this period. For the best snow conditions for skiing, we recommend visiting from January to March.
Is Bulgaria good for beginners?
Yes. Bulgaria’s an excellent place for beginner skiers and snowboarders, offering gentle slopes, affordable ski schools, accommodation, and gear hire, and friendly instructors. We recommend checking out the beginner-friendly resorts of Pamporovo, Bansko, and Borovets.For more great beginner ski holiday recommendations, check out our blog here.
What are the best ski holidays in Bulgaria for beginners?
Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo are Bulgaria’s best ski holidays for beginners. With cheap deals and ski areas jam-packed with easy groomers, they're ideal for first forays into the snow.
- Pamporovo’s easy-to-navigate pistes and long green slopes are an excellent choice for families learning to ski.
- Bansko's large ski area is ideal for mixed-ability groups with beginners, with the majority of slopes in the blue to red range.
- Borovets is a lively village for apres-ski fun, with beginner skiers here experiencing a perfect beginner's package at a far cheaper price than the Alps.
What are the best ski holidays in Bulgaria for advanced skiers?
Bansko and Borovets still provide plenty of challenge for advanced and intermediate skiers. While not as rich in hair-raising terrain as France and Austria, Bulgarian ski holidays here offer plenty for those looking to shred hard and fast.
- Bansko's ‘Tomba’ black run (affectionately named after a local skiing legend) is no stranger to downhill World Cup races. And thankfully, it's often blessed with pristine corduroy with heaps of open space - perfect for strong skiers wanting to nail some carving.
- You’ll also find plenty of steep, speedy terrain in Borovets. With multiple black runs and the high-altitude pistes often being deep in snow during the peak season, this Bulgarian ski holiday is a great option for advanced skiers.
What is the biggest resort in Bulgaria?
Bansko is Bulgaria’s largest ski resort, and it’s most popular. It’s home to Bulgaria’s largest ski area at 75km, and is fitted with the country’s most modern lift system to boot.
Is Bulgaria good for families?
Absolutely. Bulgaria ski holidays are fantastic for families, offering excellent English-speaking ski schools, easy nursery slopes, and plenty of non-ski activities, and for a fraction of the price of other resorts in the Alps and the USA.
What are the best ski holidays for off-piste skiing in Bulgaria?
Bansko, nestled in the Pirin Mountains, offers the best off-piste skiing in Bulgaria, having hosted a fair number of World Freeride Tour events. Powder here is easily accessible, with some of the best lift-accessible off-piste terrain in Bulgaria.
Just be aware: there are no marked and secured off-piste tracks in Bansko, so if you do venture into the backcountry, you should hire a guide.
What are the best high-altitude ski holidays in Bulgaria?
- Borovets sits just underneath Bulgaria’s highest mountain, Musala. Here, the skiing rises to 2,600m, offering a high degree of snow-sure skiing during the peak season. This makes it Bulgaria's highest-altitude ski holiday, with a range that many Alpine alternatives would be envious of.
- Not far behind is Bansko, another of Bulgaria’s best high-altitude ski trips. With a decent 1540m of elevation on offer, you’ll have plenty of pistes to carve back down on.
What are the best holidays for snowboarders in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria’s big open terrain, easy-going slopes and lively apres make it a prime destination for snowboard holidays:
- Bansko takes the cake as the best ski holiday for snowboarders. With big, quiet pistes begging to be carved down, beginner snowboarders and confident intermediates have plenty of room to hone their skills. And with lively bars only moments from the lifts, it's easy to park up post-piste for a big night of apres-ski.
- Borovets is another great option for a cheap snowboard holiday. It delivers cruisy forest-flanked pistes, a vast terrain park and great apres-ski to boot.
What are the best ski holidays in Bulgaria for ski weekends?
Borovets is perfect for a Bulgaria ski weekend or short ski break. It’s the closest resort to Sofia airport and just over an hour away by car. It's great for all ability ranges, with over 50km of easy and intermediate slopes, and has plenty of accommodation near the slopes along with an après scene for all tastes.
Don’t mind a slightly longer two-hour transfer? Bansko makes a great alternative. With tons of hotels for all tastes and cruisy corduroy ready to be carved, it’s a prime candidate for mixed-ability groups. Plus, with a lively apres-ski town kicking on late, it’s easy to squeeze in a fair few extra hours of fun!
Which Bulgarian ski holidays are best for food and drink?
Bansko and Borovets are the meccas for Bulgarian slopeside eats. There’s definitely a different vibe to Bulgarian cuisine compared to Alpine classics, being influenced by dishes from the Balkans and Mediterranean. Expect to see lots of chicken and lamb grills, hearty stews with pickled cabbage and Bulgarian white brine cheese, as well as familiar faves such as pizza. What's more, beer is a fraction of the UK’s price, and the local wine is excellent (and also pleasantly cheap!)
Does Bulgaria have good apres-ski?
What are the best Bulgarian holidays for aprés ski?
Bansko and Borovets are perfect if you’re looking to take full advantage of cheap booze, being the home of Bulgaria’s loudest and liveliest après-ski (many stag and hen parties already do!). Here, the bars at the bottom of the gondolas start filling up as soon as the lifts close, and sometimes they don't close until they're back open the next morning!
Looking for somewhere a tad quieter to kick off those ski boots? Head to Pamporovo, whose après is more geared towards warming hotel bars and restaurants. Aaaaaaaand relax!
Most popular ski holidays in Bulgaria
Here are just some of our top ski resorts. To find the perfect one for you, speak to one of our specialists.
Borovets
Borovets is a well-thought-out purpose-built ski resort with great-value accommodation and lots of lively bars and restaurants to explore. The skiing is well suited for beginners and intermediates with wide, tree lined runs to explore.
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Bansko
Sitting at the base of the mighty Todorka peak, Bansko is Bulgaria’s newest ski area. Given the rustic mountain charm, fantastic skiing and lively après ski scene, it comes as no surprise that the resort is continuing to draw skiers who return year after year.
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Pamporovo
Pamporovo is a purpose built ski resort lying in the pretty forested foothills of Snejanka Mountain. The resort has lots of lively bars and restaurants to explore and a variety of great value accommodation. The ski area is small but great for beginners.
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Why book a Bulgaria ski holiday with Heidi?
See our ski holiday reviews
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All flight-inclusive holidays sold on Heidi are fully financially protected under the ATOL scheme (ATOL 11456)