WINTER RESORTS


The charming historical town of Bansko, nestled in the dale between the Rhodopa, Rila and the Pirin Mountain, which peaks at 2746 m above sea level, presents enormous opportunities for tourism and vacation all the year round. Today, Bansko is considered to be the pearl in the crown of the Bulgarian tourism. It has recently received a multi-million euro investment to enable it to have the most modern ski facilities in the country and is a well-established destination for winter sport enthusiasts from all around the world. Bansko also has the best snow record and longest ski season which officially lasts from mid December through to the end of April but in reality lasts for longer.

This enthralling original town is situated along the valley of the Mesta river, surrounded by the above-mentioned three mountains. Especially the Pirin mountain, crowned with the 2 914 metres high peak Vihren, poses as a magnificent Alpine background for the town. The climate of Bansko is strongly influenced by the mountain and is characterized by short summer and long winter. The typical local stone and wood houses nowadays are converted in cozy little taverns and small family hotels. Although Bansko is vastly popular for its excellent conditions for skiing, mountaineering and climbing, it also has to offer rich history and culture, with some one hundred and fifty monuments in its vicinities.

6km north of Bansko, Razlog is fast developing into a resort in its own right. A championship golf course designed under the signature of Ian Woosnam and due for completion in Spring 2007 has provided the focus for the development of a new area at the base of the Pirin mountains. Golfers of this, and another planned golf course to be situated in the direction of the ski lift will enjoy spectacular views all year round. Interest in the area is at an all time high as the golf combined with the skiing offers true all year round rental income together with high capital growth.
The village of Dobrinishte is the most famous balneological resort in the Pirin mountain, only 6 km away from Bansko. It is one of the largest Bulgarian villages, well-known for its mineral springs from ancient times. The village possesses 17 springs, spouting hot water with a temperature of 30 to 43 degrees centigrade and with low mineralization. It is generally recommended for balneological and climatological treatment of various ailments, but the proximity to the well-equipped ski tracks of the Bezbog and the wonderful Alpine scenery make it a perfect centre of mountaineering and skiing. The village has several taverns and bars, as well as a swimming pool, filled with mineral water.

The town of Sandanski is sited on the foot of the Pirin mountain, along the valley of the Sandanska Bistritza river, and lies at altitude of 224 metres. The population of the town is 27 631. It is most attractive mainly for its mineral springs with water's temperature from 33 to 83 degrees centigrade. Here the winter is extremely short and mild, while the autumn is warm and lasts longer.

The village of Yamna is situated several kilometres away from the town of Etropole and an hour's ride from Sofia. Nestled in the foots of the Balkan, it attracts a lot of visitors with its crystal-clear air and picturesque landscape.

The Pamporovo resort is the sunniest of all Bulgarian mountain and ski ones, and there the gentle slope of the mountain makes the ski tracks to vary in difficulty, thus comforting both beginners and expert skiers. It is located at 1 650 metres altitude at the foot of the Snezhanka peak. The climate is phenomenal - mild winter with one hundred and twenty sunny days, and at the same time you can enjoy durable and thick snow cover! Skiing season is open from the mid-December to mid-April. The Pamporovo resort is a modern ski resort, sited in the heart of the Rhodopa mountain. Its unique climatic conditions make it attractive not only in winter, but in summer too.

The Borovetz resort boasts over forty diverse ski tracks in immediate proximity to twelve hotels and four villa settlements, only 73 km away from the city of Sofia. The skiing season is open from November to May with snow cover thickness of 1,5 metres. It is located at 1350 metres altitude amidst century-old coniferous forests in the Rila mountain, at the very foot of the peak Mussala (2925 metres high) - the highest one on the Balkan peninsula. The resort is the oldest and largest ski resort in Bulgaria. Its ski tracks are quite diverse in difficulty and purpose, while the twelve hotels and four villa settlements offer a variety of entertainment and excellent conditions for a pleasant vacation. The resort is easily accessible. There are one indoor and one open-air swimming pool, saunas, fitness clubs,tables tennis club, billiards tables and a bowling hall. The chief attraction are the folklore nights, coupled with Bulgarian wine tasting and indigenous traditional local meals.

The town of Chepelare is a quiet little town with a ski lift of its own and a ski track of five kilometres, with plenty of small private hotels and taverns. It is situated in the picturesque valley of the Chepelarska river, only 80 km away from the city of Plovdiv. The town has the highest altitude of all towns and cities in Bulgaria - 1 140 metres. It is being said, that here the air is the most clear of all the towns and the sunshine is longest too. The town of Chepelare also boasts more authentic Rhodopean atmosphere.

The Malyovitza (1 700 metres in altitude) resort is a Alpine-type high-mountain tourist complex. The National Central Mountaineering School and the camping site, along with the ski grounds and the two lifts are of particular interest to the visitor. The resort has a hotel, ski tracks and lifts, ski wardrobe and all the necessities for ski sports. Here the snow cover stays for a long time. It is the local precipitation that determines whether one can ski in May. But this enchanting place is deep in the hearts of the mountaineers. The Malyovitza resort is situated some 40 km away from the one in Borovets, but is undoubtedly smaller than it. Nevertheless the scenery is just splendid!

The town of Hissarya ( population of 9308, 364 metres altitude) is situated in Central Bulgaria, in the southern parts of the Sredna Gora mountain, near the renowned Rose Valley. It is a prominent balneological resort, one of the biggest in Bulgaria. The low mineralization waters of Hissarya are curable for many common diseases and maladies.

Apriltzi is a small town, sited on the foot of the middle Stara Planina mountain. It has a population of 4700. It has a rich and interesting history, and is set in an incredible scenery and boasts great number of landmarks. In particular the landscape is enthralling. The immediate proximity to the mountain, coupled with good hostels and private rooms attract a lot of tourists. Apart from that, it is a starting point for a lot of tourist routes through its beautiful vicinities and a good number of alpine tours in the mountain with different level of difficulty. Consequently, the importance of the town of Apriltzi as a winter resort is growing year after year.

The town of Velingrad is situated among the picturesque landscape of the Western Rhodopa mountain at 800 metres altitude and is the biggest balneological resort in Bulgaria. The huge abundance of mineral water springs, together with the comfortable and modern baths, along with the superb scenery and mild climate attract 200 000 tourists a year. The biggest natural resource are of course the springs, spouting water with 26-28 degrees centigrade warmth. There are 16 open-air and indoor swimming pools and baths with mineral water. If you happen to be for the fun here, you will probably enjoy going for a row or paddling the water wheel in the lake of Kleptuza - which happens to be the largest Karst lake in Bulgaria, a rare natural phenomena, or just idly stroll the beautiful park surrounding the lake.


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