Seven Rila Lakes: At 2150 meters above the ground... Up here the world seems different.
For nearly 4 years, however, a project for a tourist complex has been created in the region – “Panichishte - Lakes - Mount Kabul”, which is illegal according to environmentalists. With or without the consent of the environmentalists lift is already a fact - since last year.
One of the oldest ski resorts in Bulgaria Pamporovo provides some of the best conditions for snowboarding in the country.
It was built in 1933 and is situated at 1650 m altitude in the foothills of Snowwhite Mount (1926 m). Unlike most resorts in Bulgaria neither avalanches nor sudden weather changes usually happpen in Pamporovo. The sunny days there can be as many as 240 per year. So do not be surprised if every time you go to Pamporovo then return with a slight tan.
Chalet “Bezbog” - destroyed by an avalanche. Do not be intimidated, it does not refer to the modern building, which today we all know, but for the old and shabby cottage, which was erected near the present one about 50 years ago.
It was built near by the lake on the slopes of Mount Bezbog in Pirin in 1960. It was ruined by an avalanche in April 1971, because it was built on an inappropriate place.
Borovets is probably the favourite winter resort for most skiers and snowboarders in Bulgaria. It is not as expensive as Bansko, while it has enough places to ride and the infrastructure is just fine.
Borovets is situated in Rila mountain and is close to Sofia - in just about 1 hour by car. However, the route is dangerous because of its many turns and especially in the winter there are many car accidents.
Bansko is the most modern and expensive winter resort in Bulgaria. It is situated in the Pirin mountain and its ski runs almost reach the highest peak Todorka, 2600 m a.s.l.
Its marked ski runs are about 70 km long. Conditions greatly vary and are suitable for any kind of skiing and snowboarding - there is even a Fun park for freestylers.
Vitosha is the closest mountain to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Its skiing/snowboarding center Aleko is just about an hour from the city by car. It is relatively high mountain with its highest peak, Cherni vrah at 2290 m a.s.l.
Unfortunately Vitosha has been neglected for the last years and its ski lifts are in awful and dangerous condition, the oldest one being 40 years old. It is under question that this year there will be an official opening because of the problems the investor (Vitosha Ski) faces.