History is one of the strong sides of Bulgaria with its more than 1300 years of existence and the Borovets ski resort, situated in Rila mountain, 1300 meters above the sea level, is the real proof for that.
Borovets is the oldest Bulgarian winter resort, with a history dating back to 1896. Today Borovets is one of the biggest and most modern resorts in the country, offering the full list of services typical for a world-standard winter resort. The name Borovets comes from the Bulgarian word for pine-tree “bor”, which perfectly fits in the notion what a winter resort is supposed to be. Thousands of age-old pine-trees surround the hotels and the ski runs. The shadow of mount Musala (2925 m), the highest peak on the Balkans, adds to the unique atmosphere, for a full-scale winter experience. Atmosphere is a great benefit, but in the modern age what also really matter are accessibility, accommodation, entertainment and last but not least, the ski facilities and snow. Borovets takes pride in offering all of these to visitors.
Easy accessibility is what makes Borovets a preferable resort when compared to the other two main winter Bulgarian resorts, Bansko and Pamporovo. The distance between Borovets and Sofia’s international airport is just 72 km of good quality road. Regular bus transport every 30 minutes takes you to the nearby town of Samokov, only 12 km from the ski runs. Bulgaria’s second-largest city, Plovdiv, is only 126 km from Borovets, which helps make the resort easily accessible from all parts of Bulgaria.
The world famous Rila Monastery is a good option for a visit if you need a day of rest from skiing. The monastery is only an hour and a half from Borovets and trips are organised every day by the resort.
Ski runs
The ski season in Borovets offers a mild winter and loads of snow. The average temperature during the coldest month January goes up to 4.8C. Usually the ski runs in the resort are covered with snow from mid-December till April, which gives skiers a five-month long season. The air in Borovets is clear, free of any pollutants and with its healthy climate, the resort is a good place for people looking for spa services.
With its total of 45 km of ski runs varying in difficulty and length, Borovets attracts thousands of ski and snowboard fans. There are ski runs for every taste, starting from beginners, intermediates and advanced skiers, designed with international markings and multilingual signs. Borovets has three ski centres: The Central Borovets ski centre - starting from 1337 m altitude up to 1780 m. The Yastrebets ski centre - from 1340 m up to 2369 m, and the Markudjik ski centre - from 2340 m up to 2550 m. The ski runs from the Yastrebets ski centre are considered the best and competitions at the resort are held there. 
Alpine skiing, cross-country, and snowboarding are some of the options that Borovets provides. The resort has twice hosted World Cup competitions in Alpine skiing, and those tempted by this extreme skiing can enjoy 58 km of marked ski runs. The cross-country tracks are 35 km long, designed according to international standards at minimum width of six metres. In 1993 Borovets hosted the World Biathlon Championship and the legacy from these times today is the world-class biathlon track. For those keen on extreme experiences, the ski jumping facility in Central Borovets ski centre is a perfect opportunity.
Accomodation
As a world-class winter resort, Borovets offers many opportunities for accommodation for every taste. The resort boasts a wide choice of holiday villages, villas and hotels. The two four-star hotels, Rila and Samokov, situated right in the heart of the resort, are among Borovets’ trademarks. Rila Hotel is the biggest hotel in Borovets. The hotel directly faces the ski runs and its Alpine style architecture provides a magnificent atmosphere with a spectacular view. The other four-star hotel in the resort, the Samokov, is right next to Rila. The Samokov’s Panorama bar on the 11th floor of the building is a must-see, because of its, well, panoramic view. The hotel’s bowling alley offers an option for those seeking a different outlet for their energy after a day on the slopes. Together, the two hotels offer more than 700 double rooms and 10 de luxe suits. Indoor Olympic size swimming pools with all spa services are among the services provided by the hotels. The twin, three star hotels Mura and Ela are suitable choices if you want something a little less crowded. Another suitable choice is the three-star small Alpin hotel, right across from the Rila hotel and only a step away from the main ski run. This hotel, with its cosy design, is another good option.
Ohe lift infrastructure of Borovets is well developed, with drag lifts, baby tows, seat chain lifts, plus six seated gondola lifts, which take you to the Yastrebets peak, 2363 m above sea level. The difference in altitude is about 1046 m and the length of the route is 4827 m. All ski lifts operate from 9am to 4.30 pm. For safety, all lifts suspend operations for technical checks and maintenance for half a day each week and for one full day each month. The Gondola lift has a capacity of 1200 people an hour. The journey takes about 20 minutes which gives you a spectacular view of the marvellous peaks of the Rila mountains - Moussala (the highest), Malka Moussala, Irechek, Deno and Aleko. The four-seated lift service has a capacity of 1500 people an hour. The total capacity of all tow lifts of Borovets is 8150 people an hour, which minimises the risk of long queues.
Snow is essential for every winter resort and Borovets is well prepared for any of nature’s unpredictable behaviour. The company in charge of all facilities in the resort, Borosport, has installed 14 snow cannons for artificial snow. This enables Borosport to guarantee visitors 120 days of snowy tracks a year, making skiing possible from the beginning of December till mid April.
The cannons are placed on two ski runs: in front of the hotel Rila and next to the first ski run on Martinovi Baraki 3. The total length of the tracks with artificial snow is 2200 metres, so devoted skiers need not be disappointed. Six cannons cover these two ski runs, with a distance of 80 metres between the runs. The ski runs also have lights on 54 poles, as well as an audio sound system. These cannons make possible an extended working time of the ski runs until 10pm every day, as well as making it possible to offer night runs.
Night skiing and shows are the creme de la creme of Borovets. Four runs are open at night at the height of the season, with illumination and sound, making Borovets the best resort for night skiing in Bulgaria. All you need to do is to purchase a night pass valid from 5pm - closing time. The pass is available at the ticket-office of the Gondola lift station.
For those who have not tried it before, skiing under the lights is a magnificent experience, especially in February and March when the evening temperatures begin to rise a little and the cold is not so overwhelming. However night skiing even in the coldest days of January should not be missed. Put on some extra clothes and a pleasant experience is guaranteed. Going down the hill on skis in a sea of lights surrounded by the dark pine-trees is a perfect way to unwind after a stress-filled day. Even the ride up the chairlift at night is worth seeing with the lights of houses and towns glowing below.
Additionally, night skiing is an excellent way to get more skiing time for your money. The prices of the night lift passes are lower than the daytime rates, and no queueing for lift lines need slow you down. It’s an experience that is well worth the price.
Other interesting options provided by Borovets and Borosport are the “heli-ski”service - transportation to the more challenging ski runs by helicopter for those keen on skiing off-piste, escorted by qualified ski instructors. “View-fly” is another option. The service consists of a flight by helicopter above the Borovets area.
The “heli-transportation” service takes you by helicopter from Borovets to the skiing areas of Yatrebets and Markudjitsi.
Nightlife
Skiing is a good way to relax in the mountain but Borovets is not all about sport activity. The nightlife in the resort attracts many people, with numerous pubs, taverns and disco clubs. The central avenue of the resort provides a rich choice of places where you can eat home-made food and the barbeque on wooden coals is something not to be missed. Pizza places, taverns, traditional Bulgarian-folk style restaurants, you need only take your choice. Some of the most popular places are the Chernata Kotka (The Black Cat) with live music, the Black Tiger karaoke bar opposite the hotel Rila, another Karaoke bar called Peter’s Bar, opposite the Gondola station, and the Happy Duck on the main road, opposite the hotel Ela, are among those that stand out.
For more late evening excitement, Borovets offers the very popular disco clubs at the Rila and Samokov hotels, the Buzz bar opposite Samokov hotel which preferred by many British tourists, Mamacitas and Bonkers club.
Most places stay open till the early morning, and offer special “happy hour” discounts.
The music played is mostly international dance music and very often special shows are presented at the clubs.
Vision for the future
Borovets might be the oldest winter resort in Bulgaria but it certainly is not old-fashioned. A great plan is expected to turn the resort in one of the biggest mountain resorts in the Balkans and Europe. The project is called Super Borovets and in 2005 was approved by Bulgarian government. According to the plan the future facilities of the resort would cover the area between Samokov - the present Borovets and Novi Iskar. The number of beds is expected to reach 16 000 - 17 000, while the length of the ski runs would be a total of 60 km, allowing more than 10 000 skiers an hour to enjoy the ski runs and facilities. The region is to be transformed into a year-round resort with football fields, tennis courts and other playgrounds for practicing active sports, as well as swimming pools and numerous amusement facilities. The plan makes provisions for riverside parks with additional attractions, including a horse riding centre and dairy farm with taverns. The aim of the project is to develop the tourism sector with the help of the local people, whilst at the same time, trying to observe the eco-balance of the region. There will be no large hotels high in the mountain, only shelters or tearooms. The Super Borovets concept will be implemented in three steps. The first stage is to be completed in 2007 and by that time the accommodation capacity of the resort would double. The second stage includes the construction of new hotels and ski runs in the triangle enclosing Beli Iskar, Samokov and Borovets. During the third stage of the project the construction of new sites at 1400 m above sea-level would start. Because of the height and sparse terrain only holiday villages and small hotels will be allowed there which would preserve the cozy atmosphere Borovets already has. With its rich history and future opportunities Borovets is a place with many faces just waiting to be seen.
TIPS
Borovets is easy accessible and this makes it a preferred choice for people who want to ski just for a day during the weekend. Bear in mind the need to come early in the morning in order to find parking space in the parking area in front of the Gondola lift station. The station opens at 9am, and it is better to be there at least half an hour earlier.
It is better to avoid Borovets for the period December 7-10. December 8 is the date when Bulgarian university students celebrate their “Day” and traditionally thousands of students, mostly from Sofia, fill the resort to capacity. For three days, Borovets is entirely devoted to the young and celebrating students, which is not the perfect surrounding if you want peace and quiet.
A mountain rescue service is available 24 hours a day in Borovets. Telephone contact details are +359 7128 2450; +359 48 1841; +359 88 1473.
Qualified ski and snowboard instructors are available at every hotel in the resort. Borovets is a great place to teach your children to ski.
