Borovets is the oldest mountain resort in Bulgaria. It has often gathered
the skiing elite of the world, and seen the rise of many a Bulgarian champion.
Borovets and Sofia have submitted a bid to be the venue for the 2014 Winter
Olympic Games. The massive development
plans, announced by the authorities in July 2004, should assure the
position of Borovets as a world-class international winter and summer resort.
Furthermore, a huge golf course is planned for 2007, just a short distance
away.
Voted "Best for intermediates" by the Daily Mail, 13 November,
2004: "Adept marketing in recent years has given this Bulgarian destination
the highest profile of all Eastern European resorts... Its 40km of pistes
offer more challenge than any others in Bulgaria... Both main ski schools
have a reputation for friendly instruction, and the standard of rental
equipment has vastly improved in recent years."
 |
At 1,350 metres (4,430 feet) above sea level on the
northern slopes of Rila Mountain, among age-old pine woods, Borovets
is located at the foot of Moussala peak (2,925 metres / 9,600 feet) — the
highest on the Balkan Peninsula. Borovets is easily accessible, being
at a distance of 73km (45 miles) from Sofia and 126km (79 miles)
from Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second city. Although Borovets is not residential,
the town of Samokov is only 10km (6 miles) along the road from the
resort.
Established at the end of the 19th century as a hunting place for
the Bulgarian kings, Borovets gradually developed into a modern ski
resort of high-class and luxury hotels, haute-cuisine restaurants
and an excellent network of ski runs and lifts along the slopes of
Rila Mountain, providing excellent opportunities for the whole range
of winter sports — from Alpine to cross-country skiing, ski
jumps and biathlon. The resort twice hosted World Cup Alpine skiing
rounds, while the biathlon track is one of the best in the world.
The ski runs are of various difficulty, and are suitable for all,
be they beginners, intermediate, advanced or expert skiers. The slopes
and runs are maintained in perfect condition, and are designed with
international markings and multilingual signs. A snow machine is
also used.
The Borovets ski school, with more than 200 ski instructors, enjoys
international prestige and long-standing traditions. All of them
are fluent in different languages, and many are former professional
skiers. Skiing classes are at 5 levels of difficulty, from A to E — in
groups or individually — 4 hours per day, for 6 or 12 days.
Cross-country skiing classes are for 2 hours daily. All course graduates
receive skiing certificates. |
|
|
The Peter Popanguelov Ski School for Expert Skiing and its 10 highly
qualified ski instructors are ready to offer their services to those
who want to hone their skiing skills to world championship level.
Borovets has ten ski rental services, located next to the lift station
around the ski runs. They offer 7,000 sets of skiing equipment from
world famous companies, as well as toboggans, sledges, etc. Skiers
can also leave their own quipment for safekeeping there.
A ski package is available, with a view towards saving time and money,
and covers ski school classes, unlimited lift usage, ski and boot
hire or storage of one's own skiing equipment.
The Ski Patrol, based at the first station of the cable lift, provides
a round-the-clock emergency service. It is organised in four teams,
fully equipped with all necessary equipment, including a helicopter,
if needed. |
The air in Borovets is crystal clear and totally free of any pollutants,
while the average temperature during January, the coldest month, is -4.6ºC.
Toboggans, swimming pools, saunas, fitness centre, billiards, table tennis,
bowling, sleigh rides and helicopter flights are some of the activities
on offer. In 2007 golf should be added to this list.
During the summer, Borovets offers walks along scenic routes, including
many ski-routes, in groups led by experience guides. Organised trips lead
to picturesque spots in the Rila Mountains, such as Seven Rila Lakes, Malyovitsa
peak, Moussala peak, etc. A photo safari and a visit to the Bulgarian kings'
residence of Bistritsa are also organised regularly. Various trips to different
tourist attractions throughout Bulgaria are offered as well. Melnik, with
its unique pyramids and famous wines, Sofia, Plovdiv and Rila Monastery
are among the most interesting ones.
Bulgarian folklore evenings, featuring lively centuries-old rhythms and
dances, along with other night-life opportunities such as night-clubs,
bars and discos, provide the entertainment, while typical Bulgarian cuisine
and world famous Bulgarian wines satisfy the palate.
"
The best-kept secret in Bulgaria." Bansko
is the most rapidly developing mountain destination in Bulgaria. Situated
between the Rhodopi Planina and Pirin Planina ranges, it is the only one
of the country's three major skiing centres which offers a lively, traditional
town as well as a ski resort. Bansko offers a wide variety of choices,
such as old-style pubs and taverns, restaurants, disco clubs, coffee shops
and Internet cafés in the old town. Even in the low season, just
before winter, the town's bars and restaurants bustle with local people
in an infectious atmosphere of conviviality and merriment!
 |
Bansko is the newest Bulgarian winter resort, only
recently discovered by foreign tourists. In the winter of both 2001
and 2002 the number of foreign holidaymakers was 14,000. By early
November 2003 all hotel rooms were booked for the entire winter,
and the eventual number of tourists for the winter season was 250,000!
During the winter of 2004 this figure almost doubled to 400,000.
Bansko is only 160km (100 miles) from Sofia, and the same distance
from the Mediterranean Sea. Once the new highway is finished (2005),
access to either will be about 2 hours' drive.
The skiing conditions and amenities are excellent. The surrounding
mountains have a predominantly Alpine character, with three peaks
towering almost 3,000 metres (10,000 feet). It was the venue for
the International
Free Skiers Association Big Mountain Competition 12-15 February 2004,
and the International
snowboard extreme competition 13-16 February 2005.
The slopes offer runs and tracks for all grades of skiers, from novice
to expert, and are maintained in excellent condition. A new 8-passenger
gondola was opened on 13 December 2003, to complement the chair lifts
and ski drags, along with new snow guns. Indeed, the First Investment
Bank has already pumped $14 million into the amenities here.
Total investment so far is about €40 million.
The Bansko ski school offers skiing classes at five levels of difficulty:
from A to E - in groups or individually. Tuition is available in
cross-country skiing at two levels of difficulty. All graduates receive
skiing certificates.
The average temperature during January, the coldest month, is -1.9°C.
Snow falls are abundant, providing a constant winter snow cover up
to 2 metres thick. The skiing season lasts from mid-December to mid-April. |
|
|
Of course, Bansko is ideal not only for winter holidays. Summer
is warm and pleasant among this beautiful scenery, with temperatures
of 25°C. The summer season lasts from June to October. During
July and August it is warm enough to sleep outside, even up in the
mountains. Here is the domain of the highest peaks, the venerable
white firs, the edelweiss and the wild goats. Here are more than
180 lakes, where Nature has gathered half of Bulgaria's flora and
fauna. The fishing is superb, and the trout are delicious, thanks
to zero pollution. The sheer mountain faces, the high altitude slopes
and vast lands are an excellent place for mountaineering, trekking
and strolling. Golf aficionados will be pleased to know that an 18-hole
golf course is planned for 2006. Spring and autumn are short, being
May and November respectively. |
The region is famous for its cuisine and colourful folklore, and offers
many and varied entertainment opportunities. The town itself attracts visitors
by its cultural monuments and museums, and the permanent ethnographic and
Bansko school of icon painting exhibitions.
To use these images as wallpaper,
click them to see a 1024x768 picture.
|
|
Then right-click the large image, and choose 'Set
as Background'. |
(164Kb)
|
(133Kb) |
| |
|
| |
|
(60Kb)
|
(88Kb) |
| |
|
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)