Since it has been a while I last went on a proper winter vacation, I decided that this year was about time to do so. Yes, maybe considering Covid-19 and everything, 2021 is not the most proper time but ski resorts in Bulgaria are fully open and functioning and I decided there is no better time than now.
Pamporovo is a a popular ski resort in Bulgaria, located in the southern part of Rhodopa Mountain. It is close to Smolyan and it is about 3 hours away from Sofia.
Why I chose Pamporovo.
1. It is close to the city
Although Pamporovo is located farther from Sofia compared to Bansko and Borovets, it is still within a reasonable distance from the city. The resort is perfect for a weekend getaway. I would advise you to leave on Friday night, stay the whole Saturday and leave on Sunday. If you travel on a Saturday with the intention of leaving on Sunday, then the trip won’t be worth it. Pamporovo is too far for this and you won’t get enough ski time.
2. I have never been there.
Funny enough, I had never been to Pamporovo before, even though I am a life-long skier from Bulgaria. So, if you have been only to the more familiar to most people Bansko and Borovets, then why don’t you try something new.
3. The slopes.
Pamporovo offers a bigger and more versatile network of slopes and runs. You can ski on a different slope each time and all tracks are connected with one another. Those in Bansko and Borovets do not flow into each other so smoothly and you are more or less required to ski at the same place all the time.
The slopes at Pamporovo are also very easy and are perfect for beginners. They are not steep at all and not that much effort is needed to ski. There is only one really steep slope called Stenata (The Wall) and its name has been given for a reason - it is the steepest slope I have seen in Bulgaria, it is very difficult and not too popular for that reason.
4. The hotels
Pamporovo offers a unique location of its hotels which is far more difficult to find in the other resorts. Most of the hotels are placed right next to the main slopes, which makes them extremely convenient once you want to get started skiing and once you want to go back to your room. They are also at reasonable prices and it is perfectly possible to find a nice hotel at the heart of the slopes without having to break the bank.
I recommend hotel Stenata (The Wall). It is located right next to one of the main slopes and with your ski go directly to an area called Studenets, which is basically the heart of the ski life in Pamporovo.
5. The mountain.
Rhodopa mountain is, for many, the most beautiful and magical mountain in Bulgaria. It has something different, unique and magical about it and can be felt in Pamporovo. The altitude is not as high as Rila or Pirin, but it has a charm that the other two do not necessarily possess. The atmosphere of Rhodopa mountain has to be felt rather than seen or imagined.
Here are some information resources to help you out when organising your holiday in Pamporovo:
General info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamporovo
Pamporovo official web: https://pamporovo.me/homepage/homepage/index/lang/1
Apart Hotel Stenata, Pamporovo: https://bit.ly/2PekSXz
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