Bulgarian ski resort Borovets is almost ready for the new ski season

Borovets (Боровец) was founded in 1896 and is the oldest Bulgarian ski resort (map). Situated on the northern slopes of Rila Mountain at the attitude of 1350 m. / 4429 ft. , Borovets is about 70 km / 45 miles away from Sofia airport (click to see the route) and by car it takes about an hour and fifteen minutes driving on a mountain picturesque road, which passes through Samokov.

Borovets ski resort, Bulgaria

The road to Borovets

You could choose between plenty of hotels, restaurants, bars and a network of ski runs and lifts along the slopes of the Rila. Borovets provides a whole range of winter sports and the reparation for the 2013/2014 winter season is at the finish line. The ski season is set to open on Saturday, Dec 14.
The resort has twice hosted Alpine Skiing World Cup in 1981 and 1984 and in February 2014, Borovets will host men European Cup alpine skiing. The competition will take place on a ski slope 'Popangelov’.
Borovets offers conditions for alpine skiing, cross country, and snowboarding. There are 58 km / 36 miles of marked ski slopes for alpine skiing and 35 km / 22 miles cross country trails.

There are three ski centers in Borovets:

• Sitnyakovo ski center ( 1350 m. / 4429 ft - 1780 m. / 5839 ft. altitude) – includes "Sitnyakovo 1" (Intermediate), "Sitnyakovo 2" (Advanced) , "Sitnyakovo 3" (Advanced), “Martinovi Baraki 1” (Intermediate), “Martinovi Baraki 2” (Advanced), “Martinovi Baraki 3” (Advanced), “Martinovi Baraki 4” (Experts), "Iglika" (Intermediate), "Rila" (Intermediate), “Rotata” (Begginers), “Cherveno zname” (Experts), “Borosport Ski School area” (Begginers) and “Sitnyakovo Royal Residence Ski way” (Begginers) ski slopes. At that area you can enjoy night skiing, because there is lightning installation and in addition to that - artificial snowmaking one;

Sitnyakovo ski center

Borovets, Martinovi baraki ski slopes by night

• Yastrebetz ski center – 1340 m. / 4396 ft.- 2369 m. /  7772 ft. altitude - includes "Popangelov" (Advanced), "Yastrebetz 1" (Advanced), "Yastrebetz 3" (Advanced), “Fonfon” (Experts) and “Haramia” (Intermediate) ski slopes. There are artificial snowmaking systems at "Popangelov" and . "Yastrebetz 3";

Yastrebetz ski center

•  Markudjik ski center – 2144 m. / 7034 ft. - 2550 m. / 8366 ft. altitude – includes “Markudjik 1” (Intermediate), “Markudjik 2A” (Experts), “Markudjik 2B” (Advanced), “Markudjik 3” (Advanced) and ” Suhar” (Beginners) ski slopes. It is a high mountain area, so depending on the weather conditions it is sometimes closed.

Markudjik ski center

What’s new for the new ski season in Borovets?

A new lifts access system and two new ticket counters that have been built will reduce the queues for lifts. Another great convenience for skiers will be the possibility to recharge lift passes via Internet.

There will be some improvements to Borosport Snow Park, which is a favorite place for the experienced snowboarders and freestylers as well as for beginner thrill seekers. This year the snow park will be at the top of the "Popangelov" slope. It has three areas of difficulty - beginner, intermediate and experts.

Ski passes prices:

· day ski pass for adults will be 55 BGN / 27.5 €;

· day ski pass for children - 33 BGN / 16.5 €;

· night skiing for adults will cost 22 BGN / 11 €.

I've been many times to that place, so if you want to know which my favorite slopes, bars and restaurants are, just follow me or leave your comments.