Bulgaria Winter Sports
Bulgaria
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Tucked away in the south east of Europe is Bulgaria. With several mountain ranges and a 378km long coastline, it offers a wide variety of sporting opportunities for enthusiasts and novices alike. This beautiful alpine country has a stunning landscape, whether you visit in summer or winter.
The Balkan Mountains to the north act as a divide between the Danube and the Maritsa river basins. In the south west are the Rila and Pirin ranges. Rila is home to Bulgaria’s highest peak, Musala, at 2925m above sea level. In the east the Rhodope Mountains form a natural barrier with Greece, although lower than their southern counterparts, they are much ... (Read more...)
The Balkan Mountains to the north act as a divide between the Danube and the Maritsa river basins. In the south west are the Rila and Pirin ranges. Rila is home to Bulgaria’s highest peak, Musala, at 2925m above sea level. In the east the Rhodope Mountains form a natural barrier with Greece, although lower than their southern counterparts, they are much ... (Read more...)
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One third of Bulgaria’s coast is made up of clean sandy beaches. This, as well as glacial lakes and several large rivers, sets the scene for water and mountain activities.
Thanks to its climate, Bulgaria has cold winters. The temperatures are much lower in the north where there's more rainfall. The summers get very hot n Bulgaria and visitors are as well as guaranteed plenty of sunshine hours.
Cities, transport
Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria and has the main international airports. You can connect from there to the other major cities: Plovdiv in the mountains or Varna and Bourgas near the beaches.
One third of Bulgaria’s coast is made up of clean sandy beaches. This, as well as glacial lakes and several large rivers, sets the scene for water and mountain activities.
Thanks to its climate, Bulgaria has cold winters. The temperatures are much lower in the north where there's more rainfall. The summers get very hot n Bulgaria and visitors are as well as guaranteed plenty of sunshine hours.
Cities, transport
Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria and has the main international airports. You can connect from there to the other major cities: Plovdiv in the mountains or Varna and Bourgas near the beaches.
Wakeboarding
The Rila Mountains in the south west of Bulgaria hide a perfect location for wakeboarding. Lake Iskar is Bulgaria’s largest freshwater lake and is surrounded by hills and mountains. Protected from the wind, the lake is normally free from waves and with a water temperature of 26C (up to 46C out of water) it is ideal for water sports. This large expanse of water, about 15km of it, allows beginners the time to find their feet. It's great for advanced riders as well, that's because they can try out tricks and skills, and perfect their sport with little interference.
Water Skiing
If you are a novice to water sports you may find waterskiing is the sport to start with - two feet are sometimes better than one! Don’t take this to mean that skiing is less exhilarating than boarding; speed and tricks are still possible. Starting off with a training bar for extra stability, you will soon be jumping off of kickers and sliders. The town of Samokov is close to the lake, for evening entertainment. The Rila Mountains frame the whole scene making this a fantastic location to get away from the stresses of everyday life.
Mountain Biking
The varied landscape of the Rila Mountains gives an exciting setting for mountainbiking enthusiasts. For beginners and experienced riders a tour guide can take you to the most suitable trails; they can also provide refreshments and support vehicles. If you are feeling adventurous, just pick up a trail map and design your own tour.
With a mixture of steep trails, off road excitement and beautiful scenery, it's a place where you can really challenge your riding skills. Despite being a national park, the trails avoid the congested tourist areas, giving cyclists freedom to explore and to set a good pace.
Skiing
In Bulgaria the three resorts to go to are Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo.
Bansko and Borovets are great for beginners and intermediates. With over half of the Bansko resort covered by snow canons, the pistes are all well maintained. There is only one black run for experts here but with 5km of cross country trails and a fun park for tricks, you can always set your own challenges. A fantastic run is the 16km downhill from Todorka peak (2600m) to the lowest gondola; it really gets the adrenalin pumping and gives beginners the chance to settle into an easy rhythm. Borovets has mostly red runs, although these are on the easy side. There is a dedicated nursery slope so beginners have plenty of time to find their feet, while experts might want to take a guide and go off-piste for added fun.
Pamporovo is a much smaller resort. Even though the majority of runs are easy, there still are a higher number of black runs, including some with moguls, which offer experts a challenge.
Snowboarding
Snowboarders are welcomed at resorts, much in the same way skiiers are. Borovets is perhaps the least prepared for boarders as there are more button lifts than at any of the other resorts. The red runs here offer natural variety, with drifts occurring along the sides of pistes - great for the more accomplished skier.
Bansko has three long runs that are perfect for getting up some speed, and with a specialised board park, with its own half-pipe, it's evident that it’s a place where new challenges can be set and accomplished every day. Accessibility here is better than most European resorts with chairs and gondolas feeding all pistes. And the fact that it now hosts many competitions is testament to its quality and diversity.
Even though it is smaller in size, Pamporovo has wide-open runs, including one of 3.1km. The ride can be more challenging here due largely to the number of black runs available. One thing that can be said of Bulgarian resorts is that they are all great for families and groups.
Trekking
The Rila and Balkan Mountains provide diverse landscapes of meadows, glacial lakes, hills, peaks and rivers. This scenery acts as a showcase for the array of grasses, plants and animals; deeper into the mountains there are bears and even wolves.
As the terrain is so varied, many trails best suit walkers with a level of physical fitness. Those with less energy can choose shorter, circular routes, which although less challenging, are no less rewarding.
A particular highlight of the Rila Mountains is the Rila monastery. This 10th century building is still respected by tourists and locals, as it's the largest Eastern Orthodox monastery in the country; understandably it receives many visitors. In this same area you can find the country's highest peak, Musala. Here there are views of all the other major peaks of Bulgaria - it is really worth the time it takes to reach the summit.
Classic Itineraries
The Balkan Mountains have their share of history and natural beauty. Perhaps visit one of the many monasteries or preserved architectural sites, and enjoy a backdrop of beautiful lakes while sitting down to picnic in the hills.
In central Bulgaria look around the vault-like Thracian tombs of Kazanlak, explore the ancient town of Nessebar on the west coast, or gaze in awe at the rock relief of the Madara rider in the north east.
Other Activities
Continue the enjoyment of trekking in the winter by trying out snowshoes. Walk past frozen lakes and be in awe of the magical touch that snow brings to this already outstanding vista. For a speedier journey 4x4 driving is the way to go, but prepare to have your bones rattled! Overland tours take in the best sites, both cultural and historical. These will see you trekking, driving and sometimes cycling - a great mix to keep you fresh, ready for further adventures.
