Pamporovo (Bulgaria)

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As with Borovets, Pamporovo suffers from many of the age-old complaints about skiing in Eastern Europe - dull food, lousy accommodation, thefts, bad queues and poor maintenance of lifts and runs.

The list of whinges goes on and, unfortunately, they are largely true. But that misses the point. These resorts aren't catering for the Swiss Brigade - they aim to attract people on slimmer budgets who want to learn to ski inexpensively. And they are successful.

Pamporovo has an excellent ski school and a good crèche, while the runs are best suited to beginners and lower intermediates (25 km).

The queues aren't too bad and the scenery is quite impressive. The resort itself has everything you'll need, although it is very basic. Most people stay in the two main hotels, Perelik and Moutgaret, which are fine by Eastern European standards.

Overall, Pamporovo is a very cheap place to learn, with low prices and limited skiing. If you can smile and ignore the many faults, it makes a perfectly reasonable place to visit for a first-timer, although the snow can be unreliable, particularly late in the season.

Locality:

Pamporovo is a modern ski resort in the heart of the Rhodope Mountains, Pamporovo is the sunniest Bulgarian winter resort situated at an altitude of 5,413ft (1,650m) and has wonderful snow throughout the season.

Ski Information:

Highest lift: 1926m (6319ft), Lowest lift: 1450m (4757ft), Vertical drop: 476m (1562ft), Number of lifts: 18, Uplift capacity: 15000 p/hr, Number of slopes: 17, Beginner: 73%, Intermediate: 18%, Expert: 9%, Total piste length: 25km, Cross country: 34km

Although Pamporovo offers excellent skiing for all levels of experience, its nursery slopes are particularly good and beginners soon flourish. There are more than 100 well-qualified instructors available fluent in a variety of languages. All the main runs start from the peak of the Snejanka at the TV tower. The most difficult ski piste is 'The Wall', a black run which offers an exciting challenge. Great off-piste skiing and snowboarding is also on offer. Snow conditions are excellent throughout the season.

The main shopping centre here, contains mostly boutiques, souvenir shops and sports gear outlets, is attached to the Hotel Perelik.

Pamporovo is well supplied with restaurants serving a wide variety of cuisine, but most visitors favour the local folk taverns like the Chevermeto, where whole sheep are roasted over open fires and dancers in traditional costume provide colourful entertainment. For an eclectic, filling selection the favourite eatery is The White Hart, which offers home-made pub grub, mouth-watering steaks, a selection of pizza and pasta and even caters well for vegetarians. More upmarket dining, along with Bulgarian wines, is offered in style at The White House.

Après ski in Pamporovo is lively with plenty of options to choose from, whether you prefer sipping wine in a cosy piano bar, or partying the night away in a club. Most popular choices are BJ's in the lobby of the hotel Perelik, Daks Bar in the hotel Snejanka, or Night Flight, the resort's largest disco, in the Hotel Rojen.

During the Ski season in Pamprovo comes hand in hand with a full programme of events and activities, ranging from bum-boarding to a raucous ski-instructor's show. Bowling is offered at hotels, ice-skating, skidoos and tobogganing are popular pastimes, and excursions to nearby places of interest and Sofia are on offer.

Suggest a change to the Pamporovo Things to do section (click to dropdown)

Population: 7.450.300
Languages: Bulgarian 85%, Turkish 10%, Roma 4%
Currency: lev
Currency code: BGL
Local Times:
Bulgaria - Sofia

Country Dialling Code: +359
Voltage: 220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 Parallel circular prongs

'Schuko' type with two earth connectors on the sides

Situated in southeastern Europe, Bulgaria occupies the northeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. To the North, via the Danube River, it borders on Romania, to the West - on Serbia and Montenegro and on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. To the South its neighbours are Greece and Turkey. To the East Bulgaria touches the Black Sea, which links it also to Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia. The Black Sea borderline is 378 km (240 miles) long. The country's total territory is 111 000 sq. km (43 000 sq. miles).

Bulgaria is a beautiful mountainous country, small in size but rich in ancient culture, scenic splendour, friendly people and old-fashioned warmth and hospitality.

Situated in south-eastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria is less heavily touristed than its Greek and Turkish neighbours to the south, despite the popularity of its Black Sea resorts, which are attractive not only for their fine sandy beaches, sunny climate and safe seas, but also for their low prices.

Although better known for its sea resorts, the essential character of the country is to be found in its spectacular mountainous regions. The six very different ranges vary from high, snow-covered peaks to gentle green slopes and forests, harbouring thermal springs and mineral spas, and valleys where the air bears the fragrance of flowers and herbs. The Valley of Roses lies in the heart of Bulgaria and is the largest producer of rose oil in the world, giving root to Bulgaria's soubriquet, 'Land of Roses'. At the foot of the Vitosha Mountains lies the laid back capital city, Sofia, boasting a great number of architectural monuments and museums. The rugged heights of the Rila and Pirin mountains form a spectacular setting for ski resorts, as well as the famous Rila Monastery and the majestic landscape of the Pirin National Park, a World Cultural and National Heritage site. Crossing the entire country is the Balkan Range, a 435-mile (700km) chain that offers some of the best hiking in Europe.

As varied as the different mountain ranges are the people who dwell in them, with distinctive customs, crafts and colourful festivals, folklore, religious beliefs and speech. Small picturesque villages welcome guests with typical warm-hearted Bulgarian hospitality, sharing age-old traditions and traditional cooking, and a delight in their pastoral environment.

Bulgaria's history is displayed across the country in its old towns, ancient Thracian relics and treasures, decorated churches and monasteries, and in the rustic settlements that have preserved the traditional beliefs of its people. One of the country's biggest assets for visitors is its variety, but whatever aspect one chooses to explore, there is always the assurance of a warm welcome.

Pamporovo (Bulgaria)

Pamporovo Suitability Profile