The ski season is about to start in Bulgaria which has some of the best ski resorts in Europe.  The Balkan mountain range stands proudly through the width of the country offering perfect skiing conditions. Most ski resorts are located in the south west area of Bulgaria and there are three main resorts.

Bankso is Bulgaria’s top ski resort with the best snow and the longest season, running from December until May. Bankso is one of Bulgaria’s newest resorts and is currently experiencing a multi million pound investment which includes new hotels, apartments and resort facilities. The result of this is that you may find yourself next to a construction site so chose your hotel carefully. Accommodation ranges from family run hotels to a five star resort but early booking is advised as the resort is extremely popular.

Situated 160km from Sofia, Bankso is situated at the north eastern foot of the Pirin mountain.  There are two main ski slopes, Chalin Valog (1100-1600m) and Shiligarnika.(1700-2500). Both slopes are about 10km above the town but a gondola lift takes you from the town centre to the start of the runs. Before you ascend the mountain you can check the wind and temperature conditions that are displayed on large monitors in the Gondola station.

Skiers of all abilities are catered for at Bankso. For beginners there are gentle slopes and ski schools but for the  extreme sport enthusiasts there is a Funpark where snowboarders and skiers can build their own jumps and compete against one another. There is also a Slalom and Giant slalom run and a 5km cross country track.

If you have any energy left after skiing then Bankso has a wide variety of restaurants, bars and shops.  The town itself has about 120 cultural and historical mounments to explore and visit. One of these is the National Park Pirin which UNESCO as listed as a cultural and natural must see.

In contrast, Borovetz is Bulgaria’s oldest and largest ski resort. It is located 1390m above sea level on the northern slope of Mount Rila.  Sofia is just 72km away and Samokov is only 12km with a bus service running to the town every 30 minutes.  Borovetz has lots of bars, cafes and shops but really comes to life at night with its clubs and discos staying open until the wee small hours. Depending on your budget you can choose either a luxury hotel or a budget motel at this resort. 

Borovetz comes highly recommended for those learning to ski.  The ski school is one of the best in Bulgaria and boasts over 200 intructors who are fluent in many languages. There is tuition for every skill level and a ski kindergarton for very young children. Prices for ski lessons are also comparibly less than other Western European resorts.

There is also a multitude of snow sports available at Borovets which apart from skiing include night- skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ski jumps, biathlon and ski-doo. Borovetz has been host to the World Cup Alpine skiing rounds twice and has one of the best Biathlon tracks in the world.

In the heart of the Rhodope mountains you will find the modern resort of Pamporovo.  Due to its location and the meteorological influence of the Aegean sea, this resort is one of the sunniest in Bulgaria and one of the most southern European ski locations. It is 240km from Sofia and 85km from Plovdiv.

There are runs for skiers of all abilities but the gentle mountain slopes mean that it is more suitable for those learning to ski. Advanced skiers may not find enough challenging slopes but there is a giant slalom run and a run called “The Wall”.

The gentle mountain and climate is great for kids and the kindergarten ski school takes children aged between 5 and 8. There are over 100 highly qualified ski instructors who speak at least two languages, making the ski school one of the best in Europe.

Guests can stay in one of nine hotels and eat out at high class restaurants or try a local tavern for a taste of Bulgarian cuisine.  There is a variety of apres ski available from a cosy piano bar to night clubs.

There are some other smaller resorts in Bulgaria which include Chepelare, also located in the central part of Mount Rhodopes and Vitosha which is only 10km from Sofia.

Bulgaria may not be as cheap as it used to be but is still very good value for money compared to other European ski resorts which can charge a small fortune for a simple cold beer and a pizza.

A new book about Bulgaria has just been published and offers readers an insight into the country rarely offered by other guide books. 

“Simple Treasures in Bulgaria” has been written by Martin Miller-Yianni.  He moved to Bulgaria in 2005 and writes from an expatriates point of view. Bulgarias popularity with tourists is growing but many of us know little about the hidden treasures this country has to offer.  We may know about the Black Sea resorts or the capital Sofia but this book offers an insight into the less well known areas.

Martin’s book covers a variety of topics ranging from a traditional Bulgarian recipe to an epitaph of a simple Bulgarian farmer. This book gives readers a view of real life in Bulgaria, how people live and work in both towns and the country.  If you are planning to head off the beaten track while visiting Bulgaria, then this book is well worth a read.

If you’re traveling to Bulgaria  then you’ll probably be taking some kind of electrical items with you like your mobile phone charger or hair dryer.

You will need to check for compatibility with the type of plugs and socket used in Bulgaria and in particular the voltage which needs to be correct to avoid damage or even a fire.

It’s very simple and in most cases things will be OK.

Plugs & Sockets

Bulgaria uses the 2 pin type C plugs and sockets common across the world including Germany, Italy, India, Brazil etc.

See a full list of countries that use the type C plug and socket.

If your equipment is not fitted with a type C plug then you will need to find a suitable adaptor. Generic adaptors will convert between most types of plugs and sockets and are available from travel goods shops and airports. It’s worth taking more than one adaptor if you’re taking more than a few pieces of equipment.

Voltage

The electricity supply in Bulgaria is 220/240 volts with a frequency of 50Hz.

If you’re traveling from Europe then your equipment should work but check the label on the equipment to be sure.

If you are traveling from the US or any country with a 110V supply then you will need to check your equipment for compatibility with a 240V supply. If suitable, you  may be required to adjust a switch on the device to change the voltage. If your equipment is not compatible then you will need a suitable voltage converter.

An additional problem is the 60Hz frequency used in the US which can cause problems with some devices such as tape recorders.

Use WhatPlug.info to check the voltage and frequency compatibility from your country.

Power Quality

Urban areas in Bulgaria have a steady and typically uninterrupted supply of electricity.

The power can be unstable in rural areas of Bulgaria resulting in brownouts and blackouts, particularly during and after heavy storms.

If you are taking a laptop then this won’t be a problem as it can run off its own battery if the power supply is affected.