Borovets Ski Holidays

Why pick Borovets?

Forest‑surrounded Alpine Setting

Borovets is located amid pine forest at 1,300 m altitude in the Rila Mountains. The forested slopes create a scenic and quintessential alpine feel. The highest peak, Musala (2,925 m), provides striking views from the upper runs.

Nearby Capital Access

Just 70 km (1–1½ hour drive) from Sofia, Borovets is easy to reach after arriving from UK airports. The proximity enables day excursions to Sofia or the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, combining sightseeing with skiing.

Buzzing & Affordable Atmosphere

Borovets has a reputation for lively après‑ski, budget pricing, and package deals. It offers a young, sociable crowd and cost‑effective packages for lessons, ski passes, meals and gear, making it appealing for value‑minded holidaymakers.

Skiing in Borovets

With around 58 km of marked pistes across three sectors, Borovets suits mostly beginners and intermediates. The terrain peaks at 2,550 m and offers a 1,235 m vertical drop. Black runs are limited, but tree-lined blues and reds dominate the area.

Beginners – 4/5

Novices benefit from gentle nursery slopes by Hotel Rila, magic carpet and drag lifts, and the long Sitnyakovo green run winding through forest. English-speaking instructors cater to beginners in group lessons, offering confidence-building progression. During peak times the nursery slopes can get crowded and queues for the drag lifts can be long.

Intermediates – 3/5

Intermediate skiers will enjoy Borovets with sustained red runs in the Yastrebets sector, including several 3 km cruisers. Groomed pistes and varied terrain, along with low crowding mid-week, provide enjoyable progression opportunities. A network of lifts, including the 3 mile long, 6 person Yastrebets gondola expands the ski area available to you.

Advanced – 2/5

Only about 9–10 % of terrain is black; challenging terrain is limited to brief mogul runs like “The Wall” and former World Cup segments in the Yastrebets ski area. There are also some fantastic off piste runs through the trees for you to explore, and some 35km of cross country runs.

Snowboarding & Freestyle

Borovets is snowboard-friendly, especially in the Yastrebets park featuring jumps, rails and snowcross features. Freestyle riders can enjoy the varied terrain and tree glades on powder days. Night skiing adds a novel experience for riders.

Ski Passes

A 1‑day adult lift pass costs around £40; a 6‑day adult pass is approximately £190. Children aged 7–13 receive about 40 % discount. Under‑7s ski free with a guardian. Night‑skiing or combined sector passes are available.

Ski Lessons

Several ski schools operate in Borovets, aiming at UK visitors with English‑speaking instructors. Group lesson packages (5 days, 4 h/day) cost around £120–£150. Private instruction is also available. Children’s ski kindergarten and kids’ group lessons are well-established.

Après Ski

Borovets has been considered to have the best après ski in Bulgaria, with plentiful bars and clubs and cheap prices. Après-ski centres around the base area near Hotel Rila. Bars such as Black Tiger and Happy Duck host music, happy hour deals and informal outdoor seating. Live DJs and theme nights are frequent. If you prefer a more relaxed evening, try one of the traditional tavernas or restaurants, where folklore evenings are often arranged.

Nightlife

Nightlife in Borovets is energetic. Large hotels (like Rila and Samokov) host basement nightclubs, with DJs and late hours. Informal bars and karaoke venues line the main street. There is a friendly international crowd, and drink prices remain notably low.

Restaurants

Dining in Borovets features hearty Bulgarian taverns, Greek-style tavernas, and Italian or international options. Favorites include Kavarma stew restaurants and local mehanas with folkloric evenings. A typical main course costs £7–£9. Street‑food stalls offer doner kebab or burgers late evening.

Other Activities

Borovets offers spa and pool facilities in larger hotels, snowmobile forest tours, horse-drawn sleigh rides, night sledging, and an ice skating rink. Day trips to Rila Monastery and Sofia are popular. For families, bowling alleys and winter hiking trails within the resort are also available.

Ski Passes

A 1‑day adult lift pass costs around £40; a 6‑day adult pass is approximately £190. Children aged 7–13 receive about 40 % discount. Under‑7s ski free with a guardian. Night‑skiing or combined sector passes are available. Booking through tour operators often reduces cost.

Ski Lessons

Several ski schools operate in Borovets, aiming at UK visitors with English‑speaking instructors. Group lesson packages (5 days, 4 h/day) cost around £120–£150. Private instruction is also available. Children’s ski kindergarten and kids’ group lessons are well-established.

Families

Borovets is family‑friendly, offering a dedicated Borokids zone near Hotel Rila. This fenced area includes magic carpets, ski carousel and supervised play slopes for ages 4–7. The abundance of easy greens allows full family progress together. Off‑slope, families can enjoy bowling, skating, tubing, and the weekly torchlit ski show. Many hotels offer children’s clubs or animation. With affordable accommodation and meals, Borovets provides a fun mix of child‑friendly skiing and low‑cost enjoyment for all.