Pamporovo

Pamporovo is an ideal ski resort for beginners yet it has enough challenging runs to keep the more advanced skier occupied for a few days. There are excellent Ski Schools, a good variety of easy runs and the free ski bus stops right outside the hotel. There are 32km of piste; many are pretty tree-lined runs. Advanced skiers should give 'The Wall' a try.

Set amongst magnificent pine forests, Pamporovo is a modern ski resort, one of the largest in Bulgaria and one of the most popular in Eastern Europe. At the heart of the Rhodope Mountains, Pamporovo, located within the Municipality of Chepelare, is the sunniest Bulgarian winter ski resort with 270 days of sunshine each year. Pamporovo is situated at an altitude of 5,413ft (1,650m) and has wonderful snow throughout the season.The unique Mediterranean climate is extremely healthy and provides excellent conditions for climatic therapy and health tourism all year round.

The area has no history of major avalanches or violent changes in the weather making it a safe and relaxing place for ski, snowboard, cross country ski or snow hike.

For the live webcam at the studenets ski lift (mid station) click here and for the webcam at the top by the tower, click here and for the 6 day weather forecast for Pamporovo, click here.

For the webcam in the town at the Murgavets Hotel click here

The main Pamporovo resort website can be found here - which shows the latest updated piste map, as well as current and upto date conditions in the resort including which runs are open and which are not.

There is an online site which shows an excellent map of Pamporovo, both the ski runs and also the town layout. Click here to access this map.

Over 10 million BGN has beeninvested in the improvement of the ski zone of the resort over the past three years. The resort also offers a 150 m long and 3 m high half – pipe, which provides great conditions for snowboarding.

Lift passes that are bought in the resort - prices for the 2008/2009 season can be found here priced in Bulgarian Lev. However we are able to obtain lift passes at a significant discount for our guests when ordered in advance. Please e-mail for more info.

Click on the Pamporovo Ski Piste Map for a larger version.

NEW for 2008/2009 ski season is the 6 seater chair lift to the village of Stoikite. Two new red runs have been cut from the Snezhanka peak down the the village. This is not currently shown on the piste map.

Pamporovo has excellent skiing and snowboarding facilities - 27 km of high-class ski runs and 39km of off-pistes cross-country tracks. Eighteen lifts (including a new 4-seater) have the capacity to serve 9000 skiers every hour. The ski pistes offer different level of difficulty - from super advanced (The wall) to beginners (the Tourist Track - 4km long).

In Pamporovo you can find ski and snowboard schools with over a hundred qualified English speaking teachers/instructors. Daily lift pass is less than £20 and half price for the kids. Ski rental equipment is also available at several locations.

Highly recommended for ski tuition and equipment hire are Interski - who also can arrange a nights 'snow-tubing' (sledging on large inner tubes) - great fun for all the family.

The official Pamporovo resort ski school contact details can be found here and they also offer a ski kindergarten for children from 4-7 years.

Try the Hotel Markony at the ski centre, roaring log fire and great bar meals - a lovely place to end the day and meet up with the rest of the group before getting the bus back to the town centre.

Off the slopes there are numerous places for entertainment and interesting tourist attractions; the Rhodope Mountain region is interesting for its folk traditions and culture. 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.
The area has many good starting points for hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding around the region of Pamporovo. Trails that cross the main ridges in southern Bulgaria, Mt. Chernatitsa, Perelink, and Prespa can be accessed from here.

Night Life And Restaurants In Pamporovo

There are plenty of pubs, restaurants and night clubs in Pamporovo which offer great value for money. A large 500ml beer is less than £1, and a basic meal is approximately £2-£3. Food varies from cheap local traditional cuisine (kebapche, kyufte, tarator, shopska salad) to Greek and Mediterranean specialties and Italian specialties. A family of 5 can easily eat out for £25 to £30 including wine.
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:
- The White Hart: Reported to be the hottest spot this winter. Traditionally designed pub with own unique style. Run by Steve Clark, this place is the best for party, loads of amusements, Karaoke every Thur, very good food, etc.
- DJ's: in the lobby of hotel Perelik.
- Dak's Bar: on the ground floor of hotel Snezhanka.
- Night Flight: in hotel Rojen. A new disco, the largest in Pamporovo.
- Baj Ilia: a locals' favourite with tasty cheap Bulgarian food; a few more small restaurants are clustered nearby.