The Pamporovo – Mechi Chal resort complex is located at the foot of Mount Snizhanka, in the central part of the Rhodope Mountains – at an altitude of 1650 m above sea level. The temperate climate in this area is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea. The long mild winter and more than 240 sunny days a year make the region one of the most popular places for skiing and snowboarding in Bulgaria.

The slopes of Pamporovo and Mechi Chal allow the construction of professional racing tracks of varying difficulty. Thanks to this, winter sports competitions are held here every year. An important event is the Freestyle Open forum, which is part of the World Snowboard Tour, which is attended by popular athletes and the elite of world snowboarding.

Historical background

Not so long ago, in 2013, the popular Bulgarian Pamporovo ski resort celebrated its anniversary – 80 years since its foundation.

And the history of the emergence of this high-mountain resort is as follows: in 1933, a wealthy resident of the village of Chepelare, Mykola Chichovski, decided to build a small boarding house in this wild area for travelers to relax in the Rhodope Mountains. About 50 craftsmen from nearby villages began construction in May of the same year, and at the end of August the new boarding house welcomed the first vacationers.

In the 50s and 60s of the last century, the Pamporovo boarding house was a fairly popular vacation spot for the creative intelligentsia, and since 1967, the government-founded state-owned company “Balkan-Tourist” began construction of a modern (at that time) ski resort. The southernmost winter resort in Bulgaria.

The village of Pamporovo is located in the central part of the Rhodope mountain range, 15 kilometers north of the regional center of Smolyan. And 10 kilometers south of the village is Chepelare – another popular winter resort. For the convenience of vacationers, a bus runs between Pamporovo and Chepelare every 15 minutes from this year. The nearest international airport to the resort is located 85 kilometers from Pamporovo, in the city of Plovdiv, and the distance to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is 220 kilometers.

Geography

Pamporovo is located in the south of Bulgaria, at an altitude of over 1600 m in the Rhodope Mountains. The distance to Sofia is 220 km, to Plovdiv – 85 km (just an hour’s drive). Despite the fame of the sunniest ski resort in the country, the snow cover here is stable. You can ski in Pamporovo from December to the end of April, and the average temperature is -3 ° C – the influence of the Mediterranean climate is felt. It has been established that staying in Pamporovo can increase resistance to colds.

How to get to Pamporovo

You can get to Pamporovo from Sofia – from the central bus station of the capital, buses run regularly to the city of Smolyan, which stop near the resort. The journey time will be 4 hours. Therefore, it will be much faster and more profitable to first fly to Plovdiv, where there is an international airport, and then get to the resort by intercity bus.

Weather

This mountain ski resort in Bulgaria is known far beyond the borders of the country. In winter, quite a lot of snow falls on the slopes of Mount Snizhanka, where the ski slopes are laid, the thickness of the cover is from 1 to 1.5 meters. At the same time, the winter here is “mild”, and the temperature rarely drops below -10 degrees. Sunny weather prevails in this corner of the Rhodopes, but this practically does not affect the duration of the ski season: you can ski from the beginning of December to the beginning of April. Quite enough to get all the pleasures of winter active recreation!

Ski slopes, lifts, ski-pas

The ski slopes of the resort are arranged in such a way that everyone can ski: both experienced skiers and professional athletes, and beginners. There is a separate track for freeride fans and snowboarders.

Pamporovo has a developed infrastructure for winter sports and leisure: slalom and downhill runs, several ski lifts, equipment rental points, scenic cross-country skiing routes, an instructor school (about 100 people per season), a snowboard school for beginners, and a kindergarten that operates during the day.

Ski slopes

Pamporovo ski slope map

Almost all ski slopes start from Snizhanka peak (1926 m). The winter season in the region opens in December and ends at the end of April. At this time, the snow cover reaches more than two meters. Among the biggest advantages of the Pamporovo resort is the absence of the danger of avalanches and strong hurricane winds. The ski area includes slopes located around Snizhanka peak. They have different purposes and levels of difficulty (green, blue, red and black). The total length of the tracks is about 37 km. Pamporovo has the longest green track in the region (3943 m). Due to this, the resort is considered the best ski center for beginners.

There are 15 trails of different levels in Pamporovo:

Beginner (green) – Bypass, Ski p’t Pamporovo
Easy (blue) – Orlovets, Smilyansky Ezer, Delevo Dere, racks 1, racks 2
Intermediate (red) – Yazovira, Snizhanka 4a, Malina, Kartol
Professional (black) – Stenata, Architect P. Petrov, Snizhanka, Bypass Malina

Pamporovo – ski resort

Difficult descents pass through steep slopes and are often used for international giant slalom competitions. The Stenata track (one thousand two hundred and fifty-eight m) has night lighting and is often used for entertainment events. All descents are surrounded by a forest belt. The safety of the resort is ensured by a ski patrol. Information boards and electronic boards of the actual condition of the facilities are located along the slopes.

Fun Park Pamporovo is open for snowboarders, which is the best place for freestyle and snowboarding in the country. There is a track for cross-country skiers on the territory of the resort.

Lifters and ski passes

Lifter in Pamporovo

The resort is served by 6 tow lifts and 7 chair lifts (Snizhanka, Studenets, Malyna, Smilyansky Ezer) with a total capacity of 13 thousand people per hour. The busiest slopes (Yazovira Malkata Stina, Stenata and Snizhanka) are equipped with both lifts and ski lifts.

The highest point of Pamporovo – Snizhanka

The cost of a ski pass depends on the number of days spent at the resort and the age of the buyer. For one day of skiing, adults will pay 58 leva, children (up to 12 years old) – 35 leva. One trip in both directions on the lift will cost 20 leva. Children under 7 years old can use the Pamporovo and Mechi Chal transport system for free, but must be accompanied by adults (parents or an instructor).

Resort Hotels

A well-developed network of hotels of various levels is available to tourists in Pamporovo. You can stay in modern 4-star hotels and complexes, but there are also economical accommodation options in small family hotels. The most popular hotels are: Orpheus Complex, Zamok Hotel, Grand Hotel Murgavets, Snizhanka Apart-Hotel, Eurydice Hills and others.

The most famous hotels in Pamporovo

The most famous hotels in the resort are four- and five-star hotel complexes, where the most comfortable exclusive rooms are located. The hotels are famous for their high-quality room service and beautiful design. Some of them have spa centers where you can go to the sauna, take a hot tub, steam bath and swim in the indoor pool. We will list a few of the best hotels below.

Perelik Hotel (Perelik 5 *)

The Perelik Hotel is located in the center of Bulgaria. There are 200 of the best double rooms, triple rooms, single rooms, luxury apartments and rooms with a balcony.

In addition, each room has everything for a full rest: a spacious comfortable bed, a clean set of linen, towels and bathrobes, a mini-bar, TV, radio and many additional things and attributes for a wonderful vacation.

Orpheus Hotel (Orpheus 4 *)

The four-star Orpheus Hotel is a huge hotel complex for 230 guests, located in a picturesque place five minutes from the city center.

Here are the best rooms, designed in a European standard style, with comfortable conditions, high-quality service and all the necessary attributes for a comfortable stay. In addition, there are rooms where you can undergo wellness procedures and experience the local flavor by trying the local bathhouse.

Grand Monastery Apartments (Grand Monastery 4 *)

Grand Monastery is one of the largest hotel complexes in the Pamporovo resort, where everything is located for a comfortable stay.

There are more than 240 comfortable European rooms for one tourist, a large family or two friends. There are also rooms for five people. There are luxurious luxury apartments. Various additional services are also provided.

Other hotels in Pamporovo ski resort:

Hotel Orlovetz

Orlovetz Hotel is located in the center of the popular Pamporovo ski resort. It offers well-equipped rooms with beautiful views of the Rhodope Mountains.

Guests will appreciate the comfortable surroundings and the quiet, secluded atmosphere of their rooms. The hotel offers a recreation center with a heated swimming pool, a hot tub and herbal saunas. Other hotel facilities include bowling, a tennis court and a children’s room.

The main à la carte restaurant serves delicious dishes, while the lobby bar offers a selection of popular drinks. Guests can enjoy a premium breakfast lounge and free Wi-Fi. Room service is available.

During the winter season, the hotel offers ski storage and a free shuttle service. For an additional fee, guests can purchase ski passes, rent ski equipment and take part in a ski school.

Free outdoor parking and a paid two-level garage are available.

Complex Kamelia

Complex Kamelia Apart-Hotel is located in Pamporovo, at an altitude of 1650 metres above sea level, with direct access to ski slope No. 7. It offers an indoor pool, a fitness centre, a steam bath and a Finnish sauna. You can play football and tennis on the multifunctional sports field. Massages are also available.

The apartments at Complex Kamelia Apart-Hotel are decorated in a modern style. They feature a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a private bathroom with a shower, and a fully equipped kitchenette with an open-plan dining and living area. The balcony offers scenic mountain views. Guests can relax by the fireplace.

Free WiFi is available in public areas. The hotel offers car rental and airport shuttle services. There is an indoor and outdoor playground. Ski equipment rental is available on site.

The 2 restaurants serve a variety of Bulgarian and European cuisine, as well as grilled dishes. Breakfast and dinner are available at a surcharge. 2 conference rooms are available.

Complex Kamelia is located close to the ski slope and a ski kindergarten. Free public parking is available and a heated garage is available for a fee.

Dafovska Hotel

Hotel Dafovska is located in the center of the Pamporovo ski resort. Its windows offer a beautiful view of the Snizhanka peak, the ski slopes and the Rhodope Mountains.

Pamporovo is one of the largest ski resorts in Bulgaria. It is called the pearl of the Rhodope Mountains, and the ski slopes of varying difficulty have a total length of 18 to 20 km. The resort has 120-170 snowy days a year. The height of the snowdrifts reaches 1-1.5 meters. The Ski Academy in Pamporovo is one of the best in Europe.

The Dafovska Hotel is owned by Katerina Dafovska, the champion of the 1998 Olympics in Nagano. Katerina Dafovska is a famous biathlete, winner of many championships.

After enjoying skiing and a day spent on the slopes, you can relax in the wellness center. It has a sauna, steam bath, hot tub and massage room. A transfer is organized upon request and for an additional fee.

Gastronomic research

It is worth saying that various kinds of entertainment, folklore and cultural programs are welcome in Pamporovo.

In many taverns, along with amazing food, you can enjoy live music, creative evenings, and ethnic performances.

Interesting to know! (Especially for oenophiles – wine gourmets). Despite the resort and tourist direction of this settlement, in local bars the owners do not raise prices for wine.

In addition, the waiter will bring a huge (scary) number of snacks to the sweet drink.

The reason for this “phenomenon” is the origin of the wine – it is local, Bulgarian.

Therefore, the cost price is low, and honest Bulgarian producers are in no hurry to raise prices. At the same time, the wines here are amazingly tasty and meet world standards.

In the bars of the ski resort, when it is winter and snow outside, they serve warming, “cozy” drinks – grog, mulled wine, punch.

And, of course, local, Bulgarian dishes. Popular are game meat and coffee with all kinds of sweets (a remnant of Turkish traditions).

Recreation and entertainment

Pamporovo offers vacationers a wide selection of various entertainment and activities.

До послуг гостей курорту – катання на снігоходах і собачих упряжках, санках і надувних подушках, ігрові зали для гри в боулінг, більярд і настільний теніс.

Безліч ресторанів і традиційних болгарських таверн порадує вишуканими європейськими та національними стравами. Приємно провести час можна в коктейль-барах, а ввечері відпочити в одному з нічних клубів.

Практично в кожному готелі є оздоровчий центр з басейном, джакузі, сауною, фітнес-залом, масажним кабінетом і спа-салоном, а також сувенірні магазини.

У 35 км від Пампорово знаходиться бальнеологічний лікувальний курорт Девін, який є найкращим спа-курортом в Болгарії, завдяки великій кількості цілющих мінеральних джерел.

Пампорово – не просто сонячний курорт, але і святковий. Тут щорічно проводять одні з найкращих фестивалів і змагань, концертів і наукових конференцій. Серед розваг можна назвати кінну їзду, печерний і пішохідний тур, різні екскурсії, мотоспорт.

Також тут можна відвідати щорічний фольклорний фестиваль «Роженській збір», який допомагає перейнятися національної атмосферою і добре вивчити Болгарію. Закриття і відкриття сезону, зокрема, теж супроводжується народними гуляннями і святами.

З визначних пам’яток є Бачковский монастир, Успенська церква, Ягодинська та Харомінская печери, водоспади і заповідники.

Бачковский монастир в Пампорово

Екскурсії

Гірський масив Родопи – це край печер. Екскурсія в найбільшу в Родопах Ягодинську печеру нікого не залишає байдужим. Її довжина понад 10 кілометрів, тут можна побачити рідкісний природний феномен: печерні перлини – застиглі крапельки кальциту.

Не менш цікаві природні тунелі «Чуднів бруківці» (Чудові мости), які в давнину пробила в скелях високогірна річка, вражають своєю красою розташовані неподалік Смілянські озера. Також в цих краях є багато історичних пам’яток, які вам із задоволенням покажуть досвідчені екскурсоводи.

Крім того, пропонуються захоплюючі екскурсії в поселення Широка-Лука, Чепеларе, Смолян, що зберегли свою унікальну самобутню культуру і архітектуру.