Ski through Bulgaria's staggering Rila and Pirin Mountains on this 8-day guided adventure
Discover the relatively unknown snowy mountain ranges coating Bulgaria on this ski touring adventure. Most avid skiers and snowboarders in Europe flock to the Alps when the weather flips to cold, but Bulgaria’s alpine ranges—Rila and Pirin—offer an outstanding tours for those that want to try something different.
Expect to encounter sheets of spotless snow as well as Bulgarian wonders such as the Seven Lakes and a variety of stunning views from a collective of summits on this guided ski tour. The warm fires and coziness of quaint family hotels and huts tucked deep in the backwoods will envelop you while the stars dot the sky every evening.
Highlights of the Ski Touring in Bulgaria
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Bulgaria’s Ski Adventure Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Sofia to Rila
Meet up with your guide at the Sofia airport before travelling 1.5 hours to the Rila mountain range, which is home to Bulgaria’s natural masterpiece: The Seven Lakes. Relax in a hotel in Rila, nestled in the woods, and enjoy a traditional meal in the evening.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Rila
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Malyovitsa Summit
Begin your day with a chairlift to Rila Lakes hut, followed by an ascent by the Seven Lakes towards the Razdela high pass. Meander along a ridge to the Malyovitsa summit. Marvel at the views before hopping on your skis and gliding the mountain range to the “Malyovitsa” ski resort, where you’ll spend the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Malyovitsa
Distance: 7 hours, 594 m of ascent, 959 m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 Mount Musala
Let Bulgaria’s unchartered territory envelop you on Day 3. Start your day by travelling 30 minutes to Borovets ski resort before embarking on a 25-minute gondola ride to Bulgaria's highest peak: Mount Musala (2926 metres). Admire the valley of glacial lakes and ridges below. After, hop on your skis and fly down a 1500 metre descent that will take you back to Borovets. Travel back to the hotel in Malyovitsa, where you’ll consume a hearty dinner.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Malyovitsa
Distance: 6.5 hours, 557 m of ascent, 1,506 m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 Popova Kapa and Lopushki Summits
The adventure begins with an ascent to the dark blue, ever-so mysterious Scary Lake. Next, you will travel to two different summits: Popova Kapa and Lopushki. Once you reach the highest point of today’s journey, Lopushki (2698 m), you will enjoy a great descent to a pick-up location. Transfer to your hotel.
Overnight Location: Hut near Rila
Distance: 6.5 hours, 934 m of ascent, 1,334 m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 Bansko
Today will have you slipping on your swimsuit rather than your ski boots. Relax your sole muscles in a hot mineral pool in Sapareva Banya before transferring 3.5 hours to Bansko, a charming ski resort tailor-made for beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. Feel free to go on a gentle ride when we arrive. Stay overnight in a nice hotel in the old town.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bansko
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 Pirin range
It’s time to explore the Pirin mountains, home to a vast collection of glacial lakes. After a brief 30-minute transfer from the ski resort to a chairlift, you will travel up to the “Bezbog” mountain hut. Meander up a little over 600 m to the Polejan summit. Soak in the landscape blanketing the land below before skiing down to the Demyanitsa hut, where you will stay for the night.
Overnight Location: Hut near Pirin
Distance: 7 hours, 261 m of ascent, 956 m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 Todorka summit
Wind through a concoction of natural scenery: forest, lakes, and staggering peaks. Once you reach the highest point—2172 m—you will ski to the ever-so-popular Vihren hut, which was built between 1939-1941. After stopping here, embark on a short descent to the street and hop in a car for a short 20-minute ride back to Bansko.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bansko
Distance: 7 hours, 817 m of ascent, 965 m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Back to Sofia
Opt to spend your last morning exploring the slopes of Bansko before travelling 2.5 hours back to Sofia airport for departure.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Bulgaria’s Ski Adventure Tour Price and Dates
Enjoy your own private ski tour through the Bulgarian Mountains! Prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room (except for night 4 and night 6, where only dormitory accommodation is available):
- Guided Groups of 2-3: $1,975 USD
- Guided Groups of 4-5: $1,295 USD
- Guided Groups of 6+: $1,150 USD
Accommodation on Bulgaria’s Ski Adventure Tour
These hand-picked accommodations will have you staying in rustic, cozy huts and hotels throughout Bulgaria's Ski Adventure. Some huts stand in a remote location, making it possible to only provide the essentials: running water, electricity, and food. Expect to stay in dormitory rooms in the huts and double bedrooms in the hotels.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel. Please note that single rooms are not available on nights 4 and 6.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Rila Lakes Hut near Rila
The remote location gives Rila Lakes Hut a rugged, but cozy feeling. Enjoy the variety of food served at the on-site restaurant!
Malyovitsa Hut near Rila
Malyovitsa Hut will appeal to the ski tourer who seeks comfort after a long day on their skis. Enjoy a charming cabin that offers warmth in the thick of the mountains.
Mechit Hut near Rila
Mechit Hut comes equipped with hot water, electricity, beds, food, and drink. It’s simple but provides the right necessities after a day of exploration.
Hotel Kralev Dvor in Bansko
Hotel Kralev Dvor’s amenities—free Wi-Fi, a bar, restaurant—will keep you entertained and relaxed after a long day skiing.
Demyanitsa Hut near Pirin
Demyanitsa Hut provides an authentic experience that stays true to the outdoor theme of this tour. It offers running water and a restaurant.
Hotel Kralev Dvor in Bansko
Hotel Kralev Dvor’s amenities—free Wi-Fi, a bar, restaurant—will keep you entertained and relaxed after a long day skiing.
What’s included in the Ski Touring in Bulgaria?
Meals
7 breakfasts and 7 dinners are included. You can also add 5 picnic lunches to your tour package when booking (please see the ‘optional extras’ for pricing).
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights along the tour are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transport for you and your luggage is included throughout the tour.
Also Included
- Tickets for chairlifts
- Licensed English-speaking mountain ski guide
- Taxes
Not included
- Lunches
- Ski equipment
- Drinks during the meals
- Tickets for museums and historical monuments
- Personal expenses and tips
- Insurance
- Anything not stated as ‘included’
Frequently Asked Questions about Ski Touring in Bulgaria
Adventure Trails is a boutique tour operator specializing in all kinds of outdoor-based tours in Bulgaria.
Adventure Trails creates innovative tours that capture the most special parts of Bulgaria. Clients looking for an adventurous and active trip can choose from trekking, biking, climbing, and cultural tours.
The accommodations and transportation during the tours are always carefully selected for their quality.
Learn MoreSki Touring in Bulgaria Map
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Local Guide
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Stoyan is one of the most experienced guides at Adventure Trails. He has 12 years of guiding under his belt. Stoyan is comfortable in all kinds of adventure activities, but he is especially comfortable when it comes to mountaineering.
- Q: What is your favourite tour to lead and why?
- A: I like every trip I guide, but my favourite are the winter snowshoeing tours, as this is when the mountains are at their best.
- Q: What is one experience anybody visiting Bulgaria should have?
- A: For active tourism, I would say climbing Mt. Vihren in the Pirin range. In terms of cultural-historical tourism, I would say visiting Plovdiv, the most ancient city in Europe. We like to combine both active and cultural-historical tourism in our tours.
- Q: What do your guests like best about the trips you lead?
- A: The fantastic scenery, the excellent food, accommodations, and hospitality, the perfect organization, the interesting conversations, and the berries in the forests!