Rila and Pirin National Parks Ski Touring

Skiing in Malyovitsa Valley

The best season for ski touring trips in Bulgaria is between February and April-May, depending on the conditions during the current year. We offer trips to Rila and Pirin Mountains which have the most suitable terrain for ski touring/ski mountaineering in the country. Further you can find a sample program for a week long ski trip in these mountain ranges.

We’ll travel to the most interesting parts of Rila and Pirin, climb up or use ski facilities whenever possible to gain elevation. Than we get into the backcountry and try to find the best slopes to ski back down. We cannot promise powder, but will find the most suitable slopes to ski, according to the current conditions. Accommodation will be in the foot of the mountains in a comfy hotels and guest houses.

Price includes: All the transfers according to the group size – car or minibus; Accommodation on a double/twin room basis – 6 nights; Breakfasts and dinners; mountain guide and all the expenses of the guide; all taxes.

Not included: Insurance; equipment rent; lunch/packed lunch; lift passes; drinks; entrance fees for sights, etc.

Additional single room supplement +120 EUR.
5% discount for early bookings – before 1st of Oct.
Please contact us if you need an offer for a bigger group – second guide required.

Sample itinerary:

Ascending Todorka Peak in Pirin Mountains

Day 1: Meeting with your guide at Sofia Airport. 1,5 hours transfer to the village of Govedartsi at 1200 m, in the foot of Rila Mountains. Accommodation in a hotel in the village for two nights.

Day 2: Mount Malyovitsa. 30 minutes drive takes us to the starting point at 1730 m. From here we ascent to Mount Malyovitsa (2729 m) passing Malyovitsa Hut and the Dears Lake on the way. Descent along the slopes of Malyovitsa and the valley back to the start point. About 7 hours +1000/-1000 m.

Day 3: We hit the highest point on the Balkans today. Transfer to Borovets ski resort (30 min) where we take Yastrebets gondola to take us up to 2360 m. We are at the foot of Mount Musala (2925 m). About 3 hours ascent to the top than we ski back down to Borovets, located at 1300 m. 4-5 hours in total, +600/-1600 m. About 1,30 min drive takes us to our next accommodation – a hotel in Panichishte at 1400 m, where we stay for the next two nights. On the way we pass through the village of Sapareva Banya, famous with its hot springs where we visit a thermal pool.

Herd of chamois in Pirin Mountains

Day 4: This morning we take the chair lift to Rila Lakes Hut, located at the foot of the famous Seven Lakes. Ascent to the main ridge of the mountain, near some of the lakes, and ski down to the hut and further through the forests to the bottom lift station. Overnight in the same accommodation. About 6 hours outside, +400/-1000 m.

Day 5: Two hours transfer takes us to Bansko. Its a small town in the footsteps of Pirin Mountains and Pirin National Park, that hosts the most modern ski resort in Bulgaria. We take the lifts to the top station at 2550 m and then climb the ridge of Mount Todorka (2746 m) A short traverse along the ridge and we descent to Bunderitsa Valley and further down to Bansko. About 3 hours, +200/-1800 m. Accommodation in a hotel for two nights.

Day 6: Today we’ll visit another area of Pirin Mountains. Morning 30 min. transfer takes us to the bottom station of Bezbog chair lift. We take it up to Bezbog Hut at 2240 m. From here we ascent to one of the highest peaks of Pirin Mountains – Mount Polezan (2851 m). We’ll ski the west slopes of Damyanitsa valley until we reach Bansko ski zone. About 6 hours, +610/-1900 m. Back to the same hotel for a final dinner.

Day 7: 2,5 morning transfer to Sofia Airport. Some sightseeing in Sofia (depending on the flight schedules). Good bye.

Required equipment:

*Touring skis; ski touring bindings with ski/walk mode and brakes or straps; climbing skins; ski crampons; poles; AT ski boots – with rubber sole and ski/walk mode.

*Personal Rescue Equipment – beacon, shovel, probe.

Rucksack 35-45l, water and wind proof pants and jacket with hood, 2 pairs of gloves – a tiny ones for touring and ski gloves, sun glasses, sun block, sun hat, warm hat, ski goggles, travel liner for the huts, water bottle or flask (1l), snacks, personal first aid kit.

*It is possible to rent all of the above from Sofia, please contact us.

We prefer to work directly with our clients and customize the itineraries according to their preferences, abilities, time of the year and so on. Please, contact us for further details about possible itineraries, equipment, accommodation, prices or if you have any other questions.