Hut to Hut on Skis in Rila

A two-day ski touring program in the northwestern parts of Rila Mountains – the highest mountain range not only in Bulgaria, but also on the Balkans. The sleepover is in a remote high mountain hut – Ivan Vazov Hut, located at 2300 in the middle of the mountains.

The terrain is not difficult in general, but decent physical condition is required from the participants. We also expect from you to be familiar with the parallel curves in various snow conditions – powder, slush, crust, firm snow, to have the required equipment and obtain a valid insurance for the duration of the trip. This program is suitable for people that do not put the stretch on the technical skiing and rather enjoy being in the mountains in winter, without doing any challenging slopes. Best period: January-April.

Skinning up above Ivan Vazov Hut

Itinerary:

Day 1: Start from Sofia, 1,5 hours drive to Pionerska Hut in Rila Mountains, the starting point for the famous Seven Lakes area. We get the lift up to 2140 m at Rila Lakes Hut and skin up. We ascent up to 2700 at Otovitsa Ridge for about 3-3,5 hours and ski down to the hut. Some nice slopes around the hut will give us additional opportunity to skin up and go down in the afternoon.

Please keep in mind that the conditions in the hut are quite basic – dormitories, no hot water, no shower, only a limited choice of food and drinks are offered.

Day 2: There is a few options (we’ll choose according to the moment snow and weather conditions) to ski back down to the starting point at Pionerska Hut. In any case we’ll have more than a 1000 m of descent on nice slopes. We’ll visit the thermal pools at Sapareva Banya village at the end. Transfer back to Sofia – 1,5 hours.

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 hut, water bottle or flask (1l), snacks, personal first aid kit.

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