Borovets (Bulgarian: Боровец), known as Chamkoria (Чамкория) until the middle of the 20th century, is a popular Bulgarian mountain resort situated in Sofia Province, on the northern slopes of Rila, at an altitude of 1350 m. Borovets is 10 km from Samokov, 73 km from Sofia and 125 km from Plovdiv.
Super Borovets
The Super Borovets project is one of the largest and most expensive investment and development projects in Bulgarian history. The plan is to enlarge Borovets town to encompass the nearby towns of Samokov and Beli Iskar.
Lifts
All ski lifts are open 9.00 am to 4.30 pm. Each lift closes for technical checks and maintenance for half a day each week and for 1 full day each month, see local signs for dates and times for each lift.
The lift infrastructure of the resort is very well developed by drag lifts, baby tows, seat chain lifts, plus a gondola lift. 1 six-seat Gondola lift, 2 High Speed Quad Chair lifts, 1 Fixed Grip Quad Chair lift, 10 Surface ski lifts and 9 tow lifts. As for the 6 persons gondola lift, it takes you to the Yastrebets peak on 2363 m above sea level. The difference in altitude is approx. 1046 m and length of route is 4827 m. The gondola lift has a capacity of 1200 persons per hour. The journey takes around 20 minutes. The total capacity of all tow lifts of Borovets is 8150 persons per hour.
A recently completed 200-meter carpet lift takes the skiers from ski center Markudjik to the upper station of the gondola lift “Yastrebetz”; and the widened 10 km long Musala Pathway provides an easy way to return to the resort.
Ski-doo
2 person ski-doos are available for local rent in the resort. Tourists can be guided through the local forests by an instructor..
Ski Instruction
One of the major attractions of Bulgaria and especially Borovets is the high standard of instruction available at a much lower cost than is common in the ski resorts of Western Europe.
The instruction is divided into 5 different levels according to the skill level of the individual. The lessons may be group or individual (subject to request) and the duration of the course is from anything from 3 to 12 days. There is also a ski kindergarten for the children aged 4 to 8 years which runs for the entire day.
Ski Day Trips from Sofia
Borovets is now easily accessible to the guests of Sofia. Borovets is just 70 km away from the capital, or just over an hour drive. A couple of tour companies run day trips from Sofia to the ski resort, providing everything that is needed for both beginners and advanced skiers to enjoy a day on the slopes – lessons, transportation, guidance, lift passes, full gear, including clothes, gloves, goggles, etc
Summer activities
Like most ski resorts, Borovets is quieter during the summer, but there is always horse riding, by the hour or 1 to 7-day holidays, on the wonderful mountain and forest tracks and paths, and more recently, mountain biking has become popular and there are many dedicated routes which include purpose-made jumps. The lifts are working in the summer and bikers can take their bikes up on them. Different lifts work on different days. Hiking is also popular as is fishing at the local trout fishery.
The Kings Palace (Tsarska Bistritsa) is open from 10 till 5 Friday to Sunday and cost 3 leva entry.
source: en.wikipedia.org
