Bulgarian Mountain

Every Bulgarian mountain has its own characteristic appearance, fascination and charm, whether it is snow-capped peaks and soft green slopes or cool forests carrying the aroma of herbs and wild fruit. In these natural surroundings, quick-flowing rivers lead into crystal-clear blue lakes, re-emerging in mineral springs and nourishing the country’s protected bio-reserves, with their rare plants and game. It is within this kind of setting that you will find Bulgaria’s large, lively ski resorts and its small, picturesque villages, where tradition and folklore still abound.
The Pirin Mountain
Pirin is the country’s second highest mountain, home to 176 mountain lakes and around 100 varieties of rare plants – including the edelweiss and the famous Baikousheva fir. It is also the home of the well-known Bansko ski resort.
The town of Bansko is situated in south-western Bulgaria, in the foothills of the beautiful Pirin Mountains. It is a national reserve listed on the World natural Heritage list. Although a thriving ski resorts in winter, it is also popular in summer as a starting point for excursions into the mountains.
Bansko can be reached either by flying into Sofia Airport and driving south, or by flying into Thessalonica ( Salonica) in Greece. From here, it’s a three-hour drive to the north. One of Bulgaria’s newest winter and summer resorts, it has recently been discovered by international tourists, with its unique combination of virgin nature and the atmosphere of an ancient Bulgarian town.
Summers in Bansko are short and hot, with long, mild winters. The average temperature during January, the coldest month, is – 1.9 ºC and snowfall is abundant, providing a constant winter cover of up to 2m deep. The skiing season on the Pirin slopes starts in the middle of December and end in mid-April, with excellent conditions throughout. With a predominantly Alpine character and two peaks towering above 2900m, the slopes offer runs and tracks foe all types of skiing that suit both beginners and experts alike.
Snowboarders come from all over the world to try out the first attraction park in the Balkans where they can build jumps suited to their taste and abilities, while the town itself attracts cultural visitors to its monuments, museums and permanent ethnographic exhibitions.
Only 18 months after the resort’s renovation, property sales are booming in Bansko. According to experts, we should see very strong capital growth over the next few years and investment opportunities continue to improve as more and more capital flows into the development of this unique blend of natural beauty and excellent holiday facilities. Rental demand is extremely high and the planned construction of new golf courses will attract a lot more visitors to the area. There is also talk of a private airstrip being added in the near future.
The Rhodope Mountains
The Rhodopes are the greenest and most picturesque of the Bulgarian mountains, linked with the legend of the mythical singer Orpheus. Snow and sun , clean air and a mild climate with a Mediterranean feel combine with an original folklore and superb cuisine, cordial and hospitable people and last but not least one of the country’s largest ski resort, Pamporovo, to attract many a tourist to this area.
The Pamporovo ski resort is situated 1650m above sea level, at the foot of the Snejanka peak (1926m), a region famous for its old folkloric tradition. Only 260km from Sofia and 85km from Bulgaria’s third-largest city, Plovdiv, Pamporovo is said to be the sunniest winter resort in Europe. The winters are gentle with lots of snow, and the number of sunny days during the season, from December to May, reaches 120. The average temperature in January is around -2ºC.
Pamporovo enjoys an international reputation for its healthy climate, so it’s no surprise that the majority of Bulgaria’s centenarians are from this region. A ski-centre for all levels of enthusiasts, it has excellent runs including a competition run for giant slalom, a first class lift system and a ski-school of international standard with more than 100 highly qualified instructors.
Several European and American aid programmes are working to help small hoteliers turn the unspoiled Rhodope Mountains into a year-round tourist attraction, as the terrain shelters numerous natural wonders such as caves, mineral springs and landscapes that embody the country’s unique charm.
Pamporovo is undergoing an exciting period of growth with the construction of five new ski runs this season alone. The total length of the runs in the resort now reaches over 31km and official estimates project a 40% increase in tourist numbers for the coming season. However, Pamporovo does not stop its lift for the summer, allowing visitors to view spectacular vistas from the peaks. The only Olympic size half pipe for snowboarding in Bulgaria will also be completed by next season. Pamporovo, together with the nearby village of Chepelare, will soon boast over 59km of ski runs.
All of the above, without a doubt, means that new development will attract more buyers and tourists, and the area will see extremely high capital appreciation on investments for years to come.