Accessibility
Both resorts are easily accessible for international tourists via the Sofia airport. The drive to Borovets is around 75km and takes 1,20 hours, while Bansko is 160km away and the drive is around 2,15 hours. From the airport, you can take a private transfer, shared shuttle, public transportation or a taxi. In terms of prices, getting to Borovets is cheaper. Prices for a shared transfer start from 9 euros per direction to Borovets and 14 euros per direction to Bansko. Alternatively, you can land at Plovdiv airport, but the transfer times are a little longer and more expensive. (check transfer rates to Bansko and book online HERE)
Each resort is located in a different mountain range. Bansko is situated in the Pirin mountains, while Borovets is in the Rila mountains. The Rila and Pirin mountains are divided by a valley and are close to each other, with the Rila mountains being further North.
Ski Zone
Bansko Ski Map (click for larger image)
Borovets Ski Map (click for larger image)
Slope comparison
Ski Infrastructure
The lift infrastructures in Bansko and Borovets are both modern, with the exclusion of the odd lift here and there.
In Bansko all of the lifts have been replaced with new, modern ski lift facilities. There is just one lift (the gondola), which takes skiers from Bansko up to the rest ski zones. It was built in the early 2000s and each cabin can seat 8 people. Other than that, Bansko has a total of 8 open seat lifts and 5 drag lifts. 90% of the slopes are equipped with snow canons, with only the Plato ski runs not having any. The lift “Tzarna Mogila”, even though it’s shown on the piste map, hasn’t been operational in decades. The slopes in Bansko are connected to the town below via a 15km ski road, which is ideal for beginner skiers when operating. During the high season in February, lift lines for the gondola are bigger than the rest of the season, so getting to the main ski zone can be slow at peak hours (read more about the Bansko gondola queues HERE).
There are 3 lifts in Borovets, which take skiers up to the various ski zones. The most noticeable lift in Borovets, the gondola, was built in the 1980s and is still in use today. It can seat 4 people and takes skiers up to the Markudjik ski center in about 25 minutes. All of the open seat lifts in Borovets are relatively new, in good condition and very comfortable. Night skiing takes places in the Sitnyakovo ski center, in front of the Hotel Rila. The “Martinovi Baraki” lift, along with all of the drag lifts around it work during the night skiing session. One of the advantages of Borovets is that you can get to the Sitnyakovo ski center and start skiing directly, without having to take the gondola up. This splits up the tourists early in the morning so there are less lift lines during high season. Most of the Sitnyakovo and Yastrebets ski areas are equipped with snow cannons, guaranteeing a good base for the season. Wiaitng time for the Gondola in Borovets is never an issue.
The town of Bansko is situated at 900m. asl., while the main ski area is situated between 1635m. asl and 2560m. asl. The Chalin Valog ski area lays between 1100m. asl. and 1450m. asl.
Borovets sits at 1300m. asl. with the Sitnyakovo ski center starting there and going up to 1750m. asl. The Yastrebets ski center is between 1440m. and 2050m. asl. The highest ski zone, the Markudzhik ski center sits between 2140m. and 2483m. asl.
Both Bansko and Borovets are well equipped with snow cannons
Ski Schools
Both resorts have a great reputation for being suitable for first time skiers. The ski schools in Bansko and Borovets consist of experienced instructors and there is decent competition between the various ski schools, so they are all trying their best to please their clients. One of the differences between the two resorts is that the ski school for beginners in Borovets takes place on the lower slopes (no waiting time for the lift, but snow coverage might comprise artificial snow during shoulder seasons), while the ski school in Bansko takes place higher in the mountain, where snow conditions can be better or harsher depending on the weather (and where waiting time for the lift might be an issue). Bansko has a much larger selection of private ski schools you can choose from, other than the resort held schools.
Borovets also offers the option to take skiing lessons during the night skiing sessions. This gives skiers the option to ski freely during the day or rest and take a lesson in the evening (read more about the night skiing in Borovets HERE).
During the high season (February), ski schools in Bansko tend to be crowded, with groups often exceeding 15 people. Borovets, on the other hand, tends to have smaller groups during the same time period.
Accommodation
An important thing to remember is that Bansko and Borovets are two different kinds of resorts and this affects the available accommodation and prices. Bansko is a resort built around the town of Bansko, which has been around for hundreds of years. Its infrastructure is that of any normal town and is much bigger as an area than Borovets. Hotels and apartments are abundant and this keeps the prices low. In Bansko you can find many small family hotels, run by people born in the town. There is a general assumption that the bed base in Bansko is too big for the ski area, which leads to bigger lines during the high season. Borovets is quite the opposite. It was built 120 years ago specifically as an alpine resort for the then aristocracy of Bulgaria. Of course they weren’t skiing back then, but the infrastructure has evolved in a different manner, compared to that of a normal town. Borovets as a resort is in the middle of a forest at the foothills of the Rila mountain. There are fewer hotels and restaurants available and accommodation prices are higher than those of Bansko. The bed base is also much smaller, so the total number of visitors in Borovets compared to the size of the ski area is better.
Nightlife
One of the many traditional restaurants in Bansko.
Bulgaria is well known for its nightlife. Both resorts have a great nightlife scene during the winter season, with cheap prices and full bars. Bansko has more bars and restaurants, spread over the whole town, while Borovets has fewer, but they are concentrated in a smaller area, so going from one to another is much quicker. Bansko also has a much wider variety of restaurants, snack bars, fast food, supermarkets and so on. If you’re staying in Borovets, you can always take a cab to the neighboring city of Samokov for dinner and a night out. The drive is only 10km. Pictured above is a traditional “mehana” in Bansko’s old town.
Other Activities
The bowling facility in hotel Strazhite
Ski & Board Traventuria is a leading provider of lift passes, equipment rental, airport transfers, and ski school for the Bansko area. To book your next ski vacation in Bansko with us, please check our website – www.skibansko.bg
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