Skiing in Borovets

Eastern Europe's biggest ski resort (40km), Borovets suffers from many of the usual complaints about this finance-friendly region. Most commonly associated with budget-conscious skiers and beginners, Borovets has an excellent ski school, a fine snow record, cheap prices (especially for beer and spirits), lovely scenery - and it's only 90 minutes from Sofia.

Most veterans talk of the great teaching they have received and the low prices, as well as the varied nightlife available. You'll have to forfeit western creature comforts, but it can be well worth it. It's skiing in a very different culture and is, joy of joys, half the price of the Alps. If the skiing doesn't interest you, there are always site-seeing trips to Sofia and other historic sites to keep you busy.

Overall, Borovets is a place to go to learn if you have a tighter budget. You also need to have a sense of humour and adventure, as it is very much the poor relation to Western European skiing. It isn't going to replace Val d'Isиre as your venue of choice, but it does successfully cater to a completely different clientele.

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