Despite being smaller and less known than many other European ski destinations, Pamporovo has much to offer skiers, from beginners to the more experienced and these days its popularity is growing, with the ski lifts required to transport 8,500 visitors at peak season.

With snow cover from December to April Pamporovo’s winter season is shorter than Bansko’s, but the mild conditions mean that conditions on the slopes are mostly sunny and pleasant.

Pamporovo is constantly being improved, with a new four-seat ski lift having recently been installed and 11 billion BGN pledged to upgrade the town’s facilities. Plans are afoot to build a new ski area in Golian Perelik, the highest and most northerly area of Pamporovo, which should extend the winter season.

At its highest point Pamporovo is 1925m and has a vertical drop of 480m. Nine drag lifts and five chair lifts are available to ferry skiers to the runs, of which there are ten: four are rated very difficult, three difficult and three moderately difficult. The two most demanding runs are The Wall and another piste that starts right at the top of the mountain, near the TV tower. There are three cross-country runs.

Beginners can hire equipment from a large selection stored in the nine ski wardrobes near the runs, while experts can use them to store their own ski clothing. The ski rental service can also organise lift passes and help with any queries.

Click here for guide to ski passes and equipment prices.

Tuition is available from a group of highly trained instructors who can speak most European languages. Individual or group instruction is available and a ski kindergarten is open daily from 8:30a.m. to 5p.m., meaning that children can be safely left to learn at their own pace. Snowboarding is also taught at the ski school.

A mountain rescue service operates 24 hours a day.