Bulgaria – the Small Ski Touring Bijou
Season: Winter
When: 6 days, 5 nights
Adventure: 2 Adventurer
Difficulty: 2 Moderate
Bulgaria – the Small Ski Touring Bijou
February
A ski touring week in Rila and Pirin – the iconic peaks of Musala, Maliovitsa and Vihren, deep snow, cosy hotels and Bulgarian cuisine.
Join us for one of the most impressive ski mountaineering experiences that our peaceful and beautiful country can offer.
This trip shows you the two highest and most impressive mountains in Bulgaria – the alpine ranges of Rila and Pirin, south of the capital Sofia. Both offer excellent terrain for ski mountaineering and off-piste skiing from mid-January to mid-April, and days of perfect powder are not uncommon. We want to show you some of the emblematic ski spots in Bulgaria – but be sure there are many more. We ski varied terrain: meadows, forests, alpine slopes and steep couloirs.
Every day we set off from the hotel after breakfast; take some snacks and sandwiches for the day. The long days of skiing end with another journey – into our culinary culture: forgotten flavours of slow-cooked meat and herbs in traditional Bulgarian restaurants, served with aromatic wine from local vineyards.
Rila is the highest mountain of the Balkan Peninsula. Its name is of Thracian origin and means “well-watered” mountain. It is also home to the Rila Monastery, founded in the 10th century by St. Ivan Rilski – the spiritual, educational and cultural centre of Bulgaria for centuries and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983.
Pirin rises between the deep valleys of the Struma and Mesta rivers. It is the second highest and the most alpine mountain in Bulgaria, topped by Vihren (2914 m). The Thracians called it Orbelus (the snowy mountain); later the Slavs named it Pirin after the god Perun. The range is a national park with a dramatic alpine landscape and more than 180 glacial lakes.
This program is for people experienced in ski touring and off-piste skiing who are ready for adventure. If you need additional accommodation in Sofia before and/or after the program, we can arrange it – just let us know in advance.
Note: The program may change depending on the weather and snow conditions, as well as the group’s fitness.
* The price is per person. The program runs with a minimum of 4 participants. Maximum participants – 7.
* Reservation should be no later than 30 days before the program. Reservation is considered confirmed if payment is processed within 3 days after booking.
Photos from previous adventures
Price Includes
Ski guide
local certified ski guide, 5 days of ski touring
Accommodation
5 nights in a hotel on half board (breakfast and dinner)
Transport
all transfers in the program, including to/from the airport
Price Does Not Include
Flights
flights to/from Sofia
Food
lunches and drinks
Lifts
both lifts in the program (about €25 in total)
Insurance
travel and mountain insurance
Other expenses
personal expenses
Valid mountain insurance for the days of the program is mandatory!
Guide's Perspective
Join us for an unforgettable ski touring week in the stunning Rila and Pirin mountains, where breathtaking alpine landscapes, deep snow and authentic mountain culture await. Explore remote peaks and scenic backcountry routes with experienced guides while enjoying cosy mountain hotels and the beauty of Bulgaria's winter wilderness.
Arrival in Sofia and direct transfer to the town of Samokov (60 km) on the northern slopes of Rila. Hotel check-in. Short briefing. Dinner.
Short morning transfer to Borovets ski resort (10 km, 15 min). A gondola takes us to Yastrebets hut (2376 m). Ski tour up to Mount Musala (about 3:30 h) past Musala and Ice Lake huts. Ski descent to Borovets. Overnight in the same hotel in Samokov.
Elevation: +700 / -1300 m · Duration: 6 h
A whole day in the emblematic Maliovitsa valley – we skin up Mount Maliovitsa (2729 m). Depending on snow conditions we ski down to the Rila Monastery or transfer there. Visit of the monastery. Transfer to Bansko (100 km) on the northern slopes of Pirin. Overnight in a hotel.
Elevation: +1000 / -1000 m · Duration: 5:30 h
Short morning transfer to the small ski area of Kulinoto and ascent of Mount Dautov (2599 m), in one of the most remote parts of Pirin. Ski descent along the ascent route. Same hotel.
Elevation: +1300 / -1300 m · Duration: 5 h
Morning transfer (20 km / 40 min) to the Bezbog area and a chairlift up to Bezbog hut (2240 m). Today's goal is Mount Polezhan, with stunning views over the whole range. A famous ski descent to Demyanitsa hut and on through the Demyanitsa valley to Bansko. Overnight in a hotel.
Elevation: +700 / -1900 m · Duration: 6 h
After a short morning transfer and an easy ski walk (1:30 h) we reach Vihren hut (1960 m). Skinning up the Banderitsa valley, we climb Mount Hvoynati (2635 m) and Mount Vihren (2914 m), the highest summit of Pirin. Another famous ski descent back to Bansko. Transfer to Sofia (2:30 h).
Elevation: +1300 / -2000 m · Duration: 6-7 h
Guide
Mountain guide with almost two decades professional experience in leading ski touring, hiking, snowshoeing and ice climbing trips.
Methods of Payment
You can pay for the experience you have chosen online by Bankcard, PayPal or bank transfer.
What Our Guests Say
Thank the snow gods, then thank Stan
The snow gods were kind this weekend — that's on them, not me. But Stan and the Basecamp Tours crew being absolutely dialled in? That's every single time, no asterisk. Smart route choices, safety that never feels paranoid, and feedback that actually makes you better. The snow is a gamble. Basecamp Tours is not.
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