About Bulgaria - Pamporovo

Pamporovo

Pamporovo one of the three major ski resorts in Bulgaria, along with Borovets and Bansko and is the southern most ski resort in Bulgaria. It lies high in the Rhodopi mountains, some 1650m above sea level, set in magnificent pine forests. The closest town is Smolyan (16km), and Plovdiv, the second city of Bulgaria is 85km north.

The climate - many sunny days in winter, the variety of ski runs - and general ski infrastructure all help to make this a popular resort. The Perelik Project plans to develop the area even more, and increase the length of ski pistes to 217km, with corresponding developments in the form of ski lifts, accommodation and a stadium.

The resort's name has its roots in the Turkish word of pampor (meaning train), and is said to come from a local trader's mule caravans, which travelled through the mountains, resembling train wagons.

The first tourist hostel here was built in 1933, laying the ground of a future ski centre. The resort is pleasant to visit in summer, due to its picturesque surrounding areas and peculiar rock formations such as the famous Orpheus Rocks. Hikes to the Rhodopi's peaks (Snezhanka - 1925m, Murgavets - 1858m) are also quite popular among summer tourists.

Non-ski area are also planned for development, with golf courses to be constructed.