Bulgarias oldest resort, Borovets, is hidden among the aromatic pine woods covering the northern slopes of Mount Musala in Rila mountains, 12 km south of Samokov and 73 km south of Sofia. Borovets is1390 metres above sea level, and has a favourable climate with cool summer and mild, snowy winter. Borovets is the biggest mountain resort in Bulgaria. The resort provides excellent opportunities for the whole range of winter sports: from the alpine sports to cross-country skiing, ski-jumps and biathlon on its first-class ski slopes, tracks and facilities. Borovets is a major point of departure for Mount Mousala, the highest peak on the Balkans (2925m), a number of high-mountain chalets, as well as Bistritsa Palace, built as a hunting lodge for Tsar Ferdinand.
Borovets has plenty of good restaurants and bars, whatever your taste. Being a small village at the base of the mountain, it is very easy to get round. Most of the main hotels are within 500m of each other, as well as the gondala, and a lot of the nursery slopes. If you are staying at the Rila hotel, you can quite literally, ski into the hotel. This makes it very easy for families with smaller children, as we all know how the little darlings love a long walk!. In fact, for the main part, Borovets is the ideal resort for families.

Borovets has an excellent nightlife, at a price that won't break the bank. For example, most bars charge about 2Lev (66p....ish) for a measure of spirit (50ml...large), and 3-4Lev for a 500ml beer. A good bottle of the local cabernet will set you back 10-15 Lev. Believe me, if you spend 15 Lev on a bottle of wine, it will be VERY nice

Restaurants in Borovets, range from authentic local, to exotic foreign, and just about everything in between. The most expensive meal I have ever had in Borovets was about 30 lev (£10 ish). It was a steak with all the trimmings and salad, a beer, and a rather nice bottle of red. Truth be known, it was too much for me, but who wants to waste really good food? If you want to eat a quick snack, there are plenty of little stalls that sell pancakes, kebabs etc etc. The prices in Bulgaria have risen steadily over the last few years, although it is still ridiculously cheap, especially when compared to an alpine resort.

Borovets has a cosy "village" feel to it. A five minute walk will get you from one side of the village to the other, even on slippery footpaths. The local bar and restaurant owners are very warm and welcoming. We have been to Borovets several times now, and each time we make more and more friends. It is sometimes a problem for us having to make excuses as we have already agreed to meet a someone else we haven't seen for a year or two.

An excellent ski resort, perfect for families.

There really is something for everyone.