Ski Holiday at Vitosha...
While not necessarily the most popular ski resort in Bulgaria, Vitosha is nevertheless a busy resort mostly because of its relative closeness to Sofia, which is the capital of the country. Just 10 kilometres out from the city limits, Vitosha is the highest ski resort in the country, and features a combination of hiking trails during the summer months and plenty of slopes for skiing during the winter ones. While it is accessible year-round, the winter months are more popular with tourists in Sofia for ski holidays, or for visitors who are looking for a day trip while staying in the city.
Above and beyond the ski slopes themselves, there are also two biosphere preserves on Vitosha: the Bistrishko Branishte and the Torfeno Branishte. The mountain is also host to one of the longest caves in Bulgaria. Known as Duhlata, it is nearly 18 kilometres long and has six underground rivers, combined with the eastern cliffs which are perfect for rock-climbing during the warmer months.
One of the main differences between Vitosha and the more ski-themed resorts such as Bansko is the simple fact that this is not one of the major ski resorts of Bulgaria, and while the skiing and snowboarding opportunities are well enough in their own right, perfect for people looking for a quick jaunt while staying in Sofia, the nightlife and slopes cannot compare to the bigger resorts such as Bansko and Pamporovo. Still, there are six different runs of various difficulties in length, so no matter the level of skill there is something for everyone.
