Ski Touring Trip in Rila and Pirin National Parks

Day 1: Arrival

Meeting with your guide at Sofia Airport. 1,5 hours transfer to the village of Govedartsi at 1200 m, in the foot of Rila Mountains. Accommodation in a family hotel in the village for two nights. Dinner in our hotel.

Day 2: Mount Malyovitsa

A short transfer takes us to the starting point at 1730 m. The ascent to Mount Malyovitsa (2729 m), start just below the three line. Breakfast in the hotel. Short transfer to the starting point of the tour. During first 45 minute we will be skinning up a mild and gradual trail to Malyovitsa Hut. Further up the terrain gets steeper until we reach the Dears Lake. Last bit to the peak will include a slightly technical ridge that we will take according to the conditions. Enjoyable descent down the slopes of Malyovitsa and the valley back to the parking lot. Short transfer back to our hotel. Dinner in our hotel.
About 7-8 hours.

Ascent 1000m Descent 1000m

Day 3: Mount Musala

Breakfast in the hotel. 30-minutes transfer to the ski resort of Borovets. On the second day of our ski trip, we will ascent the highest point on the Balkans. We start the ski tour with quick vertical gain with Yastrebets gondola all the way up to 2360 m. Walking out of the gondola station, the view ahead of us is dominated by the rocky Mount Musala (2925 m). About 3 hours ascent to the top with an easy crampons section for the last 30 minutes before summiting. Then we will choose our ski descent route. The 150m of denivelation are technical and often if the avalanche and snow conditions are not supportive we might crampon down the top tip. Further on we continue on an enjoyable ski descent all the way down to Borovets at an altitude of 1350m. Duration of 5-6 hours!

A transfer for 1,30 min will take us to our next accommodation - a hotel in Panichishte at 1400 m, where we stay for 1 night. On the way we pass through the village of Sapareva Banya, famous for its hot springs where we can visit an outdoor thermal pool and relax our muscles after 2 days of ski touring! :). Dinner in our hotel.

Ascent 700m Descent 1600m

Day 4: Seven Rila Lakes

Short 20-minute transfer will take us to Pionerska hut. Here we take the chair lift to Rila Lakes Hut, located in the area of the famous Seven Lakes. Ascent to the main ridge of the mountain, with great views towards the glacier lakes in the area. Ski down to the hut and further down through the forests. Long transfer to Bansko, 2 hours. Dinner and accommodation in a hotel in Bansko

Ascent 600m Descent 1300m

Day 5: Mount Hvoinati

Today we start our ski touring in the Pirin mountains. Early start and short transfer will take us to the upper section of the ski resort. Further on wie continue on a soft and gradual terrain in the forest that will take us to Vihren hut in 1.45 minutes. From here the steeper part of the ascent starts and in 2 hours will take us to the top of Hvoinati peak. Long ski descent all the way to Bansko! Dinner in the hotel.

Ascent 1000m Descent 1600m

Day 6: Mount Polezan

In the morning a 30-minute transfer will take us up the neighbouring valley, starting at the village of Dobrinishte. With the use of an old chairlift we will get to Bezbog hut at 2200m. We put the skins on and the route will take us all the way up the panoramic Mount Polezan (2851 m). Polezhan offers several descents. Depending on the snow conditions we will choose the best and safest option. About 6 hours. Transfer back to the hotel. Traditional dinner in a rustic house in a neighbouring village.

Ascent 650m Descent 1900m

Day 7: Departure

Transfer to Sofia for about 2,5h. Sightseeing in the central part of Sofia (depending on the flight schedule). Flight home!