Ski in Borovets

New Snow Park opens with a bang

2012-02-03T12:07:00.000-08:00

The most modern freestyle park in Bulgaria, Snow Park Borosport, opened on 22nd of January in the ski resort of Borovets. The park is built on equipment delivered by Scheestern, the internationally renowned German manufacturer and is located on the Popangelov ski track and is a lot more challenging than last year’s Borosport Funpark. The length of the new Snow Park is 610m and it has three levels of difficulty. There are perfect jumps and other unique elements. And if your children like free style too, they will be able to enjoy that activity on the kids’ trace which has a line of jumps especially designed for the young ones.

On February 4th, the park will see its first event: Borosport Big Air Open. Children up to 14 years old and teenagers up to 19 years old will be allowed to take part in the competition. They will compete in two disciplines – ski and snowboard. Winners will be chosen, depending on the skills of the participants, based on their tricks and their ability to mark scores. And for those freestyle enthusiasts, who are not going to participate in the race, Snow Park Borosport has prepared the Jib and Pro line, which will be open during the whole day.

Borovets: Lastminute.com top destination for 2012

2012-01-10T14:07:00.000-08:00

The UK and Ireland’s leading online travel retailer Lastminute.com has today unveiled their ‘must do, must see’ list for this year’s top destinations. The website has compiled their Top 5 ‘must visit’ destinations for 2012, as well as top 5 cities, hotels and London theatre shows. Eva Bojtos of lastminute.com was pleased with the compliation of the new list.

Bojitos said: “We’ve scoured our bookings data to inspire our customers with top travel tips for 2012 and it’s an excited must-do list, with some interesting surprises along with a few old classic destinations that never go out of fashion.” The top 5 emerging holiday destinations are Borovets, Bulgaria; Hurghada, Egypt; Lanzarote; Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt and Marrakech, Morocco. Bojtos added: “North African holiday resorts prove popular year in, year out with their guaranteed sunshine, so it’s not much of a surprise to see Egypt and Morocco featuring on our list.

“However, Borovets is a rather unusual choice of destination – it appears that budget ski holidays are set to be popular next year.”

Bulgaria's tax system luring new businesses

2012-01-08T08:13:00.000-08:00

Bulgaria is among the top ten countries in the world with the lowest effective tax rates and is preceded only by Hong Kong, tax havens like the Bahamas Islands and petro-states like Saudi Arabia. It's no surprise then that in times of crisis, when the whole business world is shaking and struggling with financial problems, Bulgaria has seen a very distinct increase in new business startups as well as a considerable increase in the number of newly registered businesses from abroad. Local and international reports show more and more evidence of the fact that international businesses tend to establish their headquarters in Bulgaria in order to optimise their overall tax burden since Bulgarian's tax environment is by far the most favourable within the EU.

The tax environment, the rates and multiple incentives contribute greatly to international businesses allowing them to effectively and legally reduce their tax burden. The corporate income tax in Bulgaria is at a flat rate of 10% of the net income for the respective year. For a comparison the corporate tax burden in the rest of the European member states is dramatically heavier - in the UK it varies between 20-28%, in the Netherlands it's at 25%, in Italy at 31.4%, in Germany it varies between 14% and 17.5% and in Greece at 25%. At 10% corporation tax is well below the range of 15% to 36% witnessed in other EU countries. Moreover it's also possible to get a rebate up to 100% in tax in case the business is situated in a region of high unemployment.

In regards to personal tax, Bulgaria is also at an advantage when compared to other countries. The personal income tax rate is a flat 10% with a cap at 2,000 BGN/month (ie, €1,000/month). As for the the dividend tax it is at 0% when the dividend is being distributed between EU member residents.

Not surprisingly the example set by many SMEs and big international corporations locating in Bulgaria has driven others to do the same. And knowing that in addition to the lowest tax burden from all EU countries there is also a very fast and hassle-free company registration procedure, a flexible and modern corporate law system; financial, fiscal and banking stability, the reassurance of the EU membership, a big pool of skilled workers available and the lowest costs of labor in the EU, it's easy to understand why Bulgaria is fast becoming an incorporation destination of choice.

Source newbusiness.co.uk

A winter in Borovets: some pictures

2012-01-02T04:46:00.000-08:00

The winter is really beautiful in and around Borovets. Here are a few pictures, taken mostly this Christmas, for you to enjoy!

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Forestry Act amendment to pave the way for Ski Resorts upgrades

2011-12-29T08:00:00.000-08:00

The amendments to the Forestry Act do not serve just one company, said Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture and Food Miroslav Naydenov earlier this week. The government discussed the bill to amend the act at its Wednesday’s meeting. According to the new bill it will be possible to build ski runs and lifts in mountain ranges without changing the designation of the territory.

Environmentalists expressed dissatisfaction with the amendment, saying it legalizes construction in natural parks, which are owned exclusively by the state. They say the amendment serves the interests of Vitosha Ski company, which manages the ski runs and lifts in the Vitosha mountain range. At the beginning of the winter tourist season the company had refused to open the facilities until the act is amended. The Forestry Act, which was adopted about six months ago, imposes very restrictive measures on the ski tourism development. Those changes would affect not only the Vitosha mountains, but also all the other mountain resorts. It will allow tourism to develop, create create jobs and revive nearby communities, said the minister. The new bill will allow construction in all resorts regulated by the Forestry Act and especially Borovets and Pamporovo.

Hunters remains a favourite for picky tourists

2011-12-27T12:43:00.000-08:00

Hunters is known in Borovets for being the only completely no-smoking bar & restaurant and it has proved to be popular with international tourists for that reason. But most people go there for the food, reasonable prices and friendly atmosphere. You won't find anybody outside the door trying to convince you to get in. Those who push the door do it because they know that Serma and Christo will make them feel at home!

Their speciality are meat dishes barbecued in front of you on the log fire but you also need to try the grilled pepper salad with garlic and the aubergine salad (it's called Kiopolu on the menu) -- if you've tried to make those at home you know how much work it is and why it's worth it. And one more thing... if you are a client of Balkan PMS or the Hunters Ski School, you'll get a 10% discount!

Sun & Snow make for a perfect season opening

2011-12-26T11:49:00.000-08:00

A heavy snow dump last week has allowed Borovets to be in perfect skiing condition for the Christmas tourists.

The official opening of the resort was on December 23rd with a "fire and ice" show and since then all pistes have been open to the public making Borovets a great ski destination for the winter holidays.

No new snow is expected for the next few days but with the existing cover and snow canons working overtime, holidaymakers should not worry about lack of snow this Christmas. But to be honest, as long as there is enough snow on the pistes, who can complain of a sunny weather!

Borovets now ready for the 2011/2012 season

2011-11-09T09:39:00.000-08:00

Borosport, the concessionaire of the ski resort Borovets, continues to fulfil their ambitious program in this winter season. Ski tracks were renovated this summer and the length of the system for snow retention was doubled in the ski zone ‘Markudjik’.

The snow making system has a doubled capacity this winter and thus ski zones should be covered with snow as quickly as possible. An extra 25 artificial snow making facilities were also purchased for ski season 2011/2012 in Bulgaria. The season will start on 20th of December and will continue until April. During the upcoming winter season the Borosport Snow Park will be installed at the same place as last year but the length will now be 610m. Many new elements will be also made available as well as a new configuration for beginners and advanced skiers alike. Hotels are readying their Xmas and New Year offers for what looks like to be another great season. .

Fresh snow bodes well for the winter season

2011-10-20T16:40:00.000-07:00

The cold spell that came across Bulgaria the last few days bodes well for the upcoming ski season. Snow storms still rages in the Balkan mountain range and all passes are closed due to the complicated meteorology conditions. The highest parts of the mountains in Bulgaria boast with over 40 cm solid snow which will no doubt turn into an excellent base for the ski slopes. The early snowfall in Bulgaria promises excellent skiing conditions during the season.

Earlier this month, the temperatures all over Bulgaria went down with more than 10 degrees. The weather in the mountains is not suitable four tourism, especially over 1500 m above the sea level, as it is snowing almost everywhere. The snow cover at the Cherni Vrah peak in the Vitosha mountain, right next to Sofia is already 15 cm, which is not common for this time of the year.

Bulgarian PM Opens EU Route to Borovets Resort

2011-09-20T09:08:00.000-07:00

Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, officially opened Tuesday the repaired section of the road connecting the capital's beltway with the villages of Bistritsa, Zheleznitsa and Kovachevtsi. The repair works have been financed by the EU operational program Regional Development – the section is 27-km long and includes repairs of 6 bridges and 46 000 tons of new asphalt. The upper part of the thoroughfare still needs additional work over a landslide.

"We now have a marvelous road – with 5 years warranty and all needed infrastructure. We lived to see the day when we have to impose speed limits near Zheleznitsa and Bistritsa over the straight stretch of the road there that will make people drive very fast. This section of the road now provides a European route to the Borovets winter resort for the upcoming season," Borisov said after cutting the ribbon.

The Mayor of Sofia, Yordanka Fandakova, who was also present at the ceremony, explained that just days ago the City Hall has received as a gift a "banitsa" (traditional Bulgarian philo dough pastry) and a thank you letter from residents of the villages, adding the new stage will include the building of the sewage system for these villages as a priority.

"Two and a half years ago, when I was Mayor of Sofia, and people were asking me when their road will be fixed, I wanted to place a sign on the beltway that this road is State-property. I now think I should put a sign that this road belongs to Stanishev," Borisov concluded. Sergey Stanishev, leader of the opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party, BSP, is Borisov's predecessor as PM in the Three Way Coalition cabinet.

Grand opening of mountain bike park

2010-05-15T05:02:00.000-07:00

This year again, Borovets proves that it is not just a winter station. The opening of brand new Borovets Mountain Bike Park this month confirms that the resort can also cater for summer mountain enthusiasts.

On June 19, Borovets will kick off the official start of summer with music, competitions, demonstrations, and many surprises. This summer, Borovets will introduce the Borovets Mountain Bike Park which has over 20 km of marked trails with different levels of difficulty. Green trails allow people without special training to enjoy that sport which is becoming more and more popular. The sport is suitable for children of all ages, the only condition being that you have to be accompanied by an adult and of course... wear a bicycle helmet. Blue trails are for advanced riders and have natural barriers which raise adrenaline and improve skills. Red trails are difficult routes that combine numerous obstacles and steep slopes.

The pride of the park is a downhill road 2,200m long and with a 440m level difference. The route is suitable only for professionals equipped with necessary equipment. Many kickers, jumps, bridges and of course the killer track slope will be a magnet for all those who seek the excitement of extreme sports. The mountain biking routes within the Borovets Mountain Bike Park have another advantage: the perfect combination of a unique nature environment and perfectly suited terrain for biking. And to top it up, Borovets is only 70 km from Sofia, which makes it a preferred destination of Sofia residents for sport and recreation in the mountains.

All throughout the summer season, the fast Sitnyakovo Express lift will bring you on top of the mountains in less than 5 minutes and allow you to enjoy an unforgettable day in the mountains. All this would not be possible without the most beautiful Bulgarian mountain resort: Borovets is always ready to provide you with an unforgettable experience. This summer, the green resort offers more than just a breath of freshness in the heat, but also many new opportunities for adventure, sports and relaxation. Mountain tours, mountain bike or "off road" safari - these are just some of the entertainment you can choose from during your vacation or weekend in the mountains. Without forgetting some of the old-time favorites like sport fishing, shooting horseback riding, or the always fun for the whole family: Boroland rope city.

For further information and questions email info@borovetsbikepark.com and don’t forget to check the interactive map of the park at www.borovetsbikepark.com.

Dining at Katy's Pub

2010-02-02T04:57:00.000-08:00

If you fancy a good steak, Katy’s Pub is the place to go to in Borovets. Right across the Samokov hotel, you can find Katy’s Steak and Wine Pub. The restaurant is set on 2 levels. There are tables for 2 as well as big tables that can accommodate up to to 14 people.

Their specialty is meat and if you like steaks you won’t be disappointed. The service is friendly, the place is nicely decorated and the food excellent. Make sure you are hungry though as the portions are quite big, even the small ones. I had a sirloin steak with blue cheese and it was fabulous. If your are really hungry however you should go for the mixed grill!

But beware, the place is popular so be sure to book in advance if you don’t want to be disappointed. Just email your name and the number of guests at katys@borovets.com and be ready to enjoy a delicious evening.

Christmas in Sofia

2009-12-25T04:50:00.000-08:00

When you come to Borovets, you should never forget to pay a visit to Sofia. There's something really magical about the winter in Sofia, especially around Christmas. Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe with ruins spread across the city centre. It was founded because of the quality of its mineral waters. In the city alone there are 7 independent mineral water springs and one of the springs is in the central area of the city, accessible for everybody across the square behind the mosque at the intersection of Iskar and Ekzarh Yosif streets. In the administrative centre of Sofia the streets are covered with a specific yellow pavement that was laid at the beginning of the 20th century and was a present to the Bulgarian Tsar Ferdinand for his wedding from the Austria-Hungarian royal family.

The best starting point for a walking tour is Ploshtad Sveta Nedelya, the city's main traffic hub. From here, a grid of streets radiate out towards the inner ring road, forming an irregular octagon around town. The main attractions are enclosed within this space and are all within walking distance of one another.

From ploshtad Sveta Nedelya, bulvard Maria Louiza runs north, to the city's sole surviving functioning mosque, Banya Bashi Mosque. Close by, the Central Baths, the Central Food Halls and the Sofia Synagogue, the third largest in Europe and which also houses the Jewish Museum of History, form a hub of early 20th-century monuments. The boulevard then proceeds through an area that becomes progressively less imposing as it nears the Central Station. Just off to the left lies the lively Women's Market.

Meanwhile, to the south lies bulvard Vitosha, with the peak of Mount Vitosha proudly rising in the distance. The monumental bulvard Tsar Osvoboditel, running east of Ploshtad Sveta Nedelya, goes past the exquisite St Nicholas Russian Church to arrive at Alexander Nevski Ploshtad, overlooked by Sofia's star attraction, St Alexander Nevski Memorial Church, and the early Byzantine Church of St Sofia. And along this street are also the Ethnographic Museum, Archaeological Museum and National Art Gallery.

But if you are more into shopping than sightseeing, you won't be disappointed either. Sofia’s smartest shops – including any number of international designer outlets - jostle for attention along either side of bulvard Vitosha, the city’s main north-south pedestrian, trams and police only, shopping street. Mainstream clothes, domestic and electrical stores can also be found in abundance along consumer-clogged streets like ul. Graf Ignatiev and ul. Pirotska.

Following a costly facelift, TsUM, on the Largo, has cast off its former image as a drab department store and now operates as a Western-style shopping mall, with privately rented boutiques and cafés on three levels. The Tsentralni Hali (Central Food Halls), on Maria Louiza bulevard have also been refurbished to form a spotlessly clean and well-organised bazaar and are open daily. Pirotski has been repaved and pedestrianised, with a large open-air cafe-bar at the end facing the mosque, linking the Tsentralni Hali to Zhenski Pazar (Women's Market). Situated on Stefan Stambolov bulevard, Zhenski Pazar is a truly down-to-earth market. Gleaming shopping malls have been the latest thing to transform Sofia's shopping culture: Mall of Sofia, bulvard Stambouliski, is the largest, complete with bookshops, a food court and international brands. CCS, bulvard Arsenalski, has six levels of bars, restaurants, an IMAX cinema, plus French fashions and Turkish homeware.

Souvenirs such as reproduction icons, Russian dolls, jewellery, ceramics, wooden items, embroidered tablecloths and lace are for sale at stalls in front of Alexander Nevski church and a few along the streets behind. The Bulgarian Union of Artists, ulitsa Shipka 6, offers arts and crafts pieces at reasonable prices, and decent souvenirs and CDs of Bulgarian music are at Ethnographic Museum. Also worth investigating for souvenirs are the shops in the subway between TsUM and the Balkan Sheraton. And last, there is a large book market at Ploshtad Slavejkov, near the National Theatre and ulitsa Rakviski. Among luxury goods to take home there are Bulgarian wines, notably the full-bodied red Melnik, and rakiya (fruit brandy) - favourites being grozdova made from grapes and slivova from plum. Another national tipple is mastika, an anis-flavoured drink that is similar to Greek ouzo. These are available in shops throughout town. Finally, supermarket chains have made an appearance in Sofia over the past few years, including the Austrian Billa, bulvard Bulgaria 55. Most shops are open 10:00-19:00 on weekdays and until 13:00 on Saturday.

Tourist Information
Bulgarian State Agency for Tourism
Ploshtad Sveta Nedelya 1
Tel: (02) 933 5845/5811
Website: www.bulgariatravel.org

Borovets, top value destination

2009-12-01T04:44:00.000-08:00

Ski resorts in Eastern Europe – led by Romania and Bulgaria – emerge as best value for UK skiers, according to new research into prices for winter 2009/10 by Post Office Travel Services. The Ski Resort Report investigated the costs of lift passes and equipment hire together with meal and drinks prices in 14 ski destinations across Europe and North America – both for individuals and families. Top-value ski destinations cited are are Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Slovenia in that order, according to the survey.

Named one of the most inexpensive ski destinations in the Post Office Travel Service’s 2009 ski resort report, the resort of Borovets is Bulgaria’s oldest, biggest and most modern ski area with a range of slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Borovets offers its guests plenty of inexpensive après-ski options in the form of the many “mehenas”, or traditional taverns, that are dotted throughout the town.

One thing that the survey failed to take into account was cost of accommodation and tuition. Having done so would have certainly increased the gap even more so. With so many lost cost airlines flying from the UK, an all-inclusive week of ski for 4 persons in Borovets Gardens can indeed cost as little as £400 per person.

That finding was actually confirmed by another study from InsureandGo – a leading insurance company. They found that skiers would spend an average of £819 on the basics of a ski holiday per week in a leading Bulgarian resort, which currently compares to £1,366 in a resort in France, and would cost around £1,162 in a resort in Austria or £1,045 if booked in a resort in the Italian Alps.

New snow cannons in Yastrebets

2009-11-13T11:36:00.000-08:00

Borovets has completed another stage in its ongoing €40 million investment program. Ready for the new season, a new open reservoir between runs Yastrebets 2 & 3 will supply water to the artificial snow cannons situated along the ski slopes. It has a capacity of 35,000 cubic meters, which will allow for perfect artificial snow across 200 acres of runs and links to the Yastrebets Express chair lift.

Skiers and snowboarders will also enjoy Prodylzhat which opened last season and the new lift Markudjik 2 which has a length of 1,000 meters and capacity of 2,400 skiers per hour. Thanks to these lifts skiers can do more runs a day and have access to a beautiful ski area that is now accessible to skiers and snowboarders with less experience.

Lastly, Borosport also linked Sitnyakovskiya with Yastrebishkiya, creating a convenient ski-band (around 500 m), situated between the lower station of the Yastrebets Express lift and the lower station of the Gondola. That allows skiers to ski downhill from the Yastrebets Express lift to the Gondola booth and go on to other parts of the domain.

Also, and as every year, this summer saw routine preparation for the ski runs for the high season: reclamation and treatment of areas threatened by erosion, drainage and grass, cleaning the paths that are used by skiers for skiing links between the different tracks, changing the marking. Borosport has worked hard again this year to maintain the reputation of Borovets as the most unspoiled in Bulgaria.