ski lodge vitosha
The nearest ski resort to Sofia is Aleko, it has runs from 2200 down to about 1200 m. The easiest way to get there is by a Gondola cable car from the outskirts of Sofia (about £2.40). At the top station you can hire your skis, (£6-10) and then ski down to the bottom of the chair lift to buy the lift pass (about £6), which is a bit confusing. The chair lift takes you almost to the top of the highest peak (Cherni Vrah). Runs are not clearly marked for grade, and the easy runs share the same route as that used by the many hikers climbing the mountain, (I hiked up the mountain the first time I visited this part, it was a pretty good experience). The mix means you need to be careful for your own safety at that of others. The resort was always busy when I visited (at the weekends), with a wide range of people aged 7-70 (I'm told its very quiet on weekdays). It was good to see some many older people - using skiing kit they had obviously had used for years, and much less of the usual skiing fashion parade. Apparently the first Sunday of each month is the concession day, so it can get very busy. This lodge is at the top of the gondola cable car, and has a restaurant/bar (very cheap) and is one of the places you can hire skis. Of course there is a big queue to catch the Gondola down to Sofia before it closes at 4.30. Worst bit is getting back from the Gondola base station to Sofia. Its only about 4km to the Studentski Grad (near the Technical University), but the taxis you can pick up are liable to overcharge foreigners (perhaps everyone!). There is a bus (flat 20p fare) but I never had a chance to work out where it goes. Best get a lift with a friend!
ski lodge vitosha
The nearest ski resort to Sofia is Aleko, it has runs from 2200 down to about 1200 m. The easiest way to get there is by a Gondola cable car from the outskirts of Sofia (about £2.40). At the top station you can hire your skis, (£6-10) and then ski down to the bottom of the chair lift to buy the lift pass (about £6), which is a bit confusing. The chair lift takes you almost to the top of the highest peak (Cherni Vrah). Runs are not clearly marked for grade, and the easy runs share the same route as that used by the many hikers climbing the mountain, (I hiked up the mountain the first time I visited this part, it was a pretty good experience). The mix means you need to be careful for your own safety at that of others. The resort was always busy when I visited (at the weekends), with a wide range of people aged 7-70 (I'm told its very quiet on weekdays). It was good to see some many older people - using skiing kit they had obviously had used for years, and much less of the usual skiing fashion parade. Apparently the first Sunday of each month is the concession day, so it can get very busy. This lodge is at the top of the gondola cable car, and has a restaurant/bar (very cheap) and is one of the places you can hire skis. Of course there is a big queue to catch the Gondola down to Sofia before it closes at 4.30. Worst bit is getting back from the Gondola base station to Sofia. Its only about 4km to the Studentski Grad (near the Technical University), but the taxis you can pick up are liable to overcharge foreigners (perhaps everyone!). There is a bus (flat 20p fare) but I never had a chance to work out where it goes. Best get a lift with a friend!