This Saturday, 27 December 2025, Borovets will officially open the winter season with a large-scale festive event, marking the start of the anniversary celebrations for 130 years since the establishment of the first mountain resort in Bulgaria and the Balkans. Regardless of weather conditions, the celebration will take place as planned, with a program designed to provide an enjoyable, safe and fulfilling experience for all visitors.

The anniversary year will be held under the motto:
“130 Years of Borovets. Legendary Past. Boundless Future.”

On the occasion of the official opening, Borovets will welcome its guests with a celebration filled with sports activities and a diverse entertainment program for all ages. If the ski area is operational, children’s lift passes throughout Saturday will be available at the symbolic price of BGN 1, while daytime and night ski passes for all other age groups will be offered at a 50% discount. The Borosport Ski and Snowboard School will further enrich the celebration by offering free group lessons for 130 beginner children, with free equipment provided for those who register in advance.

The full-day festive program will begin at 10:00 a.m. Visitors will enjoy themed games with prizes, demonstrations by the Mountain Rescue Service, meet-and-greets with rescue dogs, a snow igloo and educational zone, as well as creative workshops for children led by local artisans and artists.

Sporting excitement will be at the heart of the event, featuring a spectacular children’s mini slalom led by skiing legend Petar Popangelov, along with impressive snowboard freestyle demonstrations by Alexandra Zhekova. The afternoon program will be complemented by two refined musical sets performed by the choir of the “Spiritual Music” Association, conducted and soloed by Harry Draganov.

The official ceremony will take place at 4:30 p.m. on the stage in front of Hotel Rila, with the participation of the Mayor of Samokov Municipality, Eng. Angel Dzhorgov, representatives of the local and regional authorities, other official guests, and the management of Borosport. The evening program will transform Borovets into a true winter stage with an impressive laser show, torchlight descent and LED performance by ski instructors, culminating in a concert by the band “Molets.” The event will be hosted by Alexander Sano.

“This year’s season opening is particularly special, as it marks the beginning of the anniversary celebrations for 130 years since Borovets was founded. It is not only a reason to celebrate, but also an opportunity for reflection and a clear vision for the future,” said Ivo Tsvetkov, Executive Director of Borosport AD.

He added that the long-term strategy is focused on the sustainable development of Borovets as a year-round resort: “Our vision is for Borovets to develop as a year-round destination, offering excellent conditions for winter sports and a wide range of activities throughout all seasons. We continuously invest in infrastructure, technology and service quality, because satisfied guests are our greatest success.”

Tsvetkov also emphasized that despite the unusually high temperatures in December, Borosport is fully prepared for a strong winter season, adding:
“Borosport has consistently invested in the ski area over the years, including snowmaking systems for technical snow production, fast and modern chairlifts, and supporting infrastructure. Over the next ten years, the development of the ski area will focus on the higher parts of the mountain, including snowmaking in the ski center above 1,800 meters above sea level and the replacement of the gondola lift with a new, more modern and faster one. We are working closely with Samokov Municipality and rely on the support of the state. These investments are key to increasing capacity, comfort and safety for our guests, extending the season and strengthening Borovets’ position as a competitive European winter destination.”

The Mayor of Samokov Municipality, Eng. Angel Dzhorgov, also highlighted the importance of long-term projects for Borovets and the region, noting: “We have succeeded in obtaining the copyrights to the conceptual design for a new center of Borovets, the so-called ‘Golden Triangle.’ This allows us to take concrete steps towards the development of a technical project.”

The project is planned to transform the central area of the resort, making it even more attractive year-round, with new public spaces, tourist services and infrastructure for recreation and entertainment.

The official opening of the winter season is only the first in a series of initiatives planned for 2026, aimed at highlighting Borovets’ rich history and its vision for sustainable development as a modern, dynamic and year-round tourist destination.

More About Chamkoria–Borovets

The history of the resort dates back to 1896, when Bulgarian Prince Ferdinand built his summer residence there along with several hunting lodges. At that time, the resort was known as Chamkoria. Following the Prince, many aristocratic and affluent families from Sofia began building summer villas in the area. In 1942, the resort was renamed Borovets, a translation of the Turkish word Chamkoru. In 1948, Borovets was officially declared a national resort.

During the 1970s and 1980s, thanks to the successes of Bulgarian skiing legend from Samokov Pepi Popangelov and the efforts of his father, Petar Popangelov Sr., Borovets developed into an international ski center. The resort has hosted several rounds of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup and other major sporting events. The first downhill skiing competition in Borovets was held in 1930, and the resort appeared in the FIS Alpine Skiing Calendar for the first time in 1974.

Borovets features three interconnected ski centers, designed to provide guests with convenient access to slopes suited to their skill level and current lift capacity. In addition to the popular runs Yastrebets 1 and Popangelov (formerly Yastrebets 2), other slopes such as Martinovi Baraki, Sitnyakovo, and Markudzhik have also become increasingly attractive in recent years. Night skiing is another highlight of Borovets, with eight illuminated and interconnected slopes, groomed just before 6:00 p.m. and ideal for skiing until 10:00 p.m.

For the past 25 years, the Borovets ski area has been operated and managed by Borosport, which has made the development of mass children’s skiing its core mission. The concessionaire encourages children to discover the mountains and nature by providing free lift passes to all kindergarten children and students up to 18 years of age in Samokov Municipality, as well as to athletes from all local sports clubs.

In the 2026 season, Borosport continues the implementation of its large-scale investment program, with total investments to date reaching BGN 120 million. These investments are focused on three main areas:

the construction of independent energy and communication infrastructure;
the development and continuous expansion of a modern artificial snowmaking system, now comprising 220 snow cannons, an artificial lake, and a pumping station using the latest TechnoAlpin technologies, ensuring optimal snow coverage and maintenance for two-thirds of the resort’s slopes;
the replacement of slow, low-capacity lifts and drag lifts—previous bottlenecks in tourist flow—with faster, high-capacity facilities.
During the 2026 season, Borosport will introduce a new loyalty program for snow sports enthusiasts titled “Recharge – Save – Win.” Accumulated points can be redeemed for lift passes and additional bonuses.

Over the next decade, Borosport will place a strong emphasis on ensuring reliable snowmaking in the higher parts of the mountain. At the same time, in partnership with Samokov Municipality, which has begun implementing a major project for a new resort center designed by the British firm William Matthews Associates together with SGI International Bulgaria, the concessionaire plans to construct a new 10-seater gondola lift. This gondola will become the main artery of the Yastrebets sector, providing a fast, high-capacity connection between the lower parts of the mountain and the high-altitude ski zone.

Today, Borovets is more than just a winter resort—it is a year-round destination for experiences. In winter, it attracts visitors with its well-developed ski area, excellent skiing and snowboarding conditions, and modern lift infrastructure. During the warmer months, the resort transforms into a hub for tourism, mountain hiking, cycling, and eco-adventures.