Presentation

Snezhanka Hotel is the first international tourism hotel in the Pamporovo resort complex and it is located in the centre of the ski resort. In December 2006 Snezhanka reopened with a entirely renovated lobby and a spacious, cosy restaurant. The rooms are comfortable with a state-of-art interior design.

The hotel features 67 twin rooms and 11 apartments, 5 of which have fireplaces. A total of 75 apartments are available to the guests in the building’s new wing.

The hotel restaurant is predisposing with its comfy atmosphere and a variety of dishes. The complex also has a lobby bar, a tavern with authentic Rhodopi interior and original special dishes, a discothèque, and a store.

The sports centre offer the hotel guests many options for relaxation and entertainment – a gym, an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a Jacuzzi, hydrojet, solarium, and a massage room. Snezhanka offers free parking to its guests.

The hotel offers good conditions for conference events and seminars. Available to the guests are two rooms with a capacity for 20 to 80 people, as well as the necessary technical equipment.

Area

Pamporovo is the best known and largest ski resort in Bulgaria and was founded in 1933. It is located 250 km southeast of Sofia, 80 km south of Plovdiv, and 11 km north of Smolyan. The resort is situated in the heart of the Rhodopi mountain, at 1650 meters above sea level, at the foot of the Snezhanka peak (1926 m). From the peak, where the 156 meter high TV tower is built, many ski-treks descend to the resort complex and to the Smolyan lakes. The resort and the ski-treks are surrounded by fir-trees, which makes the resort exceptionally beautiful and attractive. The total length of the ski treks is 18 km. The lifts and rope-lines servicing the treks have a capacity of 7000 persons per hour.

At nights Pamporovo offers interesting opportunities for entertainment. Nearly every hotel has a night club or dance club.

In winter the largest number of tourists hails from the UK, Holland, and Denmark. The places of interest, unique nature, good conditions for skiing and snowboarding, and the multitude of opportunities for entertainment and relaxations make Pamporovo one of the most attractive locations in Bulgaria and a preferred choice for rest for many people. It is by no chance that the resort is called the Pearl of the Rhodopes. The specific weather conditions make it equally attractive both in winter and in summer.

Climate

The climate is favourable for tourism, the average annual temperature being 8°C, the snow cover staying more than 150 days during the year, and the sunny days being nearly 270.

The climate is noted for its clement winter with some 120 sunny days during the active season. The ski season starts in mid-December and continues until mid-April.

Due to the impact of Mediterranean climate, the daily temperatures experience no great fluctuations. The average temperature is -3°C. The high peaks hinder the winds and keep the snow cover during winter.

Sports

The winter here is pure heaven for skiers and snowboarders. You can ski and snowboard from late November until mid-April. There is a total of 150 snowy days, with the snow cover can often pile to over 2 meters. The ski treks are various in length and difficulty. Several (green) treks were developed for beginning skiers, and some grounds are equipped with mini rope-lines. Several very steep (black) treks are available to the advanced skiers. Several treks have been built around the Snezhanka peak and the sports shooting ground in the Yazovira locality for fans of ski running and biathlon.

Several ski schools with highly qualified teachers are operational in Pamporovo. This is where international and national alpine ski competitions for men and women are held, as well as ski running, ski orientation, biathlon, and other winter sports. As of late, the winter mountain biking is gathering popularity around the treks. Pamporovo offers excellent conditions to snowboarders, particularly to the freestyle ones.

The ski school is internationally known. Highly qualified instructors teach the beginning skiers either in groups or individually. Duration of the different training courses is between 3 and 12 days. Those successfully passing the training are issued certificates.

Most ski treks start from Snezhanka peak and are located at a height ranging from 1926 m to 1450 m above seal level. Many treks of varying difficulty have been built to a total length of 17 500 m. The resort has 5 seated lifts and 13 rope-lines. All treks are secured and kept in very good state.

Treks

• Snezhanka-1 (Snezhanka-Yazovira) – Blue – Medium – 990 m

• Snezhanka-2 – Stenata (Snezhanka-Studenets) – Red, Black – Difficult, Very difficult – 1100 m

• Snezhanka-3 (Snezhanka-Dvata Mosta) – Black, Red – Very difficult, Difficult – 1500 m

• Snezhanka-4 (Snezhanka-Ardashla) – Black, Red – Very difficult, Difficult – 2200 m

• Snezhanka-5 (Snezhanka- Ardashla) – Red, Blue – Difficult, Medium – 3100 m

• Snezhanka-6 (Snezhanka- Yazovira – Studenets – Ardashla) – Green – Easy – 3800 m

• Snezhanka-Smolyan lakes – unexplored – 3000 m

• Studenets –Bus Station – Blue – Medium – 800 m

More than 100 highly qualified instructors teach those desiring to learn how to ski. You can rent ski from the stations at the treks or at the lifts.

The mountain rescue service is available 24-07.