Most of the mountain will be at your fingertips as an intermediate skier or snowboarder. Jump on the triple chairlift from the Malina station which will whisk you up to the top of Snejanka peak. From here you can survey the whole resort and take your pick of scenic runs. The intermediates that will probably have the best time at Pamporovo are those that haven't been skiing for that long and who are looking to practice and improve their confidence and technique.

Advanced skiers won't have a wide choice of exciting runs at Pamporovo but they will enjoy the resorts most exciting and challenging run, The Wall. Jump on the drag lift from the middle station up to the side of the run and then let loose on the steep, mougled piste. You'll also enjoy the Slalom run, and another testing piste from the TV tower, after the last station of the triple chair.

The ski/snowboard school of Pamporovo is well known for its high quality tuition and experienced ski instructors. It's one of the best in the country, providing the top possible start for beginners. The ski lessons happen for four hours a day, six days a week, and the school is situated just a few minutes from the centre of the resort.

Part of the reason Pamporovo is so popular is its thriving après-ski scene. There's a great selection of unique bars to work your way though, most offering happy hours and local and imported beers, wines and spirits at very reasonable prices.  There are some great clubs to move on to later in the night, and there are no cover charges. Popular spots include: - The White Hart pub, Dak's Bar on the ground floor of hotel Snejanka and club Night Flight. There's a wide variety of restaurants offering good international cuisine, but the local folk taverns are the most popular. Whole sheep are roasted over open fires and dancers in folklore costumes tell their stories. Many restaurants also serve traditional Rhodope cuisine includes lamb kebab or cheverme, stuffed vine leaves or sarmi, white bean stew or smolenski bob, and a local variation of the traditional Bulgarian cheese banitsa with potatoes or so-called potatnik. Elsewhere you can get everything from good pizza to more upmarket dining and superb Bulgarian wines.

There are lots of great day trips to be taken in the scenic area around Pamporovo. Try heading to Plovdiv or the nearby town of Smolyan. Sofia and the Bachkovo Monastery both beautiful as well. Talk to the locals when you arrive as well, as they can often recommend hidden gems. If you like shopping there is a good selection to peruse, and you can also try your hand at bowling, ice skating, skidooing and tabboganing.

The closest airport to Pamporovo is in the city of Plovdiv, about 80 kilometres from the resort. Sofia airport (230 km) is also an option.

Motoroads Ltd. - transfers from Sofia and Plovdiv airports
Sofia 1799, Bulgaria Mladost 2, block 279
Phone: +359 24 808553
Fax: +359 24 808553
www.sofia-airport-transfer.com
Email: bul@motoroads.com
Transfers for Sofia airport
http://sofiabulgaria.virtualave.net/pamporovo.html

Bulgarian State Railways provides a train service that covers most cities in the country, but it can be slow and unreliable. Trains arriving at Plovdiv station (85kms from the resort) can be connected to a bus at the inner city bus terminal, Rodopi which serves the mountain resorts and is accessible via the underground walkway.

By car from London, the preferred route, using mostly motorways, takes you through France into Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro and on to Bulgaria (2,548kms; 25 hours, 52 minutes). From Plovdiv to Pamporovo by car, take the 86 road to Asenovgrad, then continue on the 86 road to Pamporovo (85kms; 1 hour, 25 minutes).