Chepelare

Close to Pamporovo yet far less known, Chepelare spreads out below Mechi Chal peak, which rises to around 1,873 m. Its alpine runs and pistes add up to roughly 20 km, rounded out by a snowboard park, a children's ski centre and a training area for beginners.

There is a playful streak here too. On Valentine's Day the resort hosts the "longest kissing contest between skiers," and through the year it runs photography competitions — the kind of touches that give it real character in the Rhodopes.

A small Rhodope resort

Chepelare is a small, low-key ski resort in the Rhodope mountains, in the town of the same name just a few kilometres from Pamporovo. It is a quiet choice, without the crowds and bustle of the big resorts — suited to those after a simple, authentic experience away from the masses. The main run descends through forest from the Mechi Chal slope and has a reputation as one of the longest continuous descents in Bulgaria.

The technical domain

The domain is modest, with around 13.6 km of pistes served by just 2 lifts. The base sits at 1,155 m and the highest point reaches 1,873 m, giving a vertical drop of roughly 718 m — surprisingly large for a resort of this size. There is no night skiing and no snow park. The season runs, indicatively, from December to April.

Practical

Chepelare lies on the road between Smolyan and the rest of the Rhodopes and is easy to combine with a visit to nearby Pamporovo, where the infrastructure is far more developed. For intermediate skiers and anyone wanting to avoid the queues, it is a good option. Prices and services vary from season to season and should be checked before you travel.