Bulgaria’s Aleko in Vitosha crowned best ski destination in Europe

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

A recent study has unveiled the top-rated ski resorts in Europe, designating Aleko in Vitosha, Bulgaria, as the prime destination for a winter getaway. Carried out by winter sports insurance company SportsCover Direct, the research analyzed various metrics from skiresort.info, encompassing factors like the cost of a day ski pass, average star ratings, number of ski lifts, highest elevation, slope lengths, median hotel prices, and the quantity of hotels within a 10km radius to determine the premier resorts.

The metrics were assigned different weights, with particular emphasis on star ratings and nearby hotel prices. Resorts were subsequently rated out of 80, yielding an average score of 52.9. Aleko resort in Vitosha, Bulgaria, claimed the top spot with an impressive score of 74.2 out of 80. This was attributed to its accessibility, boasting 197 nearby hotels, a 740m elevation difference, and an affordable adult day lift pass averaging €26 ($28.32).

Following closely, the Straja resort in Hunedoara County, Romania, secured the second position with a score of 72 out of 80. Visitors to Straja can expect to pay around €26 ($28.32) for an adult day lift pass, experiencing a 738m elevation difference, with 69% rating the slopes as ‘intermediate’ in difficulty.

Ravna Planina in Bosnia and Herzegovina claimed the third spot, scoring 71.8 out of 80. Popular among beginners, 86% found the slopes ‘easy,’ and the affordable adult daily lift pass of only €15 ($16.34) made it an attractive choice.

In fourth place, Tornik – Zlatibor in Serbia received a rating of 71.5 out of 80, thanks to its reasonably priced average weekly stay of €952 ($1037.12) in the 45 nearby hotels. With a 380m elevation difference, 23% of users rated the slopes as ‘easy,’ while 60% rated them ‘intermediate.’

Ranked fifth is Montenegro’s resort Kolašin 1450 and Kolašin 1600, scoring 70.1 out of 80, featuring seven ski lifts, affordable median hotel prices (€647, $704.85), and a reasonably priced day pass of €25 ($27.24).

The sixth-best skiing destination is in Bulgaria at the Bankso resort, scoring 69.8 out of 80 in the study. Fifty-nine percent of visitors found the slopes ‘easy,’ making it an ideal choice for novice skiers. With an average star rating of 4.2 out of 5, the resort is highly popular among holidaymakers.

Malo Igman in Bosnia and Herzegovina took the seventh spot with a score of 68.9 out of 80. The resort offers an affordable daily ski lift pass rate of €21 ($22.88) for adults and is a viable choice for experienced skiers, with 50% of slopes rated ‘intermediate.’

With a score of 68.1, the Céüze 2000 resort in Gap, France, claimed the eighth position. The average price of one of its 86 nearby hotels is €655 ($713.56), coupled with a budget-friendly daily lift pass of €19 ($20.70), making it an ideal destination for families.

The Mavrovo – Zare Lazareski resort in North Macedonia secured the ninth spot in the study with a score of 67.7 out of 80. The resort features an elevation range of 623m, with 42% of visitors ranking the slopes as intermediate in difficulty.

Rounding off the top destinations is the Alpe du Grand-Serre resort in La Morte, France, with a score of 67.7 in the study. Known for its beginner-friendly slopes, 65% of visitors rated them as easy.

Commenting on the popularity of ski holidays and how to choose the right destination, Sean Walsh, Head of Marketing at SportsCover Direct, emphasized the captivating blend of thrilling outdoor adventure, stunning snowy mountain landscapes, and vibrant apres-ski culture. He highlighted the importance of considering factors like skill level, terrain, elevation, amenities, and accessibility when selecting a resort, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable experience amid the snowy peaks and exhilarating slopes.

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