Now the centre has something to offer those accustomed to the slopes in Bansko, Pamporovo or Borovets.One of its main benefits is easy access, straight from the road, a few metres from the Chepelare sign on the road to Pamporovo. The parking facility is big enough to accommodate dozens of vehicles and is free. Most hotels offer transport to and from the ski run as part of their accommodation. There are several ski renting shops where one can get full skiing or snowboard equipment for 57 and 62 leva, respectively, which also includes a daily lift pass.

By comparison, the daily ski pass in Bansko alone is 50 leva. A daily pass in Mechi Chal without renting ski equipment costs 38 leva. It takes about 12 minutes to get to the top on the four-seater lift.There is one main ski run going all the way down. Beginners may find it difficult because it has a few extremely steep sections. The ski run is cut in several places making it possible to choose one’s route and avoid getting bored with the ski run. Beginners, however, will not be disappointed because the Mechi Chal’s green ski run is probably one of the best slopes for beginners. It is narrow and yet fast enough to save you the effort of pushing. It is not recommended, however, to snowboarders.A good skier will need 12 minutes to go down on the green ski run which means that beginners might need 20 minutes to come down. It is perfect for practising skills and taking rests to enjoy the scenery.Another of Mechi Chal’s assets is that its slopes hardly get crowded, unlike those of Bansko or Borovets. The only problem is that, after a day or two of skiing, experienced skiers might get bored with the same run. Although it has plenty of crossing sections, it is in effect one and the same track.

This more or less defines Mechi Chal as a place to go just for the weekend, unlike the rich variety of ski runs in Bansko or nearby Pamporovo.Another negative is that the ski runs are not always kept in the best condition.  It seems that local management wants to avoid spending too much money by having the snowcats (carefully parked next to the lift) operate just once in the morning.

The result is that by midday, especially when snow is falling, skiers form one narrow section in the middle of the ski run, with the area outside it unsuitable for skiing.In terms of eating and drinking, Mechi Chal is not the most fascinating place on earth but what it offers is enough to keep skiers going through the day.

There is one tea place at the lift’s starting point and two small but very cosy restaurants at the top, offering tasty food at reasonable prices. In other words, 10 leva is sufficient to buy a good meal and a beer.Another weak point could be snow itself. Mechi Chal, and Pamporovo in general, are always the first victims of warm weather, more so than other Bulgarian ski resorts. This tends to shorten the active season. So far this year the snowfall has been more than enough and locals expect the active season to last until the end of March or beginning of April.At the end of the day, Chepelare and its ski runs offer one a new and refreshing experience and all at a price and conditions that only a small town can offer.

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