“Split The Mountain” is a small tour operator and mountain guide service specializing in backcountry splitboard / ski touring, courses, snowshoeing, trekking, hiking, via-ferrata, rock climbing and yoga retreats in the mountains of Bulgaria and the Balkans.
Our groups are small with personal attention. Our trips consist of a selection of programs or courses as well private guiding and customized trips from non-technical treks to via-ferrata and rock climbing adventures, from introductory to backcountry splitboarding and skiing and avalanche courses to technical snowboard and ski clinics and descents to a mountain yoga retreats.
We are the first professional splitboard mountain guides in Bulgaria with over 25 years of riding experience. Our aim is to immerse riders seeking a spiritual backcountry experience in their trip of a lifetime. We will lead you into the heart of the mountains and away from the crowds, whether it be through hiking or ski lifts, or a combination of both. Our splitboarding and backcountry courses and clinics will hone your skills and open these terrains for you even more.
In summers we specialize in customized hiking trips to offbeat destinations in the hidden valleys of Europe, the Himalaya and around the World.
Split The Mountain is a Tour Operator, registered by the Ministry of Tourism and listed in the National Tourist Register under the number РК-01-7757 and has concluded an insurance contract with Euroins Bulgaria Insurance Company, Sofia, “Tour Operator’s Responsibility”.
The Guides of Split The Mountain have diplomas for Mountain Guides registered in the Bulgarian National Tourist Register and are members of the UIMLA – Union of International Mountain Leader Association and Bulgarian Association of Mountain Leaders and Mountain Guides “Mountains and People”, members of ISIA.
Split The Mountain is a registered snowboard and ski school and a member of the Bulgarian Ski School. The training methodology is based on the international standards of the International Ski Instructors Association – ISIA and INTERSKI.
Google Reviews
We've had some great days of splitboarding with Nikya and Pavel! Very professional, safe, adventureous and fun to tour with. They took us to some places we would not have... read more
Max van Fulpen
We went on a hike via Ferrata to Kuklata peak with Niki as our guide for which we are very grateful. The experience was amazing as well as the views... read more
Evgeni Stanchev
Took part in the avalanche safety course and it was as informative and helpful as one would hope. Highly recommend
Ross Hanson
Very good service from this company. The via ferrata tour is a great adventure.
william taylor
Wow. What an incredible experience. I spent a day ski touring with Split the Mountain and had an incredible time. I’m an experienced skier but it was my first time... read more
Kathryn Strachan
Friendly professional service with lots of support for unforeseen changes of plan. Thanks Nikya!
Patrick Kirk
TripAdvisor Reviews
- Outstanding, 26 people, fully customized hiking/cultural, 3 locations, mixed abilities - Outstanding hiking, transport & related services for a group of 26 people. Working with Niki & his excellent team, we developed a totally customized 9 day tour, hiking based in... read more Alf O
July 4, 2025 - deborahEyphrosyne Very nice trip - Nicky is a very nice guide very helpfull (He fund warm clothes for us because we don't have it). Nicki prepared us simple but very good food and always waited... read more
August 16, 2019 - Excelent! - We had a fantastic trekking day. A professional company with amazing guides. Bania was great; we had a lovely day with her ascending to an incredible peak. I would recommend... read more Agustín J
December 31, 2022 - I joined the Avalanche Basics course in Feb 2020. Right from the start the communication was really great and I felt welcomed despite being a solo traveller with no Bulgarian.<br... read more BenR975
February 12, 2020 - LaurenceM1827 Amazing experience! - We had such a great day doing the Via ferrata! Nikolay is an experienced guide and we felt secure during all the activity. Thank you to Elena as well, it... read more
June 26, 2019 - itaynegev Great via ferrata in the rila mts - Had great time climbing with nikki. He knows the rila and pirin mts really well. He's your man for any outing to the Bulgarian nature, plus, he's nice and a... read more
September 28, 2020
Google Reviews
We had the most perfect day with Nik doing the via ferrata at Kuklata Peak and are still smiling about the trip. If you want to do any hiking, via... read more
Sarah Ong
Good people with good ethics towards the mountain. I went to the carving technique lesson and Nikyata set the base for me to become a machine in snowboarding 😀 Can’t... read more
Kalina Velikova (Kkika)
Excellent experience. Absolutely amazing company, 100% official trained guides. Bania was incredible during the whole day. I strongly recommend them.
Agustín José
Fantastic couple of days Great kit,tuition and guiding Many thanks
david sheard
Супер готин екип, много добра организация и интересни маршрути за туринг съобразени с групите. Обясняват подробно всичко и дават ценни практически съвети. Препоръчвам на всеки да опита и да ходи... read more
Katya Tsvetkova
The STM crew are the best.... very professional, knowledgeable, communicative, and patient. They give tours and courses in English too. Thanks so much!
Emma Martinot
Nicky & Geri first class guides. They planned amazing walks. Arranged transport for group which worked seamlessly. Listened to concerns & resolved individual issues. Really know their work👍
John Rickaby
We have enjoyed the walks in Rila mountains and Pirin mountains, all guided by Nicki and his wonderful team. We felt safe and calm all around the tour in Bulgaria.... read more
Alice Shani
The best mountain guides I've met. I went on multiple touring adventures with them, completed a riding technique course (which completely changed my views on snowboarding and drastically improved my... read more
Xenia Cotlearova
Absolutely amazing guides. Straightforward booking and arrangements. Extremely punctual. And they are highly knowledgeable of the hidden gems that only the most experienced mountaineers know about.
Ricardo Restrepo
TripAdvisor Reviews
- The trip was booked about 2 weeks before our travels with Split the mountain. The communications early on was prompt and informative. On the day of our hike our guide... Read more Lee W
July 1, 2019 I joined the Avalanche Basics course in Feb 2020. Right from the start the communication was really great and I felt welcomed despite being a solo traveller with no Bulgarian.<br... Read more BenR975
February 12, 2020 - deborahEyphrosyne Very nice trip - Nicky is a very nice guide very helpfull (He fund warm clothes for us because we don't have it). Nicki prepared us simple but very good food and always waited... Read more
August 16, 2019NatashaC1622 Magnificent adventure - My spouse and me took Split the Mountain guides to accompany us to Malyovitsa via ferrata climb. The guides were excellent. They arrived on time in set location, spoke very... Read more
August 9, 2019 - Outstanding, 26 people, fully customized hiking/cultural, 3 locations, mixed abilities - Outstanding hiking, transport & related services for a group of 26 people. Working with Niki & his excellent team, we developed a totally customized 9 day tour, hiking based in... Read more Alf O
July 4, 2025martindX2027OB Spectacular Splitboard adventure tour - Had a great splitboard adventure tour in the Pirin mountains. From mellow slopes, steep powder faces, wind blown ridges, riding in tricky terrain i a wood, everything combined in one... Read more
January 15, 2022 - lpauline1 Great via ferrata - I recommend this via ferrata with this guide. Our guide was great, really good English so no problem of communication, he answered all our questions and was eager to talk... Read more
July 23, 2020Elica P Special thanks to Nikolay Pavlov - Nikyata - an impressive person and mountain guide!
High professionalism, pure heart, great patience and kindness - this is what he gives to everyone... Read more
August 17, 2023 - itaynegev Great via ferrata in the rila mts - Had great time climbing with nikki. He knows the rila and pirin mts really well. He's your man for any outing to the Bulgarian nature, plus, he's nice and a... Read more
September 28, 2020 We had a fantastic trekking day. A professional company with amazing guides. Bania was great; we had a lovely day with her ascending to an incredible peak. I would recommend... Read more Aubusto
December 31, 2022
Certificates
