Chepelare Municipality is located in the Central Rhodopes with an average altitude of 1150 metres. The town has a population of around 5,800 people and is considered as one of the sunniest places in Bulgaria. Due to the temperate continental climate and the relatively high altitude, the snow blanket lasts more than 100 days and this has led to the rapid development of the ski and mountain tourism in the region. Today Chepelare is visited mainly during the winter when tourists spend their holidays on the ski slopes near the town. The residents themselves have turned the winter sports into a life philosophy. There are eight sports clubs in Chepelare that actively work for the development of different disciplines in the area. Chepelare fascinates with its short, steep streets and pleasant houses. Many of the buildings are cozy family hotels today and offer few rooms but keep their guests with personal attitude and cordiality. In the recent years, it is noticeable that new 3-star and 4-star hotels appear which can accommodate many guests. Those hotels have modern facilities like digital TV, Internet connection, conference rooms, fitness and massages, restaurants and bars. Tourists usually take advantage of the organized transfers to the ski slopes of Chepelare and back. The location of the bigger hotels varies. Like in other small tourist destinations in Bulgaria, Chepelare also offers lodging in private homes which is especially convenient for tourists with lower budget. Despite the small size of the resort, Chepelare welcomes people that look for luxury accommodations. There are 4-star hotels where the ski vacation could be combined with and exquisite room or apartment, indoor swimming pools, SPA relaxation and dinner in an elegant restaurant. There not many historical facts about Chepelare's past and the literary sources contradict themselves. But there are many sites that tourists may visit. The town have lots of architectural, archeological and artistic records, including necropolis, ancient settlements, churches and museum-houses. Although Chepelare is only 20 kilometres away from the district centre Smolyan, you'd better reach the town from Plovdiv and Asenovgrad. The road follows Chaya River and winds among beautiful forests and rocky lands.