Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Every year we welcome more and more first timers to Pamporovo and to this board. We get asked many important questions and many people will do their utmost to answer your questions. Please forgive us if we ever sound a little 'off' when we reply, but it's only because we have probably been asked the same question many, many times before.

However, I too was once a first timer to this wonderful resort, except there was no discussion board then to ask the important questions.

So, here is a rather long, but hopefully indepth report that with any luck will answer many questions in one hit.



AIRPORTS AND TRANSFERS
There are 2 main airports that serve Pamporovo. Sofia which is a fairly modern International Airport, and Plovdiv which is a converted military base. The bonus of flying to and from Plovdiv is that the transfer time is just 90 minutes, whereas Sofia is 4 hours. Plovdiv is very basic but they will process you very quickly and you will be on the bus in no time at all. Duty free in Plovdiv is also very basic. Do not expect anything grand because it will only disappoint you. Sofia is much more refind but even here you will not find it anything like UK airports.

MONEY

You will get many people offering advice on this. This is my view.
Take about £50 of Bulgarian Levs with you that you can purchase from most high street Travel Agents or Banks. Take your balance in Sterling notes, but not Scottish as these will not be accepted. Notes must be in good condition, with no writing on, and no ripped notes. All resorts have cash machines that accept all major cards and the rate is very competitive.

HIRE EQUIPTMENT
Virtually all hire equiptment was re-newed last year and comprise of Carver skis that are ideal for the type of snow conditions in Bulgaria. Ensure your boots are comfortable from day 1 or you could find yourself in agony if they are ill fitting. The hire depot will be happy to change your equiptment at any time if you feel it is not suitable for you. You should only need to edge your skis if conditions become icy, or wax them if the snow becomes sticky. The hire centre will do this for you at a cost of 10 levs which is about £3.50p.


NIGHTLIFE

This has changed this year. The ever popular White Hart has been knocked down to make way for a new ski depot, so this year head for BJ's, Daks, or Flyte. All great nightspots that play the latest music from 9pm till 4am at least. Kids are welcome as long as they behave, and they will not be turned away from any bars.

DRINKS
Drinks are very cheap, and very strong in Pamporovo. The local beers are mainly Astika, and Kabaniza and are much like a normal lager. If you order a short like say, gin and tonic you will get the equivelent of about 5 times the UK level for £1.
Bulgarian wine is also cheap and very good quality.

Beware if you have kids aged about 12+ because they will get served alcohol if they ask for it. (Also many hotel TV's will show pornographic movies on Channel 25 after midnight, so make sure the kids do not have the remote after 12.)

FOOD
Food has improved a lot over the last few years and most hotel food is now very nice. Breakfast will be buffet style with cereal, 3 types of eggs, bacon, beans, toast, sausages, juices, coffee, as well as hams, cheese, cakes, fruit, and other culinary delights. In the evening there is usually at least 3 different choices of main course plus mixed veg, chips, geat puddings and ice cream. Food on the slopes is fantastic. Omlettes, pancakes, karvama, steaks, chicken, pitzas and a
host of other delights. My favourite place is Spiders at the lower mid station, but I'll leave the choice to you.

INSTRUCTORS
Brilliant!!!!!!!!!! All speak great English and most are comedians as well as being international standard skiers and geat fun. If you have had a great week, it is the custom to have a whip-round in your group to give them a tip. About 10 lev each will make them very very happy.

APRIE SKI
Again this is up to you, but we always end up in the Markony at the enterance to the slopes after skiing. Staff are very friendly, and the atmosphere is always on fun. If you miss the bus back (last one at 5pm) there are always loads of taxis waiting to take you home. Cost for 4 people back to the centre is 10 levs max.
All bars will be open on your arrival back in resort, and there is a great cafe on the very top of the Morgavets which is open to all.

SHOPS
You will find several shops in Pamporovo selling souveniers, watches, DVD's CD's ski ware, as well as chemists, and general stores. Do NOT buy branded fags as they are very poor copies. Instead buy Victory which is the local brand. 30p for 20 and they are much better and safer. CD's and DVD's are copies but they play perfectly and will cost a fraction of UK prices.

SLOPES
Pamporovo is ideal whatever your skill level. Excellent for beginners as you can ski from top to bottom on easy runs. For Intermediates there are some very testing red runs, and for the Tombas of this world, the Wall will challenge even the most experienced skier. For boarders there is a half-pipe which was new last year and proved very popular.

LIFTS
Whilst not state of the art, the lifts are efficent and very seldom are there long queues. New to 2005 are laser read passes which means no fumbling looking for your pass. As long as you have it on you you will be admitted to the lift, speeding up access thus reducing waiting time.

OTHER FACILITIES
In the resort you will find 10 pin bowling, swimming pools, pool tables, internet cafe, computer games, hair dressers, massage parlour, lots of shops, and lots of places to just relax and people watch. Chill out or freak out, the choice is yours.

I know I have only touched on the resort, and I will happily answer anything I have not covered....... but be sure of one thing.........

You have made a GREAT choice of resort and country...... and you will


E N J O Y P A M P O R O V O

Pamporovo Pete

Hi Pamp Pete

Thanks for this post, I have just booked up for me and the missus to go to pamporovo. This information has been great!!!!

I do have some questions though and I apologise in advance if they have been answered before?!

I am staying at the hotel Elina and going out at the end of January.

What is the snow like at this time?
I have heard the Elina to be a very nice hotel, can anyone confirm or deny this?
Whereabouts is the hotel in relation to lifts, centre etc. I have found a very old piste map but I have no clue what I am looking at! Does anyone have a map?

My missus is have snowboarding lessons, she can board but her confidence is not high. It is a great relief to know the instructors are very good.

I will be boarding as well but not with the lessons, what runs should I look out for? Are there any jumps, back country routes, off piste??

Are there any other survival tips I should know?

I am sorry about the long list, however I am getting really excited about this, can't wait

Thanks in advance

Paul

Hi Pamp Pete

Thanks for this post, I have just booked up for me and the missus to go to pamporovo. This information has been great!!!!

I do have some questions though and I apologise in advance if they have been answered before?!

I am staying at the hotel Elina and going out at the end of January.

What is the snow like at this time?
I have heard the Elina to be a very nice hotel, can anyone confirm or deny this?
Whereabouts is the hotel in relation to lifts, centre etc. I have found a very old piste map but I have no clue what I am looking at! Does anyone have a map?

My missus is have snowboarding lessons, she can board but her confidence is not high. It is a great relief to know the instructors are very good.

I will be boarding as well but not with the lessons, what runs should I look out for? Are there any jumps, back country routes, off piste??

Are there any other survival tips I should know?

I am sorry about the long list, however I am getting really excited about this, can't wait

Thanks in advance

Paul