Bulgaria Ski discussion board

11am Sunday 7th Feb, sat in the Marcony Pamporovo,drinking Vodka with 2 beautiful Russian girls.

11am Monday 8th Feb pushing a friggin' shopping trolley around Safeways in Devizes

How can a 3 hour plane journey do this to me

Well guys, what can I say, brilliant, superb, wonderful, don't even begin to explain what the last 2 weeks have been like. I am not even going to begin to name names because I met so many super people (Frankie Carbone where were you ) Met loads of guys and gals from this board and not one of them punched me on the nose so I think I made a few more friends along the way.

On arrival the snow was good, by Wednesday it was magical with all slopes in tip top conditions. Unfortunately the slopes are now pretty poor as no snow has fallen for over a week and the temps have been up in the +20's. Saturday I skied in just a t-shirt and jeans with no gloves and I was still sweating like mad. Most of the lower slopes are getting very slushy by mid afternoon and the harder runs are also pretty bare. Our best day without doubt was the trip to Chepalare where the slopes were perfect and unclustered. Skied the blacks and reds there 4 times and stayed upright all day!!!!!!!!
Spent most evenings of the first week in the White Hart which was really buzzing, but the second week I had some tummy upset and missed 4 nights out
The Day Bar in the Perelik has changed beyond recognition (not for the better in my opinion) but the reception was much improved. I was staying on the 5th floor of the Perelik which has been refurbished and the room was very spacious and comfortable with bath and shower with constant hot water. As for food, well I must admit that I ate the Morgavets each day-night as the rest of the gang were staying there. Food was 7/10 but why oh why can they not realise that when something is getting low it needs topping up. Eating out is still also hit and miss. We tried the Barbacue resturant in the Morgavets (30 of us). It took 2 hours before they took my order, even though people on the SAME table had had a 3 course meal as I waited. This was the norm on most of the tables. They took about 4 orders on an 8 man table, then served them, then asked the rest of the table for their orders.
Crazy!!!!! As for the food on the slopes, Spiders was without doubt the best.

As for fun, well I could fill the next hour boring you with all the antics we got up to but suffice to say it was a hoot from sunrise to sunset and well beyond. Pano (one of the instructors) gave me a instructors suit to keep which was once used by the National Team in an event v China, so I wore it with pride as I snowploughed down the slopes of Bulgaria passing the odd beginner on the way.

One tip for those wishing to buy DVD's ........ don't leave it until the last day as they need 24 hours to get them in stock.

What else can I say it's over again for another year and it was the quickest 2 weeks EVER!!!!! Looking forward to Sunny Beach Pete days now, just 17 weeks away!!!!!

Thanks to EVERYONE who helped make my holiday so special, you all know who you are and I just hope you had the times of your lives in the same way as I did!!!!!!!

SKIED IT, DRANK IT, ATE IT, DANCED IT, LAUGHED IT, CRIED IT!!!!!!!!

P A M P O R O V O 2 0 0 4 THANK YOU

Pamprovo Pete

Hi Pete - I remember you from last year! I went to Borovets but am getting myself totally over-excited about going to Pamporovo in 2 weeks!! I am sure you had something to do with it - sorry to have missed you.

Just wondered if you could advise me on best place to hire snowboards from?? Also - you are more than welcome to bore me with all your top tips. I've booked this holiday for me + friends, and as the day approached closer I feel the pressure to make sure it's a great holiday! Any top tips would be most appreciated.

What do you think the weather will be like in a couple of weeks?? By the sounds of the latest reports, the conditions aren't too good...... If there is any chance you could arrange some snow for me - i'd really appreciate it!!

Claire JF

To Daniel,
ummmmmm remember the break-in the camera got nicked hence no pics.

Claire,
Get your hire gear from Gary/Ted at the Snowshack next to the Markony at the enterance to the slopes. Woukld advise you book in advance as they are very busy this time of year. You can e-mail them by clicking 'advertise' at the top of this board then follow the link to the Snowshack. They are all English guys there and they are smashing people who will not only hire you the gear but help you in any other way you need including lessons from beginners to advanced off-pieste madmen!!!!

Pamps Pete

Welcome back Pete, and sorry that we didn't meet up at Pamps', although I was pleased to see you and Ange' on the plane.

I'm pleased to report that the Hotel Pamporovo was all you advised with no problems for my gluten free diet, and again, as you mailed, the Bulgarian people were generally very friendly, especially those at the mountain restaurant, where Sally spent most of her time during the days.

We 'blagged' a free evening at the Ski Instructors do, ( free drink being a good reason to check it out !), and Sally, feeling guilty at not paying for the priviledge, bought some tickets for the draw at the end of the evening. - She only went and won the main prize of a pair of ski's, didn't she !

I think that we had the best conditions the first week, and was saddened to read how quickly things were deteriorating this past week.

All in all, it was a great holiday, excellent value for money, and we actually got to meet some members of the Bulgarian Mafiosi ! ( Driving the new top of the range 'Range Rover' ).

Thanks for the pre hols' advice,

Regards Big Tone'