Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Still a couple of weeks to go I know, but as the site quietens down I thought maybe now is the time to review the season to date.

It has been without a doubt the most disappointing year with regards to snow in almost living memory. Many have come to Bulgaria for the first time, many have come to Bulgaria for the last time, and opinions over the last 4 months have varied enormously.

First Bansko.
This year was my first visit there and probably my last - but that's not to say it isn't a fantastic place because it is. I just picked a bad week that had massive queues and lots of lift closures, but you pays your money as they say.
Over-development in Bansko is a worry to both investors and holiday makers alike and whilst the slopes there are fantastic and without doubt the best in Bulgaria it does concern me as to whether they can cope with a further 10,000 decending on the resort each and every week throughout the seasons. Lets hope some improvement to the lift structures mirrors the building activity.

Borovets.
I've never been there, but I do read all the comments so many of you make, and every year the vast number of the reviews are positive, which is a credit to all the fun-lovers who go there and to the resort itself for holding your loyalty under extremely difficult circumstances this year. Borovets is to many people what Pamporovo is to me - a sort of home from home place that makes you feel great as soon as you arrive.

Which brings me on to Pamporovo.
Well, I've been going there for 15 years now, and having spent Xmas there this season and returning again in February I have to say that apart from the snow conditions, there seemed to be a little something missing this year, but I find it hard to say exactly what.

DJ's was much quieter than is use to be, but with the White Hart packed nearly every night, maybe it has stolen the 'place to be' badge for the foreseeable future.

I stayed at the Morgavets as I have done for many years now and have to say the service, especially in the resturants was much worse than in previous years and it needs to buck it's ideas up if it is to maintain it's status and reputation as one of the resorts premier hotels.

In general, I want to say this to the people who tried Bulgaria for the first time this year, and have doubts as to it's ability to provide excellent skiing holidays for future years. Don't judge Bulgaria on this season - it was a one-off we hope never to be repeated. Give it another shot and let Bulgaria have the chance to prove that it's up there with the best.

Since 1992, Bulgaria has always blessed me with wonderful skiing conditions. Most years the snow has been as good as anywhere in Europe and certainly on a par with other resorts I have skied including Austria, France and America. This year was a shock to us all, but is was just something that happens once in a blue moon that nobody can predict.

As for me and this board, well this year has had it's fair share of up's and down's - not everybody agrees with me and I accept that but we have also had to deal with a few morons posting porn (now in the hands of the Police) and some choice language that you all know I won't accept.
I try to log on every day to keep it clean and tidy, but work must come first so I cannot be here 24/7.
A big THANK-YOU to Tanjette and Daniel Snell for supporting me on this, they too are a credit for keeping this board child-friendly and fun.

And finally to you - an even bigger THANK-YOU for joining in and making this board what it is today - informative, fun, contravertial, romantic, frustrating, argumentative, silly, sad, and a whole lot more.

Some even say it's addictive - can't see that myself

Here's to you all - Nastrave and bring on 2008

PP

Pete, after you came back at xmas you said you wouldn't go again over the xmas period, does this still hold now, knowing what the snow has been like all season?

I was also in Pamps at xmas and looking back I think we lucky with the snow conditions managing to snow all six days. I also agree with what you said about something missing (apart from the snow) just not the same as the previous xmas,maybe it was due to the conditions and the forecast at the time, and yes I will go back to Pamps again, probably not next year as I have already booked for Austria(nothing to do with this years conditions).