Bulgaria Ski discussion board

"I support your desire to not look at BG with rose tinted glasses and highlight areas where it needs to improve but lording it over those people who enjoy their holidays there, insulting those who work hard to help visitors have a good time and generally having a glass half empty attitude to the place does you no favours."

gosh, I couldnt' have said it better myself! But then of course, I am not allowed to comment as 'I have a vested interest in the place'
I may have a vested interest in the place but that doesn't mean I have to go on holiday there? I do still have a choice! Just like everyone else who chooses to go to Bulgaria for their ski holiday. And just like the very many who come back year after year. Obviously we are all just very stupid insignificant little people unable to work things out for ourselves

Now, why was it I joined this forum? oh yes - to find out about all I can about Pamporovo and the other ski resort, what changes have been made - what restaurants are good or bad, to try and instill positive changes where I can. To help people already thinking of coming to Pamporovo and to chat with friends. I do wonder sometimes why certain people use this forum....

Glass half full - life's too short to be anything else.

I like many others here have skied in the alps and the Pyrenees. However we have been skiing in borovets for the last 10 years. In all that time we have found the Bulgarians to be very friendly even helping with the language. For the likes of France when you do not quite get the pronouncation right they treat you like a leper. In Bulgaria this does not happen. More over the only person that has been rude or offensive was an Englishman whose apartment we rented this year. I take my hat of to the resorts and the people in them those who have bigoted views of many needs to learn a lesson in life. WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT AND LIKE DIFFERENT THINGS. Get over it

I like many others here have skied in the alps and the Pyrenees. However we have been skiing in borovets for the last 10 years. In all that time we have found the Bulgarians to be very friendly even helping with the language. For the likes of France when you do not quite get the pronouncation right they treat you like a leper. In Bulgaria this does not happen. More over the only person that has been rude or offensive was an Englishman whose apartment we rented this year. I take my hat of to the resorts and the people in them those who have bigoted views of many needs to learn a lesson in life. WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT AND LIKE DIFFERENT THINGS. Get over it

this thread was supposed to be about flight prices, however it has turned into something else! so i feel i need to add my opinion. We have been to BG 8 times and on each occasion we have had a thoroughly enjoyable experience. We do not own an apartment, we do not have any involvement in any business in BG we merely go to Borovets to have an enjoyable ski trip. We have made 'friends' with the locals, some who have visited us when they have been in UK. We have always been made to feel welcome when we have been holidaying. Yes maybe one day we will venture elsewhere when we have amassed the funds to spend £20-£30 for lunch every day on the slopes and to pay a ski guide as much to show us around the mountain. I truly believe there are other places we would enjoy skiing but for the time being we will keep returning to BG as is our right to do so and nobody, with their 'you are stupid to do so attitude' will stop us from doing so. We live in a democracy and as long as we do so we will continue to exercise our right to make our own choice as to where we spend our money on our skiing holidays

I only joined this board back in January but, since then, the source of information, opinions and assistance has been immense.

It has also shown me the depth of feeling that Bulgaria has in the hearts of those that have had the fortune to holiday there.

Admittedly, this is only my 3rd week of skiing and, mainly for cost reasons, I have only skiied Bulgaria (Pamps specifically) but I have done this for more than the price.

In the 3 years, I have made lifelong friends (I'm coming out on 22nd with a mate I met in 2010 on the slopes) and we are skiing for 3 days with one of the instructors. That friendliness you find there is infectious and i doubt you would find that in the Alps (or to that degree).

Mr M - your comments are valid but depend on the viability of a drive from Southern England. As someone who drives a fair amount for a living I actually want to ditch my motor for a week and relax. Driving to the Alps is no option for me and my family.

So ruling out that option, the price then comes back into the equation. With the help that you gave me apartment and flights wise (namely Snow White), I was able to shave c£1K off a holiday for 3 originally. If I had costed up a similar Alps deal (1-2 bed apartment, b&b, all ski gear AND SKI SCHOOL crucially), i could have added another £1k to the basic price (£2k on top of the final price). Add the price of a beer Pamps v say Tignes and you can see the price differential.

This year I convinced a family of 5 to come with us. Bottom line, they loved the mountain, loved the food ('we didnt have a bum meal'), and they definitely loved the price.

I would love to try other ski areas - I'm sure the slopes of pamps might get to me eventually but I'm adding Chepalare to the list next week (supposed to be excellent) but i keep having to come back to the cost.

The only downside of course is the Sofia to Pamps transfer - yes a shocker. We did Plovdiv in Feb and it was a godsend. If only there were more flights there, I'm sure bookings would rocket. I'm back to Sofia next week and not looking forward to it one little bit. But hey ho, once there, I know what I'm getting.

Yes, Pamps continually needs to look at itself in terms of tweaks that need to be made regarding cost, service etc. But, it's still a great holiday at a fab price and the people (waiters, instructors, drivers......) that you meet are great in the main.

Booked to go back next half term and looking forward to it.

Thanks for that SW
Yes I think that the reality has to be shown as it is without the massaging deleting or avoiding because sonnet rather than later it will bounce back and hard.
What a thread that has become
Very please that there are hard core followers of Bulgaria which do not spent a lot make sure they eat in the cheapest places booze on the happy hour only.The more people like you the better.
This season because it was a ONE OFF I am going 3 times a season(can not believe it myself)
Yes but the score is :
Bulgaria 3 times
Alps and others-8 times.
Who knows that the ratio is going to be next season.
Who knows maybe one day BG will get more times than the rest.
I doubt it but keeping my mind wide open

Thanks for that SW
Yes I think that the reality has to be shown as it is without the massaging deleting or avoiding because sonnet rather than later it will bounce back and hard.
What a thread that has become
Very please that there are hard core followers of Bulgaria which do not spent a lot make sure they eat in the cheapest places booze on the happy hour only.The more people like you the better.
This season because it was a ONE OFF I am going 3 times a season(can not believe it myself)
Yes but the score is :
Bulgaria 3 times
Alps and others-8 times.
Who knows that the ratio is going to be next season.
Who knows maybe one day BG will get more times than the rest.
I doubt it but keeping my mind wide open

Boring but for the record I too have no vested interest in Bulgaria. I have skiid in other places too and previous to skiing in Bulgaria. I have also skiid out of half term and also with and without a tour operator. I am also not naive to think that there are not other options. It's all about what you are looking for and without going down to the bare bones and cramming 6 people and luggage into a Ford Fiesta and driving to France not forgetting to take my camping gas stove and dehydrated food, Bulgaria presents a very cost effective skiing trip for me and my family during half term. Spending money aside, my trip this year inc flights, transfer, accom, equipment, passes and schools came to £400 p/head during half term.
Ultimately this is a forum for people who either ski in BG, are thinking about skiing in BG or generally have an interest in BG, bias? yeah probably but is that a surprise.

Hello
I am only replying to this thread as to what was asked.
If there are only two people, you could consider to start saving towards Avios miles and if you do not reach enough credit to top it up by cash.
You can top up your Avios miles by shopping at Tesco, using the right credit card or by other means.
I know it is not as good as Airmiles was but is still worth considering if you reguarly shop at Tesco store and Tesco petrol and change to the credit card giving you the points.
I have been on five visits to Bugaria, only two for skiing. I used Avios the last time and I know I do not get so many flights to my miles as I did Airmiles but it is still worth considering if you shop at Tesco or use the right credit card to get you all or most of the miles for next year.
I have used Easy jet twice and they are fine if you book ahead. They are no good for booking less than two months ahead. I think Wizz Air arrive at awkward times and days. For example if you are in a ski group lesson, you may join the group in the last two or three days of the week and then meet people who are starting their week.