Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Having been an huge supporter of Bulgarian skiing for many years, I now find myself needing to dig deep to justify the total package on offer in the skiing resorts.

It is a great concern how many people are returning disappointed with their holidays and vouching never to return due to several factors.

The main concerns seem to be as follows.

Poor Snow
High Prices
Lack of Slopes
Bad Experiences

Dealing with these one at a time.

POOR SNOW
Last year was dreadful not only in Bulgaria but throughout Europe and most of us Bulgarian hard-liners tried to explain that 2007 was a freak year that would not be repeated again in 2008. Unfortunately this year whilst better, still has not lived up to what we hoped for and nothing like the good conditions I have experienced on my 13 previous visits to the ski resort of Pamporovo.
Why this is goodness only knows. I do not believe global warming has anything to do with it, but I'm no scientist.
I hope and pray that 2009 returns us to the fantastic conditions of years gone by because if the conditions are the same next year then the British contingent will rapidly decline and seek more guaranteed snow resorts elsewhere in Europe. There is very little the Bulgarians can do to change this, lets just pray for a bumper snow fall next year.


HIGH PRICES
Yes, I did notice some substantial increases compared to previous years. 8 levs for a hot chocolate was not uncommon in Borovets and everyone seemed to be out to make more than just an honest buck this year. However, the mountain lodges are being charged something like 40.000 levs to rent for the season from Borosports and the short season means they had to raise prices to cover the high cost of running the cafes and resturants. I personal incident, I broke a binding on the mountain and had to walk about 200 metres uphill to a lift in order to get it repaired. I was passed by a skidoo driver who I flagged down and asked for a lift. He wanted 30 levs to take me the 200 metres. Needless to say I declined his 'kind' offer and walked. That would never have happened a few years ago.

LACK OF SLOPES
For years now we have heard of Pamporovo being linked to Chepalare - of Super Borovets - and other extentions to all resorts. Whilst there are a few new slopes under construction in Pamporovo, the Chepalare link still seems to be a pipe dream, and Super Borovets has little or no sign of becoming a reality in the near future from what I saw. Because the town of Borovets was devoide of any snow it looked dirty and the pavements were a danger to anyone who dared to walk on them. Putting new slopes and lifts in is only part of the job. The resort need a massive clean up from top to bottom if it is to retain and regain the loyalty of it's mass of followers.

BAD EXPERIENCES
Without trying to sound unsympathtic, in over 25 visits to Bulgaria, I have yet to experience anything that has caused me concern for my personal welfare or safety, and it is easy to avoid 'danger areas' if just a little forthought is given before entering some establishments. Thieft and drink spiking seems to have been much more prelevent this year but appears to be more confined to one or two less savioury establishments.

However, all these concerns add up to a major reason why people have been dissatisfied with their 2008 Bulgarian experience and unless the authorities that oversee the resorts act quickly to address and quell the concerns of so many people, then they may just find the future a whole lot tougher to maintain the return culture that so many people have been use to.

I personally will continue my romance with this country for many years to come, but can see why there is an immediate need for some hard thinking by a lot of senior people in Bulgaria before it's all too late.

BULGARIA - YOU NEED TO LISTEN.


Pete

Lack of snow wasn't my issue thats a risk you take at this time of the. It was the lack of slopes with the development of the areas (Bansko). Also the prices are still low but after a years break had more than doubled, the other thing was the difference in prices how can one bar charge you 5 lev while the one less than 100 meters down the road charged 2lev for a beer. It is lack of slopes and overcrowding that will keep me away Also need to tidy it up, just cleaning away some of the rubble would make a huge inprovement. with no snow in the village Bansko looked a tip.

I never say never, but cant see me going back anytime soon, unless I decide to go for snowboard lessons and thats as likely as snow in Bansko in july

One of my biggest complaints this year was actually about the Crystal ski hire equipment - although if you were with Ingham's et al it all came from the same place.

I don't think it would have prevented my injury necessarily but just found this while hunting a knee brace for myself :

Bindings should be professionally serviced and adjusted every year. Previous research has shown that non-adjusted or poorly adjusted bindings lead to a significant increase in knee ligament injuries. (The equipment obviously hadn't been checked as my ski's binding was hanging on by one screw when they were given to me)

Self-test your bindings every day. Self testing of bindings is simple. Step into the binding and then twist to the side to release the toe-piece under the control mechanism. The heel can be tested by stepping into the binding and leaning forward, to release the heel-piece. Both the toe and heel should be able to release if properly adjusted.

I have to agree with Sam though as god only knows where everyone will ski when all the new developments are full in Bansko and that is what will stop me going back which is sad as we've had two fab holidays there.

Well done Pete, Glad you have taken notice of some of the postings, we are all singing from the same hymn sheet, we have all been going for years (me 15 years to Pamps) but I wouldn't go back unless things change and after years of recommending Pamps, its not something I could do now. We all want the authorities and travel companies to listen, but with the prices Bulgaria is charging, the service and ski-ing in other resorts in Europe is preferable. Although I do have to say if you get away from the ski resorts the country and its people are wonderful.

very brave pete, credit to you.
You go up in my estimation for doing so. It must have hurt to say some of that.

I was there for the 23rd feb week and was amazed by some behaviour of both Brits and bg. Violence . Rip offs. Etc etc. Of course pete I would add one thing to the bg reason. Cheap places attract cheap people. I met some great people in bg intent of loving the snow and the vodka and witnessed some idiots attacking and destroying a mobile kebab shelter. This and I don't care what the dilussional say has NEVER happened in my experiences elsewhere in Europe.

Finally 3 cheers to pete. You are zoo right. 80pound is cheap for a lift pass week but not if you add up the quantity and length of lifts you actually pay for. 80 pound for 1gondola 3chairs and a few buttons is not cheap.

I think next year the advice is simple. Don't take the risk and stress .book late and chase the snow .white gold is getting about as rare as cheap oil.!!!!

Agree with what you're saying Pete. We were so dissapointed at Christmas in Borovets with the price increase, with nothing extra to show for it (lift passes up, but no new runs etc). We've been to Borovets 6 times and are popping over for the long easter weekend - glad to see fresh snow forecasted!!
WE went to Pas de la casa in andorra in February, and although there wasn't a lot of snow around the quality of the lifts, and sheer number of runs have made us realise what we've been missing over the last few years - and the prices in Anodrra were no more expensive than Borovets has become.
We will return to Borovets, at least once a year, but we'll be spreading our wings further afield as well, with our "main" skiing holiday being somewhere else.
Borovets - hear our crys - you must invest back into the resort or people will stop coming.