Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Got back from Borovets yeasterday and thought id post a little report. This was my 7th time in Borovets and I must say that i was a little disappointed. The skiing was excellent, snowed all day mon and tues i think and conditions were brill. Sun was out the rest of the week with no snow fall at all and by fri it was getting a bit icy, rocks and stuff coming through the snow, however skiing up the gondola slopes couldnt have been better so we stayed up there. Do not be fooled by people telling you that it is cheap because it isnt. Compared to last year prices seemed to have doubled more or less. Infact you could probably buy drinks etc cheaper back here than you could there. 4 levs for a 500ml bottle of coke, last year it was only 2. Eating out can also be expensive with average evening meal costing about 90 lev for about 4 or 5 people. If you are staying at the Rila, take extra money to eat out every night because the food in the hotel is absolutely horrendous. People outside the restaurants will hound you to come into theirs which after a day or two will really really get on your nerves, as will people handing you leaflets when they can see that you are carrying skiis and poles and have absolutely no interest in taking a leaflet. Now, having been there 6 times already i knew what to expect however i can safely say that this time will defo be the last. I really enjoyed the skiing aspect but being honest, the majority of Bulgarians really pissed me off. Finally, on a positive note, you will defo enjoy the skiing, it really is brilliant, but you know what to expect other than that so i hope you enjoy.

Hi
Also got back from borovets last night, Yes prices have gone up, but if you look you can find good places. Alpina bar opposite the Breza between 5-7 1 lev a beer and after 1.80 lev. We had a meal in Katys bar I had a mixed grill 24 levs and the wife a steak 16 levs, White horse was a little expensive and put a 10% surcharge on top which I found bad. If you enjoy your meal then you tip. Went to the Pizza place next to the Ela, 15.90 levs a pizza very good. The Derby very good also. Drinks and food up the mountain were way over the top some places 5 levs for a can of coke, good place we found but on the last day at the end of yasbets 2, good and was full when we left.
Alec

Hi we are just back to and it was our first time skiing and to Borovets, I think the problems with prices are the same all over the tourist spots in Bulgaria having spoken with a friend who worked out there last year on contract work.
But we still found it very reasonable and to be honest OK and not has bad as people on this forum had made out.
A group of 5 of us went out one evening and with beers and drinks the bill only came to 100 Lev and that included three steak meals.
Unfortunatly at the top of the gondala the few places that are there have the monopoly so be prepared to pay quite alot more, or go prepared.
The problem with people trying to get your custom we find common place in all other resorts we have visted and a polite no thank you seemed to work like Trouble said.
I think it is about time people accepted it is a little dearer and if they dont like it go else where. Sorry if that is harsh.

Hi guys, thanks for the feedback the temperatures look like they have gone pretty warm which is a shame as we're of out there Feb 23rd so hopefully we'll get some more snow and cold temps to have good skiing the resort over rather then just up the top.

The webcam still looks better then when we went last Jan 20th tho, shame about the prices think this will be our last year to, can't be arsed to worry about the snow anymore would rather pay more to go somewhere that is high, cold and has great snow records.

After 19 years you can imagine the differences we have noticed!

Yes prices have gone up but if you keep an eye on things it's not that bad. Ask to see the menu and keep one for reference when bill comes. Try and pay as you go along, it's easier to keep control. Don't get completely legless - you are asking to be ripped off. Food will be more expensive on the top as they are charged for bringing everything up by gondola company

Being polite and friendly goes a long way. I watched Bulgarians picking up legless louts at 2.00 am rather than leaving them in the snow. Not sure I would have done so! Even saw local police patiently dealing with loud drunks in the early hours.

Will carry on going to Borovets but no longer want to stay in the middle of the resort due to British louts who have found their way from Spain!

Hi guy's been to Boro twice and am going again in march for my 2nd trip this year.

As far as prices go then 90 lev for 5 to eat is still very cheap for a ski resort,and yes ok £2 for a half litre of coke on top of the gondola is a bit ott,but you try France and pay £18 for 4half lagers and see how far your money goes..

Let us not forget Borovets is a ski resort and ski resorts are not cheap,now BG are in the EU it's a fact that prices will rise,to what level depends on the market and demand for the product.

There is no getting away from the fact for your first ski holiday it does not get much cheaper than BG..

Then there are the touts for the bars and resturants ,where a polite firm no thanks will always work,and be fair thats not the only resort in the world that does touting !!

Fact is gone are the days where you can get away with spending £150 on a week in Borovets,but i'm sure £250 will be plenty,which brings me to my first holiday i went away with the boys,it was to france 18 years ago and i spent £650 in 2 weeks...
I guess you can see my point..


As i see it,for most people if you ski or learn to ski then it is a bonus holiday,if you can't afford to do it in BG then you just as well stop before you start because there are few if any places in the world that are cheaper...

Sit back enjoy your holiday and seek and you shall find the cheap bars and try the other local villages where you can still pick up your mega bargins...

Tiger

Must say the steak in Katys Bar is to die for, best steak I've had in years.

As for the touts in Boro, I didnt find them that pushy and were quite jovial.

Was amazed by the ammount of Girly/Erotic bars, didnt eally expect to see them there, but why not.

Yep prices are a rip off at the top of the Gondola but they have got a monopoly.

Lager louts galore and not just Brits, plenty of Ozzies to.

Also for entertainment value, the two barmen in the back bar of the Buzz Bar (I was confused going in there eraly and thought it was a gay bar). Very camp, full of lads, and the two barmen sniffing poppers and stripping from their leather waistcoats and dancing like they are in a boy band.....Hilarious but I'm sure not intentionally.
Worth a visit for the crine factor.