Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Back from pamps. 2 of us stayed in the pamps hotel and went boarding on mud, ice, slush and yes...even snow.

HOTEL
Hotel Pamparovo - Was quite nice really, since we usually stay in some crummy apartments on snowboarding trips that resemble the local shop from the league of gentlemen. Rooms seemed nice and clean and fairly posh for bulgaria, tv had a few music channels, then even tho it did seem to be justin timberlake and robbie williams every 2 mins, either that or an overly attractive bulgarian singing some warbley song.

HOTEL FOOD
Ok, so the buffet food wasnt brilliant, but it never is. Was perfectly fine for a couple of lads that needed to stodge up on junk before heading out on a beer sesh, and since it was included, couldnt complain. Ate in the irish bar one day and had a nice pizza which was nice enough and dead cheap. Staff seemed friendly enough when you prodded them fro there comatose states.

WEATHER
Snow was ok too - bit slushy now and again, but the midweek snowfall was a lifesaver and got us through the week. Was nice and hot most of the time up the mountain, and event the green run was open some days all the way to the bottom of the mountain. Had some nice food up on the slopes, with some classic 80s tunes blaring in the background.

BELLS
Brendan BMW, Brendan BMW, Brendan BMW - yes yes, i get it you weird nomad. Jesus, those bell sellers at the bottom of the slope are persistant. but managed to get through the week without buying one at all ! - prices range a lot from what i heard so remember to haggle if you wanna buy one, or if you dont just try not to get into a conversation with them and keep walking. Or just slur at them that you're hungover works too and they hobble off back to their caves.

EXCURSIONS
Went to the bulgarian meal, which seemed quite cool and different if you like lamb. But DONT SIT NEXT TO THE FIRE - jeeeeeeeeeeesus. I was plonked right next to the thing which was toasting the lambs. It was BOILING. thought i was gonna self combust after a few minutes, had to go outside in the snow to cool down several times, and in the end just had to move before someone carved me up and but me on a plate. Lamb was dead tasty, though didnt get a lot and had to beware of bits of bone, and as my mate found on his plate, a large bent nail that had come off the spit. Skidoo'in was ok too, couldnt go that fast on the safari one tho, even tho we tried, but still good fun.

APRES SKI
Night life was ok, nightclub in the hotel is fairly new apparantly - wasnt really that busy, but the hotel wasnt overall. Was good for a few late night drinks and a boogie. The local beer (Karmanitza - or as i said before - if you ask for a carmen electra you get the same thing) was the best bet at only 4 lev (about £1.44) for a pint or bottle. was very drinkable. Normal brands were more expensive but we stuck with the cheap stuff :-). The Apres Ski bar was good too - good band on in there, played some really good covers, much better than the band in the white house, tho that seemed quite lively too. DJ's bar was cool too in the perelik, that Diana behind the bar was lovely, in fact there were a lot of nice bulgarian staff in the resort.

Overall hardly spent anything really, had loooooads of cheap beer and even after leaving big tips in some bars came back with more money than expected. It was like gong back into the 80s with the music, price of beer and dodgy outfits.

Think might even go back next year since we saved that much money, can imagine it being even better when theres proper snow conditions too. Hope the beer stays cheap and im back there. *HIC*

Back from Pamps on Sunday, so here's my two penniesworth -

Gatwick
Congrats to them for failing to put 37 bags on the outward flight, finally got luggage at 1am on Monday morning. Wasted most of Sunday morning buying more ski gear.
Further kudos to them for parking our return flight in the middle of nowhere, taking 30 mins to get a set of steps (pulled by 2 workers!) to the plane, then taking a further 90 minutes to get our luggage off. For **** sake, even PLOVDIV has got a set of steps that drives around.
Must mention the Servisair lady who, after 2 false promises from a colleague, actually had the balls to apologise over the tannoy for 'this fiasco'.

Hotel
Murgavets. Very nice, but front rooms overlook the White Hart so noisy at night. 3rd bed in our room, which was promised to be suitable for adults, was NOT. My chiropractor is currently making a good living from me...

Food
Been covered extensively elsewhere, generally lukewarm, can look a bit strange sometimes, but generally edible

Skiing
Also covered elsewhere, but if they don't get some snow soon I reckon they will be on grass and mud in a couple of days time.

Nightlife
Aforementioned White Hart had great atmosphere and great band, shame they played the same set every night.
Local beer very good value and eminently drinkable. Red wine also recommendded by my fellow travellers.

Two recommended places to eat out -
Red Sun Chinese - sent free transport for us from our hotel (in 4 inches of snow), stuffed us full of excellent hot food, gave us a free dessert, then drove us home again (also free). Cost us 11 quid a head. Bargain.

The Old House. Traditional Bulgarian place next to Murgavets. Stuffed us even more full of food and rolled us out the door. 14 quid each. Another bargain, but beware huge bloke who plays a dead sheep while his missus wails a bit. Apparently it goes down a storm in Sofia discos, but reduced 2 of our party to helpless laughter, the ungrateful buggers. No appreciation of local culture some people.

Other activities
Skidoos - not bad but suffering badly from lack of snow. Do it at night for that extra edge.
Quiz night - words fail me. A hideous Club 18 - 30 throwback that should be consigned to the Costa Brava forever.
Plovdiv tour - if you have a late Saturday return flight, this is a pleasant way to kill a few hours, instead of sitting in hotel.

Loads of development going on in Pamps area. I have to question if infrastructure and facilities on the slopes can cope with extra people, even if the snow does come in future years?