Bulgaria Ski discussion board

The 'Peshterita' (cave) bar at the side of the ski road is most definitely a mehana (no literal translation into English, but nearest is tavern)... great food, be it traditional, great price... and great location... worth a visit for lunch, don't ski down to the bottom when you are finished, take a walk across the ski road, up a small road 75m or so, and cut into the Challin Valog nursury area, straight across and onto the 4 man and up to mid station... The Shilligarnika hotel behind the Bla Bla is great also, not really possible to ski to, but only a short walk, and you can ski out, if you fancy off-piste through the trees down to red 12... The BBQ in Challin Valog is mad Georges house, be careful what you order, the full BBQ will kill you, both physically and financially... a better bet is the Isverite Hotel in Challin Valog, down the track to Georges, you will come to a small road, walk up 50m and you will come to their car park, they had a bit of a board jam last season, Tuesdays i think, small jumps and tow ins with a quad....
All these places are privately run, nothing to do with the operator (they resent it like hell).. support them, great service and welcome in all, traditional foods, but you will find something you like.. and in all, you have to sample the local rakia

In the summer and winter I have also tried Chico Tsane in the old town. located at the back of the old town and next door to the place that George tries to get yo to go to (he hangs around on Pirin Street on the SW corner of the church).

Chico Tsane looks smart (white table clothes and smart cutlery and wine glasses), but when I have been there prices have been very reasonable and food is interesting and different-such as chicken with a blackberry and blue cheese sauce- and the fried potatoes (not chips, more like wedges with a mild chilli covering) were great.