Bulgaria Ski discussion board
Borovets, Rila: 5th -12th
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posts : 13 (Beginner)Date : 03-15-05 20:16Borovets, Rila: 5th -12th
First time ski-ing for me so wanted to be a little prepared and had a couple of private lessons on a dry slope before I went which helped.
We definately recommend private lessons rather than ski school, the progress you make is far better than at ski school. I guess this depends on how sociable you want to be - ski school may be a good way to meet people but if you are looking to actually ski, then private lessons is the way to go. We had George Strelyov which was originally booked through ...
We definately recommend private lessons rather than ski school, the progress you make is far better than at ski school. I guess this depends on how sociable you want to be - ski school may be a good way to meet people but if you are looking to actually ski, then private lessons is the way to go. We had George Strelyov which was originally booked through ...
First time ski-ing for me so wanted to be a little prepared and had a couple of private lessons on a dry slope before I went which helped.
We definately recommend private lessons rather than ski school, the progress you make is far better than at ski school. I guess this depends on how sociable you want to be - ski school may be a good way to meet people but if you are looking to actually ski, then private lessons is the way to go. We had George Strelyov which was originally booked through our reps at the Rila but we also went back to him directly. He was very good and I would recommend you ask for him or I'm sure he won't mind you contacting him directly (george_strelyov@abv.bg).
If you stay in the Rila I would strongly advise that when you meet your rep on sunday to collect your passes for the ski equipment that you do it at 8am, anytime after 9am means that you will be waiting in a massive queue to collect your stuff and choice will be restricted.
The 5k run was great in the mornings but by the afternoon it got very icy! It also has some points where it crosses with black runs which are a bit daunting! The best places we found was at the top of the gondala as the snow was really fluffy and the slopes were nice and wide. George said that there is still snow up on this area until April, so don't worry if you are going this weekend and have concerns about lack of snow.
A downside was the very smoky atmosphere in the hotel lobby or restaurants as everyone seemed to smoke about 60 (very strong cigarettes) a day!
Best places to eat was at Katys Steak House and Mamacitas mexican. Surprisingly not many places were well equipped for children in terms of food but mamacitas had a childrens menu.
Drinks in the Rila weren't particularly cheap - 17 lev for a beer and malibu and coke! I think they tended to vary the prices depending on their mood!
The food in the Rila was a lukewarm buffet and although they provided a microwave it was really smelly! Breakfast was the same every morning - very boring. (Those hoping for a nice, big english breakfast will be disappointed!) There was not much variety for the evening meal either (hence why we eat out some evenings) but some of the stuff was nice. Bit concerned over Health & Safety as Mark found a piece of cling film in his battered fish! I also picked up a bowl from a stack and one fell off and smashed and the broken pieces went everywhere. Although they did clean up the floor, I'm sure some pieces of broken ceramic probably ended up in the food but they didn't even bother to check it, let alone take the food away!
Having said that, we both loved it and will definately be going back.
There was also another chap (also called George) who has a set up along the shop corridor of the Rila who paints charactures - we asked George to paint us with a particular theme and we were really pleased with the results.
Take sterling with you as it can be changed to lev out there (don't change in the hotels as the rate is not very good) - Change Plus or the Economic Investment Bank by the gondola are the safest places to exchange. The best rate we got was 2.72 lev to £1.00. Also, the sterling notes must be clean, not ripped or tatty otherwise they won't accept them.
All in all, a great resort for beginners, families and overall value for money.
Quite a comprehensive report but I hope it answers any questions that some of you may have if you are going out there.
We definately recommend private lessons rather than ski school, the progress you make is far better than at ski school. I guess this depends on how sociable you want to be - ski school may be a good way to meet people but if you are looking to actually ski, then private lessons is the way to go. We had George Strelyov which was originally booked through our reps at the Rila but we also went back to him directly. He was very good and I would recommend you ask for him or I'm sure he won't mind you contacting him directly (george_strelyov@abv.bg).
If you stay in the Rila I would strongly advise that when you meet your rep on sunday to collect your passes for the ski equipment that you do it at 8am, anytime after 9am means that you will be waiting in a massive queue to collect your stuff and choice will be restricted.
The 5k run was great in the mornings but by the afternoon it got very icy! It also has some points where it crosses with black runs which are a bit daunting! The best places we found was at the top of the gondala as the snow was really fluffy and the slopes were nice and wide. George said that there is still snow up on this area until April, so don't worry if you are going this weekend and have concerns about lack of snow.
A downside was the very smoky atmosphere in the hotel lobby or restaurants as everyone seemed to smoke about 60 (very strong cigarettes) a day!
Best places to eat was at Katys Steak House and Mamacitas mexican. Surprisingly not many places were well equipped for children in terms of food but mamacitas had a childrens menu.
Drinks in the Rila weren't particularly cheap - 17 lev for a beer and malibu and coke! I think they tended to vary the prices depending on their mood!
The food in the Rila was a lukewarm buffet and although they provided a microwave it was really smelly! Breakfast was the same every morning - very boring. (Those hoping for a nice, big english breakfast will be disappointed!) There was not much variety for the evening meal either (hence why we eat out some evenings) but some of the stuff was nice. Bit concerned over Health & Safety as Mark found a piece of cling film in his battered fish! I also picked up a bowl from a stack and one fell off and smashed and the broken pieces went everywhere. Although they did clean up the floor, I'm sure some pieces of broken ceramic probably ended up in the food but they didn't even bother to check it, let alone take the food away!
Having said that, we both loved it and will definately be going back.
There was also another chap (also called George) who has a set up along the shop corridor of the Rila who paints charactures - we asked George to paint us with a particular theme and we were really pleased with the results.
Take sterling with you as it can be changed to lev out there (don't change in the hotels as the rate is not very good) - Change Plus or the Economic Investment Bank by the gondola are the safest places to exchange. The best rate we got was 2.72 lev to £1.00. Also, the sterling notes must be clean, not ripped or tatty otherwise they won't accept them.
All in all, a great resort for beginners, families and overall value for money.
Quite a comprehensive report but I hope it answers any questions that some of you may have if you are going out there.
re: Borovets, Rila: 5th -12th
rachel&mark where kathys steak house i went 2 years a go can,t remeber. how deeps the snow around rila hotel and lower piste. is the path on the road of samokov still ice is the snow clear around the hotel. we have a little boy in a buggy chair. thanksre: Borovets, Rila: 5th -12th
I was out there the same week, couldn't get into Katy's Steak house as it was so popular.. was told to get there at 7 to get a table or to book a table in advance! That's a sure sign that the foods top notch - as everywhere else has people outside begging you to go into their restaurants!
It is along the pathway from the Rila to the Samocov/Gondala station, same strip as Mamacitas/White Magic etc..
The snow was melting arounf the Rila & was quite slushy on Sat as it was 10oc - however ...
It is along the pathway from the Rila to the Samocov/Gondala station, same strip as Mamacitas/White Magic etc..
The snow was melting arounf the Rila & was quite slushy on Sat as it was 10oc - however ...
I was out there the same week, couldn't get into Katy's Steak house as it was so popular.. was told to get there at 7 to get a table or to book a table in advance! That's a sure sign that the foods top notch - as everywhere else has people outside begging you to go into their restaurants!
It is along the pathway from the Rila to the Samocov/Gondala station, same strip as Mamacitas/White Magic etc..
The snow was melting arounf the Rila & was quite slushy on Sat as it was 10oc - however there may have been a fresh dump of snow by now (it snowed practially every day and Sat was the warmest it was all week - so probably a one off day & will get colder again)
Due to the warmer weather the path way's were pretty clear - just lots of water everywhere!
A lady called Judith is out there this week.. she's putting on reports every day about the skiing conditions and any other news - you might wanna check those out as that'll give you a clearer picture of what the snow's like!
Have a great holiday!!
It is along the pathway from the Rila to the Samocov/Gondala station, same strip as Mamacitas/White Magic etc..
The snow was melting arounf the Rila & was quite slushy on Sat as it was 10oc - however there may have been a fresh dump of snow by now (it snowed practially every day and Sat was the warmest it was all week - so probably a one off day & will get colder again)
Due to the warmer weather the path way's were pretty clear - just lots of water everywhere!
A lady called Judith is out there this week.. she's putting on reports every day about the skiing conditions and any other news - you might wanna check those out as that'll give you a clearer picture of what the snow's like!
Have a great holiday!!
