Bulgaria Ski discussion board

This was my 3rd visit to Boro, 3 years running! Every year we have stayed at the Rila. The main reason for which is the Rila's excellent location.

I was some what disappointed this year.

The Rila's bar prices have gone up dramatically, 5 Lev large beer, 8 Lev for Double Vodka (Local, not imported vodka), 16 Lev for a double Baileys. Thats, £1.85, £3 and £6 respectively.
Outside of the Rila, prices are far less and much more pleasing!
Last year I suffered badly with my back, so I had a 25 minute back massage, almost daily. This was 25 Levs. This year, the same massage is 40 Levs, same amount of time, 25 minutes. I only had one this year!

Food in the Rila, same as last year, luke warm at best, I made use of the microwave oven this year.
Cheap enough to eat out, Katy’s steak has always gets my vote for the food.

2 new 4-man chair lifts are a huge improvement. Disappointed in arriving at the 4 man chair lift, after having to get out of the Gondola mid station, to find that the chair lift is closed EVERY Thursday 8:30am to 1pm for maintenance. Also, closed every first Thursday of the month for the whole day! This chair lift appears to brand new. Why are they not maintaining these chair lifts at night when they are not required?

Most lift operators did not seem too friendly (as ever) or helpful. Having said that there was a couple that were helpful. One in particular I have to give a big thank you to. He let me on the gondola a good 15 minutes before anyone else. I did the top to middle station twice before I saw anyone else. The black run was virgin powder after the good dumping the night before, it was bliss.

We had a good couple of days of snow during our stay, which for the lower slopes was needed. After the fresh snow, the very top slopes (Markoudjika) had some fantastic off piste powder. Unfortunately, the super fast drag lifts are still there....(These may be ok for skiers, but for boarders they are a killer!)

We went over as a group of five lads, four learning and myself. To be frank I was bored during the day. I spent more time on chair lifts or gondola’s or walking than boarding down the slopes. Don't wish to sound big headed, but my skill level has out grown Boro.

The ice on the main (pathway) drag from the Rila down to stay the Gondola is so, so, dangerous. Why is it not cleared daily? One of our group fell over and badly bruised his arm.

Overall, it was a great "lads" holiday, but I don't know if I'll be going again, unless there is a more experienced boarder in the group.

On the 12th and 13th temps went up to 10c, snow was melting fast, almost rivers of water rushing down the roads. There is still a reasonable base on the runs opposite the Rila. Lower slopes icy in places.

Buck

Good report, I'm five years straight at Boro and I have to agree with everything you have said. I remember 7 of us drinking 8 bottles of Astika in an hour and a half la few years ago and we didn't bat an eyelid at the bill. This year 4 of us sat aroud after skiing drinking teas/ coke / and then moving onto Gin and Ton Ton's. After about 3 hours we had racked up a bill of 280lv or near as damn it £100. Compared to previous years and in comparisson to everywhere else it is taking the p1ss. Went back in September last year to buy land and everything was at least half price. The Rila bar has new management and they will soon realise that they could get more by charging less...... or at least I hope!!

Couldn't agree more with you about the main pathway down to the Gondola. I was there from 27Feb-6th March. I had a really bad fall down there and suffered for the rest of the holiday. I went to the Doctor's when I got back to be told that I had fractured my coccyx bone. I just can't understand why they don't put grit or salt down, as I'm sure that many people have injured themselves there. Saying all that, I never gave up on the skiing! I just skied in pain and had Chocolate Brandy's and numerous drinks at happy hour as pain killer's!