Bulgaria Ski discussion board

I reckon £200 min - last year managed to contain it to £250 this year more like £300. I was a bit too generous tipping and although half board my brother in law didn't get on with food so we eat out a bit. Beer salad and a soup on the slope was about 15 lev. I rounded this up to 20lev so lunch was a tenner - a bargain in my book, particularly given the surroundings.

For me using the cashpoint works best, reasonable exchange (can 2,24 be beaten in UK?) and immediately available 24/7

Handy to take a bit of cash (£50 in lev), with you to save hassle of finding cash machine when you arrive (although there's one right at from of Rila Hotel, use it all the time no problems)

Half board means eat as much as you can in my book so you can stock up on breakfast and miss lunch if you what.

Also depends on how much you like a tipple £2.00 a pint virtually everywhere - loads of places have 2 for one and free shots etc.

Buzz Bar (possibly the main night club but there are others), has 2 for1 till quite late (can't remember how late, bit hazy here)

Loads of bars/restaurants all quite cheap (IMO)

Try The Happy Duck down the hill next door to the Moura Hotel) there's an old guy who dances like crazy when Lady Gaga comes on he is amazing and must be in his 70's.

When are you both going out there? I'm going again in two weeks March 5th - can't get enough of the place (really sad I'm afraid).

If you don't have an absolute ball I'll eat my hat

Cheers Danny

Depends what you do when you're there. We stayed half board this year and only spent 350 quid for the 2 of us for the week, including the tip we gave to the instructor at the end of the week. That said we didn't eat out Other than at dinner time, and we had 2 for 1 cocktails in the hotel every night. Use the cashpoints as you get a better rate. We used it twice as you get charged every time you use it, and let your bank know before you go as they might block your card for security reasons
it's still great value in Bulgaria, and staying half board keeps the costs down even more. Have a great time

Hi Rebecca

The Rila is very nice (IMO) good central slope-side location, right outside nursery slopes. Big casual 24hr bar area with free wi-fi. Bit pricey drinks wise but aren't all hotels. Have heard about "no change sorry" waitresses but you can insist here.

Rooms are OK, a bit 70's decor but OK.

Biggest complaint I see (as with all Hotels here), is the food - cold / luke warm and fairly basic. I've staid in 4 hotels here and all pretty much the same. I've got no complaints and will happily eat all meals. Guess it just personal choice / what your used to.

Shoes wise whatever is comfortable - if its went / melting snow (which so far its not been), then shoes are likely to get wet / dirty, I wore trainers and no problems here (nor getting into clubs etc)

Goggles are less likely to mist up then sunglasses - perhaps not as cool and more expensive then sunglasses. IMO better in snowy / poor vis conditions. My preference is goggles on slopes, shades elsewhere but I wouldn't worry first trip. Plenty available and cheap enough in resort, if you fancy some out there or if weathers poor.

Cheers Danny

We were out there 2nd week of July (myself and 18 year old son). We stayed half board and spent about £250 between us for the week. This included hire of helmets and a tip for our instructor at the end of the week. We ate all meals at our hotel and lunch on the slope (average £10 for lunch and a drink) and drank every night 2 for 1 style (not to excess I might add). We took some cash with us but never again as the exchange rate at home is rubish to what you get in resort. Either take £10 notes and keep them in the safe or take it out the cash machine which is what we did. Shoes wise I took boots, trainers and slip on shoes but if when I go again I will only take a pair of slip on shoes for in the hotel and my walking boots for outside use, this will also save on weight as we did struggle to keep within our 20KG limit. Hope I have gone on too much. Any more questions just ask. You will have a great time. We loved it so much we are going back again next year. Di.