Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Hi there - I've just come back from Xmas week in Pamporovo (actually stayed in Chepelare). I had been in Pamps 16/17 years ago and needless to say there have been a lot of changes. I have a few questions about this which some of you experts on Pamps may be able to answer. The skiing area is not huge so if all these places/hotels are full to capacity (which I imagine is the intention - no point in building hotels to stay empty) where are all these people going to ski? Are they going to link with Chepelare. Also some of the ski instructors have tried to prevent building on the mountain but obviously money has changed hands and building has gone ahead - does anyone know whether there is a movement to protect the environment as there won't be a mountain left to ski on if this carries on. 16/17 years ago the middle station had (I think) one cafe. Now it looks like a construction site (which it is). Sorry to be long winded but I feel that a beautiful area is being destroyed and it is all goes too far it may backfire as skiers will get fed up with 'traffic jams' on the slopes. Anyone else concerned about this?

Crystalclear, I share your concerns as well. Have been 5 times since 98 and the change in that short time is just amazing. Last January I foundit is in parts far too busy and god knows what it will be like now that even more beds have been added. They must increase the skiing area asap.

The Perelik project has been hanging around for years will believe it when it happens and not before. An instructor I spoke to last season said that they also plan to link up with a 3rd mountain accross the Valley which is higher so should extend the season. But again believe it when it happens. Also agree with the bloody apartments on the slope horrible.

Hi there - perhaps there is an EU law that forbids building apartments on or near the slopes . I am so horrified by the mess they have made of the mountain that I think I may try to write to someone (not sure who - any ideas?). Hopefully the link up will happen but even then the building work needs to be controlled and planned if the beautiful environment is to be maintained. We stayed in Chepelare which is still unspoiled and people very helpful and friendly. Isn't there an English language newspaper - Sofia News or something like that. Might check that out.

Hi AA - I haven't seen anything like that but I did find an article in the Sofia Echo online. Apparently Bulgaria has not agreed to draw up a list of areas to be designated nature reserves/areas of outstanding natural beauty and therefore protected.I read the article quickly but basically money and investors win over anything else. It might backfire if they build all these places and fill them up to capacity without extending the ski area. There won't just be lift queues but people will be queuing up for their turn to ski down the mountain.

Hi,
A guy who lives in Stoikite was on here a couple of weeks back and he said they were starting the new runs down to Stoikite, by this I think he meant the trees were being cut down to make way for them. They are supposed to be ready by next season so I've read.
I am buying a small apartment at the Perelik Palace near stoikite and will be travelling down to see the site sometime after tomorrow when I get to Pamporovo.
I will be asking alot of questions about the area and will try and find out what I can and report back here when I get back.

AA