Bulgaria Ski discussion board

I have booked to stay at the Yanakiev Hotel on the rotata run with my family on 20th Feb (next month), I've heard several good reports about this hotel and so looking forward to staying there. I booked with Ski Direct who are part of the CO-OP travel and are agents for Inghams. The total cost for flights with Monarch, transfers, HB at the Yanakiev, lift passes, equipment hire and lessons; the lot came to £623.00 which I think is excellent! I used Ski Direct last year and stayed at the Princesa Parc hotel in Andorra/Arinsal, again £589.00 all in, another bargain. This hotel was lovely and the food was great, loads of choice and the staff couldn't do enough for you; check it out on Trip Advisor. The Gondola was literally a 2 minute walk from the hotel and we hired an indoor locker to keep all our equipment in on the mountain to save us having to walk about in our ski boots I always book about 10 months ahead so i guess thats why i get it so cheap.

Hopefully by the 20th Feb Boro should have some decent snow; I've heard good and bad reports about Bulgaria and so I'm curious to see for my self, I always go on holiday with an open mind.

Fras is right, bookings are down in some resorts by almost 70%. The premier resorts especially are suffering, mostly in France, but the trend is being seen across the Alps... Even smallish well established resorts like Leogang reporting 17% decrease in business over the previous season, which was down on the previous etc etc...
I am not saying you cannot get great deals, you can, but the bars and the restaurants still charge exorbitant amounts, which will still add to your holiday, unless you take my advise in an earlier post on this thread... However many people come on this board and post `the Alps is cheaper than Bulgaria' (and they do year on year), the fact is that Bulgaria (Bansko especially) overall is the best value (hate cheapest) ski destination in Europe, not the best before someone jumps down my throat, but best value overall....

Being fortunate enough to ski in France and Bulgaria each year, in my experience they don't compare in overall price. Beer in France on the slopes £5 and in Bansko 5lev, a meal for two in the evening £60 for something pretty basic with a beer or two and £25 max in Bansko, the same can be said for lift passes, lessons, ski hire ........Only difference is the probability of snow.

You pays ya money and takes your choice

Vive La Bansko

Oh yes and I got an £85 speeding fine just outside Calais !

So a nother view on the problem.

Of course resorts are more expensive, as a normal place in the country, anywhere in the world.

Okay I'm from Berlin, Germany; I payed 150€ with Lufthansa via Munich to Sofia and return via Vienna; we pay for a double room in Samokov 50 lev with breakfast, okay Samokov is not the resort Borovez; but thats the clue. We payed for a beer les than 2lev. Anything is cheaper 9 km away. We got the latest record last winter from 42 lev within tip for three main corses, starters, drinks and salads. No chance to get this in Borovez. But we even payed in summer 2,50 lev in Borovez for a pint.

So the bus is 2 lev from Samokov to Borovez, and they have much better restaurants and markets.

Sune