Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Firstly I had such a good time that I am going again in early March!!

Flight
Went with Britannia. Basic but comfortable and more importantly on time.

Plovdiv
Nearly didn't get into the country as my youngest daughter decided to scribble on every page of my passport. Female at passport control had a real sense of humour bypass.

Transfer
Slow due to the condition of the roads. Arrived at the hotel at 3am for a 7:30am start (didn't want to miss the breakfast).

Breakfast
Average. One small coffee machine in the Mugarvets which led to a quite a long wait at times. Same food every day - scrambled eggs, poached eggs, boiled eggs, saveloy, saveloy cut open with a little bit of cheese in and cereals.

Morning
Given the tickets for the ski passes and the tuition. Bit confusing as we gave them in and were given them back a number of times. 6 levs deposit for the lift passes, but system works well. Went to ski depot 2 (room 6) and got quite a good pair of skis (had my own boots) and was out within 15 minutes. Put in group with people that had been a number of times. I think most of them were lying - most of them were crap and the first morning was very slow. Instructor saw that my son and I were being held back and we swapped to a better group. The group was great and quite inspirational. Mike is 72 and put most of us to shame! We also adopted a couple who were not having lessons but they proved to be great entertainment!

Lunches
1. The Brothers - great food (try the home made sausage) but not cheap. Probably cost about £8 each including the compulsory large beer.
2. The lodge - Again good food but a little cheaper.
3. The tower at the top - 5 levs to get up on the lift. Food good but we found the service to be very slow.

Bell sellers
Even more annoying. They all wear different hats so you can tell them apart. Diesel, Nike (the hat has horns on it and is home made) and the American Football bloke just didnt take no for an answer.

Dinner
Hotel very average but edible.
Mugavets Barbeque place - brilliant. Dinner for two (starters and main course) plus a bottle of wine came to just over £10. Also included live singing (if you can call it that) and locals walking over hot coals.
White House - excellent food and only a little more expensive (if you can call it that) than the Mugavets.
Italian in the Perelik - good food and convenient. Pizzas and pasta etc. I had chicken but it was not cooked properly.
Bowling Bar (perelik) cheap pizza things. Ok but you would go there every night.

Bars
Apres Ski - dont bother. No-one else does.
Daks - Good after midnight although has very dodgy wallpaper.
BJs - My personal favourite and you do not have to go outside to get to it. Sky sports and a large beer and a coke came to 4 levs (£1.50).
Coca Cola Bar (Perelik) never saw anyone in there.

Coach Service
Typical Bulgarian. Not on time and not enough buses.

Taxis
12 levs from the Murgavets

Rep
Went with Crystal. Julia was my Rep and I thought she was a bit of a babe (hope she doesnt read this site). Very good and changed my hotel room on the first day after I was allocated accomadation in the staff quarters. (Do not accept the 9th floor in the Murgavets).

Skiing
Snow best for years and sunny all week. Some small icy patches developed at the end of the week on the red / black runs. I have also now joined the "I have skied The Wall Club".
Must try the "Chicken Run" and get as much height as possible!

Excursions
Ski Instructors Show - takes place at the bottom of the main black run (The Wall) at 8:30pm. Good (I am told) but bl@*dy clod!!
Bum boarding - good clean fun which takes place at the end of the sking day.
Traditional Bulgarian Evening - bought tickets but my son decided he didnt want to go at the last minute. Supposed to have been quite good and the food was good.
Ski Doos - You cant miss it. £22 each though or £35 if you go on your own.
Plovdiv - On the last day (as we had a late flight you were given the option to have a tour round Plovdiv (the 2nd largest City in Bulgaria). Dont go - everyone who went hated it.
Quiz night - popular. Dont like quizes though (too thick!!).

Tips
Take toilet paper whenever you are out of the hotel.
Dont give in to the bell sellers.
Take the taxis if you like risking your life.
Take a good book for Plovdiv airport - it is very basic.
Eat at the Mugarvets Barbeque restaurant but pre-book!!
On the run down to the Malina depot get into a tuck as soon as you dare, otherwise you are walking on the flat for ages.
Tip the chamber maids - ours even folded my pants up!
Tip the insructor - they earn from £75 to £100 per month! We all gave 10 levs each (£30 between 8 of us).

I would like to thank my instructor (Angele) and the rest of my group - Mike (72 years young), Carol his daughter who was lovely, Kerry (got engaged on the flight out), Alan and Tracy with little Brad (from Birmingham) - great family, my son Ben (pain in the arse), Yellow Peril and the snow eater (kept falling over).

I hope you will have as good a time as I did. I must disagree with Pamps Pete - I do no think the resort has gone downhill at all, but he is right about the collection of dirty plates in the Murgavets restauarant.

Happy Holidays - Dickie (I now have typers cramp) H.