Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Hi Val
Should be in Bansko same time as yourself. Just one thing, don`t right off France
especially the Tignes/Val`d'isere area which has some of the best skiing in the world. I will accept the prices but if you are careful you will be ok. Buy in from the supermarket (resort or cheaper in the valley) and get fueled before you go out.
Search out the bars where the reps and chalet maids drink (generally the most fun) and if self catering and driving buy provisions on the way down (hypermarket)
I know it seems a hassle but the skiing is worth it...

Cheers

steve c

From my (limited) experience I would confirm the following, although i am sure that some of the more regulars on this forum who have been going out to the various resorts in Bulgaria can give you a much more comprehensive overview:

a) Equipment getting stolen: I have never had my own equipment to get stolen and the hired equipment gets stored overnight at the same place you hired it from, but the lock-ups did look secure enough in the hotel for people that did have their own equipment.
b) Long waiting time for ski hire: the first day you sign and collect your ski hired equipment is always going to be busy because there will be, just as yourself, a whole host of new people to the resort for that week.
c) Hire equipment quality: by reading the feedback on this forum recently it is evident that most of the resorts have now got brand new ski hire equipment for this season and it is of good quality.
d) Long queue's for the ski lift: that depends really on what time you get to the lifts in the morning and late afternoon when everyone is either going to the top or going down again. You could always just ski down to the bottom which more fun anyway, but of course that depends if the snow is good and sufficient enough to allow this.
e) Food quality: the breakfasts are pretty much standard but i will admit that the evening meals in the hotels can be a bit "different". However, most people eat out in the resort anyway where there is a lot to choose from.
Also, don't forget that Bulgaria ski resorts are much smaller than mainstream european ski resorts and during the school holidays it is obviously going to be very busy all over and the waiting times will also therefore be that much longer.

At the end of the day you will love it. Don't stay couped up in your hotel in the evening and explore the town and resort and you will soon get into the swing of it. There are plenty of couples who take their kids out ski-ing with them and they all seem to be having a great and enjoyable time.