Bulgaria Ski discussion board

I have just returned from Val Thorens in France. A Purpose ski area but very good. Stayed in self catering. £259 for the week. A Local Spar shop where food and beer were the same price as the UK. Beer being 5.5 -6 euros a pint but plenty of offers. In Dicks Bar, one euro a pint from 2100-2200 then two euros from 2200-2300.
I have been to Bulgaria three times to ski and never again. Off to Italy on the 22/02 where prices are much the same. Oh! the ski pass for the three valleys was £214 but well worth it. 600 miles of heaven.

We're giving Bansko a try this weekend but have been to Andorra. Stayed in Soldeu which is now linked with Passa to give a larger area. We went cos my kids wanted to try boarding and I knew ALL the instructors were native English speaking which would be good for a beginner. Night life was ok but you could stay in Passa if you want more. There are so many deals around now if you avoid half term (which we cant ) also its worth looking for a chalet where you get food and drink. Recently I saw a deal for the 3 valleys for under £300! THe transfer to Andorra is quite long but then it is to other ski resorts as well. The prices are going up in the resort, but then aren't they everywhere?

Been to Pas and Arinsal also Pamps and about to go to Bansko for a 3rd time.

Arinsal we went February time it was very Icy loads of accidents and we thought the nightlife was rubbish.

Pas New year time skiing conditions fantastic and quite pretty over in Gra Ruige (not sure how to spell it) and also nightlife was brill, the town itself was vey ugly just a large smoggy car park! And the runs in Pas very baron looking, Hotel food was awful. Drink prices in bars quite expensive tho. I would say try here if your going to try any.

Loved Pamps but that was a long time ago (15 years) and snow conditions have been crap there in recent years.

Bansko skiing great (best of all the resorts) and conditions always seem better here, I have never really experienced gondola probs I always go about 9.30am. Excellent choice of Mehanas to eat in and very cheap also drink prices in the bars very cheap (not the hotel bars) We have stayed in the Perun which is a fantastic hotel and also the Lion which I thought was no comparison to the Perun. So if you fancy a change but want it cheap I would try here.

Hope this helps

I've been to Soldeu in Andorra although more than 10 years ago. Stayed at Sol e Neu apartments which were newly opened. Cheap, good food in restaurants, cheap drink, it was late season March or April (maybe Easter time) but no problem with snow. There was no snow in the village though and the walk from the apartments to the gondola was not easy as beside a very busy winding main road. Aparently halfboard food was a bit repetitive, we were self catering and enjoyed it.

Cheapest deals are usually self catering apartments based on several sharing or named on arrival accommodation which is what we had.

I would definitely go again and almost was this year but Pamporovo has won on price with the best value 'learn to ski' packages around.

Got back from Soldeu a few weeks ago, been to Pamps last 2 years and the snow conditions so rubbish we decided to try Andorra. Resort was brilliant for us, food very, very good and not too badly priced (euro rubbish tho ) Drink reasonably priced but soft drinks very expensive!!!

Snow conditions brilliant, never any waiting for the lifts. Loved the place it was beautiful and will be going back next year. Only bad points were the transfer time from Barca - 3hrs, and the price of lift passes crazy!!

Just wish Snow shack guys would move out there and it would be five star

No pancakes on the mountain tho, so Pamps wins for that one

Thanks for all the replies, all this info is much appreciated!

I do think its a toss up between Andora and Bansko. I love Borovets but the lack of snow does put me off a bit, if Im restricted to fewer runs in another resort at least they will be new rather than up the top at Boro where I have done them before.

What are the conditions usually like in Bansko during March? From j2ski, snow-forecast etc it seems to say there is around 200cm of snow atm in Pas in Andora up the top and 110cm at the bottom which I assume will last a while!

Hi Paul. I was in Soldeu Andorra for new year and i have to say it was just fantastic. The snow conditions were superb, the pistes were very well maintained and the bashers were out as soon as the lifts shut and they were out all night long. Food prices were about the same as here,
drinks 4 euros a pint only ever paid 2 euros as happy hours run from 4.30 - 10.30 just look for the right bar. Booked lift pass, ski hire and lessons before we left which really cut down the costs.
All in all i love Borovets but due to the continuing problems with the snow we thought we would try somewhere else. Soldeu was a better skiing holiday by a very big margin and we did not notice much difference in the prices either. Hope this helps.
Marc