Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Yes - home again after another wonderful stay in Pamporovo and the best snow I have ever experienced in 16 years of visiting the resort.

In all, a fantastic week with probably no more than 60 other people on the slopes. The runs were mostly perfectly prepared and we had some unbelievable days skiing on runs that would be at home on any ski resort in the world and with nobody else on them - it was simply amazing. New back blue was terrific and the reds and blacks were easier than I have ever skied them due to the perfect conditions.

And before you knockers think this is going to be a 'Pamporovo Is Perfect' post, it most certainly will not be. There were some things that we were not happy about - mainly Balkan Holidays.

On arrival we were informed by the Mourgavets Hotel that all our evening meals would be served in the Barbecue Restaurant due to the lack of guests. This seemed OK to us until we realized we would not have ANY choice in what we ate, but had to put up with a set meal which was gross, especially as one of our party was a vegan, and when we asked for a salad meal for her we were told we would have to pay extra for this! Now I may be many things, but I can read a brochure, and the holiday we booked stated that all meals would be buffet style and that simply is not what we got. I will be taking this up with Balkan shortly, but the Mourgavets scored a dismal 4/10 for how they looked after us this year, and that is being generous. My disappointment is more with Balkan than the hotel as they are the people we booked through, but we had no pre notification of the altered meal arrangements, no contact from a rep all week and no rep on the return transfer. The outward transfer was in a clapped out old mini bus which was fit for the knackers yard and was the most uncomfortable banger I have ever travelled in.

Shocking Balkan - Just Shocking!

Taxis were 15 levs all week which at £7.50 for 4 sharing was not (in my eyes) expensive.

We ate mainly at Peter's Bar on the slopes and found the prices very reasonable and good quality food all week.

Markony was deserted, as was the White Hart. Just about everywhere else was closed, but we knew that before we went so there were no surprizes there.

Ludvig did his best to sell us a bell every day, and the rose lady was still trudging the streets, so some things never change.

It was a pleasure to meet and ski the week with Trevor, and he certainly showed us the way to bomb down the reds and blacks - the man knows no fear!

We met with Andie and Galina - but never really got the chance to have the indepth conversation I'd hoped for, although I did learn quite a bit about the current politics that Pamporovo is at the moment caught up in and no doubt that will have a major outcome on the resorts future.

Great to see you again girls - and I still have my good luck bangle Andie!

What I can tell you is that plans and finances for the new Snow Boarding Park seems in place and provided the poitics don't get in the way you boarders should have something very special in place by next year.
New runs are still being planned along with another 180 snow cannons to support them by next year, again provided all the promises reach reality.

And as for the dogs - we met a fabulous Alsation which we nicknamed Waggie as he was constantly wagging his tail. He would often follow behind my skis for run after run and we were heartbroken to have to leave him behind. Maybe next year if he's still there we will see what we can do to adopt him as we did BJ all those years ago - but it is a huge task to get through all the red tape in such a short space of time

Angie skied her socks off and was well all week. I have never seen her ski better and it was a joy to see her so happy after her traumas of the last 9 months. That was the best part of the holiday for me without doubt.

All over again now - and I really enjoyed the main part of our holiday which was the skiing, and that was 10/10.

Goodnight Pamporovo for 2009 - some loved you, some hated you ........ but I'll be back in 2010 hopefully with the same snow and more cherished memories to add to my romance with the best place on earth

PAMPOROVO

Pete, you've sold it to me mate
If euthusiasm was ever a measure of someones love of something or somewhere you would have topped out
Brilliant that you had a great time, even better that Ange was well and back on form
Re, the dinner arrangements, and the bus ??, happens to us all at some point, i don't think reading the small print will be much consolation eh ?? silly old you for thinking that you would get what you actually thought you were paying for , should have made an appointment to see the rep...

Well to pick up on some points - table service in my book means you still get the chance to select what you eat. At our first meal we were given a menu and we all selected a different meal and our order was taken. When it arrived we were all given the same - so why give us a menu and take our order???????

On Thursday evening there was a convention in the hotel and when we went for a meal that evening (which we intended to pay for so we had a choice) we were told we could not eat there as there was a private function on. No alternative was offered so we had no other option than to eat in the White Hart.

We did not attend the welcome meeting as we have been in the resort 16 consecutive years and felt it unneccessary - but with just 6 Balkan guests in the whole resort the rep did nothing to inform us of the changes. No slip of paper under the door - no message - nothing.

And to not have a rep on departure with just 6 guests to cater for in my opinion showed a total couldn't care less attitude that is becoming a Balkan trademark. Fortunately we all collected our passports etc. and returned home without incident, but I see it as their responsibilty to ensure all guests have checked-out properly with all documentation secured. I have used Balkan on probably 25+ times to Bulgaria - but never again.

And to add another little bonus.............

When we briefly did see a Balkan rep at the airport we were told that they would be withdrawing their future interest in Pamporovo as the had a financial vested interest in Bansko. He also said Balkan would not be using Plovdiv airport again in an effort to encourage people to choose Bansko instead. In other words if you love Pamporovo - then Balkan do not want your business!

Thanks Balkan - I showed you loyalty for many years, and this is how you repay your returning customers.

I doubt that is what the airport rep meant and maybe accidently it was not meant that way.

I know the local managers of Balkan, and form my taking, they have a higher number of beds contracted in Bansko than in the other 2 resorts so it is natural that they will want to fly those guest into Sofia. I dont think also that is the attitude of Balkan towards Pamporovo, how did you get to Pamporovo last week. They are still providing holidays there when the other operators have pulled out. The airline alsoi have to consider their operations and do not want the aircraft based in 2 airports after the difficulties of last season with the fog, and the bulk of their charter work in the winter is from Sofia to the UK, Dubai, Denmark etc

I also spoke to the Balkan Reps who were on duty at the airport yesterday ( I work as a Rep for one of the transfer companies ) and they have no recollection of a conversation with you. They spoke to a lady and my guess is she has put her twist into the story she has passed to you. So unless it comes from the horses mouth better wait to hear things with your own ears before commenting.

Tim, i know why the small print is there as you do, and i am assuming that the comment `make an appointment', is being taken in the vein it was intended
Perhaps your obversation of a `privlidge ??' will become a seasonal certainty where Pamporovo is concerned, and i'm sure if the tour operator could charge for it they would...
I accept that people complaining on their return is annoying, especially ones who are perhaps in the minority when it comes to being fans of Pamporovo, but these are customers, something that in the coming seasons will be fewer, perhaps a little care now in the way of `everything ok ??' wouldn't be amiss
I am a `glass half full' type of person and would always remember the good points, but would you accept that to the holidaying public, there is no such thing as a `minor issue' ??

Tim - are you a Balkan rep yourself -your words seem heavily weighted in their favour.

Pete, it was great to catch up with you and Angie and see her looking so well. So pleased the snow was "to order" and that you enjoyed having the mountains to yourself.

Don't forget, wear the Martenitza until last day of March to ensure the good health and luck and then tie to a bush or tree in your garden. Of course, if you see a stork or some blossom before Tuesday night you can do it then lol

luv to you both
Andie xxx

Pete,

You had great snow and it is always nice when the conditions are good until the end of the holiday.
As someone earlier said, it is unlikey that an airport rep has access to such future plans of Balkan Holidays.

Unfortunately food has always been a major issue with the Bulgarian Hotels and they need to improve it drastically. But like most things here someone is making money out of it. Hotels rent out the restaurant to make money, then the tennents try to cut corners on the food being served to the guest to make some kind of profit, hence the high prices in the hotel for drinks.

Regardless of who you travel with next year at least you had a great week on the slopes with probably the best conditions of the season without the queues.