Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Has anyone noticed that it's just the same people commentating on this Forum and if there is any inclination towards a negative they are quick to pounce and call everyone SNOBS!!!!

Having booked in advance for New Year break and relying on the Tourist Operator (Thomas Cook) for their recommendations and honesty we settled on Borovets. We have been skiing before a couple of times and like to try new places. Doesn't mean we are up ourselves of snobs, we just enjoy exploring new mountains to ski.

You must realise that most people do not book last minute!

We arrived on 26th in the evening and although worried as no snow, we was assured we would ski by Ski Instructors and people on this forum - although I'd only TRUST Kas & Bobby's advice for true honesty.

You get what you pay for in terms of hotels - adequate, clean, food not great but better to eat out in the numerous restaurants. Have to state never found one bar that sold beer for 2lv?? must of missed that one. Also not everyone goes on holiday to drink beer some of us don't like beer.

It's true you get better exchange rate in Borovets and is very easy to change up cash. In terms of getting short changed this only happened once and actually in our Hotel (Rila) and was quickly rectified needless to say she didn't get a tip.

Now for the skiing / snowboarding - No SNOW means 3 tiny slopes and a hill which was totally over cramped and quite dangerous the way that all learners are cramped together in the numerous ski groups (1 snowboarding group had 16 people in it!!) and then you have more experienced skiers that shoot past you - YES there were lots of people colliding together. Found it quite funny when one of the cocky guys who took out a couple of females and almost our daughter then had a massive tumble and did his arm in! It is basically a free for all.

The queues for the lifts were enormous and it would be far quicker to walk to the top of the 2 smaller slopes as many did. Also you'd queue for 30 mins but during this time people just pushed in the queues.

We had 1 snow shower and by the end of the week the paths were all clear of the snow the slopes were just hard ice - not pleasant at all. We did go up on the gondala and for most of the week this was only open for WALKERS - no ski runs open.

Borovets was okay for short holiday destination, people very friendly and it was enjoyable. We never saw the beggars people referred to on previous forums and didn't encounter the "Girls" as everyone refers to - passed 3/4 sex show bars but wasn't an issue for our family. (Pattaya in Thailand is full in your face even during the days).

Of course if the Tourist Operator had been honest that Bulgaria is not the best destination for Skiing in December/January we would of booked elsewhere but the faint assurances and false snow updates on this forum offered us some hope.

It's luck of the draw re: ski instructor - some like there drink on the slopes, some have weird techniques, some were great and entertaining and liked showing off their skills.

Oh and as for the Ski instructor Show - Whilst okay - not worth 15lv but unless you paid you weren't allowed on the slope for the night skiing.

We have also just returned also from Borovets having spent new year there. As people have stated there was very little snow meaning that the only runs which were open were the ones with snow cannons. Obviously this did mean overcrowding. We also went up on the Gondola to the top and it was a shame that we couldnt ski up there, the views were stunning.
I must admit Borovets is the friendliest Ski resort I have visited, yes the bulgarians are trying to get you into their bars/restaurants, but they do it in a nice way and are not rude or pushy. I usally ski in Austria, but last new year tried France and I must admit Borovets is CHEAP compared to france, we were paying approx 4.5 lev (£2.20) for a large beer and 8 Lev (£3.90) large Barcardi and coke.
Would I return to Borovets - Yes but probably in march when the snow conditions are more guaranteed.

Hi Stuart
yea- i think one thing that comes across to all now, is that booking early in the season does not mean good conditions, if any (and yes that can be applied to other places in europe too)- however if you want to get away early season and allmost be sure of snow, pay the inflated prices and go for a resort at altitude, or those with a Glacier.
I personally cant afford that option and having been a regular to Bulgaria, know its charm and will take the chance- knowing we will enjoy whateve!
Nice report mate!