Bulgaria Ski discussion board
I've nicked this from another site, but good information
Author:
posts : 13 (Beginner)Date : 03-30-04 16:30I've nicked this from another site, but good information
Bulgaria - The Inside Story
Hi these are some of the things that would have been helpful if someone had told me about them before I went. I've probably left out some bits but hey - that's part of the adventure isn't it. Hope you find this useful and have a great holiday.
1. Clothes
2. Money - don't get it in the UK!
a. Credit Card
b. Where to get the best exchange rate
3. Budget
a. Food
b. Unplanned for costs
4. Additional Activities (and how much they cost)
5. ...
Hi these are some of the things that would have been helpful if someone had told me about them before I went. I've probably left out some bits but hey - that's part of the adventure isn't it. Hope you find this useful and have a great holiday.
1. Clothes
2. Money - don't get it in the UK!
a. Credit Card
b. Where to get the best exchange rate
3. Budget
a. Food
b. Unplanned for costs
4. Additional Activities (and how much they cost)
5. ...
Bulgaria - The Inside Story
Hi these are some of the things that would have been helpful if someone had told me about them before I went. I've probably left out some bits but hey - that's part of the adventure isn't it. Hope you find this useful and have a great holiday.
1. Clothes
2. Money - don't get it in the UK!
a. Credit Card
b. Where to get the best exchange rate
3. Budget
a. Food
b. Unplanned for costs
4. Additional Activities (and how much they cost)
5. Miscellaneous
6. Last day problems1. Clothes
Per day you will need:
1 T-shirt
1 Shirt (or another T-shirt)
1 SweatshirtJumper - (I prefer Sweatshirts)
1 Anarok (or waterproof coat)
1 Waterproof trouser bottom (eg bicycle waterproof)
1 Pair of socks
1 Pair of gloves
1 Winter hat
1 Scarf
1 pair of sunglassesAn alternative to waterproof trouser bottom is Ski trousers which you wear without anything else (apart from perhaps underpantspanties if you wear them). Alternatively have a look at a full ski jacket and trousers. However these can be expensive if you are unlikely to ski again.
Some of the above you can use for more than one day (eg gloves, hat, scarf) so hopefully that should help you work out what your daily inventory should be and how many clothes you may wish to have.
If you are into designer clothes, don't wear them on the mountain (unless they are designer ski gear) otherwise you will freeze. This is because
a. No one will see them
b. They will not be warm enough and you will freeze. Keep the designer clothesfashion stuff for the evening after ski activities.
2. Money
a. Credit cards
There are very few places that accept credit cards (including the Perelik hotel), so be sure you have enough cash. The currency in Bulgaria is the Lev and Stotingis. Stotingis are basically worthless so sometimes they Bulgarians just forget about them if they don't have any lying around. OK so just so you remember - you CANNOT use your credit card to pay for drinks or actually much so bring enough cash.
b. Exchanging Money
It is cheaper to use the bankmoney changers in Bulgaria. The exchange rate in many places is 2.65-2.70 levs to £1.00. There is no comission charge. If you are staying at the Perelik you can get an exchange rate of 2.75 levs to the pound from KoKo the man in BJs bar (just ask for him) - the bar is in the hotel reception and KoKo will give you more than the Hotel exchange rate. Just ask for him, if he is not there his assistant (lady) will sort you out.
You can also change money on the slopes. Note that the difference between 2.65 levs and 2.75 levs in terms of real costs is minimal (ie 3p) so wouldn't feel that you were being ripped off if you got the lower rate on the slopes.
3. Budget
Don't under-budgeted due to a lot of extra-curricular activities that are not mentioned in the brochure. In addition, the cost of food and drinks on the slopes were 2-3 times more expensive than in the hotel. If you are on a tight budget - you may wish to fill up a bottle of water each day at breakfast rather than buy drinks and lunch on the mountain. A bottle of water at the perelik hotel is 1 lev and on the mountain it can be up to 3 levs.
a. Food Costs
As a guide in the hotel a soft drink was one lev and a beer was 3 levs. On the slopes a soft drink went up to as much as 3 levs and a beer 6 levs (by the way these pints of beer are much larger than our ones). Carry a backpack whilst skiing so you have some drinks (and breakfast refills) on some days. Here are some food guidelines.
Toasted ham and cheese sandwich 5-7.50 levs on the slopes Chicken and chips 12.50 levs on the slopes. Hot chocolate 1 lev in hotel, 3 levs on the slopes. Spaghetti Bolognaise 5.00 levs
Note that even though the prices on the slopes can as much as 3-4 times as much as the hotel, it is still cheaper than in the UK. "Brothers" where many ski instructors take people is probably the most expensive place on the slope so ask to vary where you go for lunch.
b. Unplanned for costs:
Lift to top of the tower - 5 levs - which will take you to the highest place in the mountain if you like views.
Sunglasses are also much cheaper in Bulgaria costing on average 18 levs (7 pounds) and there was a much larger selection than at the airport.
One hour Video of your skiing - great memento to show family - 45 levs
Souvenirs - depends on you.
Ask the cost of things before you agree (eg cab fairs bottles of wine over dinner etc).
4. Additional Activities
These were the additional Apres Ski Activities** that we had on our week. Apres Ski activities and other expenses available on my week (rep will let you pay in pounds). Do be prompt or else they will leave without you. If you are going to be late then ask them where it is so you can catch a cab (or walk) directly there.
Monday:
Welcome - It is worth you going to this - free drinks for everyone who attends Pub Navigation (crawl) = £6.00 - can't remember as didn't go.
Tuesday:
Yabba Dabba Doo Bowling = £6.50 - this is crazy bowling eg bowling between legs, bowling without feet touching floor etc (my team won - got a bottle of wine each). Price also includes free drink (wine/beer/soft drink). There are also fun prizes during each game.
Wednesday:
Instructor cabaret = £8.00 - excellent fun - even with powercuts throughout. Bum boarding = £4.00 BUT you need to leave ski resort by 3:30pm as it is at another place (they didn't tell us this) so you may wish not to do this - although the hot chocolate and brandy afterwards was good. Overall I didn't think it was worth going to.
Thursday:
Snowboard taster = 15.00 heard that it was excellent with 1 instructor to every five people. . This is at 2:00pm
Bulgarian Folk dinner - £14.00. This is at 7:00pm. This was great fun, if you want to experience traditional Bulgarian customs and see folk dances. You are greeted with a minty kind of alcoholic drink to Bulgarian equivalent of bagpipes, followed by a Bulgarian mountain drink, hot brandy and several bottles of wine and soft drinks in addition to the food.
Friday:
Ski doo safari - 25.00 didn't attend
Saturday:
Presentation evening. This is included in the cost of your ski lessons and you will get free nuts, soft drinks, beer and several bottles of wine. It is a good laugh. The instructors like you to turn up even if you have not attended the majority of your ski lessons.
Sunday:
Plovdiv tour - £8.00 per adult Pros: Get to see Plovdiv, do some Sunday shopping, eat out Negs: An hour of walking in the cold. Bulgaria has a heavy smoking population so many pubs and restaurants are filled with smoke (but they are better than being outside in the cold)
You do not have to participate in apres ski - instead you may wish to explore the restaurants etc. If you would like to do this, then I would advise you to do a search of restaurants in Pamporovo in Bulgaria and agree a loose schedule of activities. Plan your evenings. At the Perelik area there is:
* Tiny shopping centre
* One bowling alley
* Several bars
* Several empty clubs great for dancing to as nobody will bump into you.
* Pool table and games room
* Swimming PoolYou may also wish to bring some games or cards or books.
** Apres Ski Activities were part of the Crystal Ski, Thomson and Balkan Holiday packages.
5. Miscellaneous
Some things you may wish to know and isn't in brochure.
To use swimming pool - bring some flip flops or just walk in and pretend you are wearing some (even though you are wearing trainers).
If you are staying at the Perelik and having breakfast - a shortcut to the buses to the slopes is through the otherside of the dining area (didn't discover this until the last day) - it saves a five minute walk going up stairs and down stairs the other side.
Bell sellers on the slopes can be a real pain - even when you say "no". They say "later" then and keep trying to bargain with you....every day. The most effective way for me was to say that you want three bells for 5 levs (2 pounds) when they eventually leave you alone.... on the last day!
You don't have to go to all your lessons (but let your instructor know if you are planning on not turning up as they will wait for you.
Book to do one beginners class and move up to intermediate as fast as possible otherwise you will be severely bored unless you have less than eight people in group. The reason for this is that the intermediates do fairly basic runs but challenging enough to keep your interest.
Buses from the ski slope to hotels leave between 4:00pm and 5:00pm - If late, ski depots complain and you will need to take a taxi back to hotel. Negotiate before you get in taxi - 10 levs (£3.00) is good guideline.
6. Last Day
On the last day there is no skiing. Your flight may be at 9:00pm - this means from breakfast practically a whole day of waiting. If you take the Plovdiv tour, you leave at 12:30pm and don't have to worry about all of this. The tour cost£8.00 each. If you do wait in the hotel, think about how you will spend the time:-
eg 1 hour shopping
1 hour playing pool and chatting
1 hour on the internet (it is really cheap)
1 hour cards etc etc
Goto pub and chillI
Think about having enough levs for lunch and dinner if your flight leaves at 9:30pm. Estimate 10 levs per meal (includes meal and drink). The cheapest place in the hotel is the Pizza bar near the shopping precinct in which you can dine for 8 levs and under however the food is a bit oily although the service was very good.
Plovdiv Airport has crisps/chocolates and soft drinks coffee/tea/beer THAT's it. It is quite cheap but there is no proper food or shopping. You will get a meal on the plane (the return journey is 3-4 hours depending on delayswind speed etc).
I think if you look at a budget of £10.00-£15.00 per day depending on whether you will be buying other people drinks or not. Then you won't go too far wrong. Then add money for extra-ski activities as listed.
If money is really tight, you can get away with living on 15 levs a day plus 20 levs for Sunday which would be about £50.00
Hi these are some of the things that would have been helpful if someone had told me about them before I went. I've probably left out some bits but hey - that's part of the adventure isn't it. Hope you find this useful and have a great holiday.
1. Clothes
2. Money - don't get it in the UK!
a. Credit Card
b. Where to get the best exchange rate
3. Budget
a. Food
b. Unplanned for costs
4. Additional Activities (and how much they cost)
5. Miscellaneous
6. Last day problems1. Clothes
Per day you will need:
1 T-shirt
1 Shirt (or another T-shirt)
1 SweatshirtJumper - (I prefer Sweatshirts)
1 Anarok (or waterproof coat)
1 Waterproof trouser bottom (eg bicycle waterproof)
1 Pair of socks
1 Pair of gloves
1 Winter hat
1 Scarf
1 pair of sunglassesAn alternative to waterproof trouser bottom is Ski trousers which you wear without anything else (apart from perhaps underpantspanties if you wear them). Alternatively have a look at a full ski jacket and trousers. However these can be expensive if you are unlikely to ski again.
Some of the above you can use for more than one day (eg gloves, hat, scarf) so hopefully that should help you work out what your daily inventory should be and how many clothes you may wish to have.
If you are into designer clothes, don't wear them on the mountain (unless they are designer ski gear) otherwise you will freeze. This is because
a. No one will see them
b. They will not be warm enough and you will freeze. Keep the designer clothesfashion stuff for the evening after ski activities.
2. Money
a. Credit cards
There are very few places that accept credit cards (including the Perelik hotel), so be sure you have enough cash. The currency in Bulgaria is the Lev and Stotingis. Stotingis are basically worthless so sometimes they Bulgarians just forget about them if they don't have any lying around. OK so just so you remember - you CANNOT use your credit card to pay for drinks or actually much so bring enough cash.
b. Exchanging Money
It is cheaper to use the bankmoney changers in Bulgaria. The exchange rate in many places is 2.65-2.70 levs to £1.00. There is no comission charge. If you are staying at the Perelik you can get an exchange rate of 2.75 levs to the pound from KoKo the man in BJs bar (just ask for him) - the bar is in the hotel reception and KoKo will give you more than the Hotel exchange rate. Just ask for him, if he is not there his assistant (lady) will sort you out.
You can also change money on the slopes. Note that the difference between 2.65 levs and 2.75 levs in terms of real costs is minimal (ie 3p) so wouldn't feel that you were being ripped off if you got the lower rate on the slopes.
3. Budget
Don't under-budgeted due to a lot of extra-curricular activities that are not mentioned in the brochure. In addition, the cost of food and drinks on the slopes were 2-3 times more expensive than in the hotel. If you are on a tight budget - you may wish to fill up a bottle of water each day at breakfast rather than buy drinks and lunch on the mountain. A bottle of water at the perelik hotel is 1 lev and on the mountain it can be up to 3 levs.
a. Food Costs
As a guide in the hotel a soft drink was one lev and a beer was 3 levs. On the slopes a soft drink went up to as much as 3 levs and a beer 6 levs (by the way these pints of beer are much larger than our ones). Carry a backpack whilst skiing so you have some drinks (and breakfast refills) on some days. Here are some food guidelines.
Toasted ham and cheese sandwich 5-7.50 levs on the slopes Chicken and chips 12.50 levs on the slopes. Hot chocolate 1 lev in hotel, 3 levs on the slopes. Spaghetti Bolognaise 5.00 levs
Note that even though the prices on the slopes can as much as 3-4 times as much as the hotel, it is still cheaper than in the UK. "Brothers" where many ski instructors take people is probably the most expensive place on the slope so ask to vary where you go for lunch.
b. Unplanned for costs:
Lift to top of the tower - 5 levs - which will take you to the highest place in the mountain if you like views.
Sunglasses are also much cheaper in Bulgaria costing on average 18 levs (7 pounds) and there was a much larger selection than at the airport.
One hour Video of your skiing - great memento to show family - 45 levs
Souvenirs - depends on you.
Ask the cost of things before you agree (eg cab fairs bottles of wine over dinner etc).
4. Additional Activities
These were the additional Apres Ski Activities** that we had on our week. Apres Ski activities and other expenses available on my week (rep will let you pay in pounds). Do be prompt or else they will leave without you. If you are going to be late then ask them where it is so you can catch a cab (or walk) directly there.
Monday:
Welcome - It is worth you going to this - free drinks for everyone who attends Pub Navigation (crawl) = £6.00 - can't remember as didn't go.
Tuesday:
Yabba Dabba Doo Bowling = £6.50 - this is crazy bowling eg bowling between legs, bowling without feet touching floor etc (my team won - got a bottle of wine each). Price also includes free drink (wine/beer/soft drink). There are also fun prizes during each game.
Wednesday:
Instructor cabaret = £8.00 - excellent fun - even with powercuts throughout. Bum boarding = £4.00 BUT you need to leave ski resort by 3:30pm as it is at another place (they didn't tell us this) so you may wish not to do this - although the hot chocolate and brandy afterwards was good. Overall I didn't think it was worth going to.
Thursday:
Snowboard taster = 15.00 heard that it was excellent with 1 instructor to every five people. . This is at 2:00pm
Bulgarian Folk dinner - £14.00. This is at 7:00pm. This was great fun, if you want to experience traditional Bulgarian customs and see folk dances. You are greeted with a minty kind of alcoholic drink to Bulgarian equivalent of bagpipes, followed by a Bulgarian mountain drink, hot brandy and several bottles of wine and soft drinks in addition to the food.
Friday:
Ski doo safari - 25.00 didn't attend
Saturday:
Presentation evening. This is included in the cost of your ski lessons and you will get free nuts, soft drinks, beer and several bottles of wine. It is a good laugh. The instructors like you to turn up even if you have not attended the majority of your ski lessons.
Sunday:
Plovdiv tour - £8.00 per adult Pros: Get to see Plovdiv, do some Sunday shopping, eat out Negs: An hour of walking in the cold. Bulgaria has a heavy smoking population so many pubs and restaurants are filled with smoke (but they are better than being outside in the cold)
You do not have to participate in apres ski - instead you may wish to explore the restaurants etc. If you would like to do this, then I would advise you to do a search of restaurants in Pamporovo in Bulgaria and agree a loose schedule of activities. Plan your evenings. At the Perelik area there is:
* Tiny shopping centre
* One bowling alley
* Several bars
* Several empty clubs great for dancing to as nobody will bump into you.
* Pool table and games room
* Swimming PoolYou may also wish to bring some games or cards or books.
** Apres Ski Activities were part of the Crystal Ski, Thomson and Balkan Holiday packages.
5. Miscellaneous
Some things you may wish to know and isn't in brochure.
To use swimming pool - bring some flip flops or just walk in and pretend you are wearing some (even though you are wearing trainers).
If you are staying at the Perelik and having breakfast - a shortcut to the buses to the slopes is through the otherside of the dining area (didn't discover this until the last day) - it saves a five minute walk going up stairs and down stairs the other side.
Bell sellers on the slopes can be a real pain - even when you say "no". They say "later" then and keep trying to bargain with you....every day. The most effective way for me was to say that you want three bells for 5 levs (2 pounds) when they eventually leave you alone.... on the last day!
You don't have to go to all your lessons (but let your instructor know if you are planning on not turning up as they will wait for you.
Book to do one beginners class and move up to intermediate as fast as possible otherwise you will be severely bored unless you have less than eight people in group. The reason for this is that the intermediates do fairly basic runs but challenging enough to keep your interest.
Buses from the ski slope to hotels leave between 4:00pm and 5:00pm - If late, ski depots complain and you will need to take a taxi back to hotel. Negotiate before you get in taxi - 10 levs (£3.00) is good guideline.
6. Last Day
On the last day there is no skiing. Your flight may be at 9:00pm - this means from breakfast practically a whole day of waiting. If you take the Plovdiv tour, you leave at 12:30pm and don't have to worry about all of this. The tour cost£8.00 each. If you do wait in the hotel, think about how you will spend the time:-
eg 1 hour shopping
1 hour playing pool and chatting
1 hour on the internet (it is really cheap)
1 hour cards etc etc
Goto pub and chillI
Think about having enough levs for lunch and dinner if your flight leaves at 9:30pm. Estimate 10 levs per meal (includes meal and drink). The cheapest place in the hotel is the Pizza bar near the shopping precinct in which you can dine for 8 levs and under however the food is a bit oily although the service was very good.
Plovdiv Airport has crisps/chocolates and soft drinks coffee/tea/beer THAT's it. It is quite cheap but there is no proper food or shopping. You will get a meal on the plane (the return journey is 3-4 hours depending on delayswind speed etc).
I think if you look at a budget of £10.00-£15.00 per day depending on whether you will be buying other people drinks or not. Then you won't go too far wrong. Then add money for extra-ski activities as listed.
If money is really tight, you can get away with living on 15 levs a day plus 20 levs for Sunday which would be about £50.00
re: I've nicked this from another site, but good information
Hi J,Where did you get that lot from???
Very much everything covered.....
IMT
re: I've nicked this from another site, but good information
An awful lot there I disagree with.
Empty clubs??? Where and when???
No mention of Kareoke night (White Hart Thursdays)
I would strongly advise people NOT to change money on the slopes.
Presentation evenings are generally Friday not Saturday.
It is not recommended that you 'change groups' during your week. You will be graded on day 1 and IF anyone is in the wrong standard then they can change, but this not normally necessary.
I have never, in 13 years ever heard the ski ...
Empty clubs??? Where and when???
No mention of Kareoke night (White Hart Thursdays)
I would strongly advise people NOT to change money on the slopes.
Presentation evenings are generally Friday not Saturday.
It is not recommended that you 'change groups' during your week. You will be graded on day 1 and IF anyone is in the wrong standard then they can change, but this not normally necessary.
I have never, in 13 years ever heard the ski ...
An awful lot there I disagree with.
Empty clubs??? Where and when???
No mention of Kareoke night (White Hart Thursdays)
I would strongly advise people NOT to change money on the slopes.
Presentation evenings are generally Friday not Saturday.
It is not recommended that you 'change groups' during your week. You will be graded on day 1 and IF anyone is in the wrong standard then they can change, but this not normally necessary.
I have never, in 13 years ever heard the ski depot complain about people finishing late. (and we are often the last one's down.)
We also ski on the last day (own skis). Pack the night before, arrange at reception to use the utility room for a shower when you get back and just get a day pass and ski until 2 hours prior to departure. Otherwise, sit in the hotel lobby all day and get bored to tears.
15 lev a day!!!!!! Christ how do I manage to spend a grand then???????
Pamporovo Pete
Empty clubs??? Where and when???
No mention of Kareoke night (White Hart Thursdays)
I would strongly advise people NOT to change money on the slopes.
Presentation evenings are generally Friday not Saturday.
It is not recommended that you 'change groups' during your week. You will be graded on day 1 and IF anyone is in the wrong standard then they can change, but this not normally necessary.
I have never, in 13 years ever heard the ski depot complain about people finishing late. (and we are often the last one's down.)
We also ski on the last day (own skis). Pack the night before, arrange at reception to use the utility room for a shower when you get back and just get a day pass and ski until 2 hours prior to departure. Otherwise, sit in the hotel lobby all day and get bored to tears.
15 lev a day!!!!!! Christ how do I manage to spend a grand then???????
Pamporovo Pete
re: I've nicked this from another site, but good information
mucho cervesa senor methinks!
