Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Just had the best holiday of my life!! - definately going back next year.

The snowfall has been incredible for the last few days and should last for an awful long time yet. I've certainly had no complaints - it caused a bt of a havoc for the buses but we all walked to the lifts and never missed any skiing - fantastic!!

Anyway as promised - here's the report:

HOTEL
Stayed in the Pamporovo hotel - officially this is 5 star but it's probably a westernised 3 - 4 star. Having said that - the hotel was excellent - no overcrowding, good food and piping hot water! There is so much on offer once you're off the piste ....swimming, sauna, massage, casino, games room, mini-shops, ten pin and, of course, loads of themed bars. True, you have to pay a little extra sometimes - but it still works out at 'next to nowt'! Oh- and guess what - they have toilet rolls and you can drink the water!! (humbled).
Tip -
If you're taking a bath - wait until around after 5.30pm as most people tend to use the hot water at around 5.00pm immediately after getting in from the slopes!

SKI GEAR
If you're hiring - on the first day you'll be given your ski pass by the rep in the reception. This will cost a deposit of 6 lev (refundable at the end of the week). The boots and skis are at ski centre 1 (Balkan only) and ski centre 2 for snowboard stuff. The lads at the centres are very helpful so please make sure you ask the questions that ensures you are fitted for the right boots etc.

SKI CENTRE
Ski centre 1 (see above) is about 10 mins walk from the Pamporovo hotel but there are buses leaving outside all of the big hotels every 15 mins or so. The buses start running at 9.00am and the first lift up from the ski centres are at about 8.45am.

SKI SCHOOL
Once you are at the Ski centre on day 1 - you will be asked by the various ski instructors of what level you consider yourself to be. Based on the answer you will be put into a provisional group for the morning. At about 1.30pm that day you will be asked to perform a few turns that then determines your group for the rest of the week. My 2 instructors were Angel D and Dundi - both were excellent! Put it this way - in the space of a week I had gone from arriving knowing the basics of snowploughing to carving down a red run by Saturday!!!! I'm not the finished article but my progress is weel beyong what I expected!

OTHER
Book a table at the CHANOVE (near Ski centre 1) the service and food are fantastic and the prices are unbelievable!! - 3 courses plus drinks for 2 - £15!!!!
Also - book yourself the BBQ night - it's a cracking night and the meal is very tasty!!
The people are the most friendly and obliging nation I have ever come across - sp treat them with respect and you'll get a wonderful service.

Anyway - I'mm back next year - same time, same hotel - can't wait!!!