Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Just back from Pamps after my 30th odd trip there so here's my report:

Again went with Balkan with no problems, flights on time and transfers etc ok. However, the cost of drinks etc on their planes are getting a bit pricey! Wanted 6 lev (£3) for a small can of beer (330m) and charged me 5 lev for a coffee, which was a very small paper cup, half filled with luke warm water, where you had to make up the coffee yourself with powdered milk and coffee etc, absolute rip off!

The cabin crew have this weird thing of continually having the curtains drawn at the front and rear of the plane. They only emerged when doing the trolley service. This gave the impression that the access to the toilet was not allowed and passengers were uncertain what to do?

Transfer up to Pamps was a dreary 4+ hours with a stop half way. When are they going to start flying into Plovdiv again, reducing the transfer time by more than half?

Stayed at the Mourgavets again with no problems. Ideally placed in the centre of town, with comfortable rooms and food ok etc.

Most of the bars and restaurants were open, although it was quiet with only a handful of people in some. The resort was generally quiet with a lack of skiers/boarders, whether this was down to the poor snow I'm not sure?

The bars, however are making an effort with reduced prices, in the White Hart a large draft beer is 4 lev (5 lev last year) and in the Karaoke bar just a few yards down its happy hour all the time with 2 large beers 4 lev (£1 a pint) and all cocktails 2 for 1 (9 lev - £2.25 each). Both are clean, comfortable, well furnished with excellent service and good food. The resident band in the White Hart are brilliant and the Karaoke bar is a blast, I'm still recovering from singing every night!

The flower sellers are getting to be a pain! At one time you just had the little old lady, (I remember her from 1989, she still looks the same and must be in her 70's or 80's now) I always made a point of buying from her!... But now you've got 2 or 3 others trying to steal her trade, which means every 5 minutes you've got flowers shoved under your nose!.. At one point you had all 3 in the same bar!

The bell sellers!... Having bought at least 15 bells over the years I decided enough was enough and I would not buy any more. Don't get me wrong these bells have served me well as the gypsies who sell them claim they bring you luck and I for one have never had a bad injury whilst wearing one of my bells, (and I've had some heavy falls!) But bloody hell things must be tough!... there's more bell seller than ski instructors and poor old Ludwig and his son have stiff competition, which means its bargain bell buying time!

Ski packs, lift passes and ski school etc:

Its still amazes me that people still turn up without booking full ski packs, only to find its 2/3 times more expensive in resort. If you have your own ski's and boots and only want a lift pass pre book it with your tour operator. But if you want ski lessons as well it works out cheaper to have a full ski pack or learn to ski pack.

Most people will start there week at ski depot 2, where, if you've booked a ski pack you will get the vouchers for your ski's/boots, lift pass and ski school. Balkan and most of the other tour operators use the top floor, up the stairs or the first ramp if you walk to the back of the building.

The 2 guys in there are brilliant!... Mitco and Michael (the younger one) nothing is too much trouble for them and they will help you as much as they can, fitting your ski's making sure every thing is ok etc. Just speak to them and give them the time of day and they will return it 10 fold!.. I have made great friends of both. At the the end of the week its well worth a couple of quid in their tip box and in future visits they'll remember you and treat you like family!... I can't count the number of tots of vodka, brandy and raki they have given me after ski in the depot!

Ski Instructors:

The same old faces are still around, (bloody hell I'm growing old with these guys!) but the quality remains the same!... Without doubt the ski school at Pamporovo is the best in the world (and yes I've not just been to Pamps but skied all around the world!) the presentation evening is still good with free wine and soft drinks laid on for each of the ski instructors groups. This is where you receive your skiing certificate AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE YOUR SKI INTRUCTOR A WELL DESERVED TIP! Don't buy them gloves or hats etc, they don't earn much and rely on the tips too boost their income. A good idea is to get an envelope and each person/family can write a message on there and put inside their tip. £10 or 20 lev per person or family is a good tip but obviously anything is appreciated.

Snow conditions:

There was no snow when we arrived, just man made. In 21 years it was the worst I've seen, however, the piste maintenance team did a superb job in keeping open a run from top to bottom. Things improved as the week progressed with a big fall of snow topped up with the cannons meaning the last few day were great. The beauty of Pamps is that it don't take a lot of snow to make its very skiable. In fact I skied everyday, even the first 2 when there was no snow.

Anyway in summary another great skiing holiday in Pamporovo, for me there is still nothing like it in the world.

Thanks to the guys and gals I skiied with last week, Denise & Ken, Michelle, Charlie & Hanna, Ashley and Tara & Clive (green army!) and especially Lucy when we skied on Friday (awesome!)

I'll be back!

DDT

Bob

None of the ski instuctors take me to a restuarant!.. I go where ever I please and they don't get 30% of the bill in there pockets! I usually go to the places were ski classes don't go such as Peters Irish Bar etc. To clarify the situation at the start of the season deals are drawn up between certain restuarants and the ski schools. There are a handful of places ski instructors have to take their classes in order for the ski schools to get their kick back and the instuctors to get their free meal.

DDT