Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Waw! Where should I start......

My hubbie and I stayed at the Hotel Kempinski Grand Arena. What a Hotel! Our hotel room had a balacony which overlooked, and was actually on the 'final' blue run back to our hotel, literally ski to door where you are able to order a lovely pizza slice and cold beer at the door. The Kempinsksi I could only comment as fantastic hotel, staff were polite, especially in comparison to Pamparovo last year. The breakfast at the hotel was fantastic and was inclusive, however, the evening meal was overpriced considering you were able to buy out at 'locals' for a third of the price!

Ski School - BRILLIANT : I've only skiied once before and not very confident at that. Initially the first day were placed in categories in accordance of ability, however, I soon discovered that my ability within the group and that of others was not equivalent! On my second day of tuition I 'sheepishly' declared my confession to my instructor, Daniel Petev. Without any hesitation he made arrangements with another colleague that I 'exchange groups'. If you feel it necessary you can even request additional hourly tuition at the end of the day (for a local fee - again at low cost!). What a difference! With my new instructor, Niki Atanasov, and the kindness of the family (of 12) group I invaded, by the middle of my ski week I was actually skiing the same slopes as the one I was initially 'afraid' to do!

Last year my husband and I went to Pamparovo. This year Bansko proved to be a much cheaper resort. I can highly recommend a pub down the road to the Kempinski called the 'something' George : the food was all home made including the chips! McCain was nowhere in sight! I can highly recommend the Hunters Special - A choice of Pork or Chicken in a sauce (which was made up of onions and mushrooms). There is also omlette, kebabs by which I mean skewered and char grilled - delicious. The beer is very cheap aprox £0.80 - £1 a pint in comparison to the UK. This price includes that prices on the 'runs'.

I can only HIGHLY RECOMMEND Bansko as a whole! The food is fab, the ski school is very professional and my instructors were very patient!!! However, be very patient when it comes to waiting to get onto the gondala in the morning. My husband and I were v.fortunate that by staying at the Kempinski we did a 'cheeky' dart across the snow covered lawned and cut into the side of the queue, but it still took us aprox 40 mins in the morning from the queue to the ski school meeting point! If you are due to go shortly you WILL have a lovely time, especially when you get do the blue run back to the bottom - this not only takes you back to the gondala chair lift but also to a pub 'happy end' - again cheap beer and ICE COLD!

Enjoy and have a fun time!!!!!!!!

Yes would go back there. As for better I assume you mean more demanding - ABSOLUTELY!!! The blue runs in Bansko are more like red in other resorts (that we've been told by other skiiers). Pamporovo's blue and green runs are much gentler, so for easier skiing, Pamporovo is better. I'm only a novice myself and found Bansko quite hard to ski on, however, my husband had no trouble at all and found them more demanding therefore more enjoyable for him. Hope this helps - any more questions let me know. Have you booked yet? Have you skiied before?