Bulgaria Ski discussion board
Just back from Borovets- full report as promised!
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posts : 13 (Beginner)Date : 01-25-09 21:07Just back from Borovets- full report as promised!
Firstly- this is my oppinion and mine alone- we all differ in what we expect, prefer and are willing to put with etc- therefore, it is not your oppinion, fair enough- i dont meen to offend!
I know what to expect having been to Borovets a fair few times now, and am basing my report on how i found things this year, and at staying at the Flora appartments for the first time.
It may be leanthy reading!- but hopefully there may be a few comments that may be usefull along the line to someone out ...
I know what to expect having been to Borovets a fair few times now, and am basing my report on how i found things this year, and at staying at the Flora appartments for the first time.
It may be leanthy reading!- but hopefully there may be a few comments that may be usefull along the line to someone out ...
Firstly- this is my oppinion and mine alone- we all differ in what we expect, prefer and are willing to put with etc- therefore, it is not your oppinion, fair enough- i dont meen to offend!
I know what to expect having been to Borovets a fair few times now, and am basing my report on how i found things this year, and at staying at the Flora appartments for the first time.
It may be leanthy reading!- but hopefully there may be a few comments that may be usefull along the line to someone out there soon!
Right!
Firstly left Newcastle airport with Balkan, slightly early,arriving at Sofia, which in all all was an uneventfull flight- only the difficult desision of cheese or ham sandwich to choose as the in flight meal!
Flora hotel good location, stayed in the appartments (self catering bed and breakfast)-there were a couple of rings for cooking, sink and food preperation area but no cups, plates, pots or pans to cook with! (not that we had intended to other than cup of tea etc, so wasnt a real proble for us)- mentioned to reception however, receptionist nodded and smiled (i think something was lost in the translation!)- nothing materialised all week!
There was a very small plastic kettle but no plug in the kitchen area to plug it in!- in order to heat this up, you had to remove the plug from the tv in the lounge/bedroom.
The room was quite adequate though- and got very hot if the heating was left on- towels changed daily and beds made up. Unfortunatley the shower had no plastic panel around it so bathroom got wet (panel was located behind large wadrobe in lounge!)
TV channells had a few Englsih speaking ones and Sky News, BBC World news etc as well as Euro sports.
Must point out others from this forum we spoke to on Monday night in White Magic- stated they had no problems like we had in their appartment so may have been an individual issue.
The breakfasts were a mix of what you would expect and you had to be very picky to not have an ample fill in the morning-(served in the pub)
Other facilities at the hotel
Wellness centre with pool (rather cool but we used a few times) Pool free to residents.
Jacuzzi (excellent for aching muscles- 10 lev for 20 mins)
Massages- a wide choice, though i only opted for the 20 minute back masage for 25 lev, and it was proffessionally executed if rather painfull!- appeared to work though!
A few oldish arcade games and table tennis etc for the kids.
I felt my belongings in the room to be secure and draws etc were not opened in our absence.
Borovets itself-most of the locals felt that attendance so far- had been down by about a third of last year, and whilst we were there i would tend to agree. Notably more quiet, the cause of that is another debate all together, could it be the credit crunch here in the uk, europe wide etc? the fact that costs in resort are not what they have been?, Is Bulgaria now ripping tourists off and people are going elsewhere?, All this has been discussed many times and will continue to be no doubt- personally i really dont know, i view it as the most budget concious country still, and though prices have increased- its still cheaper than anywhere else (inc all ski gear etc, hotel etc into the package).
Borovets remains greatly unchanged even if prices have- typically around British prices with some cheaper esablishments if you search this forum and know where to head to.
Only one begger noted- who shakes his money pot at you in the street, he got annoyed ond day when he opened the door to the Rila Ski depot for me (not asked to do by the way!), and cos i didnt give him cash made some angry comments!-Fewer stray dogs than last time we visited and personally i would avoid the fast food take away in the middle of the main street. One evening there wa a fresh hot pitza in the window (just out the oven) bought a slice (6 Lev) and i witnessed the woman putting an older slice into a microwave and heating it up before presenting it to me!- i ate it though and was ill!
Also chips from there are reheated in the microwave, and you only got about 20 mcdonald style chips for 6 lev!
Bit of advice- all the little bars serve excellent food, and are very welcoming.
Ski Hire- we pre booked through Balkan (Borosports) Never used them before after having allways stayed at the Samokv and used their ski hire and kids used their ski school. Again, this is a personal thing, but for many reasons, much prefer the Samokov Ski hire and their school.
There are allways bad apples in every proverbal bunch so to say, my son (9) had a ski instructor called Basko (some said Vasko!)- who never did any instruction to his group of 11- My son was put in an intermediate adult group as the only child as he can ski- The insructors only word realy in English was "follow me"and off he went, others having to follow!
There were a number of concerns by the group as people fell ,and he continued, people asked for advice and he said little, he utilised his time not as a ski instructor- but as a guide!.
My son managed no problem- and was usually straight behind him on whatever run he was "guiding" the group down-however by the end of the week he was left with just my son and one other guy. (others had left for private insruction or had given up!- theres lots more i could write about this, but his boss has been made aware!) He didnt even turn up for the poorly organised presentation evening -and did not show at all on the last day for skiing!
My daughters Ski instructor was better and called Martin- however he too failed to turn up as agreed on the last day, and therefore i acted as unofficial guide for a group wth her class and my son! (we all agreed our best days sking though!)
Thats our personall prefferance, though i know there are very good instructors with Borosports, as with Samokov.
We prefer the organised presentation evening with the Samokov hotel too, rather than the effort made by Borosports.
Conditions of the slopes-
Start of the week not too bad, a few grassy patches lower down etc but quite managable- up the Gondola were good to excellent. Only a couple of blacks broken- however mild temps, then drizzle and rain left Rila Icy in the mornings and slushy in the afternoons. Gondola closed a few days for the wind (you could still access via a taxi to 4 man chair though)- however on Saturday we skied allmost every run that was open up top and conditions were excellent in the main.
It was snowing up top to mid station yesterday, raining in the village.
Plenty for begginers, and intermediates should find enough up top too. Snow predicted soon!
Walkie talkies! Dont use them- we tried many channells and kept getting nasty police officers on them saying they were hunting us down as we were interfering with their work! (love to see them actually try and find me on the mountain like!)
Telephones in resort!
Nearlly all take a phone card and could not find anywhere to sell me one! Found cheapest place to use the telephone by far was the reception in the Samokov hotel.
Stamps for cards available in a couple of mini markets but those that dont sell them will not tell you where you can purchase them-Obviously the post office but a few snotty assistants,there were a few really pleasent ones, and some (females!) where i would advise you to check your change and watch the adding up (especially the Rila supermarket!).
The bars etc!
As usuall- pleasently hassling you to come in- if refused politley- will respond with "another time my friend" etc- we tried many and cant fault none! White Magic as ever with Christo- tell him your meeting others off the forum and he introduces you as others arrive (thankx Christo!)- Intend to use him as ski insructor for kids in future- highly recomended.
Sky Fotball etc in many bars around the resort- Alpina bar cheapest we found, if basic!
Balken reps (as others) rip off prices for trips/socials etc- but there again with them you are meeting others in the process?
Exchange rates fell during the week- we got better rates in the booths on the street 2.7 lev to £, though 2.2 yesterday.
SUMMARY! (Yeah at last i know!)
We enjoyed our holiday- the snow was suficient to good most of the time- would rather go half board yes, despite some comments re food in hotels- we never had any problems re hotel food in past.
Prices have increased but we would have spent a hell of a lot more elsewhere in europe.
We will most likley return to a hotel as soon as we can afford to as the kids really prefer their skiing to sitting around a pool in Summer, and i enjoy watching their development- in a few years they will no longer require ski school and perhaps then we will consider elswhere- though for now Bulgaria remains the budget concious ski for us and no doubt many like us!
For those that have endured reading this! thankyou- and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask- i will allways say it as i see it- there plenty could be improved but where could you not say that when paying the price you pay for Bulgaria?
Happy Skiing- make it a good one! 
I know what to expect having been to Borovets a fair few times now, and am basing my report on how i found things this year, and at staying at the Flora appartments for the first time.
It may be leanthy reading!- but hopefully there may be a few comments that may be usefull along the line to someone out there soon!
Right!
Firstly left Newcastle airport with Balkan, slightly early,arriving at Sofia, which in all all was an uneventfull flight- only the difficult desision of cheese or ham sandwich to choose as the in flight meal!
Flora hotel good location, stayed in the appartments (self catering bed and breakfast)-there were a couple of rings for cooking, sink and food preperation area but no cups, plates, pots or pans to cook with! (not that we had intended to other than cup of tea etc, so wasnt a real proble for us)- mentioned to reception however, receptionist nodded and smiled (i think something was lost in the translation!)- nothing materialised all week!
There was a very small plastic kettle but no plug in the kitchen area to plug it in!- in order to heat this up, you had to remove the plug from the tv in the lounge/bedroom.
The room was quite adequate though- and got very hot if the heating was left on- towels changed daily and beds made up. Unfortunatley the shower had no plastic panel around it so bathroom got wet (panel was located behind large wadrobe in lounge!)
TV channells had a few Englsih speaking ones and Sky News, BBC World news etc as well as Euro sports.
Must point out others from this forum we spoke to on Monday night in White Magic- stated they had no problems like we had in their appartment so may have been an individual issue.
The breakfasts were a mix of what you would expect and you had to be very picky to not have an ample fill in the morning-(served in the pub)
Other facilities at the hotel
Wellness centre with pool (rather cool but we used a few times) Pool free to residents.
Jacuzzi (excellent for aching muscles- 10 lev for 20 mins)
Massages- a wide choice, though i only opted for the 20 minute back masage for 25 lev, and it was proffessionally executed if rather painfull!- appeared to work though!
A few oldish arcade games and table tennis etc for the kids.
I felt my belongings in the room to be secure and draws etc were not opened in our absence.
Borovets itself-most of the locals felt that attendance so far- had been down by about a third of last year, and whilst we were there i would tend to agree. Notably more quiet, the cause of that is another debate all together, could it be the credit crunch here in the uk, europe wide etc? the fact that costs in resort are not what they have been?, Is Bulgaria now ripping tourists off and people are going elsewhere?, All this has been discussed many times and will continue to be no doubt- personally i really dont know, i view it as the most budget concious country still, and though prices have increased- its still cheaper than anywhere else (inc all ski gear etc, hotel etc into the package).
Borovets remains greatly unchanged even if prices have- typically around British prices with some cheaper esablishments if you search this forum and know where to head to.
Only one begger noted- who shakes his money pot at you in the street, he got annoyed ond day when he opened the door to the Rila Ski depot for me (not asked to do by the way!), and cos i didnt give him cash made some angry comments!-Fewer stray dogs than last time we visited and personally i would avoid the fast food take away in the middle of the main street. One evening there wa a fresh hot pitza in the window (just out the oven) bought a slice (6 Lev) and i witnessed the woman putting an older slice into a microwave and heating it up before presenting it to me!- i ate it though and was ill!
Also chips from there are reheated in the microwave, and you only got about 20 mcdonald style chips for 6 lev!
Bit of advice- all the little bars serve excellent food, and are very welcoming.
Ski Hire- we pre booked through Balkan (Borosports) Never used them before after having allways stayed at the Samokv and used their ski hire and kids used their ski school. Again, this is a personal thing, but for many reasons, much prefer the Samokov Ski hire and their school.
There are allways bad apples in every proverbal bunch so to say, my son (9) had a ski instructor called Basko (some said Vasko!)- who never did any instruction to his group of 11- My son was put in an intermediate adult group as the only child as he can ski- The insructors only word realy in English was "follow me"and off he went, others having to follow!
There were a number of concerns by the group as people fell ,and he continued, people asked for advice and he said little, he utilised his time not as a ski instructor- but as a guide!.
My son managed no problem- and was usually straight behind him on whatever run he was "guiding" the group down-however by the end of the week he was left with just my son and one other guy. (others had left for private insruction or had given up!- theres lots more i could write about this, but his boss has been made aware!) He didnt even turn up for the poorly organised presentation evening -and did not show at all on the last day for skiing!
My daughters Ski instructor was better and called Martin- however he too failed to turn up as agreed on the last day, and therefore i acted as unofficial guide for a group wth her class and my son! (we all agreed our best days sking though!)
Thats our personall prefferance, though i know there are very good instructors with Borosports, as with Samokov.
We prefer the organised presentation evening with the Samokov hotel too, rather than the effort made by Borosports.
Conditions of the slopes-
Start of the week not too bad, a few grassy patches lower down etc but quite managable- up the Gondola were good to excellent. Only a couple of blacks broken- however mild temps, then drizzle and rain left Rila Icy in the mornings and slushy in the afternoons. Gondola closed a few days for the wind (you could still access via a taxi to 4 man chair though)- however on Saturday we skied allmost every run that was open up top and conditions were excellent in the main.
It was snowing up top to mid station yesterday, raining in the village.
Plenty for begginers, and intermediates should find enough up top too. Snow predicted soon!
Walkie talkies! Dont use them- we tried many channells and kept getting nasty police officers on them saying they were hunting us down as we were interfering with their work! (love to see them actually try and find me on the mountain like!)
Telephones in resort!
Nearlly all take a phone card and could not find anywhere to sell me one! Found cheapest place to use the telephone by far was the reception in the Samokov hotel.
Stamps for cards available in a couple of mini markets but those that dont sell them will not tell you where you can purchase them-Obviously the post office but a few snotty assistants,there were a few really pleasent ones, and some (females!) where i would advise you to check your change and watch the adding up (especially the Rila supermarket!).
The bars etc!
As usuall- pleasently hassling you to come in- if refused politley- will respond with "another time my friend" etc- we tried many and cant fault none! White Magic as ever with Christo- tell him your meeting others off the forum and he introduces you as others arrive (thankx Christo!)- Intend to use him as ski insructor for kids in future- highly recomended.
Sky Fotball etc in many bars around the resort- Alpina bar cheapest we found, if basic!
Balken reps (as others) rip off prices for trips/socials etc- but there again with them you are meeting others in the process?
Exchange rates fell during the week- we got better rates in the booths on the street 2.7 lev to £, though 2.2 yesterday.
SUMMARY! (Yeah at last i know!)
We enjoyed our holiday- the snow was suficient to good most of the time- would rather go half board yes, despite some comments re food in hotels- we never had any problems re hotel food in past.
Prices have increased but we would have spent a hell of a lot more elsewhere in europe.
We will most likley return to a hotel as soon as we can afford to as the kids really prefer their skiing to sitting around a pool in Summer, and i enjoy watching their development- in a few years they will no longer require ski school and perhaps then we will consider elswhere- though for now Bulgaria remains the budget concious ski for us and no doubt many like us!
For those that have endured reading this! thankyou- and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask- i will allways say it as i see it- there plenty could be improved but where could you not say that when paying the price you pay for Bulgaria?
Happy Skiing- make it a good one!
re: Just back from Borovets- full report as promised!
good to hear that the snow condition is getting better as well as the samokov ski school. I am going there on 8 feb and living in Samokov hotel...I hope i will learn skiing in this holiday
re: Just back from Borovets- full report as promised!
Hi Ian, glad you had a good time, we're counting down to our hols now, interesting to hear about the exchange rates in the booths, think we used them last time we were there and wasn't much difference between there and the hotel exchange.Here's to Boro!!!
re: Just back from Borovets- full report as promised!
Good report Ian glad you did enjoy, going next week for the fifth time and still looking forward to another great week full of fun and laughter alsore: Just back from Borovets- full report as promised!
Samokov is a big hotel and you can feel just one of many- though i rate the ski school highly and sure you will learn well Calvin- Rates of exchange not really much difference anywhere just convienient for us on the street reallyre: Just back from Borovets- full report as promised!
Mad Mark! If you know Boro mate- you will certainly enjoy! just back a few hours an missing it
re: Just back from Borovets- full report as promised!
Certainly do know Boro Ian always found it to be a top place partying until 3and 4 in the morning and never missed a ski lesson. Found the happy duck to be the best place later in the evenings dancing on the tables etc. Mind you when i get home it takes me aweek to get over it
re: Just back from Borovets- full report as promised!
Thanks for the honest review. One comment I found interesting:
"As the kids really prefer their skiing to sitting around a pool in Summer, and i enjoy watching their development"
Keep them in school during term time and pay a little extra to holiday during the school holidays this may aid their development in the right direction rather than you thinking from your wallet.
I realise it is expensive to travel during term time but all research shows it is very detrimental to children ...
"As the kids really prefer their skiing to sitting around a pool in Summer, and i enjoy watching their development"
Keep them in school during term time and pay a little extra to holiday during the school holidays this may aid their development in the right direction rather than you thinking from your wallet.
I realise it is expensive to travel during term time but all research shows it is very detrimental to children ...
Thanks for the honest review. One comment I found interesting:
"As the kids really prefer their skiing to sitting around a pool in Summer, and i enjoy watching their development"
Keep them in school during term time and pay a little extra to holiday during the school holidays this may aid their development in the right direction rather than you thinking from your wallet.
I realise it is expensive to travel during term time but all research shows it is very detrimental to children to take them out of school no matter how young or old they are. (This of course may be due to the fact parents who don’t take their children out probably put their kids first and thus end up with better supported education provision)
Thanks for the review
Pat.
"As the kids really prefer their skiing to sitting around a pool in Summer, and i enjoy watching their development"
Keep them in school during term time and pay a little extra to holiday during the school holidays this may aid their development in the right direction rather than you thinking from your wallet.
I realise it is expensive to travel during term time but all research shows it is very detrimental to children to take them out of school no matter how young or old they are. (This of course may be due to the fact parents who don’t take their children out probably put their kids first and thus end up with better supported education provision)
Thanks for the review
Pat.
re: Just back from Borovets- full report as promised!
Pat thats got to be sad Mikey sneaking on the board again, you should keep your nose out of other peoples business am sure Ian is a fine dad and will always do the best for his children, pity your mother didnt keep an eye on you saddo
re: Just back from Borovets- full report as promised!
hi PatThen why did the school take my daughter off to France with many other kids from her school skiing last March then during school term time- Ohh again- its your first post dear, so ill not tell you the fact that schools recognise skiing is a sport and encourage it! silly me! Missed this board like- wheres Mickey?
