Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Hi Gerry,
All the family say hello, it looks like a possible drop in temperature by the end of the week with dare i say it ---- Snow!
At the end of the day this is only one really bad season, I'm sure everything will get back to normal next season and will be smiles all round again.
Ive been looking for deals for the end of March, but everything seems really expensive, maybe closer to the time ill be able to get a bargain as I've still got my fingers crossed for a end of season dump hopefully.

it is all down to personality Steve. 20 years living for at least 50-60 days a season plus summer ski camps for 2-3 weeks and I have made very strong friends ( and french of course )
As for the skiing for a ordinary Tourist going for a week, compact with skiing ,skiing and more skiing ,French resorts are one of the most convenient.
If you are historian on a historical trip then you choose history as your main thing.
If you want a village then you choose village resort and be prepared to walk long distances or ski long straights into your chalet
Most of the high resorts are bumper to bumper with some pretty old things to visit (La Grave for example) like museums,castles,mega view points etc)if you want side kicks while on that week long holiday no problem.
Skiing has to be reliable so the higher you go- the better unless you book always very very last minute and choose wisely. .
Austrian resorts as a whole are lower and attached to a village with few exceptions of course.
I have found Austrian locals to be less friendly apart of the chalet owners maybe.
Classic places like Les ARCS Flaine Avoriaz in France are there to fulfill a need for ski-to-door skiing but in any way they are not ugly_or at least less ugly then the normal view in Bansko for example or Borovets with its shacks all over the place.
Flaine has placed a bit of art and make over the concrete to soften the view.
Les Arcs is in form with the dramatic rocky views and a massive area.
On lower levels the places are improving dramatically .
I dont know when last you have visited Flaine but for the last 5-10 years things have gone strongly in the right direction.
Places like Val thorens which is so high even above the pastures and into the rocky belt of the mountain is OK to look in the winter and OK to be in the summer.
The same goes to Tignes(pretty areas pretty lake,massive views absolute convenience.
there are there to stay and be enjoyed by army of snow lovers.
Dont forget that the dramatic mountain views all over the Alps.
in BG the views are only in one direction as oppose the ones in the Alps where the high peaks are 360 degrees and in pretty much every resort high or low..
But then again you could enjoy one little hill in front of you or even no hill whatsoever.
I have had pretty good few hours of perfect skiing next to my house on a steep 30 degrees 200meters slope in UK BUT probably only once or twice for the last 10 years and for few hours and when it is gone -it is gone until who know next..
When it comes to dramatic sceneries nothing can match the Alps you must agree.
I hear you are in Bulgaria and there for a season or two that's fine for whatever reason, but Mecca is Mecca.
Everyone can get used to anything even unpleasant.
Good you are brave enough to withstand the current situation.
I have seen in the past resorts go under for just a snowless season or two.
Money dries out no new money ignorance about the competition in the same category and the inevitable happens you know.But back to typical resorts.
The lower altitude in general of the Austrian resorts or at least some makes them less reliable and less snowy at the base and that's a fact..
Few of them open only when possible.
There are exeptions where the money is no problem or when they are link direct with higher places.
The same goes for majority of Swiss resorts but there the order of the day is maybe more Chalets all over the place scattered on the surrounding slopes and in all directions so reaching your patch involves a steady walk ( which is not practical for families with kids or in general for people gone skiing for a week to practice what they love and dream about and not to delude it with miningless walks to and from slopes with ski boots and gear .
On opposite the purpose built resorts have been planted with skiing in mind in all directions not as a kind of attached limb with bit of skiing, bit of history, bit of rurals etc.
'Theone-week-holiday-maker in purpose built resorts means : minimal walking,maximum skiing and on sure real snow more time to sit after long day skiing looking from your big window magical mountain colors changing through the night rather than watching your apartment complex next door or hurdles of drunk drunk stag party goers spending their days with The Hangover feeling.
There are plenty of truly honest villages and places in France Austria Italy,Swiss where things are balanced too pretty well/perfect. .
Plus the season is longer usually which makes financial sense even more.
As we are on a Bulgarian forum though practical things to make the place appealing are plenty but sometimes I think they are too many to complete the picture into nice vacation,nice ski destination,nice atmosphere etc.
You are right about the current situation .
BUT if Bansko comes on the market in its current state I don't think anyone with brain will want it or make something of it .
Maybe the new buyer will get it and squiz a little bit more juice (money) and completely destroy it.
Competition is so fierce around the globe that I dont see anyone crying if Bansko Borovets or Pamporovo don't make it.
Sad for the locals who will be getting the bad apple without a say.