Bulgaria Ski discussion board
Just back from Pamporovo
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posts : 13 (Beginner)Date : 02-18-07 13:20Just back from Pamporovo
Got back yesterday afternoon. Family of four on our second skiing trip, we stayed at the Malina Chalets (not Malina Residence).
Malina chalets are basic but have everything you need (except hairdryers). More suited to families than party goers as it is a bit away from the centre (10 - 15 leva each way in a cab). If you are a family, don't let the kids channel hop after about 11pm!
Skiing conditions were not perfect but we were in a group of 4 with InterSki and stayed at the top of the ...
Malina chalets are basic but have everything you need (except hairdryers). More suited to families than party goers as it is a bit away from the centre (10 - 15 leva each way in a cab). If you are a family, don't let the kids channel hop after about 11pm!
Skiing conditions were not perfect but we were in a group of 4 with InterSki and stayed at the top of the ...
Got back yesterday afternoon. Family of four on our second skiing trip, we stayed at the Malina Chalets (not Malina Residence).
Malina chalets are basic but have everything you need (except hairdryers). More suited to families than party goers as it is a bit away from the centre (10 - 15 leva each way in a cab). If you are a family, don't let the kids channel hop after about 11pm!
Skiing conditions were not perfect but we were in a group of 4 with InterSki and stayed at the top of the mountain where skiing was possible every day. There was a good dump of snow on Tuesday which lasted the week.
The green run down from halfway to the bottom was just about skiable with care (unless you are a very competent skier) but if you didn't have strong legs and a very good snowplough it was best to get the 3 man lift down from the top. If you were with an instructor it was safe enough and getting down is an achievement but not necessarily an enjoyable one!
It was snowong when we left at 1:00 Saturday morning and looking at the webcams it looks as though there has been quite a lot of snow so conditions should be better.
Don't worry if the conditions at the bottom aren't great, even complete beginners are up the top by day 3 and provided there isn't a major rise in temperatures skiing will be fine as long as you are careful.
Anyone staying in Malina chalets should try the Malina Restaurant which is across the road on the left, excellent food and very reasonable.
Food and drink on the slopes is a bit more expensive than last year but we ( 2 adults and 2 kids) ate and drank at lunch most days for under 50 leva ( about £17.50) so it's not much more than McDonald's but with a much nicer view!
If you get a clear day it is well worth a trip to the restaurant in the tower. It is 5 leva a head to get up there and a bit more expensive but not ridiculous. Try to get your instructor make a reservation as it gets busy, especially if there aren't many sunny days.
We have had a fantastic week despite less than perfect conditions. We went to the same place last year and really enjoyed it but this year was better still. The only difference was that we hire a private instructor rather than being in a big group with the main ski school. Our friends came with us for the first time and went in the private school with us and were at the top of the mountain on the first day!
If you are a beginner and you haven't got your tuition already arranged then try Interski (next to the snow shack). There is absolutely nothing wrong wth the instructors in the main school, they are excellent. The only problem is the size of the groups and you just don't spend as much time practicing when you are one of 15 - 20 as you do when you are one of 4 - 6.
The only thing is that he is pretty much fully booked but there are other small schools dotted around. It costs a bit more but it is worth it.
If anyone has any particular questions I'll be checking the message board from time to time over the next day or 2 and i'll be happy to answer if i can. Beware though, i will give you the unvarnished truth (as I see it) so don't always expect to get the answer you want to!
Wish I was going again before next year so happy skiing you lucky s**s that haven't been yet.
Malina chalets are basic but have everything you need (except hairdryers). More suited to families than party goers as it is a bit away from the centre (10 - 15 leva each way in a cab). If you are a family, don't let the kids channel hop after about 11pm!
Skiing conditions were not perfect but we were in a group of 4 with InterSki and stayed at the top of the mountain where skiing was possible every day. There was a good dump of snow on Tuesday which lasted the week.
The green run down from halfway to the bottom was just about skiable with care (unless you are a very competent skier) but if you didn't have strong legs and a very good snowplough it was best to get the 3 man lift down from the top. If you were with an instructor it was safe enough and getting down is an achievement but not necessarily an enjoyable one!
It was snowong when we left at 1:00 Saturday morning and looking at the webcams it looks as though there has been quite a lot of snow so conditions should be better.
Don't worry if the conditions at the bottom aren't great, even complete beginners are up the top by day 3 and provided there isn't a major rise in temperatures skiing will be fine as long as you are careful.
Anyone staying in Malina chalets should try the Malina Restaurant which is across the road on the left, excellent food and very reasonable.
Food and drink on the slopes is a bit more expensive than last year but we ( 2 adults and 2 kids) ate and drank at lunch most days for under 50 leva ( about £17.50) so it's not much more than McDonald's but with a much nicer view!
If you get a clear day it is well worth a trip to the restaurant in the tower. It is 5 leva a head to get up there and a bit more expensive but not ridiculous. Try to get your instructor make a reservation as it gets busy, especially if there aren't many sunny days.
We have had a fantastic week despite less than perfect conditions. We went to the same place last year and really enjoyed it but this year was better still. The only difference was that we hire a private instructor rather than being in a big group with the main ski school. Our friends came with us for the first time and went in the private school with us and were at the top of the mountain on the first day!
If you are a beginner and you haven't got your tuition already arranged then try Interski (next to the snow shack). There is absolutely nothing wrong wth the instructors in the main school, they are excellent. The only problem is the size of the groups and you just don't spend as much time practicing when you are one of 15 - 20 as you do when you are one of 4 - 6.
The only thing is that he is pretty much fully booked but there are other small schools dotted around. It costs a bit more but it is worth it.
If anyone has any particular questions I'll be checking the message board from time to time over the next day or 2 and i'll be happy to answer if i can. Beware though, i will give you the unvarnished truth (as I see it) so don't always expect to get the answer you want to!
Wish I was going again before next year so happy skiing you lucky s**s that haven't been yet.
re: Just back from Pamporovo
i like the unvarnished truth. sounds like you had a ball, im going in 6 days and i can't wait. thanks for a very good report
re: Just back from Pamporovo
Does anyone have a phonenumber for the snowshack? Does anyone know how much a lift ticket costs if you buy it directly in Pamporovo?Any recommendations for where to purchase lesson and board rental for a not true beginner snow boarder who learns very quickly?
Thanks in advance!! Much appreciated as this is an anniversary trip and a first time mountain trip so is really quite special.
re: Just back from Pamporovo
No info on Snowshack. 6 day lift pass is 276 leva (£100 approx). If you got accomodation through BulgariaSki then you can get a cheap lift pass (£67 approx) through them.I think InterSki Pamporovo do snow board lessons as well as skiing but I'm not sure. Try Peter at mailto:[email protected]. If he can't help I'm sure he'll tell you who can.
Good Luck
re: Just back from Pamporovo
We are planning to go out mid march. Do yuo know if the conditions will be better? When you say they are not great at the bottom do you mean that the snow is melting and it is grassy at the bottom? Do we need ski boots to walk around in or nomal shoes ok?re: Just back from Pamporovo
Miles,
I've no idea what the weather will be like a month from now. Usually the season lasts into April but the locals are saying this is the worst season for 20 years so it doesn't look promising.
The thing is, the weather changes so quickly and you only need a day of snow to make it skiable, sometimes its clear at the bottom and snowing at the top it is so unpredictable.
What I meant by "not great" was icy or slushy at the bottom. Last week the best thing to wear when not skiing ...
I've no idea what the weather will be like a month from now. Usually the season lasts into April but the locals are saying this is the worst season for 20 years so it doesn't look promising.
The thing is, the weather changes so quickly and you only need a day of snow to make it skiable, sometimes its clear at the bottom and snowing at the top it is so unpredictable.
What I meant by "not great" was icy or slushy at the bottom. Last week the best thing to wear when not skiing ...
Miles,
I've no idea what the weather will be like a month from now. Usually the season lasts into April but the locals are saying this is the worst season for 20 years so it doesn't look promising.
The thing is, the weather changes so quickly and you only need a day of snow to make it skiable, sometimes its clear at the bottom and snowing at the top it is so unpredictable.
What I meant by "not great" was icy or slushy at the bottom. Last week the best thing to wear when not skiing was waterproof walking boots or similar. I certainly wouldn't wear your best trainers!
Hope this helps.
I've no idea what the weather will be like a month from now. Usually the season lasts into April but the locals are saying this is the worst season for 20 years so it doesn't look promising.
The thing is, the weather changes so quickly and you only need a day of snow to make it skiable, sometimes its clear at the bottom and snowing at the top it is so unpredictable.
What I meant by "not great" was icy or slushy at the bottom. Last week the best thing to wear when not skiing was waterproof walking boots or similar. I certainly wouldn't wear your best trainers!
Hope this helps.
re: Just back from Pamporovo
hi justinheading over on the 3rd off march a group off 12 out going people 10 beginner do people dress up to go out at night or is it jumper and jeans and good pair off boots. staying in the belmont hotel do you know anything about that hotel.
re: Just back from Pamporovo
Ann
Sorry, I'm a forty something with a family so we didn't really do the going out at night thing! Hopefully the eldest will let me go partying with him in a year or two!
I've only stayed in Malina Chalets (about 10 mins drive out of the centre) so I don't know anything about the hotels. What little I have seen all looks pretty informal, I don't htink any of the bars have a dress code.
Anyway, if all 12 of you go for the same dress code you won't be out of place whatever you wear ...
Sorry, I'm a forty something with a family so we didn't really do the going out at night thing! Hopefully the eldest will let me go partying with him in a year or two!
I've only stayed in Malina Chalets (about 10 mins drive out of the centre) so I don't know anything about the hotels. What little I have seen all looks pretty informal, I don't htink any of the bars have a dress code.
Anyway, if all 12 of you go for the same dress code you won't be out of place whatever you wear ...
Ann
Sorry, I'm a forty something with a family so we didn't really do the going out at night thing! Hopefully the eldest will let me go partying with him in a year or two!
I've only stayed in Malina Chalets (about 10 mins drive out of the centre) so I don't know anything about the hotels. What little I have seen all looks pretty informal, I don't htink any of the bars have a dress code.
Anyway, if all 12 of you go for the same dress code you won't be out of place whatever you wear.
Good luck
Sorry, I'm a forty something with a family so we didn't really do the going out at night thing! Hopefully the eldest will let me go partying with him in a year or two!
I've only stayed in Malina Chalets (about 10 mins drive out of the centre) so I don't know anything about the hotels. What little I have seen all looks pretty informal, I don't htink any of the bars have a dress code.
Anyway, if all 12 of you go for the same dress code you won't be out of place whatever you wear.
Good luck
