Bulgaria Ski discussion board
Just back from Pamporovo
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posts : 13 (Beginner)Date : 01-09-06 15:47Just back from Pamporovo
Hey all,
Just back from first time in Pamporovo. Snow conditions were good when I left, lower runs were a touch dodgy but everything was in a much much better state than at the start of last week. Main problem on the slopes last week was the visibility, top of the mountain didn't clear from Wednesday onwards. Snow will probably do fine this week but will need another dump for those going next week.
Be warned, even on runs with good snow cover there are a stack of unmarked boulders ...
Just back from first time in Pamporovo. Snow conditions were good when I left, lower runs were a touch dodgy but everything was in a much much better state than at the start of last week. Main problem on the slopes last week was the visibility, top of the mountain didn't clear from Wednesday onwards. Snow will probably do fine this week but will need another dump for those going next week.
Be warned, even on runs with good snow cover there are a stack of unmarked boulders ...
Hey all,
Just back from first time in Pamporovo. Snow conditions were good when I left, lower runs were a touch dodgy but everything was in a much much better state than at the start of last week. Main problem on the slopes last week was the visibility, top of the mountain didn't clear from Wednesday onwards. Snow will probably do fine this week but will need another dump for those going next week.
Be warned, even on runs with good snow cover there are a stack of unmarked boulders poking through. The bases of my ski's are now decidedly worse than they were when I arrived, some area's you can't avoid clipping a few there are that many! For those used to well marked, well signposted, european runs forget it. For those who'll like exploring an anonymous hillside... enjoy! Print a pistemap before you go if you haven't been before.
The queues weren't too bad, and were surprisingly quieter on Saturday than the Friday. There is NO queue management and this would probably be the main on-hill complaint, you have a reasonable queue at the base of the 3 or 4 man chairs and there are chairs repeatedly going up with 1 or 2 people on them. The idea of actualy filling the chairs doesn't seem to occur!! There's some interesting queue jumping (sorry Robert... I mean filtering!) but it's all light hearted and there aren't any riots!
As for the hotel... PRESPA... fantastic for a 3 star. Rooms fine, lovely bar/lounge area. Food is just what I expected, buffet, decent choice, some interesting translations "mish-mash" for one! So while it might not be great there is always something to have.
Staff were brilliant couldn't recommend it highly enough. The hotel's in a good location... although once your in if you follow the signs for the Red Bar you'll end up in the police station!
We took ski bus down in the morning (really handy for the hotel) and taxi back at the end of the day - thoroughly recommend the taxi - if just for sheer entertainment.
The shopping centre between the Murgavets and Perelik is worth a visit.
On the whole had a great week, definitely head back, probably to prespa, in fact even looking at another week in March!
Douglas
Just back from first time in Pamporovo. Snow conditions were good when I left, lower runs were a touch dodgy but everything was in a much much better state than at the start of last week. Main problem on the slopes last week was the visibility, top of the mountain didn't clear from Wednesday onwards. Snow will probably do fine this week but will need another dump for those going next week.
Be warned, even on runs with good snow cover there are a stack of unmarked boulders poking through. The bases of my ski's are now decidedly worse than they were when I arrived, some area's you can't avoid clipping a few there are that many! For those used to well marked, well signposted, european runs forget it. For those who'll like exploring an anonymous hillside... enjoy! Print a pistemap before you go if you haven't been before.
The queues weren't too bad, and were surprisingly quieter on Saturday than the Friday. There is NO queue management and this would probably be the main on-hill complaint, you have a reasonable queue at the base of the 3 or 4 man chairs and there are chairs repeatedly going up with 1 or 2 people on them. The idea of actualy filling the chairs doesn't seem to occur!! There's some interesting queue jumping (sorry Robert... I mean filtering!) but it's all light hearted and there aren't any riots!
As for the hotel... PRESPA... fantastic for a 3 star. Rooms fine, lovely bar/lounge area. Food is just what I expected, buffet, decent choice, some interesting translations "mish-mash" for one! So while it might not be great there is always something to have.
Staff were brilliant couldn't recommend it highly enough. The hotel's in a good location... although once your in if you follow the signs for the Red Bar you'll end up in the police station!
We took ski bus down in the morning (really handy for the hotel) and taxi back at the end of the day - thoroughly recommend the taxi - if just for sheer entertainment.
The shopping centre between the Murgavets and Perelik is worth a visit.
On the whole had a great week, definitely head back, probably to prespa, in fact even looking at another week in March!
Douglas
re: Just back from Pamporovo
Glad you had a good time in the Prespa, I have stayed there 3 times and will be returning there next year 2007As for the queues, not as bad as last year when the lighning was closing the odd one here and there.... no-one got up the mountain one day!
Ally
re: Just back from Pamporovo
Hi Douglas,
If you go back in march try and avoid the week with the Bulgarian bank holiday. I think it was about march the 13th ish, it was a friday last year and it made for very busy slopes and lifts in the second half of our week. It didn't spoil our week, we still had a fantastic time but if you have the choice you may as well avoid it. We're off to Pamps on 18th Feb only 40 sleeps to go! I'm going to have to stop this 'sleeps to go' business I think the kids are getting ...
If you go back in march try and avoid the week with the Bulgarian bank holiday. I think it was about march the 13th ish, it was a friday last year and it made for very busy slopes and lifts in the second half of our week. It didn't spoil our week, we still had a fantastic time but if you have the choice you may as well avoid it. We're off to Pamps on 18th Feb only 40 sleeps to go! I'm going to have to stop this 'sleeps to go' business I think the kids are getting ...
Hi Douglas,
If you go back in march try and avoid the week with the Bulgarian bank holiday. I think it was about march the 13th ish, it was a friday last year and it made for very busy slopes and lifts in the second half of our week. It didn't spoil our week, we still had a fantastic time but if you have the choice you may as well avoid it. We're off to Pamps on 18th Feb only 40 sleeps to go! I'm going to have to stop this 'sleeps to go' business I think the kids are getting embarassed!
Martin.
If you go back in march try and avoid the week with the Bulgarian bank holiday. I think it was about march the 13th ish, it was a friday last year and it made for very busy slopes and lifts in the second half of our week. It didn't spoil our week, we still had a fantastic time but if you have the choice you may as well avoid it. We're off to Pamps on 18th Feb only 40 sleeps to go! I'm going to have to stop this 'sleeps to go' business I think the kids are getting embarassed!
Martin.
re: Just back from Pamporovo
this will be my 4th time to Prespa, I find it's a really good value for money hotelIf with Balkan can be just as easy to walk to ski depot as we did last year also walked back!!! It loosened up the muscles!!! then a nice powerful shower after a couple of beers in the bar
re: Just back from Pamporovo
Thanks Martin,prob heading out 5th if at all possible, so should finish just in time!
Cheers
Douglas
re: Just back from Pamporovo
Martin/Douglas, the Bank Holiday was March 3rd, so going on the 5th you should just miss it. It was crazy, punch ups in the lift queues and 'millions' of locals, most of whom could not ski. My daughter was taken out twice by the same idiot in the space of 10 minutes. It really is worth avoiding it if you can.Jon
