Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Me and my girlfriend got back yesterday from borovets so thought we'd give you a little report...

FLIGHTS...planes are old and uncumffy but got us there and back.take your own snacks as ones provided are not so clever.

PLOVDIV AIRPORT...What an experience.thought we'd gone back in time!

TRANSFER TO BOROVETS..2 and a bit hours in a nice coach.for the first 2 hours was worried cos no sign of any snow.then boom, 15 mins from resort we were in snow heaven.looked amazing.

OUR HOTEL...THE RILA...Arrived to reception people seem friendly enough.also there is the rila bar,the biggest smokiest bar ive eva come across.plenty of security guards who i thought had been trained not to smile or speak.didnt see any ladies of the nite.wasnt looking mind.got to ROOM,was quite impressed,nice and clean and spacious with an amazing view over the slopes.rila is in the best location for everything.had constant hot water for our baths and showers but bathroom stank of smoke seemed to be coming thru vents.room got cleaned everyday from friendly staff.

RILA RESTAURANT...Breakfasts were ok for me but girlfriend thought they were shocking.Evening meals we thought were quite bad so ate out most nites.

SNOWBOARDING AND THE SLOPES...Fantastic.plenty of choice for all levels.everything was working everyday except the gondola which shut for a few days due to severe weather conditions(-29)at top..Slopes got groomed every nite,you can ski/board up to about 8ish.ive boarded once before but got a 2 hour lesson from a lad called keekee and he was totally class,learnt me loads.you will find him in the rila every morning.top lad..

EATING OUT AND THE LOCALS...Food much much better than the rila but not as cheap as you think.locals were pleasant enough especially at a place called the zagorka,opposite rila.really nice people and gorgeous food.

ALL IN ALL...had a great holiday.plenty of snow fell for us but more needed now.hire gear not so good.most locals were friendly.plenty of cheap fake gear to buy.resort was spot on.

THIS IS OUR OPINION NO ONE ELSES...Any more questions please ask...

Rila food is not that bad, although if you are really, really, really fussy then eat out it is cheap enough. Food was basic in the evenings rice, potatoes, chips, pasta with sauces or casseroles. I thought it was good every evening but then again I am not a fussy eater and love stews and casseroles which were delicious. Sausages and meatballs most evenings and always a pasta dish, food was very westernised cooked with a Bulgarian slant to it. Bulgarians do not eat their food piping hot like we do so expect it to be not as hot as you would cook it. I was in amongst a party of 11 and not one of us had a bad tummy from the food. Breakfasts were very good. Cereals, lots of different breads, yoghurt, cold meats and cheese and their impression of an English breakfast.

Hope this is of help, eating out is increadibly cheap. Pasta and Pizzas are wonderful in the Sno Bear. Roughly 3 lv to a pound and these are around 8-10lv. Drinks 2-4lv. Better exchange rate in the resort in the bank at the Rila. 2.90 where as I exchanged for 2.65 here in England.