Bulgaria Ski discussion board

We returned from Borovets on Saturday (group of 4 - 3 beginners, 1 intermediate) and whilst I'd read a lot of useful stuff on this site prior to going, I thought I'd add our experiences as there seemed to be a lot of conflicting info. Here goes...

We stayed in the Rila - rooms were clean, comfortable and the water was hot, but became a bit 'hit and miss' at peak times when everyone had finished skiing.

Food - again a bit 'hit and miss'. Breakfast was reasonable with a wide enough selection for you to find something that was good enough to keep you going throughout the morning. None of the group were ill throughout the week (the occasional episode of loose bowels, but you get that on every holiday - don't you?!?!?) Dinner was slightly more 'miss' than 'hit' - and by the end of the week you'd definitely seen the choices at least once before - we took the option of eating in the hotel every other night, and alternating it with eating out - ensured that variety remained and a good meal out took away the memories of a poorer meal in the hotel the night before.

Eating out - We'd definitely recommend the chinese (just down the hill from the gondola, on the opposite side) - priced about the same as Chinese in England, but plenty of it and the service was really good. The place we would definitely recommend is Mamma Mia's steak house on the back road opposite the Rila. Steak flambee was the special at 17levs and was fantastic George the waiter was very proud of his flambeeing abilities and Kriss equally proud of his ability to set tables and light candles. The live music was provided by two hippy-style guys on guitars and an harmonica with renditions of classic english songs with an intersting foreign twang - after 2 bottles of decent 'labeled wine' everyone joined in

Ski School - the three beginners took up the pre-paid option through Inghams including skis, boots and lessons. Sunday morning can be a bit hectic, would recommend getting to the hire place early (you can go any time between 8 and 10), but the earlier the better. We all had our stuff within 20 minutes and it was much more fun standing around outside for half an hour than being part of the crowd inside. The equipment was of a good standard and is more than suitable for anyone up to and including intermediate level.

Instructors - all 3 of our group were taken by an instrucor called Krasse and this was were the problems started. Whilst he appeared very nice, by the end of the first day he was trying to coerce the group into going skidooing with him rather than the reps and it was obvious that he was out to make a bit of extra cash! We did go skidooing with him, as it was the same price, and also he went in the morning as opposed to the evning with the tour reps - however, this meant that people in his group that didn't go lost out on lesson time, and whilst he offered to ski later in the day - people with kids in kindergarten had to pick them up earlier so they ended up losing out as well. Krasse then started to badger the group into going to another ski resort saying that it had better conditions, less queues, etc, etc... but youv'e guessed it, there was another cost for the coach and ski pass! The group decided not to go, and this really annoyed Krasse and he changed personality, becoming quite intimidating at times.

The group as a whole complained, and 7 were moved to another instructor - Rumen, who was much better, and made sure the rest of the holiday went very smoothly. All the group progressed really well over the week, and all finished their holiday being able to ski!!!

Snow conditions were excellent at the resort, and the new piste bashers (2 brand new from Italy this season) and the snow-making machines on the lower slopes ensured that there was plenty of skiing all week. Temperatures started to rise on Friday, and by Saturday were around 20 degrees - so I don't know what it will be like now.

All in all a great place to go skiing, especially for beginners and intermediates. It's a lot cheaper than other ski resorts, and because of that there was no worries about having to be dressed in 'this seasons colours' or in 'designer gear'.

If you go to Borovets with an open mind, and recognise the fact that Bulgaria is a poor country, you will have a superb holiday which will leave you wanting more!

Cheers
Ian

We were at the rila on 10th Jan, Rumen was our instructor, I would say that he was excellent with us, he let us decide where we wanted to ski (within reason) let us pick the time to meet, time to eat etc. Never once expected us to pay for his lunch or drinks, and on two occasion came out drinking with our group. On the night of the party he met up with us prior to going in the nightclub for a few drinks also.

He never tried to deceive us or get us to buy anything. He was just what you wanted.

Even when I skied straight into him and knocked him over he didn't complain.

Just to say no instructors expect you to pay for their lunch as they eat free regardless of where they take you. Seems to be an arrangement with the restaurants and therefore a "perk" of the job.

From our experience last year, we also had a Krassi, a popular name and possibly not the same one, the instructors go out of their way to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible. They want you to experience as much as possible and if this means going out of town to ski then they will suggest it. Pamp Pete mentioned a similar thing was happening in Pamps also - going to Chepelare, I don't imagine they expected to go for nothing.

Finally, don't forget the reps of the Engish holiday companies earn commission every time they sell a ticket to a quiz night, karaoke doo or skidoo safari - it is the nature of the game and one of the reason holidays are so expensive.

Getting excited now! Only 3 sleeps to go

Ellie

Not sure if this is true but this what our intructor told us anyway. Regarding the lunches you'll notice they never pay. He told me the restuarant where you choose to eat lets Borosport know and it's taken off their wages at the end of the week.

Angel was out intructor and appeared to be a decent guy so I believe what he said.

I guess it makes sence not having to carry money on the slopes in case for whatever reasons it's gets lost.

As I say that's what I was told but I don't know if it's true.