Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Hi,
Just returned from Borovets yesterday and wanted to say what an amazing time I had.
I've skied in Austria, France & Italy before but this year I wanted to try snowboarding so decided to try Borovets because I wouldn't need as many runs and because of the price.
After reading loads of negative comments before going out there I was pretty worried but I seriously had one of the best winter sports holidays I've ever had
No there aren't loads of runs but for a beginner there were plenty. There were a few runs closed but the snow at the top of the gondola was fantastic and we always found plenty to keep us going.
Eating out and drinking in resort was cheap. Average price of 4lev for a large beer, plenty of 241 offers on cocktails, pizza around 12lev and bulgarian dishes around 12lev. Fantastic steak in Katy's for 18lev and a caraf of wine for 6lev!!! Amazing prices when compared with any other ski resort.
The bulgarians were extremely friendly and our snowboarding instructor was excellent. Just learn how to say a couple of words like hello and thank you in their language and you'll get a lot out of them. They have a really dry sense of humour that really appealed to us.
Overall a fantastic holiday that I would recommend to any beginner or basic intermediate.

Ha ha, we found it much much harder to pick up than skiing although everyone reakons that skiing is harder to be really good at.

We only booked 3 days of 2hr group lessons and it wasn't enough. Everyone in our group ended up hiring the instructor for another 3 days. I'd recommend taking extra money for this just in case. It's pretty cheap, only 90lev (£45ish) for the extra 3 days.

By the end of 6 days we could make it down green and blue runs with turns and could make it down red runs on either heel or toe edge (falling leaf).

Expect bruising. I'm absolutely black and blue!! Definitely take some ibuprofen gel with you!

Really enjoyed it and not ruling out trying snowboarding again but think I'm still a skier at heart.

Hi
I went to Borovets in the last week of January 2010.
I have seen people make negative remarks about Borovets and the hotel I stayed (Samokov) at but I do not agree. Firstly when they look at the price, they should not say it is only £100.00 to go to Italy, for example, they need to include the cost of equipment hire, instruction and the lift pass, which was £140.00. If they are saying it is only £100.00 extra for Italy or wherever, are they getting the ski package for this amount? I have looked at brochures for other countries and some are quoting £200 for the total ski package.
Regarding the Samokov hotel, where I stayed. One complaint is the food, which was half board. They have to look at how much they are really paying for the food. I paid £570 for the week (flight, transfer, hotel, food, ski package). It is hard to work out exactly how much I am paying for the food but it is not much. I found the breakfast and the evening meal acceptable. On the arrival day, they kept the restaurant open till 2230hrs for us because out flight was delayed. I know the Bulgarians do not like to keep the breakfast hot but I found it fine. After all I was there to ski. When looking at the total cost of the holiday you also need to work out the cost of the beer, meals, etc.
I seemed to notice that those who seemed to be moaning were those who were not getting on very well with the skiing.
I am already looking to go back there next year.