Bulgaria Ski discussion board

HI All,

I'm sorry to just jump into your forum, but I' would like some advise.

Flying from the UK, I'm looking for a weeks snow holiday with my wife early december (3rd-10th)

Unfortunatly due to problems with knees, my wife cant ski, so this is my problem... Can anyone suggest where in Bulgaria (I'm looking as I can use my air miles to Sofia!) would be suitable for a non skiing snow holiday? Places that offer other activities and good night life? we're both early 30's so a mix of good bars, places to eat and would love some local attractions and possible motorised snow sports?

Thank you,

Gareth

Well there is plenty of nightlife in Borovets but i'd suggest a bit boring for a non skier. There is a day trip to a monastery and if you are in a decent hotel/apartments she should get spa activities and or swimming. If she is up for walking then a walk round the cross country course through the forest is quite pleasent and Borovets has plenty of bars to eat and drink whilst watching people come down the pistes. Depending on which side of the mountains you are skiing on and where you have lunch she could join you. She wouldn't be the only none skiier out there.

Hi Gareth,

I presume if you are coming from 3rd - 10th, you are not planning on skiing either as the lifts will not be open? Saying that (and whilst the tour operators will not yet have started) the resort will be packed as the 8th is students weekend, so all the bars / restaurants will be open in preparation for this. All university course lecturers book hotels etc for their courses and you will find most hotels / bars are packed as Borovets is a really popular place for the students weekend. It may sound awful and may be a bit rowdy, but it's normally a great weekend in Borovets.

In terms of other activities, in addition to walking the cross-country course, there is a Kings castle you can visit / walk round (easy walk) or you could take the gondola to the top, have a coffee / lunch and then either walk down (although it's 10km and your wife's knees may not manage this) or get the gondola back down - it will be running for student's weekend but not in the week.

If it has been cold enough / there has been enough snow, the ice skating rink in nearby Samokov (10mins) will be running and the horses in Borovets will also be working if you want to do some gentle horse-riding. The Ski Doo's will also start early due to students weekend, so subject to snow, you will be able to have a ski doo ride. You may be able to get a discounted price if you do it in the week as it is pre-season BUT at the weekend it will be usual winter prices. We are in the Uk for another week on holiday, but will be back hom in Borovets soon and will ask if they will discount prices for a pre-season ride. We will also check when they will start as it may be just on students weekend, it may be the week before which would be better as it won't be so busy.

Click on my name and send me an email if you want any more help / info.

Cheers

Kas

As much as I love Pamporovo I don't think it can compete at the moment with either Bansko or Borovets when it comes to nightlife. Having been to all three resorts my personal opinion for non skiing things to do would put Borovets just 1st followed by Bansko and then Pamporovo. Pamporovo was brilliant a few years back but with the tour companies cutting back on using Plovdiv airport the number of revellers have dropped over the past couple of years and this will continue until common sense prevails. With some major tour companies having a financial interest in using Sofia airport instead of Plovdiv (mentioning no names) it seems greed is more important than need.

Well, If you are planning on skiing Bansko is opening the gondola on 1st Dec. They have been running cannons all weekend to get base down ready for either early snow or enough snow to run on cannon made snow.

There are plenty of spa hotels here, bowling, trips if you want them but being very early in the season I cannot guarantee what bars will be open, what trips will be available and if there would be enough snow for snowmoiling etc. I guessing you could still get out on the ATV's etc. you just a litttle early. Have you looked at Finland?? Levi for example.... plenty of trips etc etc will be going on there.