Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Firstly cheers to dbut, Paulo, Graham, Nicola, Bob, and Carl (top flunky) Jonesy101 and his brothers who made this another action packed holiday
Flew in to sofia on the 17th Jan. Transfer was quick and arrived at the hotel about 9pm.
Hotel Ela. A 3 *** hotel and considering all the negative reports did not know what to expect. Enjoyed my stay. Rooms were clean and well looked after-Towels , cleaning , etc. The food was as it always is in bulgarian hotels but there was enough variety for us to always find something although some people may have needed to use the microwaves to heat it up. Staff were freindly and courteous and we found the way you treated them was reflected in the way you were treated. Will stay there again
Prices
Items to purchase ie. skis / boots / clothing are no longer cheap and better deals can be found at home. Meals and drinks can still be puchased very economically if you look around Titanic/katys/Alpina/Mamacitas/and the pizza place near the Ela.As our crew will tell you we are not light drinkers but eating out and drinking for the week including other spends was only £300. Some places are definitely a lot dearer so beware. Do watch where you eat or drink on the slopes as we did get ripped of once for 49lv for seven hot chocolates whereas we would have 2 bowls of soup/hot bread roll/2 coffees for 19lv in the white magic.Curry night in the Alpina is also not to be missed.Plus if you need help or info go there as they are lovely people and will help if they can.
Faults
The slopes are still not managed properly and any newcomer or begginer would be dissapointed because of lift and gondola problems. Only our knowledge of the place meant that we never had to queue and could always find good snow and be able to ski. Skiers in boro for the first time need to ask around as all the people I know are always willing to share information although they should not have to do this and the resort needs to get its act together. One other fault is that the resort has become quite dirty but this could easily be overcome by a better cleaning regime and the horse drivers being made to clean up the mess near the gondola.
Taxis
Never had a problem but you must negotiate first. Taxi from the gondola out to the yastrabeets 4 man lift was 15lv the same as last year.
Ski storage and service were the same prices as 2 years ago. If you need somewhere for this use the ski shop under the Ela as it is convenient for the gondola and only 20lv for the week.
In general
Had as good a holiday as ever but you do need to be wary, It is the infrastucture affecting the slopes and the resort which does need to seriously alter to keep attracting people back .

Me and dbut are off to Canada in 4 weeks this has been 2 yrs in planning so I am getting a headcam.

Hope this gives some help to anYone on the board.

Yes same time same place next year. Jan 17th 2010 CANT WAIT.

cheers dick could'nt have put it better myself.

hwyl
Snow Plough