Bulgaria Ski discussion board
Pamporovo Update
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posts : 13 (Beginner)Date : 01-25-09 21:47Pamporovo Update
Thanks to Michael for his honest thread, just back from the Snezhanka also after a week in Pamporovo. Took quite a bit of time to find out as much as possible. But here is a brief summary of the facts as I know them. I will add further information if queries to this thread make it necessary.
THE SNOW
There were only two slopes open last week, the green, top to bottom and the T-bar/tourist slope. As there were only 400 people in the resort, however, the runs were not too busy and ...
THE SNOW
There were only two slopes open last week, the green, top to bottom and the T-bar/tourist slope. As there were only 400 people in the resort, however, the runs were not too busy and ...
Thanks to Michael for his honest thread, just back from the Snezhanka also after a week in Pamporovo. Took quite a bit of time to find out as much as possible. But here is a brief summary of the facts as I know them. I will add further information if queries to this thread make it necessary.
THE SNOW
There were only two slopes open last week, the green, top to bottom and the T-bar/tourist slope. As there were only 400 people in the resort, however, the runs were not too busy and beginners/early intermediates were well catered for. Rained constantly on Thursday (esp night) and high winds caused the closure of the mountain on Thursday & Friday. Rain turned to snow however on Friday morning but no skiing for last two days.
It is unlikely that many more runs will open despite the new snow as the depth needed to cover the saplings etc on the black runs is considerable. The new runs lacked snow at the bottom.
PRICES
Prices were much the same as last year. A Bulgarian Brandy in the Snezhanka cost 2 lev and 3-4 lev on the mountain. Same for a vodka or small local beer.
A meal cost 10-15 lev and we were able to arrange kids meals for 8 lev (quarter pizza chips & drink).
Where things have gone wrong is that there appears to be no proper calculation of profit margins and occasional rip off practices. eg put a 3 lev brandy in a hot chocolate and it becomes 10 lev!!! Put a 2 lev vodka in a coke and it becomes 8-10 lev!!! Taxis are ridiculous at 20-25 lev (just walk away) 8 lev Pamporovo to Malina 3-4 lev for local journies is more than enough.
Having ski shops in the resort selling clothing at four times the prices of TK Max and discount UK stores makes no sense.
10 lev for a good meal like Karvarma is fair enough. Buy Bulgarian food and drinks. Over the next year those in charge need to look at pricing in a more logical and methodical manner. 10 lev for a main meal, 6 lev for a hot chocolate & brandy 7-8 lev for a kids meal could be advertised in advance to attract new customers.
CHANGES
As may have already been posted a lot of the bosses in the resort have been sacked last week. The 'lady' in charge of the overall resort intends to visit frequently to see improvement and changes. 60 new snow cannon were bought and paid for last Friday and will be used to keep the main, north facing runs open next season. A number of employees will also be retained to clear all slopes of stones and saplings etc this summer.
PLOVDIV
As Plovdiv was built by the Germans in the second world war to cater for military aircraft and its location chosen as it was nearly always fog bound (preventing detection by the allies) it is unlikely that it can be used again without major investment. There is however another military airfield at the other side of Plovdiv that is usually clear of fog.
THE FUTURE
Pamporovo is a fantastic place. It should never try to complete with France or Austria. Its place in the market was always to attract the first time skiers and low to mid intermediates, low prices and excellent instruction. It always attracted those who wanted to ski but could never afford to go to France of Austria. If the prices are lowered to 'reasonable' levels and the new snow cannon/workers clearing the pistes do their work the resort will rediscover its lost clientèle. 60% of Bankantours customers are school groups. Young people who will come back. There is a huge untapped marked out there it just needs to attracted.
Thanks to Krassy and to Pavel, Galina and ALL in the resort. We had a fantastic week despite the poor snow. Your hospitality and the way the ski instructors looked after the 104 kids in the resort (from 3 schools) was FANTASTIC. THANK YOU!
THE SNOW
There were only two slopes open last week, the green, top to bottom and the T-bar/tourist slope. As there were only 400 people in the resort, however, the runs were not too busy and beginners/early intermediates were well catered for. Rained constantly on Thursday (esp night) and high winds caused the closure of the mountain on Thursday & Friday. Rain turned to snow however on Friday morning but no skiing for last two days.
It is unlikely that many more runs will open despite the new snow as the depth needed to cover the saplings etc on the black runs is considerable. The new runs lacked snow at the bottom.
PRICES
Prices were much the same as last year. A Bulgarian Brandy in the Snezhanka cost 2 lev and 3-4 lev on the mountain. Same for a vodka or small local beer.
A meal cost 10-15 lev and we were able to arrange kids meals for 8 lev (quarter pizza chips & drink).
Where things have gone wrong is that there appears to be no proper calculation of profit margins and occasional rip off practices. eg put a 3 lev brandy in a hot chocolate and it becomes 10 lev!!! Put a 2 lev vodka in a coke and it becomes 8-10 lev!!! Taxis are ridiculous at 20-25 lev (just walk away) 8 lev Pamporovo to Malina 3-4 lev for local journies is more than enough.
Having ski shops in the resort selling clothing at four times the prices of TK Max and discount UK stores makes no sense.
10 lev for a good meal like Karvarma is fair enough. Buy Bulgarian food and drinks. Over the next year those in charge need to look at pricing in a more logical and methodical manner. 10 lev for a main meal, 6 lev for a hot chocolate & brandy 7-8 lev for a kids meal could be advertised in advance to attract new customers.
CHANGES
As may have already been posted a lot of the bosses in the resort have been sacked last week. The 'lady' in charge of the overall resort intends to visit frequently to see improvement and changes. 60 new snow cannon were bought and paid for last Friday and will be used to keep the main, north facing runs open next season. A number of employees will also be retained to clear all slopes of stones and saplings etc this summer.
PLOVDIV
As Plovdiv was built by the Germans in the second world war to cater for military aircraft and its location chosen as it was nearly always fog bound (preventing detection by the allies) it is unlikely that it can be used again without major investment. There is however another military airfield at the other side of Plovdiv that is usually clear of fog.
THE FUTURE
Pamporovo is a fantastic place. It should never try to complete with France or Austria. Its place in the market was always to attract the first time skiers and low to mid intermediates, low prices and excellent instruction. It always attracted those who wanted to ski but could never afford to go to France of Austria. If the prices are lowered to 'reasonable' levels and the new snow cannon/workers clearing the pistes do their work the resort will rediscover its lost clientèle. 60% of Bankantours customers are school groups. Young people who will come back. There is a huge untapped marked out there it just needs to attracted.
Thanks to Krassy and to Pavel, Galina and ALL in the resort. We had a fantastic week despite the poor snow. Your hospitality and the way the ski instructors looked after the 104 kids in the resort (from 3 schools) was FANTASTIC. THANK YOU!
re: Pamporovo Update
cheers just spoke to a instructor friend in pamps and said the same about slopes,only 3 open
re: Pamporovo Update
But as I said the slopes are not busy. The conditions on the open slopes was good, if a little hard in places. While I was obviously looking forward to skiing the new runs, reds and blacks I was with a large group depending on these two-three runs and only high winds prevented them from having a fantastic full week of skiing. As it was the ski instructors helped make the last day a memorable one by organising bum boarding, snowman building etc at Malina.re: Pamporovo Update
What's the story about the bosses being sacked? Is there another link about this one?Also, is there alink re snow cannons?
re: Pamporovo Update
Not sure what's happening about people being sacked but my friend Michelle who was running the Rhodopa house was given her marching orders on very short notice and so have others I have been told but why this is and what effect it will have I have no idea. I personally think that pamps as a resort losing Michelle who has been there for 6 yrs is a huge loss but I suppose I am biased but I know there are many on this board and who have holidayed there who have benefited from Michelle's help ...
Not sure what's happening about people being sacked but my friend Michelle who was running the Rhodopa house was given her marching orders on very short notice and so have others I have been told but why this is and what effect it will have I have no idea. I personally think that pamps as a resort losing Michelle who has been there for 6 yrs is a huge loss but I suppose I am biased but I know there are many on this board and who have holidayed there who have benefited from Michelle's help and advice over the years.
re: Pamporovo Update
What I heard on Tuesday was that there had bee a big meeting.. The thread 'would you pre book Pamporovo next year' and Galina's thread on 'What would you change' brought a lot of issues to the fore. That and the fact that Pamporovo only had about 400 tourists!!!
Maybe someone who knows more facts can post but it was confirmed by over six locals that heads had rolled. Changes are coming the new snow cannons were confirmed on Friday. When they will begin to operate is another story ...
Maybe someone who knows more facts can post but it was confirmed by over six locals that heads had rolled. Changes are coming the new snow cannons were confirmed on Friday. When they will begin to operate is another story ...
What I heard on Tuesday was that there had bee a big meeting.. The thread 'would you pre book Pamporovo next year' and Galina's thread on 'What would you change' brought a lot of issues to the fore. That and the fact that Pamporovo only had about 400 tourists!!!
Maybe someone who knows more facts can post but it was confirmed by over six locals that heads had rolled. Changes are coming the new snow cannons were confirmed on Friday. When they will begin to operate is another story.
The point is that Pamporovo needs your views. It needs to know what level to set prices to attract tourists. What can be improved etc.
The price of a package to Pamporovo needs to be looked at also. The Sella Ronda lift pass for the whole region was 10€ cheaper that the Pamporovo lift pass two weeks ago for two pistes!!!
Maybe someone who knows more facts can post but it was confirmed by over six locals that heads had rolled. Changes are coming the new snow cannons were confirmed on Friday. When they will begin to operate is another story.
The point is that Pamporovo needs your views. It needs to know what level to set prices to attract tourists. What can be improved etc.
The price of a package to Pamporovo needs to be looked at also. The Sella Ronda lift pass for the whole region was 10€ cheaper that the Pamporovo lift pass two weeks ago for two pistes!!!
