Bulgaria Ski discussion board

Its not just those in the resort who are listening. I can confirm that the owners/management group of the superb new apartment complex just above the middle station (where the ranch used to be) were also in the resort. Those apartments offer door step skiing, excellent accommodation a cafe/bar and restaurant. Only problem is you ski past hem not realising what they have to offer.

These people are very knowledgeable, have a wealth of experience in the wider European market place and want to help. Far too often, even on this forum we have seen people arguing and falling out. This group is one of several, looking to bring all the hotel owners together to work together for the benefit of all.

There was a rumour of a new runway at Plovdiv and an improved road to Pamporovo but some locals dismissed it last week as it has been talked about for years.

What needs to happen is for those who are in charge and in the know to communicate facts, on this web site or Pamporovoskiresort.com. Find out what people want, deliver it and use it to advertise the resort (without any misleading information as trust is built on truth and honouring promises)

Spot on Forest Nooky.

Pamporovo Pete's reflection on the good times two weeks ago identified why people came here. Yes times move on but any progress should not allow those running the resort to lose sight of what attracted the tourists. Ski Instructors forbidden from being in the resort and the lobby bar (Perelik), the inflated cost of simple things like hot chocolate and taxis or being told that certain restaurants are off limits all put people off.

I have been to Pamporovo when snow was worse than last week and still managed to ski all the runs. If pistes were prepared in the closed season there is no reason why more runs could have been open.

The ski instructors last week were fantastic and the hospitality of the locals, especially in Chepelare excellent.

The part of Fluter's report which bothers me most, is failure to clear the pistes of construction debris. I was in Pamps in the summer, and I mentioned in a thread called something like "Pamporovo Construction Update" that the piste running past the back of the Castle down to the bus stop lift had some frankly horrific debris, such as chunks of concrete the size of a beach ball with sharp reinforced steel bars sticking out of it dotted around. Whilst to be fair the majority of this was scattered in the margins to the side of the piste, a child only has to lose control and fall off the edge of the piste, and instead of flumping gently into powder, to my mind there is every chance of being seriously injured or killed by this stuff. Those in charge of the resort have a primary duty to ensure that marked pistes are safe for users (within the bounds of a sport which has its own inherent dangers), and if someone was to be impaled on this debris it would do potentially irreparable damage to the reputation of the resort. I think that every construction company should have a zone of responsibility around their sites, whereby they must do regular (say weekly) sweeps to clear all debris and litter from their zone, and where they will be penalised for any failures to comply. I am sure that there will be isolated cases where company A dumps its waste in company B's zone in the dead of night, but that is not really the point. We post on this forum because we have an interest in Pamporovo, and as a skier with kids the unsafe nature of the pistes is as much an issue for me as all of the other problems (prices, taxis etc) which have been mentioned this season.

We all hope to see improvements next year. I am in Pamps mid-Feb and hope to avoid coming home in a body bag.

Just back Sat from Pamporovo.

Had a wonderful time. The place is as beautiful as ever, the Bulgarians as hospitable as ever and the instruction as good as ever....

Prices are generally the same as last year ...

Big bottle of Local beer (Zagorka, Kamenitza) 4 lv

Hot chocolate in most places 10 lv (with brandy obviously) In the Bohemi they were only 8 lv (Remember to say "separate" so that you see exactly what you are getting) - Never got to the Markony this year ... they usually have the cheapest and best quality)

A carton of 200 Victories (ask for the White if you smoke normal strength brands) was 27 Lv or 2.70 per packet

Milka chocolate up to 2.70 lv for the normal size bar. In Smoylen this was 1 lv

The perfumes were the same price as home this year but not being an expert in these matters, can't confirm their authenticity. They did go down well with the people I bought them for and they seemed to think they were the real McCoy.

In support of what Fluter said about the big meeting on Tuesday, I was standing outside the Perelik Hall at the Bowling Bar and judging by the reaction of those coming out, something major happened!

On Friday, the Head Ski Instructor, Spaz(sp?), told me that 52 cannons had been ordered, the cash transfered that day!

The general feeling about "whatever happened" at the emergency meeting was positive and hopeful for the future. A certain recognition of a more professional approach being required permeated the conversations .... but that might just have been the Kavarma Fluter had

All in all .... Ne'er heed wit the Huddies croak for doom ... Pamporovo is alive and kicking .... If you're due to go .... a good snowfall will sort everything out .... Go with a good attitude (and 20% more spending money because of the Pound/Lev exchange rate) and you'll have a ball in one of the most beautiful places on the planet!

regards

Woodsy